- by Tyler Walter, writing from Fairfax, VA
With sheer exception to Los Angeles and Vancouver, and perhaps D.C. and San Jose, parity make an ugly return into MLS in Week 20. Some of it has to be thanks to several of the league heavyweights not in the best of form after Champions League play (ahem, Seattle), and some it was credited towards the absences of key cogs in certain teams. In the past, I’ve been hesitant to put the Galaxy at the top of the Power Rankings, mostly in part due to the fact they had played far more matches until recently. Now there’s absolutely no doubt they’re deservingly in the top spot of the Rankings.
1. LOS ANGELES GALAXY
Last Week: 2
Result: W 4-0 @ VAN
Last Five: T-T-W-W-W
Once the Galaxy got on the board, the floodgates opened like no other. Donovan, Cristman, and company simply poured on the feeble ‘Caps back line in the dying minutes of the match, leaving Southsiders with a bitter reality check.
2. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Last Week: 1
Result: L 1-3 @ HOU
Last Five: W-W-T-W-W
Even if it was at the fault of the reserves, that puncturing 7-0 loss to Manchester United sucked a lot of confidence out of the upstart Sounders, who might have the reverse fortunes of 2010 seep into 2011. Perhaps a victory in the second leg of Champions League preliminaries might help kick things back into gear as they endure a demanding schedule this month.
3. FC DALLAS
Last Week: 4
Result: W 1-0 vs. CHV (W 1-0 @ ALZ in CONCACAF Champions League)
Last Five: L-T-W-T-W
The more I see Dallas play, the more I like. Schellas Hyndmann has made a top-heavy team stocked with talent, flare and strength. Some wins, clearly, do not come easy, but the teamwork and workhorse effort exhibited reveals why this team is just three points shy of being in the clear for the Supporters’ Shield.
4. COLUMBUS CREW
Last Week: 6
Result: W 2-0 @ RSL
Last Five: W-T-L-W-W
Needless to say, the Crew have been the shock of 2011, while many were expecting them to be dwelling right about the cellar, the Crew at in a spot they have familiarized themselves with; leading the Eastern Conference. Four straight years, and Columbus might be in a golden era, and Waryzcha might be a contender for coach of the year.
5. REAL SALT LAKE
Last Week: 3
Result: L 0-2 vs. CLB
Last Five: W-T-W-W-L
It’s amazing how the absence of Olave and the abrupt absence of Saborio do to Real Salt Lake. Granted, the suspension on Saborio was rather last minute, and Kries was forced to shuffle around. Earlier in the season, we did see how Salt Lake handeled with reserves. But that was New England. This is Columbus, and the Crew nabbed two fast go-ahead goals within the first 15 minutes.
6. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Last Week: 5
Result: L 1-2 vs. COL
Last Five: T-T-W-W-L
Colorado nabbed two fast goals on the, usually reliable, Philly backline. Their response went as expected, but continous failed opportunities caused Roger Torres’ lone goal to be too little, too late. Perhaps the release of Ruiz is why this Philadelphia side needs if they want to regain the Eastern Conference lead.
7. SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Last Week: 7
Result: T 1-1 vs. NE
Last Five: T-T-T-W-T
Another game, another dramatic late equalizer by Sporting. Thing is, given the form of their opponent, Kansas City should have had higher sights and better results. In light of it all, it was a joyous occasion to see Teal Bunbury back and, evidently, in full match fitness to give Kansas City a consolation point.
8. D.C. UNITED
Last Week: 9
Result: W 2-0 @ SJ
Last Five: T-W-T-L-W
Oddly enough, D.C. United boats, by far, the best road record in the Eastern Conference and one of the four best road records in the entire league. As ironic as it may sound in MLS, D.C. United seems to only get the full three points away from home. Time for everyone to say some jokes about decrepit RFK Stadium, and how genius it was to sign Dwayne De Rosario.
T-9. COLORADO RAPIDS
Last Week: 11
Result: W 2-1 @ PHI
Last Five: W-L-W-T-W
Winning three of their last five, the Colorado Rapids are returning to grasp some of their champions swagger. Such confidence, that has been missed since the start of the season. However, these bursts of solid play will need to be consistent or the Rapids will be honored with the largest fluke in MLS Cup history since the 2006 Galaxy.
T-9. HOUSTON DYNAMO
Last Week: 10
Result: W 3-1 vs. SEA
Last Five: T-W-T-L-W
Their well deserved victory at home against Seattle shows the classic MLS side, or the side that marketeers want, a team that simply wins at home. If you mixed their home form with D.C. United’s away form, you have a deadly team jockeying for the Shield.
11. CHIVAS USA
Last Week: 8
Result: L 0-1 @ FCD
Last Five: W-T-T-W-L
Unlike other cases, Chivas was not outright outclassed nor dominated by the weary FC Dallas. Even if blistering hot conditions in the so-called “Oven”. The trip hopefully wont drain the Goats too heavily.
12. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Last Week: 12
Result: BYE (W 1-0 vs PSG, T 1-1 vs ARS in Emirates Cup)
Last Five: W-L-T-L-T
The unexpected Emirates Cup champions served MLS well in this friendly tournament and sent a wave of smug grins across American soccer fans when the arrogant British commentators were at a loss of words to describe New York snatching Arsenal’s self-created trophy away from them. How this affects them in meaningful competition is another question.
13. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Last Week: 14
Result: T 1-1 @ KC
Last Five: L-L-W-T-T
New England has been on a real upswing, and a lot of that has to go to their road win in D.C. However, defensive lapses following that match cost them two points, as it was the case in Kansas.
14. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Last Week: 13
Result: L 0-2 vs. DC
Last Five: T-T-T-L-L
Some poor defensive positioning caused San Jose to suffer a rather ugly home loss to D.C. United at the expense of their former sensation sending supporters into agony. Coincidently, the last time the two side mets, way back in mid-June, I believe was the last time San Jose won a match.
15. TORONTO FC
Last Week: 18
Result: T 2-2 @ POR (W 2-1 vs RES in CONCACAF Champions League)
Last Five: L-W-L-L-T
The last time Toronto had a road performance this impressive had to have been the surreal late draw at The Home Depot Center against, not Chivas, but the Galaxy themselves. The last half hour push paid off and might bring a flicker of joy for Toronto fans and some renowned confidence to push themselves into Group Stage of the Champions League.
15. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Last Week: 15
Result: T 2-2 vs. TOR
Last Five: L-L-L-W-L
Twenty minutes remaining with a 2-0 lead against Toronto FC seems like a sheer win the bag. Oh, wait! It is the Portland Timbers, Toronto FC is (almost) on par with you on quality! Well, Toronto made me eat that sentence.
17. CHICAGO FIRE
Last Week: 17
Result: BYE
Last Five: T-T-T-L-L
This is basically Chicago’s second conseuctive bye week, so there really is not much to say other than the newly acquired Pavel Pardo hopefully will, well, make some what of an impact. If not, Chicago had reserved a spot with Toronto in the gallery of non-playoff SuperDraft hopefuls.
18. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Last Week: 16
Result: L 0-4 vs. LA
Last Five: L-L-L-T-L
Long faces will sit on Vancouver’s face for the following days. No chance for Champions League redemption and hopes for the MLS Cup far out of sight, all complimented by a heavy drubbing at home by the league’s elite. The ‘Caps, as Landon said, just need some time to jell. At least.
