Apologies, folks, but Monday Morning Sweeper has to take another week off.  But fear not, because to try and make it up to you, here are the top fives goals of the weekend that was in MLS.

5. David Beckham does what he does best to draw the Galaxy even with Montreal

4. Sebastian Miranda heads it (yes heads it) into the net from outside the box to put Columbus up 2-1 over FC Dallas

3. Fabian Espindola scores the only goal in RSL’s 1-0 win over Seattle

2. Lee Nguyen adds a second to put New England comfortably ahead of Vancouver, 4-1

1. Brad Davis christens Houston’s new stadium in style

This is a series that has been topsy-turvy over the course of the 2+ years of existence. This is why you have to be ready for a match like this. This is why you expect something this screwy to go on when a side like Philadelphia is not having a good season, but New York is. All of those records get thrown out the window when these two sides meet up and the distance is so small.

It was a sluggish start to the match for the Red Bulls in the first fifteen minutes, but out of nowhere they struck first in the 17th. It was their first shot on goal in the match as Roy Miller sent a looping ball towards Mehdi Ballouchy who made a fantastic run. Once he got into the Union area, he made a quick stop and a trailing Joel Lindpere was available. Ballouchy fed Lindpere, who entered the area and placed a hard rip into the top of the net and it was one nil to the Red Bulls. It was nearly the same spot that got Lindpere’s first goal at the Home Depot Center.

But a wild sequence left New York behind with nearly an entire half to play. As the Union enjoyed the better of the play in the first half behind a feisty Freddy Adu, Lionard Pajoy got free in the area. A cross from Adu allowed Pajoy to convert the equalizer in the 31st minute. The big Colombian got his second of the game came in the first 22 seconds of the second half as lazy defense from the Red Bulls allowed Pajoy to score and gave the Union a one goal lead.

But between these goals, the Union went down a man. Adu was sent off in the 43rd minute on a dubious second yellow for simulation in the area. This brought his fantastic day to an end, and left the Union shorthanded for over a half.

Adu picked up a yellow very early on a reckless challenge on Roy Miller from behind, with some thinking the challenge was worthy of a straight red. His second booking came as Adu went down in the area, and referee Jorge Gonzalez ruled his falling as simulation. It seemed harsh, but Gonzalez was in a good position to see Dax McCarty’s challenge on Adu.

Since Markus Holgersson arrived, he has looked nervous and lost in his first season here in MLS. But since he was given the Captain’s armband when Thierry Henry got injured, his confidence has grown. He equalized the match in the 68th minute, with a header off a corner from Brandon Barklage. Keon Daniel had position on Holgersson, but once he was moved to the backend of his marker, Holgersson had time and room to put his head on it.

Ten minutes later, it would be Kenny Cooper who puts the Red Bulls ahead for good. A looping ball from Rafa Marquez confused both MacMath and Michael Farfan. The ball bounced between both of them, and Cooper touched the ball past MacMath towards the end line. He tapped in his ninth of the season, equaling Henry’s team leading mark.

Ryan Meara came up with a fantastic save in second-half stoppage time to prevent the Union from getting the game tied again. That gave the Red Bulls their first win in three tries at PPL Park and a four game winning streak. It looks like the slow start has spurred this side on the fast track to first.

Another year, another soccer-specific stadium opens with great fanfare and expectation. This time, it was a sea of Orange in downtown Houston that embraced a sparkling new venue, as they witnessed their beloved Dynamo open their home campaign successfully.

BBVA Compass Stadium has added itself as another jewel of the US soccer-specific stadium (SSS) realm, joining other dandies like Livestrong Sporting Park, Red Bull Arena and the Home Depot Center. So instead of paying rent to an existing NFL or College Football team, in this case the Dynamo will be earning the rent money from a local college.

The one thing they did right was plaster tons of posters of significant players and coaches that have been a part of those two MLS Cup trophies campaigns, after the club relocated from San Jose. Fans were able to relive those glory days with former players like Dwayne DeRosario and Pat Onstad, while also celebrating current players like Brian Ching and Brad Davis.

