- by Tyler Walter, writing from Richmond, VA
Five more playoff spots were chewed up heading into the final week. Now it’s one spot left for four teams, making this whole 10-club postseason expansion look genius. Even if a mix of the hardcore fans and casual fans are now treating the MLS Cup as the “League/Carling Cup” of the U.S., it’s still an exciting race to watch. Essentially, in this power ranking list, your club either stayed in the same place or dramatically went up or down the ladder.
1. LOS ANGELES GALAXY
Last Week: 2
Result: W 1–0 vs. CHV
Last Five: W-W-W-L-W
With a ever so critical Champions League group stage finale this week, as well as the MLS Cup Playoffs brewing, Los Angeles seemed to have figured out the attacking combo without Robbie Keane. Also, Adam Cristman, he’ll give MLS fans cheering the Galaxy this coming CCL game major headaches.
2. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Last Week: 1
Result: W 2–1 vs. SJ
Last Five: W-L-W-W-W
This is tough. In practically any other MLS season, Seattle would be leaps and bounds the strongest club in the league and the clear-cut Supporters Shield winner. However, it just so happens that the team is playing in a day and age where the Galaxy have assembled easily one of the strongest MLS squads to ever grace the pitch.
3. SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Last Week: 3
Result: W 2–0 vs. NY
Last Five: L-T-W-T-W
A regular season turnaround has been complete for Vermes and Co. Sporting has not only clinched a playoff berth, but have become a possessive, attacking side that looks to be the heavyweights of the murky Eastern Conference. It may not be saying a whole lot given, FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake and their capabilities, but Sporting is playing much better form-wise than the two.
4. HOUSTON DYNAMO
Last Week: 5
Result: W 2–0 @ POR
Last Five: T-W-W-T-W
Houston finally managed to get road win number two on the season. And, what a great time to do so. A clutch performance like that, in a hostile Jeld-Wen, should be an early sign that Houston might make a stab at the Eastern Conference final.
5. REAL SALT LAKE
Last Week: 4
Result: T 0–0 @ COL
Last Five: L-L-L-L-T
By now, everyone should expect Salt Lake to be shaving points in order to earn an easy route to the finals. Though, I cannot help but think the extra play-in match will come to haunt Salt Lake in the Conference Semifinals, should they win their play-in match, something that the American soccer blogosphere has already unanimously assumed.
6. CHICAGO FIRE
Last Week: 7
Result: T 1–1 @ HOU (L 0–2 @ SEA in the U.S. Open Cup)
Last Five: W-W-T-L-W
Let’s forget the fluke offsides drama for a moment and appreciate what Frank Klopas has done. In the middle of the Chicago campaign, he took the helm as interim coach and transformed this side from being one of the league’s worst to being a mid-table club knocking heavily on the door for the playoffs. Their unbelievable rally against D.C. in injury time proved just that. However, this surge, sadly, looks to be too little, too late. Their form though, replicates that of a team that has had a postseason berth for awhile.
7. FC DALLAS
Last Week: 12
Result: W 2–1 @ CHI; W 2–0 vs. VAN
Last Five: L-L-L-W-W
After causing a great bit of scare these past few weeks, the Hoops snap out of their swoon, and earn a well-deserve victory in Chicago at home to Vancouver. Given Dallas’ calliber, something to this level should have been expected. Especially the 2–0 win at home to the ‘Caps.
8. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Last Week: 6
Result: W 3–2 vs. DC; T 1–1 @ CHV
Last Five: T-W-T-W-T
Getting a home draw to Toronto might have gotten the Union into the playoffs, but getting a home draw to Toronto might not be a sign of this side going far in the playoffs. Completely missing out on a top spot out East, Nowak’s facelift Philly side might have to face RSL or Dallas in the playoffs, should the dominoes fall that way.
9. COLUMBUS CREW
Last Week: 13
Result: W 3–0 @ NE
Last Five: L-L-L-W-W
Joining the surge of Eastern Conference clubs to earn postseason berths, Andres Mendoza made a powerful statement showing he’s a rightful successor of Barros Schelloto, and worthy of the DP tag. Being one of the few surprises of the 2011, Columbus looks like they’ll unexpectedly retain their class as one of the Eastern elites for a few more seasons.
