- by Tyler Walter, writing from Fairfax, VA
1. LOS ANGELES GALAXY
Last Week: 2
Result: W 2-1 vs. CHI
Last Five: T-W-T-T-W
Strange as it sounds, earning any type of victory against Chicago has been rather difficult to feat. Primarily because the Fire solely tie matches like it’s 2009. A gritty LA performance flexed the depth of this star-studded squad, and increases their probability of still performing well in their slew of non-league play.
2. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Last Week: 3
Result: W 3-2 @ POR
Last Five: T-W-W-T-W
Though the match took awhile to build up excitement, the Sounders showed determination to keep fighting back against their Cascadian rivals down the I-5 corridor: twice. Without the cast, Montero seems completely reenergized.
3. REAL SALT LAKE
Last Week: 4
Result: W 2-0 vs. FCD
Last Five: T-T-W-T-W
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4. FC DALLAS
Last Week: 1
Result: L 0-2 @ RSL
Last Five: L-W-W-W-L
In a marquee matchup of two league heavyweights, Dallas was stopped brutally cold. Marred by a chain of mishaps from George John and an unlucky fumble by Kevin Hartman, the Hoops missed out on a vital opportunity to snag the top spot from LA and Seattle in the forming race for the Supporters’ Shield.
5. COLUMBUS CREW
Last Week: 6
Result: BYE
Last Five: L-W-W-L-W
Off this week, Columbus will need a bit of a boost from the attack if they want to continue to beat teams stronger than Vancouver. Apart from that, there’s hardly much to worry about in the Warzycha-orchestrated Columbus side.
6. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Last Week: 7
Result: T 0-0 @ SJ
Last Five: T-L-W-T-T
Though the offense was stoned by the struggling San Jose, the sheer fact that the Union played a man down for the majority of the match at the ‘Quakes emphasizes the strength of the defense. Also, it suggests the two goal concession to D.C. United was an off day for the Zolos.
7. SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Last Week: 5
Result: T 1-1 vs. CHV
Last Five: W-W-W-T-T
It took a literal last minute shot from Omar Bravo to finally, and I mean, finally, get passed the acrobatic Dan Kennedy.
8. D.C. UNITED
Last Week: 10
Result: W 1-0 @ NY
Last Five: L-T-T-T-W
Even if they did not walk away with the Atlantic Cup, the Black-and-Red have all the reasons to rub in their 1-0 road win in the faces of Red Bulls supporters. For now, all you have to say is “Dwayne”. And on that topic, United’s latest acquisitions have really weleded the team together, and have them poised to be a dangerous, flashy team.
9. HOUSTON DYNAMO
Last Week: 11
Result: W 2-0 vs TOR
Last Five: W-L-T-T-W
Took a late sucker punch goal at the end to secure their win at home against Toronto, but not a whole lot can be taken from beating the Reds. Not at least until we see the DP impact.
10. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Last Week: 8
Result: L 0-1 vs. DC
Last Five: L-T-T-W-L
In the case or wild irony, or sheer parity, the Red Bulls’ powerful, high scoring attack laid a egg against the young, inexperienced United back line. Along with a stinging goal from ex-Red Bull, Dwayne De Rosario. Returns to making us second guess the consistency of RBNY. The Red Bulls will likely forget this match and try to return to their thrashing ways.
11. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Last Week: 9
Result: T 0-0 vs. PHI
Last Five: T-T-L-T-T
Goalless in their last two, the Earthquakes are either in a swoon or reality check. But the fact they couldn’t net against the shorthanded Union, can only make us wonder about the ability for San Jose to grasp a wildcard berth.
12. CHIVAS USA
Last Week: 12
Result: T 1-1 @ SKC
Last Five: T-L-T-W-T
If this form can continue, solid keeping from Dan Kennedy and the underrated leadership of Nick LaBrocca, the Goats might be a dark horse team heading into the MLS Cup Playoffs. And frankly, being the dark horse team these days means you have a better chance at postseason glory.
13. COLORADO RAPIDS
Last Week: 14
Result: W 2-1 vs. VAN
Last Five: L-L-T-T-W
It was nice to finally see the offset Rapids finally have the ability to scribble a “W” on their calendar, but of all teams in their home arena, it would nothing more than expected.
14. CHICAGO FIRE
Last Week: 13
Result: L 1-2 @ LA
Last Five: W-T-T-T-L
Even if it was a loss, the Fire played their hearts out, and honestly, I thought Chicago played some better football in the road loss to LA than countless amounts of their dozen draws. If they can find a way to turn their home matches from draws to wins, Chicago might find themselves in playoff contention.
15. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Last Week: 15
Result: BYE
Last Five: L-L-L-T-L
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16. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Last Week: 16
Result: L 2-3 vs. SEA
Last Five: L-T-L-L-L
First, frustration losses, only to be culminated by an absolutely heartbreaking defeat. The silver lining from this is that Troy Perkins has proven to be a phenominal goalkeeper, without him, I could have seen the scoreline easily favor Seattle with five goals. Additionally, Sal Zizzo, welcome to the starting XI.
17. TORONTO FC
Last Week: 18
Result: L 0-2 @ HOU
Last Five: L-L-W-L-L
Yes, they were shut out in their loss to Houston and they have in fact conceding seven goals and have failed to find the back of the net in the past two matches, but keep in mind that Toronto FC is the place to go for outcast MLS defenders who cannot swallow their pride and play some NASL ball. All in all though, I felt Toronto did almost have their chances of drawing with Houston.
18. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Last Week: 17
Result: L 1-2 @ COL
Last Five: T-W-L-L-L
A flustered franchise, returning back to the top flight, Vancouver is having a rough stretch in their maiden journey of MLS-hood.