But of course the best thing about the opening match of BBVA Compass Stadium was the home side getting their first goal and first win at their new home. In the 67th minute a wonderful left footed blast from 25yds out by Brad Davis beat Bill Hamid for the crucial tally.

After Davis struck his beauty, he headed to the far corner and celebrated the venue’s first goal with the supporters. He received a nice pass from Andre Hainault and while he gave a touch on the ball, it was a nice turn around and then the shot. Hamid did get a touch, but it wasn’t enough to stop it.

Being a fan of this league since 1996 the main question was always how long the sport would survive using stadiums made for the NFL and college football. It would be a man with the notion to build a stadium designed to showcase soccer. That was Lamar Hunt, and he constructed Columbus Crew Stadium in 1999.

Since then the league has seen nine stadiums (soon to be ten with San Jose) built, one refurbished in Portland, while Stade Saputo in Montreal is going thru a facelift and capacity expansion. Yes Seattle has shown success with sharing Century Link Field with the Seattle Seahawks, but there are still problems such as an artificial field rather than a grass pitch.

Two charter members of MLS remain in the category of using stadiums that are not ideal for soccer. D.C. United, a four-time league champion, was handed the loss in Saturday’s match. They were forced to witness another franchise earn a new stadium while they toil away in an antique stadium without quality endline seating. The other is a New England side that plays its home matches in Gillette Stadium, far away from the metropolitan Boston area. This will not be an issue for BBVA Compass Stadium, situated smack-dab in downtown Houston, only blocks from both the Astros’ Minute Maid Park and the Rockets’ Toyota Center.

So let’s give a hand to those in the city of Houston who finally got their new stadium. The Dynamo following deserved a replacement for Robertson Stadium, and here’s hoping that fan-base sees quick growth with the new digs. Let’s also say congratulations to US Soccer, which has another new venue to showcase the National teams.

I hope in this current World Cup cycle that BBVA Compass Stadium will be used for Qualifying, either this coming October or in the Hexagonal if our national team qualifies for it. It looks fantastic, and as always, it’s American.

Monday, May 14th 8PM  EDT – 5PM PDT
Guests: Warren Jones Houston Dynamo supporter discusses the opening and the first match of BBVA Compas Stadium
Ben Knight of Onward Soccer discusses the terrible start for Toronto FC in League Play
NASL Segment: Re-Capping the weekend of games
Red Bulls Hour: Re-Capping the Road game at Philadelphia

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Round 1 Review Show
Thursday, May 17th 8PM EDT – 5PM PDT
Guest: Tavio Palazzolo of www.thecup.us

For two straight games the Red Bulls have been playing well, using some inexperienced players on the backline to get the job done. The theme has been defending sternly and finding that one precious moment you need to acquire the full three points. One single goal is again all they needed, this time against the Houston Dynamo.

A good attack from the Red Bulls in the 7th minute provided the essential element, as Kenny Cooper received the ball at the top of the Dynamo area. He tried to shoot it, but it got deflected. Corey Ashe tried to lay the ball off to goalkeeper Tally Hall, but his back pass lacked proper pace. Cooper challenged the keeper, swept the ball from his hands, and it ended up in the net.

In nine games with the Red Bulls Kenny Cooper has already equaled his goal total from last season scoring his eighth tonight. “I was lucky and we got off to a good early start, a couple of good early starts this year,” said Cooper. “My teammates are fantastic, surrounded by a very talented group. We have young players, experienced players, it’s a deep squad and I enjoy playing my soccer here.”

After the Red Bulls got their goal it was defend, defend, and more defend. But on this particular night, it looked like they could have scored more than a goal as the Dynamo were finishing off their long road trip to start the season; they head back to the Gulf Coast to open their new home this weekend at the BBVA Compass Stadium.

Sloppy passing on their attacking runs and some easy unforced errors showed some tired legs on the Red Bulls at times, but their will was never broken. Once again it was Fordham University standout Ryan Meara who stood tall and made some spectacular saves.

The biggest one came in the third minute of five in second half stoppage time. The ball was crossed to a covered Brad Davis, who outleapt his defenders to get a head on the ball. Meara made a two handed pop-up save, tapped the ball in the air, and then grabbed it before another chance came.

