Another MLS weekend usually brings a certain spate of points to gloss over. Antics usually include flattering developments like controversial refereeing, a inordinate burst of cards shown thanks to some sloppy challenges, and usually an ejection or two as well.

While some of the normal trends abstained from plaguing league play over the weekend, there is plenty to go around.

Starting out in Seattle, as a controversial decision to allow a Fredy Montero goal helped the Sounders defeat league-leading Houston Dynamo by a 2-1 score. It was a match replete with the typical atmosphere and excitement that we’ve all come to expect from a Seattle game. Not sure if the ball had crossed the line, though examining replays showed that perhaps the linesman was right to adjudge it a goal.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference got a bit of a shake up. Toronto FC’s win against a struggling San Jose side leapfrogs them into a tie for first place over a dormant D.C. United side. After heading into the half tied at 1-1, goals from Pablo Vitti and Chad Barrett saw the Reds ease to a 3-1 victory on the road. Vitti and Barrett have been maligned all season for their inconsistent play, and while it is a step in the right direction for them, don’t get ahead of yourself quite yet.

Of course, Toronto wouldn’t have been able to simply slide into first if it weren’t for a deadly boring draw out in Chicago. A good crowd — largest of the season in Chicago — was on hand at Toyota Park, but unfortunately the match didn’t exactly deliver premium content. A concern for the Crew rose towards the end of the match, as Guillermo Barros Schelotto left the match with an injury.

The latest edition of the SuperClasico didn’t have a card-happy referee to mar the occasion. This meant that the two sides actually had the opportunity to knock the ball around and put on a performance in front of 23,409 fans. Edson Buddle’s header was well-taken off a solid cross from A.J. DeLaGarza. Here are your eleven thoughts to start off the week:

First XI Observations

1. For all the hoopla that the Donovan-Beckham circus is brewing, the Galaxy’s three game winning streak has been anchored by three shutouts and completed by just one goal in each game. That’s a testament to an improved defense, that boasts two rookies who I’ve harped about on more than one occasion in this space. DeLaGarza and Omar Gonzalez will have to continue their steady play if this Galaxy side wants to make the playoffs. A more potent offense wouldn’t hurt either.

2. How telling is this point — Joe Cannon, one of the better keepers in the league, has not recorded a shutout this year. When you look at the central defenders who have started in front of him in 2009 — Aaron Pitchkolan, Nick Garcia, among them — it’s no small wonder why that is. Some ugly observations also emerged from the San Jose locker room after their poor performance. “As a guy who’s been in the league a long time, that was just gross. It’s embarrassing at the end,” Cannon told Center Line Soccer after the game. For all the positive developments of their late 2008 run, there seems to be no hope out in San Jose.

3. I know I may have touch on this before, but Toronto FC’s pursuit of Julian De Guzman is a little perplexing. They’ve already got a plethora of able-bodied midfielders already, why splash out big bucks for someone who is more of a surplus? There is no doubting De Guzman’s ability, being showcased at the Gold Cup right now, but how would the likes of Sam Cronin, Amado Guevara, Dewayne De Rosario react to De Guzman’s acquisition? That money should be spent on shoring up the defense, evidenced most aptly by Ryan Johnson dancing through three TFC defenders before squaring Darren Huckerby for the Quakes’ equalizer.

4. The pot calls the kettle black. David Beckham, addressing reporters out in LA, spews out this response to some of Donovan’s verbal lobs: “It is unprofessional in my eyes,” said Beckham. “In 17 years, I have played with the biggest teams in the world and the biggest players and not once been criticized for my professionalism.” Fair point David, and it was unfortunate to hear that Landon didn’t approach you with these concerns. But from a distance, isn’t Beckham being hypocritical? To call someone unprofessional, when you spent the better part of 2008 mailing it in, strikes me as a bit off-kilter. Perhaps I have Donovan-colored glasses on, but to me, he was calling it like he saw it. Hopefully, Beckham will give a rip about his three month stint (or perhaps longer) in LA. The league, and his team, will be better off for it.

