What a Weekend!

It was a great weekend for American soccer fans, both for MLS and for our Yanks abroad. Hopefully, next week will be another great weekend, a win over Mexico in Columbus will ensure the United States makes its fifth consecutive trip to the World Cup.

In MLS action over the weekend, fans witnessed a pitifully refereed match between the Kansas City Wizards and the Columbus Crew. Over on BigSoccer, some fans were absolutely indignant. However, while some found Friday's match indicative of the quality of refereeing in the league, at least two solidly refereed matches on Saturday quieted the mob. In the weekend's biggest match (Galaxy v. Earthquakes), referee Abbe Okulaja did a very good job containing two very spirited sides, and allowing play to flow freely and effectively. While fans on both sides questioned a few calls, none could really complain as Okulaja had neither an adverse impact on the game nor was he an impediment to the flow of play.

I was thrilled to have been at Spartan Stadium for the aforementioned Galaxy v. Earthquakes match. I was at the LA game earlier this season, and this game was just as, if not more passionate, rowdy, and fun. It's always great to heckle and I was pleased to get a rise out of hot-head Tyrone Marshall.

The situation: LA has just come out for pre-game warm-ups. Marshall is walking over to the bench. I yell out, "Tyrone Marshall!" I pause, and Marshall looks up to see who could be yelling out his name. He spots me. "Tyrone," I continue, "Thanks for scoring for us!" He gives me a long look, then a double-take in an attempt to stare me down. I keep staring at him, as though to say, "That's right Tyrone, I'm looking right at you, what are you gonna do about it?" He walks over to Cobi Jones and says something. Jones glances up and glares. I flash both a big smile.

Still doesn't quite compare with making faces at Chris Carrieri, making Bob Bradley smile, or so utterly confusing Tim Hankinson with insults that he didn't know what to do about it but smile and nod, but it's always great to get opponents mad (even if my insult was as simple, and disarming, as they come).

I was also happy to see that Landon has embraced his role as local villain. His finger-to-lips and logo-patting routine after the goal was a delight to see. The crowd just keep on booing, but I'll give credit where credit's due: His goal was a quality strike, the likes of which I haven't seen from Landon in a while (see his goal and all other game highlights here).

Power Rankings:

1. San Jose Earthquakes - It wasn't just a big win over LA, it was a convincing win. LA worked hard to shut down Dwayne DeRosario, but it wasn't enough. Inspired play from Mullan, Chung, and the two forwards, Alejandro Moreno and Ronald Cerritos, gave San Jose the deserved victory. Brian Ching's return from injury also seems imminent and should give an even greater boost to a team already firing on all cylinders.

2. New England Revolution - Yes, New England leads the league in points, but of late they have not been entirely convincing. However, New England is a team that finds ways to win late, but they have to stop relying on such late-game heroics and start winning games earlier if they want to advance to MLS Cup.

3. Kansas City Wizards - Is their confidence shaken after losing to Minnesota in the Open Cup? Was it just a bad week? Perhaps Kansas City was screwed by the referee, but even if that were true, it doesn't take away the fact that they looked uninspired and flat Friday night against a Crew team that didn't look much better.

4. D.C. United - The Dema ejection might be a blessing-in-disguise for D.C., likely forcing Nowak to start Freddy Adu. Adu has played his way into the starting eleven this season, and he should infuse much-needed energy and creative flair to a side that has looked tired and one that is lacking in sharpness. This team also needs Bobby Boswell to find his form quickly; two own goals in two weeks?

5. Chicago Fire - They weren't able to hurt themselves by playing this weekend, so I'll give them a pass. They have a tough road game in LA ahead of them this week, but their Eastern Conference rivals really helped them out this week by losing.

6. FC Dallas - A point is a point, but at home? More troubling still is that they are yet to win at new home Pizza Hut Park. They are now eight points out of first place in the West, and have a huge home game against San Jose this week. While San Jose will be without midfield general Dwayne DeRosario, Dallas will be missing Greg Vanney, Carlos Ruiz, and Eddie Johnson (World Cup Qualifiers), and Clarence Goodsen (yellow card accumulation). It's going to be a long rest of the season.

7. LA Galaxy - Inspired play from Landon was not enough. Missing Nagamura hurt, but not nearly as much as another away loss. However, LA should be encouraged from their recent road form, nearly drawing points against Chicago, beating United, and battling tough against a superior San Jose side.

8. Colorado Rapids - While they may find themselves down the pecking order this week, a weekend off should do the Rapids a lot of good as they try to move their way up the Western Conference standings.

9. Columbus Crew - Another win, this time against a surging Kansas City side. Say what you want about the referee, but Columbus actually did look dangerous for stretches of the game, displaying a bite that's really been lacking all season.

10. Metrostars - Bob Bradley may not have much time left to turn around this team. A defensive midfield signing should help, but it won't solve all of the Metrostars' defensive woes. They still need to keep looking for defensive help before the transfer window closes, or they'll find that they're playoff window will close right along with it.

11. Chivas - Rising, rising.

12. Real Salt Lake - It's going to be tough the rest of the season, and now Chivas is nipping at their heals. Clint Mathis needs to step up now more than ever.