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2015 Week 31 Report
Just a few games this weekend. Here’s how things went for our guys’ teams:
LOS ANGELES GALAXY D 1-1 @ Central FC • Kenney Walker [Wickliffe/Wickliffe] started as a central mid and played 90. He was on corner kick duty and put in five, as this draw was enough to give LA a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinals for the fourth year in a row. Walker picked up a yellow card in the 61st minute for “unsporting behavior.” Gotta’ love that vague term.
TORONTO FC W 3-2 Chicago Fire • The Fire tried and tried to give the game away, as they twice squandered one-goal leads. TFC was more than happy to accept such generosity from their visitors. Justin Morrow [Shaker Heights/St. Ignatius] and Josh Williams [Copley/Copley] both started at the back and played 90.
MONTREAL IMPACT W 2-0 DC United • I guess you gotta’ give it up for Didier Drogba. He has really turned things around in Montreal. They can’t stop scoring goals and they won’t stop gaining ground on all those Eastern Conference teams above them in the standings, thanks to all those games they have in hand. Evan Bush [Concord Township/Lake Catholic] made three saves in the win.
PORTLAND TIMBERS W 2-1 COLUMBUS CREW • A week after being in first place for the first time in three years, the Crew SC got bumped back into the middle of the playoff pack after this loss. Portland continues its climb towards the postseason, bound and determined not to finish on the outside like it did last year. Darlington Nagbe [Lakewood/St. Edward] was a menace to his home-state side throughout his 90-minute stint. He carved up a beautiful assist on the Timbers’ first goal. Ben Speas [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the team and Brad Stuver [Twinsburg/Twinsburg] was the backup goalie for the home side.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY W 3-2 FC Dallas • This was an entertaining match to watch, played between two of the sides that really can get after it when they have the ball. There was never any chance that the match was going to end 0-0. Walker was not in the LA gameday XVIII.
Next Week’s Matches
~ Saturday, 3 October
Philadelphia @ TFC, 7pm
NYRB @ COLUMBUS, 730pm
MONTREAL @ OCSC, 8pm
Sporting KC @ PORTLAND, 1030pm
~ Sunday, 4 October
LA @ Seattle, 930pm – live on Fox Sports 1
And now for the report on our one USL playoff team:
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS L 2-4 aet New York Red Bulls II • LOTS of action in this contest, and most of it came late. Pittsburgh opened the scoring in the 15th minute and the home side equalized in the 62nd, but that was all the scoring in regulation, which sent the game into overtime. The guests again scored first, seven minutes in, but the home side bagged three before all was said and done, to advance to the USL Eastern Conference Semifinals. Mike Green [Strongsville/Strongville] subbed on in the 71st minute as a midfielder/defender.
And here’s how our NASL dudes did last week:
ATLANTA SILVERBACKS D 3-3 San Antonio Scorpions • Matt Horth [Akron/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the team for this slugfest that Atlanta thought they had won until surrendering two goals in the final 12 minutes to end up splitting the points. Next up for the ‘Backs is two games in four days with the New York Cosmos – away on Sunday, 4 October and back at home the following Wednesday.
INDY ELEVEN D 1-1 @ Tampa Bay Rowdies • Neither Kyle Hyland [Bay Village/Bay] nor Judson McKinney [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] were in the Eleven gameday XVIII for this road draw. Next up for Indy is a 730pm game on Saturday in Jacksonville with the Armada FC.
OTTAWA FURY FC W 3-1 @ Carolina RailHawks • This win, Ottawa’s sixth on the road in a row, keeps them firmly entrenched in first place in the NASL’s Fall Season. Sinisa Ubiparipovic [Mentor/Mentor] started and played 85 minutes before subbing out. Who needs 90 minutes when you can get on the league’s Team of the Week while playing less than the maximum minutes allowed? Not Ubiparipovic!! He has nearly spent more time on the TOTW than he has off it – this is appearance number four for him, coming on the heels of last week’s POTW performance! The guy has been ballin’ out in the month of September!! Next up for the Fury is a 3pm Saturday game with FC Edmonton.
PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Ellis/Columbus Underground
2015 Week 30 Report
Did you notice that prior to this weekend’s games, just eleven points separate the team that’s currently in the final MLS Playoff spot (TFC, 37) and the team in the lead for the Supporters’ Shield race (Vancouver, 48)? If the playoffs were to begin today, five of our guys’ teams would be in. Over the next month, we’re going to see some crazy stuff and it’s a safe bet the table won’t look like it looks right now (1pm, 19 Sept). Here’s how our fellas’ teams did this weekend:
TORONTO FC L 0-2 @ New York City FC • Our defensive duo of Justin Morrow [Shaker Heights/St. Ignatius] and Josh Williams [Copley/Copley] started and played 90 in what was a pretty disappointing performance on the road for a playoff contender.
MONTREAL IMPACT D 1-1 @ San Jose Earthquakes • This would qualify as a “good point” for Montreal, as it was earned after the visitors were down a goal after 35 minutes and down a man after 49 minutes. Evan Bush [Concord Township/Lake Catholic] was not in the travel team, as he remains home with his wife and newborn baby.
TORONTO FC W 3-1 Colorado Rapids • These three points helped TFC dig into that fifth Eastern Conference playoff spot. Josh Williams [Copley/Copley] and Justin Morrow [Shaker Heights/St. Ignatius] both started and played 90.
COLUMBUS CREW SC W 2-1 @ DC United • A massive road win put the Crew in first place… for about 18 hours or so. But even after the conclusion of the weekend, the Black and Gold are second in the East and fifth overall. They should be able to clinch a playoff berth next weekend. Brad Stuver [Twinsburg/Twinsburg] was the backup keeper and Ben Speas [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the gameday XVIII.
MONTREAL IMPACT W 3-0 New England Revolution • Evan Bush [Concord Township/Lake Catholic] was back in goal after a couple weeks off, and he made three saves in the shutout to help Montreal get a foothold on the sixth playoff spot in the East.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY L 0-3 @ Real Salt Lake • Sheesh! Just when it looked like LA was going to run away with everything and there was no need to even have playoffs this year, these last two games happened. Kenney Walker [Wickliffe/Wickliffe] was not in the team.
PORTLAND TIMBERS L 0-2 New York Red Bulls • During and after this one, there was a lot of talk on Twitter about the reality of the notion/perception that the teams in the Western Conference were far superior than those in the Eastern Conference. Well… here’s one of the arguments against. Darlington Nagbe [Lakewood/St. Edward] started and went 90. Michael Nanchoff [North Royalton/Walsh Jesuit] was not in the team.
Next Week’s Matches
~ Wednesday, 23 September
Central FC v LOS ANGELES, 8pm – CCL Group H
~ Saturday, 26 September
TFC v Chicago, 2pm
MONTREAL v DC, 5pm
COLUMBUS v PORTLAND, 730pm
~ Sunday, 27 September
LOS ANGELES v FC Dallas, 930pm – live on Fox Sports 1
The USL Regular Season is all done and dusted and we now know who the 12 participants in the Playoffs are.
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS D 1-1 Rochester Rhinos; W 2-1 @ Harrisburg Islanders • INSKI! After a midweek draw left them with a win-and-you’re-in deal for Saturday, that’s just what the Riverhounds did – and they took home the 2015 Keystone Cup in the process. Mike Green [Strongsville/Strongsville] started at the back on Wednesday and played all 90, then on Saturday, he subbed on in the 68th minute to help close up shop and preserve the win. Mission accomplished. Pittsburgh will now play at New York Red Bulls II next Saturday at 5pm.
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE L 1-3 @ Charleston Battery • It’s disappointing that the Independence’s inaugural season ends just one point shy of the playoffs. The loss also gave the Battery, the Eastern Conference’s number-three seed in the playoffs, a 2-1-1 advantage in the series with their new northern neighbors. Jack Thompson [Hudson/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] did not feature in the gameday 18.
The NASL Fall Season has a several more weeks to go. Here’s how those boys and their teams did this weekend:
OTTAWA FURY FC W 2-0 @ Fort Lauderdale Strikers • Sinisa Ubiparipovic [Mentor/Mentor] had a goal and an assist in his 90-minute shift to help keep the Fury on top of the NASL in the Fall Season – 28 points from 13 games. Good enough to get him the NASL Player of the Week! Next up is a Tuesday showdown with second-place New York at their place for a 730pm kickoff, followed by a Saturday game at Carolina at 730pm.
ATLANTA SILVERBACKS W 2-1 Carolina RailHawks • Atlanta recovered from allowing a goal in the first minute of the game to take the points on Saturday night. Matt Horth [Akron/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the team. Next up is a Saturday trip to San Antonio for a 830pm contest.
INDY ELEVEN L 0-2 FC Edmonton • A pair of second-half goals from the visitors handed the Eleven their eighth loss of the Fall Season, which puts them tenth in the league on 12 points from 14 games played. Kyle Hyland [Bay Village/Bay] started and played 90 at left back. Judson McKinney [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the gameday 18. Next up is a Wednesday game at 730pm in Tampa Bay against the Rowdies.
PHOTO CREDIT: nasl.com
2015 Week 29 Report
Just a few games this week, as everyone gets going again on the back end of the international break. Here’s how things went:
PORTLAND TIMBERS D 0-0 Sporting Kansas City • I’m not sure anyone would’ve expected a goalless draw when these two teams meet up, but that’s what they got last Wednesday night in the Rose City. Darlington Nagbe [Lakewood/St. Edward] played 90 as an attacking mid. Michael Nanchoff [North Royalton/Walsh Jesuit] was an unused sub.
COLUMBUS CREW SC W 2-1 @ Philadelphia Union • The visiting Crew got two goals five minutes apart in the first half and did the rest with defense to take an important three points in Philly. Ben Speas [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the team, but Brad Stuver [Twinsburg/Twinsburg] was the backup goalie.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY D 0-0 MONTREAL IMPACT • Are the blue & white Canadian teams the Galaxy’s kryptonite? Vancouver and Montreal went a combined 2-0-1 against LA Head Coach Bruce Arena and his boys, and they did not concede a single goal. The Galaxy better hope they end up on the other side of the Whitecaps in the playoff bracket. Kenney Walker [Wickliffe/Wickliffe] was not in the team. Evan Bush [Concord Township/Lake Catholic] was good for four saves in earning the shutout for Montreal.
TORONTO FC L 1-3 New England Revolution • Our TFC backline bros, Justin Morrow [Shaker Heights/St. Ignatius] and Josh Williams [Copley/Copley] both started and played 90. Morrow assisted on the Reds’ lone score on the night, with a fine cross that Robbie Findley headed home.
Next Week’s Matches
~ Wednesday, 16 September
NYCFC v TFC, 730pm – live on ESPN2
Vancouver v MONTREAL, 1030pm
~ Saturday, 19 September
TFC v Colorado, 2pm
DC v COLUMBUS, 7pm
MONTREAL v New England, 8pm
RSL v LOS ANGELES, 930pm
~ Sunday, 20 September
PORTLAND v NYRB, 5pm – live on ESPN
USL’s regular season is winding down as the playoffs are about to get cooking. The NASL still has about a month more to go. Here’s how our fellas did last week:
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS D 1-1 Wilmington Hammerheads FC • Down a man and seeing their playoff hopes slipping through their hands, the ‘Hounds needed a 70th minute strike from a sub to rescue a point. Mike Green [Strongsville/Strongsville] was not in the team. Pittsburgh’s final two regular season game will be Wednesday night at 7pm against Rochester and on Saturday at Harrisburg for a 7pm contest. Win both, and they should be in for sure. Anything else will require some math and help from the other playoff candidates. Five points separate six teams vying for the final four Eastern Conference spots.
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE W 4-1 TFC II; L 0-2 @ St. Louis FC • The Independence is one of those six teams I just mentioned. They won their home finale in convincing fashion against the TFC JV last Wednesday, but then had their 12-match unbeaten run ended in St. Louis. Jack Thompson [Hudson/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] scored once in 30 minutes of sub work against the Little Reds, and then he subbed on and played 29 minutes. Charlotte’s regular season finale is this Saturday at 730pm against Charleston. Much like Pittsburgh, it’ll be win and in for the CTL, currently ‘IN’ while occupying the sixth spot with 40 points. The Riverhounds are in eighth with 38. Should be an interesting Saturday night in the USL!!!
OTTAWA FURY FC D 0-0 Fort Lauderdale Strikers • The front end of a home-and-away with the Strikers ended scoreless and Sinisa Ubiparipovic [Mentor/Mentor] started at attacking mid and played 90. The points keeps the Fury on top of the league this Fall Season, but they’re now tied with Minnesota United FC on 25 points from 13 games. The two teams will face off on Saturday down in the stifling FLA heat and humidity at 730pm.
INDY ELEVEN L 0-2 @ San Antonio Scorpions • No Kyle Hyland [Bay Village Bay] in the travel team for this one, as he was nursing an injury suffered in the previous game. The loss leaves Indy ninth in the NASL with 12 points from 13 contests. Next up is a visit from FC Edmonton on Saturday night for a 730pm affair.
ATLANTA SILVERBACKS L 1-2 Minnesota United FC • The Silverbacks suffered a red-card in just the fourth minute, and it was uphill sledding from there. Despite that, they actually went up 1-0 five minutes later, but the other MUFC scored twice in the first half and did the rest with defense (and numerical superiority). Matt Horth [Akron/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the team. Atlanta remains in shouting distance of the playoffs, with 18 points from 13 matches, just two points off the pace. They host Carolina on Saturday at 730pm.
PHOTO CREDIT: couldn’t find it on the website where I got the photo… sorry to whoever took it!!
2015 Week 28 Report
This is the smallest slate of the season, with only three games involving three of our boys’ teams. Just one of them won. Here’s how they all did:
MONTREAL IMPACT W 4-3 Chicago Fire • Evan Bush [Concord Township/Lake Catholic] made four saves and got a great view of Didier Drogba’s MLS debut and hat trick. The home side impressively fought back from a two-goal deficit in the 59th minute to get the victory. 
TORONTO FC L 1-2 @ Seattle Sounders • TFC went punch-for-punch with the Sounders without their talisman Sebastian Giovinco, but gave up the winner with 13 minutes to go. Josh Williams [Copley/Copley] started at center back and played 90, while Justin Morrow [Shaker Heights/St. Ignatius] was not in the team.
COLUMBUS CREW L 0-3 FC Dallas • Ben Speas [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] started at left mid and went 58 minutes before subbing out with the Crew SC trailing 1-0. Brad Stuver [Twinsburg/Twinsburg] was an unused sub as backup goalie. The home side dominated most of the match, but got hit thrice on the counterattack to make for another frustrating national television appearance (Columbus drew 2-2 with Chicago on a Friday night back in May).
Next Week’s Matches
~ Wednesday, 9 September
PORTLAND v Sporting KC, 1030pm
~ Saturday, 12 September
Philadelphia v COLUMBUS, 7pm
LOS ANGELES v MONTREAL, 1030pm
~ Sunday, 13 September
TFC v New England, 5pm – live on ESPN2
And now for the news on our NASL and USL guys:
INDY ELEVEN L 0-1 @ Minnesota United FC; W 3-0 Jacksonville Armada FC • Three points from two games is always better than zero. Indy is now in ninth place with 12 points. Kyle Hyland [Bay Village/Bay] was an unused sub at the other MUFC and then he played all 90 against Jax. Judson McKinney [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the team for either match. Next up is a trip to San Antonio for a Saturday night 830pm match.
OTTAWA FURY W 1-0 @ San Antonio Scorpions • Sinisa Ubiparipovic [Mentor/Mentor] started and played 90 at attacking mid as the Fury bumped their lead at the top of the NASL Fall Season to five points over New York. Next up is a Saturday home match with Fort Lauderdale at 3pm.
ATLANTA SILVERBACKS L 0-2 @ Carolina RailHawks • Goals in the 24th and 28th minute were all the home side needed to defeat Atlanta, who now are fifth in the Fall standings with 18 points. Matt Horth [Akron/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was an unused sub. Next up are two home games – Minnesota United FC on Tuesday and Carolina on Saturday. Both are 730pm kicks.
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS D 1-1 Charleston Battery • Mike Green [Strongsville/Strongsville] started up top and played 74 minutes before subbing out. This loss bumped Pitt back to seventh place in the Eastern Conference with another important game looming next Saturday in Wilmington against the Hammerheads at 730pm.
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE W 1-0 @ Wilmington Hammerheads FC; D 2-2 Wilmington Hammerheads FC • Jack Thompson [Hudson/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] started in the win and played 89 minutes before subbing out. In the draw, he was not a part of the gameday team. Next up for the Independence is another two-match week, as they host TFC II on Wednesday at 7pm and then they’ll travel to St. Louis for an 830pm match on Saturday.
PHOTO CREDIT: Sy Bean/The Seattle Times
2015 Week 27 Report
Now that one of our guys has joined another and now that one of our guys is done for the season with an injury, these reports seem to be getting shorter. With just three games NEXT week, that one’s going to be really short! Anyways, here’s how everyone did this past week:
MONTREAL IMPACT L 0-2 @ Vancouver Whitecaps • The Whitecaps won their first-ever Voyageurs Cup Trophy last Wednesday, thanks to a 4-2 aggregate scoreline in the 2015 Amway Canadian Championship (which will also earn them a berth in the 2016 CONCACAF Champions League). Evan Bush [Concord Township/Lake Catholic] was not in the travel team, as he was with his wife back home, awaiting the birth of their child.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY L 0-1 @ San Jose Earthquakes • Are the ‘Quakes LA’s bogey team? Maybe. They love nothing more than to stymie their southern neighbors in each and every CaliClásico. Kenney Walker [Wickliffe/Wickliffe] was an unused sub.
COLUMBUS CREW SC W 2-1 @ New York City FC • The Black and Gold picked up three huge points on their first trip to Yankee Stadium’s teeny-tiny pitch, coming from behind to do it. Brad Stuver [Twinsburg/Twinsburg] was the backup goalie and Ben Speas [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] did not travel to NYC.
TORONTO FC W 2-1 @ MONTREAL IMPACT • 
While this scoreline is also representative of the number of Clevelanders on the two teams’ rosters, that would not have applied on Saturday evening, as Montreal’s Evan Bush [Concord Township/Lake Catholic] was back at home with his wife and their newborn baby. Josh Williams [Copley/Copley] and Justin Morrow [Shaker Heights/St. Ignatius] started on the TFC backline.
PORTLAND TIMBERS L 1-2 @ Seattle Sounders • After this loss, there’s no way the Timbers can win the 2015 Cascadia Cup. It’s the Sounders’ to lose and all they have to do is beat or tie Vancouver when the two teams meet on 19 Sept. Darlington Nagbe [Lakewood/St. Edward] started and played 90. Michael Nanchoff [North Royalton/Walsh Jesuit] was an unused sub.
Next Week’s Matches
~ Saturday, 5 September
MONTREAL v Chicago, 8pm
Seattle v TFC, 10pm
~ Sunday, 6 September
COLUMBUS v FC Dallas, 7pm – live on Fox Sports 1
Our fellas in the lower divisions are racing towards the playoffs and don’t have too many games left on their schedules to cement their places. Here’s how things went this past weekend:
OTTAWA FURY D 2-2 Tampa Bay Rowdies • Sinisa Ubiparipovic [Mentor/Mentor] subbed on up top in the 60th minute. The home side had a 2-0 lead in the 31st minute, but the guests chipped away to steal a point. Ottawa is still in first, but with just a two-point lead of the New York Cosmos and a three-point lead on Atlanta. Next up for the Fury is a trip to San Antonio next Saturday for an 830pm kickoff.
ATLANTA SILVERBACKS W 1-0 FC Edmonton • Matt Horth [Akron/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was an unused sub as Atlanta won an important match to keep themselves in the playoff hunt. The Silverbacks are in 3rd place in the Fall Season, and travel to Carolina on Friday night for a 730pm match.
INDY ELEVEN L 1-7 @ Fort Lauderdale Strikers • Kyle Hyland [Bay Village/Bay] started and played all 90 of this one, which was only 3-1 before the Eleven had a man sent off in the 50th minute. Then, things really went south. Judson McKinney [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the team. Good for Indy that they can quickly get over that loss with two games this week – one on Wednesday at Minnesota United FC (8pm) and one on Saturday at home to Jacksonville Armada FC (730pm).
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS W 1-0 @ Louisville City • Mike Green [Strongsville/Strongsville] started up top and played 76 minutes before subbing off, in a much-needed victory that bumped the ‘Hounds back up into a playoff spot in the USL Eastern Conference. Next weekend, they’ll back at home to entertain the Charleston Battery at 730pm.
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE W 1-0 @ FC Montreal; D 2-2 @ TFC II • Jack Thompson [Hudson/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] didn’t play on Wednesday, but went 45 minutes as a second-half sub on Sunday. Getting four points from the two games was probably an acceptable outcome for the Independence, as they sit just two points (35-33) and two spots (6th/8th) below Pittsburgh in that final playoff spot, and they have a game in hand on the Riverhounds. Next up for Charlotte is another two-match week – Thursday at Wilmington for a 7pm game and Saturday at home against TFC II at 7pm.
PHOTO CREDIT: torontofc.ca
2015 Week 26 Report
Not only did our teams go 5-2-2 last week (6-4-3 if you factor in the NASL/USL guys), we actually got a couple goals from our guys on Saturday! That’s for sure worth celebrating! Here’s how things went:
LOS ANGELES GALAXY W 5-0 CSD Comunicaciones • I’ve always been a fan of the phrase, “It’s all over but the shouting.” Along those lines, LA is now well on its way to advancing to the next stage of the CONCACAF Chamions League, with two wins from two Group D matches and a goal differential of +9. Kenney Walker [Wickliffe/Wickliffe] started and played 90 minutes as a holding mid on Tuesday night and contributed the assist on the Galaxy’s final goal of this blowout.
COLUMBUS CREW SC D 2-2 New York City FC • Wednesday night at MAPFRE Stadium, the SC came from a goal down in the 72nd minute to tie the FC. Ben Speas [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the gameday XVIII and Brad Stuver [Twinsburg/Twinsburg] was the backup goalie.
DC UNITED W 1-0 @ Árabe Unido • DC went to Panama and won on Thursday night. Very nice way to begin play in Group H. Chris Korb [Gates Mills/University School] is out for the remainder of the regular season with a torn ACL. With that said, after this update, I think I’m going to omit DC updates until he’s closer to being ready to return.
PORTLAND TIMBERS D 2-2 Houston Dynamo • 
Unlike the Crew SC two days earlier, who scored first before conceding a pair to its visitors, Portland fell behind 2-0 by halftime before ralling to get the point in the Rose City. Darlington Nagbe [Lakewood/St. Edward] scored his second goal of the year and played all 90. Michael Nanchoff [North Royalton/Walsh Jesuit] was not in the team.
TORONTO FC W 5-0 Orlando City SC • TFC + August heat + OCSC = bad times for the purple. In two meetings this month, the Reds outscored the Lions 9-1. Add on a 2-0 TFC win back in April and that’s a season’s worth of stompings. On Saturday, Justin Morrow [Shaker Heights/St. Ignatius] scored his second goal of the year and played all 90 at left back. Josh Williams [Copley/Copley] started at center back and also played 90.
DC UNITED L 0-2 San Jose Earthquakes • As mentioned above, no Korb.
COLUMBUS CREW SC W 3-2 Sporting Kansas City • Given some of the Crew SC’s recent second-half defensive failings that have cost the team quite a few points, it was really sweet to watch the team fight back from being down 2-1 with 28 minutes to go. Speas was again not in the team and Stuver was again the backup keeper.
MONTREAL IMPACT L 0-1 Philadelphia Union • Look who’s grinding out wins now! Evan Bush [Concord Township/Lake Catholic] made just one save, but allowed one ball to get by him on a night in which the Impact dominated play and the stats, but could not find the Philly net.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY W 5-1 New York City FC • The Galaxy have now scored 23 goals this month, while winning all six games it has played. Decent. No Walker in this one.
Next Week’s Matches
~ Tuesday, 25 August
DC v Montego Bay United, 8pm – CCL Group X
~ Wednesday, 26 August
Vancouver v MONTREAL, 10pm – ACC Final leg 2
~ Friday, 28 August
San Jose v LOS ANGELES, 11pm – live on UniMas
~ Saturday, 29 August
NYCFC v COLUMBUS, 4pm
TORONTO v MONTREAL, 4pm
~ Sunday, 30 August
Seattle v PORTLAND, 430pm – live on ESPN
NYRB v DC, 7pm – live on Fox Sports 1
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand here’s what the NASL and USL dudes did this week:
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE W 2-1 PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS • Playing the same team in consecutive games is never easy or fun, not even if one team is awesome and the other is terrible – which is not the case when talking about these two – but the Independence scored late to steal a point in Pittsburgh last week and then stayed on their roll with two first half goals to get all three back at home. Here’s the story of the match from the Hounds’ website. Unfortunately, neither one of our fellas played in this one – not Mike Green [Strongsville/Strongsville] for Pittsburgh nor Jack Thompson [Hudson/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] for Charlotte. The loss keeps Pittsburgh’s hold on the USL’s sixth and final playoff spot (9-9-5, 32 points). Charlotte creeps up to within three points of the Hounds (7-6-8, 29) with a game in hand. Next up for Pitt is a 730pm game on Saturday at Louisville City, while Charlotte head up north for its Canada road trip – Wednesday at FC Montreal (630pm) and Sunday at TFC II (3pm).
ATLANTA SILVERBACKS D 1-1 INDY ELEVEN • The visitors scored first and the home side equalized late through an own goal (tough goal to concede… how the heck did it go in?) to split the spoils in this one. Here’s the story of the match from the Eleven’s website. Atlanta’s Matt Horth [Akron/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was an unused sub. Indy’s Kyle Hyland [Bay Village/Bay] started at left back and played 90, while Judson McKinney [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the team. The draw keeps the two teams separated by one point in the NASL Fall Season standings – 23 points (5-8-7) for ATL and 22 for Indy (5-7-7). Two nights earlier, Indy defeated Tampa Bay 2-0 at home. Hyland did his usual shift at left back. McKinney was again not in the team. Next up for the ‘Backs is a 730pm Saturday game with FC Edmonton, while Indy travels to Fort Lauderdale for a game on the same night at the same time.
OTTAWA FURY D 0-0 New York Cosmos • Sinisa Ubiparipovic [Mentor/Mentor] was an unused sub in this matchup of the top two teams in the Fall Season table. The Fury is now 6-2-1, good for 20 points and first place. They’ll play Tampa Bay at home on Saturday at 7pm.
PHOTO CREDIT: Craig Mitchelldyer
2015 Week 25 Report
There were just a handful of matches this week, as every team played one except for Columbus, which was idle. Here’s how our fellas did this past weekend:
MONTREAL IMPACT D 2-2 Vancouver Whitecaps • Leg One of the 2015 Amway Canadian Championship Final didn’t end the way the Impact wanted. It was good they didn’t lose – in fact, they fought back from being down 2-0 to avoid the loss, but it was bad they allowed two road goals to the Caps. If they can go to Vancouver on the 26th and win by a shutout or by two clear goals, the Voyageurs Cup will remain theirs for the third year running. Otherwise, no dice. Evan Bush [Concord Township/Lake Catholic] was the backup keeper for Montreal.
DC UNITED L 1-3 @ New York City FC • 
Last Thursday night, Chris Korb [Gates Mills/University School] started at right back, but left the game with a serious knee injury in the 79th minute and the home side scored twice after that to earn all three points. After the medical staff checked him out, it was learned that Korb has a torn right ACL and is potentially done for the season. What an unfortunate thing – yes, for the Eastern Conference leaders, but moreso, obviously for Korb. We wish him the best of luck in his recovery!
TORONTO FC L 0-3 @ New York Red Bulls • The Red Bulls brought the hammer down on TFC on Saturday night in Harrison, New Jersey. The bright spot – from our point-of-view – is that Josh Williams [Copley/Copley] started and played 90 at center back alongside Justin Morrow [Shaker Heights/St. Ignatius], who went 81 minutes at left back before subbing out.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY W 2-1 @ FC Dallas • Unlike the NYCFC DP trio, the Galaxy’s big three have been on fire since they joined forces over the past few weeks. Winning in Dallas isn’t easy, but LA made it happen with a total team effort. Kenney Walker [Wickliffe/Wickliffe] was not in the team for this contest.
PORTLAND TIMBERS W 1-0 @ Real Salt Lake • The Timbers got their goal in the fifth minute of second-half extra time and it came from former RSL fan favorite Nat Borchers. Darlington Nagbe [Lakewood/St. Edward] started and played 82 minutes. Michael Nanchoff [North Royalton/Walsh Jesuit] was an unused sub,
Next Week’s Matches:
~ Tuesday, 18 August
LOS ANGELES v Comunicaciones, CCL Group D match, 1030pm – live on Fox Sports 2
~ Wednesday, 19 August
COLUMBUS v NYCFC, 730pm
DC UNITED v Arabe Unido, CCL Group
~ Friday, 21 August
PORTLAND v Houston, 1030pm – live on UniMas
~ Saturday, 22 August
TORONTO v Orlando City, 4pm
DC v San Jose, 7pm
COLUMBUS v Sporting KC, 730pm
MONTREAL v Philadelphia, 8pm
~ Sunday, 23 August
LOS ANGELES v NYCFC, 3pm – live on ESPN
Here’s how things went for our NASL and USL guys:
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS D 1-1 CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE • The ‘Hounds went up in the first half, but then allowed the visitors to equalize five minutes from the break. Mike Green [Strongsville/Strongsville] started up top for Pitt and subbed out in the 81st minute. Jack Thompson [Hudson/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was an unused sub for the visitors. The two teams will meet again on Saturday down in Charlotte at 730pm.
ATLANTA SILVERBACKS L 0-1 @ Jacksonville Armada FC • The ‘Backs’ trip down I-75 (and then east on I-10) was all for naught, as they fell by the narrowest of margins. Matt Horth [Akron/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was an unused sub. Next up for Atlanta is visit from the Indy Eleven for a 730pm match on Saturday.
INDY ELEVEN • The boys in blue were idle last weekend, but they’ll play twice this week – Tampa Bay visits on Wednesday at 730pm, and Atlanta will be awaiting the Eleven on Saturday.
OTTAWA FURY L 1-2 Minnesota United FC • A goal from the visitors struck after the 90-minute mark stole two points from Ottawa and ended the Fury’s 12-match unbeaten run, though they do remain in first place this Fall Season. Sinisa Ubiparipovic [Mentor/Mentor] started and played 88 minutes as attacking mid. Next Saturday, the Fury is idle, but they return to action on the 26th at home against the New York Cosmos.
PHOTO CREDIT: Korb/USA Today Sports;
2015 Week 24 Report
It was a busy few days for our boys last weekend, featuring two teams playing twice and a mess of goals all across the board. Here’s how their teams did last week:
MONTREAL IMPACT D 1-1 New York Red Bulls • On Wednesday night, Evan Bush [Concord Township/Lake Catholic] gave up a goal in the second half and made one save in his 90 minutes. Montreal scored in the first half, but could not keep their visitors quiet – but to their credit, they kept things tight for the last 11 minutes after having a man sent off.
TORONTO FC W 4-1 Orlando City SC • Too much Giovinco – that was the story in this one, as the little man scored three goals and was constantly a threat to the OCSC backline. Justin Morrow [Shaker Heights/St. Ignatius] started at right back and played all 90 for TFC. New Red Josh Williams [Copley/Copley] was not in the team.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY W 5-1 Central FC • The 
Angelinos opened up their 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League season the best way possible, by hammering an outmanned bunch from Trinidad & Tobago in the teams’ Group D lid-lifter. Kenney Walker [Wickliffe/Wickliffe] started as a holding mid and played all 90.
PORTLAND TIMBERS W 1-0 Chicago Fire • On Friday night in the Rose City, the Timbers scored once after the break to earn the three points. Darlington Nagbe [Lakewood/St. Edward] started and played 90 at attacking mid. Michael Nanchoff [North Royalton/Walsh Jesuit] was not in the gameday XVIII.
TORONTO FC L 1-3 Sporting Kansas City • Morrow subbed on for the final 21 minutes of this one, in hopes that his offensive leanings would get the game back to level (TFC trailed 2-1 at the time), but the final nail in the coffin came with three minutes to play. Unlike midweek, the Reds suffered from too little Giovinco… though he did assist on the goal and generally speaking, Sporting is a lot better defensively than Orlando City. No Williams in this one either.
MONTREAL IMPACT L 0-1 DC UNITED • One shot, one goal, three points. DC did the most with the least in this one, becoming the only team in league history to ever achieve that feat. Chris Korb [Gates Mills/University School] played all 90 for the victors. Bush did too, but all he got for his efforts were bumps in his Goals Against Average and Save Percentage stats.
COLUMBUS CREW SC W 2-1 @ Colorado Rapids • There’s been a lot of talk about the diminutive fella in Toronto, but the leading goal scorer in MLS is Kei Kamara of Columbus. He bagged both in this win, the Crew SC’s first in Denver since 2009. Brad Stuver [Twinsburg/Twinsburg] was the backup keeper.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY W 2-1 Seattle Sounders • Despite allowing a goal in the first couple minutes of the match, the Galaxy rebounded to defeat the Sounders at home on Sunday. Walker was an unused sub.
Next Week’s Matches
~ Wednesday, 12 August
MONTREAL v Vancouver, 730pm – Amway Canadian Championship, leg 1
~ Thursday, 13 August
NYCFC v DC, 730pm
~ Saturday, 15 August
NYRB v TFC, 7pm
FC Dallas v LOS ANGELES, 9pm
RSL v PORTLAND, 10pm
Here are the details on how our USL and NASL guys did last week:
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE D 2-2 New York Red Bulls II • Those two teams each scored in each half – with the Red Bulls’ JV opening and closing the scoring. Jack Thompson [Hudson/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] subbed in for the final four minutes. Up next for Charlotte is the return leg of the NYRB home-and-home on Wednesday, 12 August for a 730pm kickoff, followed by a Saturday contest at 7pm in Pittsburgh.
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS W 3-1 @ Toronto FC II • Mike Green [Strongsville/Strongsville] started up top and played 86 minutes of this road win that moves the Hounds up into the Eastern Conference top four. Up next for Pitt is the visit from Charlotte on Saturday.
OTTAWA FURY FC W 4-1 @ INDY ELEVEN • Sinisa Ubiparipovic [Mentor/Mentor] got the party started with a goal in the fourth minute, as the Fall
Season league leaders dominated from start to finish. His work that night earned him a spot on the NASL Team of the Week. For Indy, Kyle Hyland [Bay Village/Bay] played all 90 at left back and Judson McKinney [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was an unused sub. The Fury hosts Minnesota United FC on Saturday at 7pm, while Indy will host the Tampa Bay Rowdies at 730pm on the 19th. Earlier in the week, Indy lost 2-0 to FC Edmonton and in that match, Hyland and McKinney flipped roles. 
ATLANTA SILVERBACKS W 2-1 Fort Lauderdale Strikers; D 3-3 San Antonio Scorpions • It’s not often you see one team getting three guys sent off in the same game, but that’s what happened to the Strikers in Atlanta last Wednesday. Yes, the outcome was already in hand by the time the cards started flying, but going 11-v-8 didn’t hurt Atlanta’s efforts. On Saturday, it was goals galore as the home side squandered a 3-1 lead in the 57th minute to end up with one point. Matt Horth [Akron/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] subbed on up top in second-half extra time on Wednesday and on the weekend, he got in for the final four minutes plus stoppage. Up next for Atlanta is a 730pm game on Saturday in Jacksonville with Armada FC.
PHOTO CREDIT: lagalaxy.com; Matt Schlotzhauer
2015 Week 23 Report
I can’t help it, but for the second week straight I’m going with the hot weather-tons of goals analogy. Good lord, the goals…
MONTREAL IMPACT W 3-2 @ New York City FC • It’s getting to the point that when teams see NYCFC coming up on their schedule, they work on their crossing and finishing twice as much and trust that their backline can handle the All-Star trio of Villa-Lampard-Pirlo. It’s been working. On Saturday, the Impact scored two, gave up a PK, got a PK of their own and then allowed a consolation. All in a day’s work at Yankee Stadium! Evan Bush [Concord Township/Lake Catholic] made three saves on the day in his 90 minutes of work. In related news, you may notice that NYCFC is no longer in boldface all caps. That’s because the day before the game, Josh Williams [Copley/Copley] was put on waivers by the Man City JV and then subsequently picked up by Toronto FC! So one day soon, we’ll get a 1/2 CLE backline up north! 
DC UNITED W 6-4 Real Salt Lake • This match had so much offense that even right back Chris Korb [Gates Mills/University School] ripped off three shots for DC. The Eastern Conference leaders allowed two first-half goals for the second straight match before storming back. It was a 4-4 tie with about 20 minutes left before DC got the final two goals.
TORONTO FC L 1-3 @ New England • Leave it to the defending Eastern Conference champs to keep Sebastian Giovinco quiet. The hottest player in the league only played 45 minutes before being removed so TFC could add some midfield heft. Justin Morrow [Shaker Heights/St. Ignatius] played all 90 and put one of the visitors’ two shots on goal.
COLUMBUS CREW SC L 2-5 @ Orlando City SC • Ugh. Brad Stuver [Twinsburg/Twinsburg] was the Crew’s backup keeper. Ben Speas [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the team.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY W 3-1 @ Colorado Rapids • Colorado scored first. They’ll always have that to be proud of, but all that did was wake up the Champs. Kenney Walker [Wickliffe/Wickliffe] didn’t make the trip.
PORTLAND TIMBERS D 0-0 @ San Jose Earthquakes • No goals? Who do these guys think they are not scoring? Portland even missed a PK! Only four teams went scoreless on the weekend and these were two of them. Darlington Nagbe [Lakewood/St. Edward] started and played all 90 at attacking mid. Michael Nanchoff [North Royalton/Walsh Jesuit] was not in the team.
Next Week’s Matches
~ Wednesday, 5 August
MONTREAL v NYRB, 8pm
TFC v OCSC, 8pm
~ Thursday, 6 August
LA v Central FC, 10pm – live on Fox Sports 2 • CONCACAF Champions League Group D
~ Friday, 7 August
PORTLAND v Chicago, 11pm
~ Saturday, 8 August
TFC v Sporting KC, 4pm
MONTREAL v DC, 730pm
Colorado v COLUMBUS, 9pm
~ Sunday, 9 August
LOS ANGELES v Seattle, 4pm – live on ESPN2
And now for our not-so-MLS guys:
OTTAWA FURY W 1-0 @ FC Edmonton • Sinisa Ubiparipovic [Mentor/Mentor] started at attacking mid and played all of this one, creating the game-winner with a beautiful corner kick that was headed home by Rafael Alves. Ubiparipovic earned Team of the Week honors for his command performance that keeps the Fury on top of the Fall Season standings. Brilliant! Next up is a road match at Indy on Saturday at 730pm.
ATLANTA SILVERBACKS W 1-0 @ INDY ELEVEN • In an NASL match that featured the maximum possible number of our Cleveland dudes, it was the visitors who got a 15th-minute goal and then did the rest with defense. Matt Horth [Akron/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] subbed on for the final five minutes up top for the victors. Kyle Hyland [Bay Village/Bay] did his usual 90-minute shift at left back for Indy, while Judson McKinney [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was an unused sub. Both clubs are looking at a two-match week, as the ‘Backs is a Wednesday night visit from Fort Lauderdale and a Saturday night visit from the San Antonio Scorpions. Both matches kick off at 730pm. Indy travels to FC Edmonton for a 9pm midweek kickoff and returns home to host Ottawa on Saturday.
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS W 3-0 Wilmington Hammerheads FC • Mike Green [Strongsville/Strongsville] was back at forward for this victory, which moves Pittsburgh to 8-8-4 on the season, which puts them in the sixth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Green subbed out after 81 minutes. Next up for the ‘Hounds is an 8pm game at TFC II up in Ontario.
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE W 4-2 Rochester Rhinos • Nothing like giving the unbeaten league leaders their first loss of the season, right? Two goals in each half did the trick for Charlotte, which is now 6-6-5 on the season. Jack Thompson [Hudson/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the team. Next up for Charlotte is a Wednesday night visit from New York Red Bulls II for a 730pm kickoff.
PHOTO CREDIT: torontofc.com
2015 Week 22 Report
Lots of goals this weekend in our boys’ games. You know the old adage about the weather heating up and the scoring going up. Makes sense. Here’s what our fellas’ teams did this past Saturday and Sunday:
COLUMBUS CREW SC D 3-3 TORONTO FC • If I’m truly being fair and balanced, I’d want all of our head-to-head matches to end as draws with our boys scoring lots of goals… or 0-0 if it’s the two keepers facing off. But I’ve been a Crew SC fan since 1996, so this one was disappointing, to say the least. With the Black & Gold up 3-0 just moments into the second half, things were looking good. But… yeah. Brad Stuver [Twinsburg/Twinsburg] was the backup keeper for Columbus and Ben Speas [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the gameday XVIII. For the Reds, Justin Morrow [Shaker Heights/St. Ignatius] did his usual 90 minutes at right back.
MONTREAL IMPACT W 1-0 Seattle Sounders • Evan Bush [Concord Township/Lake Catholic] started and played all 90 minutes, but turned in a completely clean stat line. No saves, no punches, no shots faced… nada. That doesn’t mean he just sat back there and ate a sandwich while his teammates did the rest, but it does reflect upon a solid team shutout.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY L 0-3 @ Houston Dynamo • It seems like Houston is just a tough place for LA to play. The Galaxy’s all-time record there is 3-6-2 now, and the boys in orange have scored 16 goals in those contests. Kenney Walker [Wickliffe/Wickliffe] started as holding mid and played 71 minutes.
PORTLAND TIMBERS L 1-4 @ FC Dallas • The Timbers can’t always beat Dallas and Darlington Nagbe [Lakewood/St. Edward] can’t always score against them. Though recent history has favored the PTFC gang, this Saturday night contest proved that there are few absolutes in MLS. Nagbe started as an attacking mid and played 78 minutes.
NEW YORK CITY FC W 5-3 Orlando City • If you hate defensive stalemates, this match was for you. Josh Williams [Copley/Copley] didn’t get in the team.
DC UNITED W 3-2 Philadelphia Union • Down 2-0 after four minutes, the home side came all the way back and got their winner with 11 minutes to go. Chris Korb [Gates Mills/University School] played all 90 and served up two assists to help earn him a spot on the Team of the Week. If two dimes from an outside back won’t do that, I’m not sure what will. Be sure to check out the highlights.
Next Week’s Matches
~ Saturday, 1 August
NYCFC v Montreal, 2pm
DC v RSL, 7pm
New England v TFC, 730pm
OCSC v COLUMBUS, 730pm
Colorado v LOS ANGELES, 1030pm
~ Sunday, 2 August
San Jose v PORTLAND, 5pm
Here’s what was up with our non-MLS guys last week:
OTTAWA FURY W 2-1 Atlanta Silverbacks; W 2-1 Carolina RailHawks • Well, look who’s all alone atop the NASL Fall Season table! Two wins in a week by the same scoreline made it a reality for the worst-to-first bunch. Sinisa Ubiparipovic [Mentor/Mentor] subbed on in the 69th minute against Atlanta to help provide some spark as the Fury looked to break a 1-1 tie. On Sunday, he was an unused sub. Next up for Ottawa is a Sunday afternoon match at FC Edmonton.
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS L 3-4 @ Harrisburg City Islanders • Versatility is a good thing when you’re an athlete, don’t you think? A week after playing almost all 90 as a forward, Mike Green [Strongsville/Strongsville] returned to right back for this thriller. Three matches between these two teams have given their fans a total of 25 goals! It took three goals in the final 20 minutes in order for the ten-man home side to get their first taste of victory in those Keystone Derby contests. Next up for Pitt is a Saturday night visit from the Wilmington Hammerheads and a 7pm kickoff.
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE W 2-0 FC Montreal • A goal in each half on Friday night did the deal for Charlotte, as Jack Thompson [Hudson/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] subbed on for the final two minutes of this win. Next up for the ‘Pendence is a visit from unbeaten and league-leading Rochester on Saturday for a 7pm kick.
INDY ELEVEN D 1-1 New York Cosmos • These two teams had as many players ejected as they did goals in an eventful draw – their third 1-1 tie in as many meetings this year. Kyle Hyland [Bay Village/Bay] started at left back and played all 90. Judson McKinney [Stow/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was an unused sub. Next up for the Eleven is a Saturday night visit from Atlanta and a 730pm kickoff.
ATLANTA SILVERBACKS W 3-1 FC Edmonton • The Silverbacks put the midweek loss behind them on a sunny Sunday afternoon in the land of peaches, when the home side had the run of play and did all its scoring after the halftime interval. Matt Horth [Akron/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy] was not in the team for either match this week.
Major League Soccer Players from Cleveland 