When the full five minutes of second half stoppage time came to an end, the ball went out at the Red Bulls end line and the Dynamo was ready to take a corner. Sadly for Houston the whistle blew, and they were not happy that the referee took what they felt was one final chance.

But at the end of the night it was another three points to the Red Bulls who were without their injured starters. They were also expecting back Rafa Marquez from suspension, but now you can add him to the list of the walking wounded as he picked up an ankle injury in training.

These last few games have shown the will of these reserve players along with Markus Holgersson who is considered a starter. Since Thierry Henry went down with the strained right hamstring Hans Backe gave Holgersson the Captain’s armband and his confidence has grown along with his game.

But to finish off this three match stretch in nine games, they need to get their Mother’s Day win down in Philadelphia and take on the Union who has looked a bit better since their start to the season.

It’s taken nearly three months for US Soccer to carry out the draw of matches for the revamped Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Everyone can finally celebrate the near-arrival of the latest edition of the historical event. Whether they plan to hold viewing parties or hang out on their computers, laptops or tablets to see who will face whom, there has been new life breathed into this competition. 

At the same time as the match-ups have been determined, the US Adult Soccer Associations Region IV qualifiers finally finished up this past weekend. The Portland Timbers U-23’s & Kitsap Pumas were waiting with bated breath to see which amateur California side would be slated to visit their grounds.

As most domestic soccer fans already know, US Soccer decided to revamp the tournament for the better after people complained about the handling of the US Soccer Club Championship. From this point forward, all professional sides automatically go through, while PDL sides in 4 divisions will advance by winning their respective groups, including the second place American finishers.

For me personally, these changes are a welcoming sight. This annual Cup competition can finally get the respect it deserves. While more needs to be done to allow for increased television viewership on a network that wants to promote it, the internal strife has disappeared.

Here are the Round 1 matches for the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, set to begin on Tuesday, May 15, 2012:

#1 Orlando City U-23’s (PDL) Vs. Jacksonville United (NSPL) Seminole Soccer Complex; Sanford, FL. 7PM EST

#2 FC Sonic of Lehigh Valley (NPSL) Vs. Long Island Rough Riders (PDL); Ulrich Sports Complex; Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem PA. 7:05PM EST

#3 Aegean Hawks (USASA) Vs. Carolina Dynamo (PDL); Maryland Soccerplex Stadium; Boyds, MD. 7:30PM EDT

#4 Michigan Bucks (PDL) Vs. Jersey Shore Boca (USASA); Ultimate Soccer; Pontiac, Michigan 7:30PM EDT

#5 Georgia Revolution (NPSL) Vs. Mississippi Brilla (PDL); RYSA Soccerplex; Conyers, GA. 7:30PM

#6 GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL) Vs. Brooklyn Italians (NPSL); Memorial Field, Deering High, Portland, ME 8PM EDT

#7 Reading United AC (PDL) Vs. NY Greek Americans (USASA); TBD

#8 Chicago Fire Premier (PDL) Vs. Croatian Eagles (USASA); Toyota Park Practice Field, Bridgeview, Ill 6PM CDT

#9 Milwaukee Bavarians (NPSL) Vs. Des Moines Menace (PDL); Bavarian Soccer Park; Glendale, Wis. 7PM CDT

#10 Lardeo Heat (PDL) Vs. ASC New Stars (USASA); Texas A&M University, Laredo, TX 8:15PM CDT

#11 Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) Vs. K.C. Athletics (USASA); Shea Stadium; Littleton, CO 7PM MDT

#12 El Paso Patriots (PDL) Vs. NTX Rayados (USASA); Patriots Stadium; El Paso, TX 8PM MDT

#13 Stanislaus UTD Turlock Express (US Club Soccer) Vs. Fresno Fuego (PDL); Academica Fields; Turlock, CA 7PM PDT

#14 Portland Timbers U-23’s (PDL) Vs. PSA Elite (USASA); Jeld-Wen Field; Portland, OR 7:10PM

#15 Kitsap Pumas (PDL) Vs. CAL FC (USASA); Bremerton Memorial Stadium; Bremerton, WA 7:15PM PDT

#16 Fullerton Rangers (NPSL) Vs. Ventura County Fusion (PDL): Santa Ana Stadium; Santa Ana, CA 7PM PDT

