A Case of the Mondays: Notes from New England; MLS and cautions

Ah, Monday, the bane of all days. Or, you know, something like that. We've got two more games before we get a bit of a break, and they're both on the road. First up: Chicago. Now, as long as we don't take a wrong turn at Albuquerque, we should get there just fine before floating over the midwest to head back to the Emerald City, where we'll certainly be looking for a few answers to questions. You know, about the heart and brains and whatnot. Right, I know where the door is, I'll see myself out.

Seriously, though. I rewatched the New England match last night, and I was struck by a few things:

1. Our passing was sublime. It was inventive, creative, expressive — the best things about our side when we're really ticking over. That it finally came when we had ostensibly our best XI on the pitch is perhaps no real surprise, but it continued even once Jonny Steele came on the pitch.

2. He might not be the most safe-passing player, but Jonny Steele is always looking to create with his passes. When he loses the ball high up the pitch, it's for this reason. It's easy to blast him for that at times, but let's remember that he's still getting to full fitness for this level, and he's still learning our system. That he's contributed as much as he has this early is a little remarkable, to my mind.

3. The crowd. Oh, the crowd! What's that phrase, again? Sea change? Or was that just a Beck album? (Some quick Googling has revealed that it's from The Tempest, so I probably should have known that. Alas.) But really, last year, our crowd just seemed dead at times. Whether it was a result of the heartbreak of the CONCACAF Champions League, or perhaps something that Believe has brought about, or just a sign that we're growing up as supporters, I'm not sure, but it's been incredible.

I'm sure I was struck by a few other things, but I certainly wasn't struck by any tornado-flung furniture or some such, so there's that. On another note, I've taken some time to draw together statistics about the league and cautions, so let's have at that a bit, shall we? If you followed along on Twitter, there's not too much new here, so you're dismissed if you'd like to leave. Otherwise, stick around. Maybe I'll make another pun or something. Who knows.

Seein' Red

• There have been 13 red cards issued in MLS this campaign. Only three of those have been issued to the home team: Will Johnson, for RSL against New England; and Blas Perez and Daniel Hernandez, for FC Dallas against the R*pids. 
• No match in 2012 thus far has seen a red card issued and ended in a draw.
• Of nine matches with red cards issued, only three have resulted in the red-carded team going on to win: RSL v. New England, Chivas USA v. Philadelphia Union, Philadelphia Union v. Colorado.

Yellow, et cetera

• Out of 84 matches, the home team has had more cautions in 24 of them. Away teams have been more cautioned in 37, and 23 times, both teams have been level.
• In 84 MLS matches in 2012, the team with more cautions has won 37 times (44 percent.) 16 times (66%), the home side has had more and won.
• The most-often cautioned home team is Philadelphia Union with 11. DCU, RSL, Seattle each with 10 at home.
• Montreal Impact are the most often cautioned side away from home at 15 yellow cards. Chivas, San Jose both at 10. RSL, NYRB at 9.

There we go. 'Til tomorrow, folks!