5 things we learned in MLS Week 17: Toronto hurting, Howard makes debut

Week 17 of the 2016 MLS season gave fans plenty to cheer for, as the July 4 weekend saw U.S. icon Tim Howard join the league with the total fanfare of fireworks, cold beers, and hotdogs.

Here's what we learned in Week 17:

Howard proves a pointless luxury

Howard made his debut for the Colorado Rapids on Monday night, earning his first clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against the Portland Timbers and helping reinforce a backline that, well ... didn't really need him in the first place.

Goalkeeper Zac MacMath had done a wonderful job in 2016, earning six clean sheets as he and his back four allowed only 11 goals over 16 games. It's the fewest of any team in MLS this season by some stretch, with D.C. United having conceded the second fewest with 17 goals.

As Matt Doyle of MLSsoccer.com points out, the Rapids are on pace to break the record for the fewest goals conceded in MLS: They've allowed only .647 goals per game thus far in 2016, versus Real Salt Lake's .667 goals conceded per game in 2010 ... And that was before Howard joined the club.

Interestingly, RSL was the last team to get the better of Colorado this season, picking up a 1-0 win at home in Week 5 of the 2016 campaign. The Rapids haven't lost in the 12 matches since.

Toronto FC is hurting

Toronto FC is set to endure a brutal summer as midfield partners (and best buds for life) Michael Bradley and Will Johnson have been sidelined with injuries for the next six weeks. They'll be joined at the treatment table by starting goalkeeper Clint Irwin, who himself has been ruled out for - you guessed it - six weeks.

Bradley picked up his injury while on U.S. international duty and Johnson suffered his knock while scoring a Canadian Championship-winning goal. Toronto FC's coaching staff is hardly to blame.

Still, it leaves the Reds in a tough spot, and now they'll have to trot out a consistent XI with players like Mo Babouli, Alex Bono, and Jordan Hamilton.

Sometimes, no matter what you do, you can't avoid bad luck. It's not like the club hasn't tried.

In 2014, the Toronto FC brass explained to reporters, including The Globe and Mail's Cathal Kelly, that the club had had enough of losing key players to long-term injuries, and put on a presentation outlining how a combination of sports science and analytics should help reduce injuries.

There never was a follow-up presentation. Nonetheless, Toronto FC's injury list remains as long as ever.

At least Jozy Altidore is set to return soon:

Guardado, stick to the script!

Even if money is the primary motivating factor for many star players who join MLS, very rarely do players outright state that as the reason for leaving Europe.

Mexico international Andres Guardado, linked with a $4-million per year move to Atlanta United, proved the exception:

"I will turn 30 in September and I can't close the door on a growing league and I'm thankful for the interest, it's flattering," he said, according to MLSsoccer.com. "At the moment there is nothing, but to have my name mentioned is flattering because of the figures that are there."

In sum: "Yes, I've thought about taking that ludicrous amount of cash for my slower, aged legs."

We're sure his press statement will read differently if he does sign, though.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Nigel De Jong

Nigel De Jong earned his first red card in MLS this weekend with a studs-up tackle from behind on Blas Perez.

It's pretty par for the course, as far as De Jong is concerned. Still, it's worth another watch.

The Columbus Crew's real star

Who's the real star of the Columbus Crew, now that Kei Kamara is out and Federico Higuain is injured? Gregg Berhalter, that's who.