PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Steve Zakuani, Seattle Sounders FC
In a season boasting an incredible rookie class, the No. 1 overall college draft pick had his best game of the season, with a goal and an assist in Seattle’s 2-0 win over San Jose. Zakuani, a 21-year-old forward from London, was a terror on the left side of the field and showed that he could combine well from the left wing with Swedish international Freddie Ljungberg, who also is emerging to be every bit as valuable as his $1.3 million salary would require. Zakuani, who spurned a chance to return to Europe by signing with MLS, isn’t doing too bad, either. He’ll make $163,000 this season.
STORY LINES
Real Salt Lake’s royal flush » Six goals by six different players in a second-half span of 36 minutes. It was the best performance in Real Salt Lake’s history, a 6-0 demolition of injury-plagued New England. The rout was on when Javier Morales connected on corner kicks in the 53rd and the 55th minutes, the second a driven ball to the right boot of Clint Mathis, who showed why he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated before the 2002 World Cup, driving a volley just inside the upper left corner of the goal. At the opposite end, the Revolution looked overwhelmed, and the result may be the impetus for starting goalkeeper Matt Reis, who had been slow to return from injury, to replace reserve Brad Knighton, who had started the last four games, including a strong, seven-save effort vs. D.C. United two weeks ago.
Carver can’t take MLS heat » Toronto FC head coach John Carver became the first coaching casualty of the season, by his own hand, resigning after six games due to what he deemed as poor officiating and a heavy hand from MLS headquarters. “If ever you do anything or say anything out of order, they’re straight on the phone complaining to the owners and that’s how they work because, in my opinion, it’s all about image,” Carver told the Toronto Star. Last week he was fined $750 for criticizing referees. The Newcastle, England native, who leaves with a 11-15-10 record, said he was not a target to join the coaching staff of his friend Alan Shearer at Newcastle United. TFC (3-2-2) is in first place in the Eastern Conference.
No kudos for Kljestan » Sacha Kljestan began the year nearly getting himself transferred to Europe and starting for the U.S. against Mexico. But in six MLS games, the Chivas USA midfielder has zero goals and zero assists. After getting subbed out last weekend, his coach, Preki, and his teammates let him have it. “I didn’t think he was particularly sharp,” said Preki. Teammate Jesse Marsch added, “It’s still hard for a young guy to have so much pressure, and he’s supposed to be this big-time player, and he definitely is. He’s learning how to deal with that and we’re learning how to keep him going.”
KEY GAME
Seattle at Chicago, Saturday, 8:30 » The Sounders, who are on pace to set an MLS attendance record at home, will take their momentum into the Windy City to face the under-pressure Fire, who can’t seem to finish off their opponents. Former U.S. stars Kasey Kelley and Brian McBride on opposite sides will make the game field like a throwback.
HE SAID WHAT?
“Hey Don, worry about [David] Beckham, not the Yankees. Even he wants out of your league.”
– New York Yankees president Randy Levine, responding to MLS commissioner Don Garber’s following comment on baseball attendance: “It’s incomprehensible that you watch a game and there will be front-row seats empty.”
