Did you see THAT?!

Welcome to the first rendition of my hopefully weekly commentary on the current round of MLS action. This edition is a little light, since my holiday weekend was very busy, and so was the U.S. Men's National team!

I caught the Colorado Rapids at Real Salt Lake from Saturday's round of matches. I picked this one to watch, because Clint Mathis and Jeff Cunningham always intrigue me. Both are lightening rods for controversy, but extremely talented. Mathis has been virtually invisible since his return to the MLS, but he was in the first eleven for this match. Once again, Cunningham played the role of "super sub," and once again, he got results. I don't quite understand it; Cunningham has 4 goals and 1 assist in just over one actual match in time accrued on the field in his last three matches, yet he doesn't start. Like him or hate him, the guy gets results, frequently.

The match was a spirited 2-2 draw, with Cunningham assisting on the tieing tally, short-handed, no less. Cunningham actually tied the match at 1-1, in the 73rd minute, with a penalty kick. Petke supposedly handed the ball in the box, even though the replay clearly showed he was two yards outside the penalty area. As Wynalda correctly predicted, Cunningham went high and to the right to score the equalizer. Don't the MLS squads have scouting reports?

Wasson substituted in and gave Colorado another lead off of a set piece in the 84th minute, just after Atiba Harris, who starts in front of Cunningham, was sent off with a second nasty tackle.

I'd bet Cunningham starts in the next match, but I digress.

Even though Real was short-handed, they were able to keep the pressure on by sending long balls to Cunningham. They struck gold again when Cunningham actually flicked one on to all-time MLS goals leader Jason Kreis, who finished despite the two-footed dive into his midsection by the goalie. Where was the card on that play, Mr. Referee? Oh, and for the exception of a couple of nice balls in the first half (and a couple of embarrassing free kicks), Mathis was once again pretty much invisible. He kept his composure, though, which is worth noting, since he is a notorious hot-head.