5. Chicago fails to win again at home, dropping their home mark to 1-2-4. Is it just or me, or will that be a point to bring up come playoff time? It’s puzzling to see these results posted at Toyota Park, especially after hearing about all the quality talent they have at their disposal.

6. Statistical operations within MLS sometimes baffles me. Matt Reis set a new career-high with 11 saves against the Wizards, kicking off a triple header in Massachusetts. While the accomplishment is notable, statistics in soccer never tell the full story. A number of the saves were simple shots struck either right at Reis or woefully mishit. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to discredit the player, but rather question the league’s process on what constitutes a shot and won’t doesn’t. The same can be said about Will Hesmer, who had 11 “saves” as well.

7. Things are packed so tightly in the East that you’d think one team would asphyxiate from that lack of space. D.C. United, Chicago, Columbus, and Toronto are all at either 24 or 25 points. Don’t count out the Revolution, who have played just 14 games thus far, either. If they were to win those three games in hand — and while that is a bit of a stretch — they’d be in first place as things stand right now.

8. Here’s an anecdote that may only interest me: on Monday, when the Columbus Crew head out to the White House to meet Obama, former Crew coach Sigi Schmid will join them. Not sure why, but I find that a bit odd when you consider he is no longer affiliated with the team. Also joining up will be former Crew players Ezra Hendrickson (now an assistant with Seattle) and Brad Evans (current Seattle player).

9. So much for FC Dallas grabbing momentum in the West. A rather lethargic performance from the visitors complimented the diminutive crowd well out in Commerce City. This one seemed destined for a draw, if not for a Kosuke Kimura goal with just 11 minutes remaining. What Dave van Bergh was doing on that goal is beyond me. It was a much-needed win for the Rapids, who need to remain on pace with the Galaxy in the West. I still think that a complete Rapids team could make some noise out West, but they’ll have to play with a bit more creative spark. The loss of Omar Cummings and Colin Clark are no help.

10. As the twitter revolution creeps its way towards soccer circles — a number of MLS players are already on — Brian Ching made a number of interesting “tweets” regarding the controversial goal. Let’s watch it play out, times are estimated, quotes unedited:

“Ref in seattle just cheated the dynamo. What a joke. Not even close. Ref is a cheat.” July 11, 5:00 PM

“Look i made a rash comment yesterday. I dont know who the ref was. I didnt understand how someone could all a goal when it wasnt 100% clear.” — July 12, 10:00 AM

“I apologize for the comment which i made in the heat of the moment. Everyone tries their best and mistakes happen.” — July 12, 11:00 AM

I’m not trying to criticize Ching and what he said about the referee, but rather bring up the point about Twitter and athletes with more direct access to the public. Should Ching be fined for having an opinion and expressing it in a form like Twitter? It’s not as though he came out in the media and expressed these thoughts. It’ll be interesting to see what the league does with this, and what impact, if any, it has on players and their use of an Internet fad like Twitter.

11. Bonus Gold Cup Observations: A mixed showing from some MLS regulars at Gillette Stadium on Saturday. Jimmy Conrad did a solid job playing in the middle of the defense for the U.S., but some of his defensive colleagues cannot say the same. Sam Cronin did a decent job, considering the rookie was getting his first cap. Stuart Holden’s wonder strike saved some blushes, but when you have four newly capped played amongst a team who has barely ever played together, a draw isn’t a bad result, no matter who you’re playing. Davy Arnaud and Roger Espinoza joined Holden as MLSers scoring in the Gold Cup over the weekend.

A memo to Sunil Gulati and Bob Bradley: get Stefan Frei naturalized (if he isn’t already) and a full cap. The Swiss-American shot-stopper is neck-and-neck with Chris Pontius for rookie of the year, and should be a first choice over Troy Perkins already. Don’t expect Frei to be in Toronto for very long.

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