Tuesday, May 8th 8PM EDT – 5PM PDT

Guests: Michael McCullion of Jersey Shore Boca discusses their first trip to the US Open Cup
Adam Serrano LA writter for Soccer By Ives discusses the LA Galaxy
NASL Segment: Commishioner David Downs comes discusses the league
Red Bull Hour: Reviewing the one goal Victory at the LA Galaxy

Thursday, May 10th 8:30PM EDT – 5:30PM PDT

Red Bulls Mid-Week Special: Reviewing the home game against the Houston Dynamo
Guests: Matthew Conroy of The Viper’s Nest & Talking Bull Podcast

Listen Here:

What happens when you are missing several key defenders and one of the world’s greatest strikers in this game of soccer and you have to face you’re next opponent at their home. Oh and of course they are the defending MLS Cup Champions. Well if you’re the New York Red Bulls, you would steal a goal and three points.

A bad start to this season for Estonian international Joel Lindpere, but has shown to get back to that level which made him so loved since his arrival. He was slotted in the middle of the field and in the nineteenth minute he converted his first of the season.

A wonderful well worked goal at the far side as Connor Lade brought the ball up the field. Jan Gunnar Solli told him to put it in an open spot, and then Solli finds Lindpere who walks in with a defender on him and beats Bill Gaudette inside the near post for the only goal of the match.

But it was all defense in this game. Defense that wins you games when you’re shorthanded with quality talent. Who remembers that fantastic goal line save by Tim Ream last year at the Home Depot Center against this same side, well Markus Holgersson repeated the feat.

Robbie Keane in the thirteenth minute is currently on a scoring slump and caught Ryan Meara well off his line and chipped the ball over the Irish American from Yonkers, NY. But Holgersson on his horse followed the ball and cleared it away from the goal line.

After a solid first half from the Red Bulls, it was all Meara in the second half coming off his line and making save after save. Comfortable coming off his line, Meara would get involved with a scrum and leapt for the ball to get any problems solved.

A late chance for Juninho in the eighty-second minute as he ripped a 21yd shot that was destined for the net and all Meara had to was parry the ball over the goal line for the biggest save in the match, as well as securing the full three points.

Once again the make shift backline of Brandon Barklage, Tyler Ruthven, Holgersson & Lade kept on defending very well and helped Meara by clearing most of the dangerous chances from the Galaxy. If it wasn’t a hard clear with the feet, it would be a diving header to stop any threat coming their way.

From the Los Angeles Galaxy side of things, what has happened to the defending league champions? They looked lethargic and assumed this was going to be an easy win at the park. Yes they are missing Josh Saunders due to substance abuse, but sadly their urgency to equalize came to little too late.

The best quote of the match came at halftime from Head Coach Hans Backe will being interviewed on ESPN. Of course it was said with a smile on his face as he answered Monica Gonzalez’s opening question. “Yes. They worked their ass off.”

On the latest edition of the Major League Soccer Talk Podcast : This Week in US Soccer … Chris Webb returns from a week off and the two discuss (sort of) the ongoing Carribbean Football Union Club Championship, the latests North American soccer news, including the unfortunate injury to Thierry Henry. Will this setback stunt a promising start RBNY’s season? The first segment also features a slow week for Yanks Abroad, as the American goal scoring train overseas slows down a bit.

The final two segments serve as an MLS week in review and preview. Chris and Chris close out the show by giving their monthly power rankings update … could the stars be in alignment and both hosts agree completely? Is the MLS power structure pretty obvious right now? Tune for discussion on all this and much more, it’s a brand new MLS Talk Podcast : TWIUSS … as always bringing you a view of the beautiful game from an American and regional perspective!

Feuerstein’s Fire’s 100th Episode Tuesday, May 1st 8PM EDT – 5PM PDT

Guests:

John Jagou covers the Mexican League & National Team for Big Soccer & reviews the CONCACAF Champions League Finals
Sean Reid of I Believe in US Soccer
NASL Segment: re-capping the weekend games
Red Bulls Hour: re-capping the home win against the Revolution and the costly loss of Thierry Henry

Listen Here: