Here’s some random news and notes from around Major League Soccer…
Bradley Wright-Phillips netted a hat trick in the New York Red Bulls’ 4-0 win over the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday.
Bradley is the younger half brother of England midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips, who plays with Queens Park Rangers, and he is the first English player to score an MLS hat trick prompting some humorous ribbing on social media, including this….
New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips has become the first English player to score an MLS hat-trick. pic.twitter.com/4M1sTF1NGK
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 24, 2014
Shalrie Joseph has come “home,” returning to the New England Revolution after spending the last year and a half with Chivas USA and Seattle Sounders.
Shalrie Joseph returns to Revolution – Boston Pro soccer | http://t.co/nKAduhmVfW: http://t.co/1yNPwYjTlg
— The NASR (@soccerreporters) April 23, 2014
Want to vote for the MLS goal of the week honour? Here’s your chance:
Less than 2% separates Grabavoy + Martins for #ATTGotW. VOTE: http://t.co/x0yvRgA91M pic.twitter.com/sI8Ycb53aO
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 24, 2014
Ashtone Morgan was in full training with Toronto FC on Wednesday, recovering from a hip injury that has bothered him in recent weeks. The Canadian left back is fit again, but don’t expect t see him to get much playing time in MLS—Morgan has made only one appearance (as a substitute) in the league this season, having dropped down the depth chart behind Justin Morrow.
Morrow has been lights out since joining TFC in an off-season move, and has been the Reds’ most consistent player. He’s proven to be a major upgrade at the left back slot, so Morgan will have to bide his time, and be satisfied with the odd Amway Canadian Championship appearance.
Maybe a second career for Dwayne De Rosario?
Lets Play Ball! @dwaynederosario will throw the first pitch at the @BlueJays game tomorrow. #TFClive pic.twitter.com/C7rSeBEZYX
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) April 24, 2014
The Western Conference is the home of two South American playmakers in Vancouver Whitecaps Pedro Morales and Real Salt Lake’s Javier Morales.
Farhan Devji of whitecapsfc.com wrote this interesting comparison between the two “number 10s.”
The similarities between Pedro Morales and Javier Morales go far beyond the name on the back of their jerseys: http://t.co/qq2llTXwVp #VWFC
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) April 24, 2014
Staying with the Whitecaps, coach Carl Robinson will have to shuffle his lineup for Saturday’s road game versus Salt Lake.
Looks like it'll be Leveron in for DeMerit this weekend at RSL. Your thoughts? #MLS #VWFC http://t.co/8SbHlFi907
— Marc Weber (@ProvinceWeber) April 24, 2014
The Montreal Impact are off to their worst start in franchise history in MLS, going winless through their first seven games of the campaign (with four losess).
The latest setback, a 4-0 shellacking at the hands of Sporting Kansas City this past weekend, set of a firestorm of outrage and criticism from Montreal fans, and Sporsnet.ca contributor Nick Sabetti to state that the Impact are nearing crisis point.
Winless Impact nearing crisis point @Sportsnet http://t.co/xxUyNNeWtf #IMFC #MLS pic.twitter.com/WJKa8tu5PN
— Nick Sabetti (@nicksabetti) April 20, 2014
“The Impact return to Stade Saputo (on April 26), and ordinarily that would be good news for the Impact considering the success they’ve had there in recent seasons. But with Montreal fans outraged over the team’s current plight, and poised to weigh in on who is to blame, it could feel like a hostile environment for the home side,” Sabetti wrote.
The fan and media furor didn’t go unnoticed by Impact owner Joey Saputo, who called for calm:
Very frustrating start to the season. We need and will turn this around. Let’s stay focused and determined. More than never we need our fans
— Joey Saputo (@JoeySaputo) April 22, 2014
In the meantime, the Impact will have to wait a little bit longer for injured DP Hernan Bernardello to return to action.
People have been asking a lot about Bernardello. Yesterday he told me he won't play on Sat. He should be back for the CanChamp match #IMFC
— Pablo A. Ortiz (@PabloJinko) April 24, 2014