- by Tyler Walter, writing from Fairfax, VA
The twenty-third week of Major League Soccer regular season action marked the dream debut for Robbie Keane, the perfect of MLS teams in CONCACAF play, and a series of midweek fixtures that cost some team the proper energy to nab a maximum number of points. With that, the range between the top playoff-bound teams and teams on the outside looking in, has, well, shrunk.
1. LOS ANGELES GALAXY
Last Week: 1
Result: W 2-0 vs. SJ,
Last Five: W-W-L-W-W
In the final leg of the California Clasico, Robbie Keane had the ideal start, bracing the opening goal in an overall dominating performance by the Galaxy. With Keane looking to be the ideal replacement to Edson Buddle and bringing the best out of Mike Magee, they look destined to continue the tradition of winning back-to-back Supporters’ Shields. This teams looks to be an MLS powerhouse for a few more seasons.
2. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Last Week: 3
Result: W 1-0 @ FCD
Last Five: W-L-W-T-W
Clawing their way back into the Supporters’ Shield race, a worm-buring strike from Mauro Rosales gave the Sounders revenge against top heavy FC Dallas. Things should get bitter in their U.S. Open Cup semifinal in eight days.
3. COLUMBUS CREW
Last Week: 4
Result: W 2-1 vs. PHI
Last Five: W-W-L-W-W
And with Philadelphia, it has sealed it. The pairing of Renteria and Mendoza is arguably the best in the East, and this club can play down, tied, or any situation and see a winning result through. However, given the fact that the top East teams are mid-table teams and the worst East teams are on the same stomping ground and Portland and Vancouver, well, it’s tough to determine if this upstart Columbus side will truly be amongst MLS’ elite.
4. FC DALLAS
Last Week: 2
Result: L 0-1 vs. SEA
Last Five: W-L-T-W-L
Given their recent shortcomings in league play, it will be downplayed as Dallas is riding on the media hype of being the first American soccer club to beat a Mexican team, on Mexican soil, in a meaningful competition. Still, their chances to stay on pace with the Galaxy for the Shield race have been regressed, and now the Hoops sit third in the table.
5. COLORADO RAPIDS
Last Week: 5
Result: T 2-2 vs. CHV
Last Five: T-W-W-W-T
Without knowing it, there is a good deal of attacking depth behind Conor Casey. Kandji steps up in the Champions League and now Caleb Folan and Jeff Larentowicz help the Rapids earn points in league play. Unfortunately, despite their seven-match unbeaten run, conceding points late at home is not something a top-tier MLS club does. And if Colorado wants to repeat their MLS Cup glory, they will need to figure that out within the next two months.
6. HOUSTON DYNAMO
Last Week: 8
Result: W 3-2 vs. RSL
Last Five: W-T-W-T-W
To be honest, once confident youngster Luis Gil netted the leading goal for Salt Lake, it seemed RSL would see the match through. And why not? Salt Lake, given their posistion, has the most matches on hand against any team, and Houston, given their strong form, really is not (on paper) better than Salt Lake. And thank God soccer’s played on grass...or turf, and not on paper. The ending effort was more than deserving of the full three. Now they just need to win on the road.
7. REAL SALT LAKE
Last Week: 6
Result: L 2-3 @ HOU
Last Five: L-L-W-L-L
While I’m certain Real Salt Lake will still make the playoffs, and have good faith they will not pul a New York, this recent form is frightening. Yes, there has been effort, and goals, but mistakes and miscommunication and, frankly, three points vanished in the Texas heat.
8. SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Last Week: 11
Result: W 3-1 vs. POR, W 1-0 vs. DC
Last Five: W-T-L-W-W
While the home stand had to have played to Sporting’s advantage, give them credit. A well-orchestrated, commanding victory in which the Wizards succumbed Jack Jewsbury’s homecoming, culminated with a tough fight against on par D.C. United. Things continue the way they are, look for the latter matchup to be a thrilling playoff match.
9. CHIVAS USA
Last Week: 10
Result: T 2-2 @ COL
Last Five: W-L-W-T-L
In a fresh start for Angel, he manages to make will timed runs and defeat the offside trap. While it’s too early to determine that he’s the missing link in the Goats’ attack, the DP is making a run for his money.
10. D.C. UNITED
Last Week: 7
Result: T 1-1 @ CHI, L 0-1 @ SKC
Last Five: W-T-W-T-L
It was inevitable, but for the first time since April, D.C. United lost on the road. The team looked rather sloppy for the first time in awhile. Depending on Hamid’s injury, this may make it rather tough to see United in the playoffs. However, it’s still way to early to make that call, especially since nearly half the league is far lousier form.
11. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Last Week: 9
Result: L 1-2 @ CLB
Last Five: W-L-T-T-L
At the end of the day, it was simple: Columbus was the better team. This really looks to be a small swoon this season, as the Union are tying at home and losing away, but an incoming bye week might help the team regroup for the final stretch of 2011.
12. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Last Week: 14
Result: L 1-3 @ SKC, W 2-1 vs. VAN
Last Five: T-W-T-W-L
Jack Jewsbury’s homecoming in Kansas City was quite a forgetable evening, and one flustering setback, a needed, and rather expected home win against their “friendly” Cascadian rivals helped bring some joy in the Rose City and returned them back into the playoff chase.
13. CHICAGO FIRE
Last Week: 15
Result: T 1-1 vs. DC, W 2-0 vs. TOR
Last Five: L-L-T-T-W
While their match against D.C. was the typical case of conceding late, an opponent like Toronto FC was just what Chicago needed: An easy back line to reignited Dominic Odouro with confidence, and finishing. Let’s not forget that.
14. TORONTO FC
Last Week: 12
Result: L 0-2 @ CHI
Last Five: L-T-T-W-L
Finally. For the first time this season, we have standards set in Toronto. They lose a match deemed winnable. Actually, I shouldn’t get carried away. It was more of an opportunity to seize points on the road. Evidently, that did not happen, and against a mediocre side such as Chicago, that’s not exactly the rebuilding form that Toronto has been in their existence.
15. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Last Week: 13
Result: T 2-2 @ NE
Last Five: L-T-L-T-T
Technically, MLSSoccer.com claims New York is the final wildcard berth for the postseason. When actually, the Red Bulls are a spot out of the playoffs if they you count every MLS team’s record after 24 games. Dane Richards had a huge night, but let’s face it. Tim Ream is becoming the next Jonathan Bornstein, and it breaks USMNT fans’ hearts.
16. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Last Week: 16
Result: T 2-2 vs. NY
Last Five: L-L-T-L-T
Thanks to some average officiating, which we classify as terrible, the Revs were stripped two points, and New York can pretend to be in the playoff chase for another week. Steve Nicol has to be furious, already with the irritation at the Kraft family, and the inability to acquire talent, and now having draws that feel like loses.
17. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Last Week: 17
Result: L 0-2 @ LA
Last Five: L-L-T-L-L
Whether the Galaxy’s offense is just that good, or the Earthquakes back line is simply that bad, the ‘Quakes, and especially Jon Busch, made Beckham’s chip look like a masterpiece and Keane’s goal look like a thing of a beauty embedded in sheer class. Maybe it was, but I can name numerous defenders and keepers in this league who would have been better organized.
18. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Last Week: 18
Result: L 1-2 @ POR
Last Five: L-T-L-L-L
Ever since the D.C. United loss, the Whitecaps’ Eric Hassli is seemingly out of it. He’s falling all over the place, making off timed runs, and simply not producing. Soehn is simply at a loss in figuring out how to piece this team together to finish not necessarily in playoff style, but with some pride. That looks just as long as an odd of any postseason play.
