Major Link Soccer: Wednesday night football

An almost full Wednesday night of soccer in MLS, but not all of it as good news for Sounders FC as the dramatic win in Kansas City.

- - It seemed too much to ask to have Toronto FC hold on to an early 1-0 lead in San Jose, and that proved to be the case. The final 2-1 win for the Earthquakes doesn't do justice to how badly TFC was outplayed in this one (mlssoccer.com).

- - Portland fans celebrated a 1-1 draw with conference leaders FC Dallas on the road, making it now eight games without a loss for Timbers (Stumptown Footy). I'm sure Sounders supporters will just celebrate the split of points by two teams ahead in the standings.

- - RSL had to hold on in dramatic fashion, with a late, disputed, penalty saved by the master of the penalty save, Nick Rimando, to top New England (RSL Soapbox).

- - Over in the East, the Houston Dynamo are staking their claim as the top team, following a win in Los Angeles last weekend with a 4-0 beatdown on sad-sack DC United (Dynamo Theory). On the New York Red Bulls broadcast color man Shep Messing said he thinks this year's United team is possibly the worst side in league history.

- - Speaking of Red Bull, the amazing Thierry Henry put up a brace to lead the team to a 2-1 victory over Montreal (Soccer by Ives). Do yourself a favor and check out Henry's second, a masterpiece bicycle off of a corner kick (mlssoccer.com)

Wednesday's results, while not the best for the Sounders, still leave them with plenty of room to move up the standings. At 9 points they still have three games in hand over San Jose, who are at 14 points and currently share the last Western Conference playoff spot with L.A. A win over San Jose this Saturday could be a real turning point.

MLS' transfer window officially closes today. Only one team made last-minute moves. Toronto FC added strikerJeremy Brockie from New Zealand, where he was second in the A-League in scoring the past season, and signed Birmingham City defender Steven Caldwell on loan until July (CBC Sports).

One last thought on Wednesday night. It seems that the league has to play some mid-week games in order to complete the schedule, but they have always been poor sellers. Last night was no exception. Here's a roundup of last night's attendances:
@Washington, D.C. 10116
@Harrison, N.J. 11,892
@Foxborough, Mass. 8,040
@Kansas City, Kan. 18,602
@Frisco, Tex. 10,112
@Santa Clara, Calif. 10,048

What do you think about weeknight games? Do you go if they are in Seattle? Are there other ways to make the schedule work if weeknights just don't work for fans?

- Scott Ayers