10. COLORADO RAPIDS
Last Week: 9
Result: T 0–0 vs. RSL
Last Five: L-L-T-W-T
Colorado has a long, odd history of being that under the radar team to either just make or just miss the playoffs. And despite being the “defending champs” that no one gives them credit for, the Rapids found themselves in that posistion again, in the playoffs, but not being convincing in terms of how deep they may or may not go. The same might as well apply to the Champions League, regardless of how they fair in making the quarterfinals or not.
11. D.C. UNITED
Last Week: 8
Result: L 1–2 @ VAN; L 1–2 vs. CHI
Last Five: W-L-L-L-L
Every team in MLS this season has had their swoon and their rough patch. D.C., stuck in the U.S., just so happens to be hitting their’s as the worst possible time. Their gut-wrenching loss to Chicago, probably killed their postseason hopes for the fourth-consecutive year. Yes, they still have a frightening realistic chance of still making the playoffs, only if they win out their two-match home stand, but let’s be real: D.C. United and consecutive wins simply don’t mix.
12. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Last Week: 11
Result: L 0–2 vs. KC
Last Five: L-W-T-W-L
Although New York got soundly beat by a much more organized Kansas City, the Thierry Henry ejection, the poor chemistry, and the under-confident defense just emphasize the likelihood that New York will not keep their cool and bow out of the playoffs, whether it’s to Portland, Chicago or their bitter Atlantic Cup rivals down I-95. If so, more changes will be need in New York than the amount of tweets and blogs claiming this is the biggest flop in American soccer history.
13. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Last Week: 10
Result: W 1–0 @ VAN
Last Five: T-W-T-L-W
Needing a victory for a playoff berth, at home, against Houston, who has the worst road record other than Vancouver, literally everything played in Portland favor. However, soccer isn’t played on paper, and in lieu of a inaugural berth in the playoffs, Portland now has to do the same task as D.C. United to have a shot. Problem? Their final two matches are on the road.
14. TORONTO FC
Last Week: 15
Result: T 1–1 @ PHI
Last Five: W-W-L-T-T
While TFC fans are easily disgruntled by another year of playoff failure, the Reds are on the cusp of Champions League knockout play. To casual fans that means nothing too special since it’s not good ‘ol North American playoffs, but to hardcore fans, that alone might be a lot more special than a postseason berth, as well as give the supporters optimism about 2012 as being more than just a team that could scrape into the playoffs.
15. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Last Week: 16
Result: L 1–2 @ SEA
Last Five: T-T-T-W-L
On the bright side, there is a very potent chance that Chris Wondolowski actually wins the MLS Golden Boot for the second consecutive year. The stinging feeling has to be the inability San Jose had on closing out an incredible road victory against their Heritage Cup rivals.
16. CHIVAS USA
Last Week: 14
Result: T 1–1 vs. PHI
Last Five: L-T-W-T-L
If we annotate this “SuperClasico” or “L.A. Derby” matchup, the Goats were pretty damn lucky not to be outright embarrassed by the reserve attack, who had shot after shot kiss or skim the pipes. Things look better for Chivas USA version 2011 than 2010, but whether or not they can be a playoff contender come 2012 is still in doubt.
17. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Last Week: 18
Result: W 2–1 vs. DC; L 1–2 @ FCD
Last Five: T-L-L-W-L
Unable to capture a road victory this season (okay, the New York match was a bit screwy), that has to be somewhat of a priority going into the ‘Caps second year in their return to top-tier soccer.
18. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Last Week: 17
Result: L 0–3 vs. CLB
Last Five: L-L-L-L-L
This easily has to be the ultimate nadir for New England, not just on the field, but off as well. Poor crowds, poor marketing, and an owner that simply hates the idea of trying to improve the the club in any shape, way, or form. In terms of fixing the team ON the field though, get a new back line, and let the midfield and offense gel.
