- by Tyler Walter, writing from Richmond, VA
The 2011 Major League Soccer regular season has concluded, and it is time to release the final edition of the MLS Power Rankings for 2011. This final list is more reflective on teams final form and how it would look going into the 2012 campaign.
1. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Last Week: 2
Result: W 3–1 vs. CHV (L 1–2 vs. MOT in CONCACAF Champions League)
Last Five: W-W-L-W-W
Regardless if Seattle did not have the Shield, their form closing out the season and the Champions League was on a high note. Sure, the Galaxy won their group, but the Sounders played to a more competitive level while fielding their reserves against Monterrey than LA vs. Houston. This side seems to be a good MLS Cup title bet, with or without Mauro Rosales, a likely MVP and Newcomer of the Year candidate.
2. LOS ANGELES GALAXY
Last Week: 1
Result: L 1–3 @ HOU (W 1–0 @ MOR in CONCACAF Champions League)
Last Five: W-W-W-L-W
Thanks to Jack McBean’s 88th minute consolation goal, there was something to smile about in a otherwise forgotten final regular season match. Sure it was a loss at 70 points for the first time in league history (since draws have been permitted) but who cares? They have the Shield, won their CCL group (thanks to a thing of beauty from Juninho) and are top seeds in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
3. SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Last Week: 3
Result: W 2–0 vs. NY
Last Five: T-W-T-W-W
Whether you call it “worst to first” or “worst to fifth”, Sporting Kansas City made one incredible turnaround to top the Eastern Conference. Their style completely shut down United’s attack, and their resilience finally snapped the side’s defense. If Sporting can contain this, they might make a serious run into the MLS Cup final.
4. HOUSTON DYNAMO
Last Week: 4
Result: W 3–1 vs. LA
Last Five: W-W-T-W-W
Unlike their conference counterparts out in the nation’s capital, the Dynamo somehow found a hot streak going into the postseason, which suits them well in arguably one of the easiest routes to the MLS Cup finals. Final notes: If Adam Moffat does not get Goal of the Week, then something is outright wrong. Will Bruin is a likely candidate for Rookie of the Year, and did anyone catch the attendance figures for their regular season finale! Numbers that are within an eyeshot of Sounders crowds! (30,018)
5. CHICAGO FIRE
Last Week: 6
Result: W 3–2 vs. CLB
Last Five: W-T-L-W-W
Playoffs or not, Frank Klopas brought new life into this squad, and turned the Fire from being a lowly cellar dweller to being a flashy side narrowly missing the playoffs. If Fire management wants to bring Chicago back into the mix of “big market powerhouses”, it would be wise to make Klopas the head coach and find a new technical director.
6. REAL SALT LAKE
Last Week: 5
Result: T 1–1 @ POR
Last Five: L-L-L-T-T
In the strangest of ways possible, their draw earned Salt Lake a bye in the Conference Semifinals, which many pundits will claim as a competitive disadvantage for RSL. On the bright side, as Kries has pointed out (thankfully), he has noted that their third place overall posistion might reap a possible Champions League berth, should Seattle and LA (who have already earned CCL berths) make the final.
7. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Last Week: 12
Result: W 1–0 vs. PHI
Last Five: W-T-W-L-W
Well, it wasn’t pretty and they chose the hardest way possible, but New York earned a berth into the playoffs as the last seed. Executives will easily be pulling for the Red Bulls against Dallas for that dreamland LA v. NY conference semi. If New York wins, the soccer world will be in bedlam...again.
8. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Last Week: 8
Result: L 0–1 @ NY
Last Five: W-T-W-T-L
While fans and the media likely will herald Pitor Nowak’s job guiding the Union to a playoff berth in their sophomore season, the Polish manager looked all but disgusted in their final loss. Regardless of the importance, etc. of any match the guy hates to lose, and likely is the only one in the City of Brotherly Love that is unsatisfied with the Union’s record and results.
9. COLORADO RAPIDS
Last Week: 10
Result: W 2–1 @ VAN (L 0–2 @ CSL in CONCACAF Champions League)
Last Five: L-T-W-T-W
Unsurprisingly, the Rapids, even with “champions swagger” found themselves to be in a posistion that, well...everyone expected. Just being in that area above the playoff bubble zone, in others words seventh in the league’s overall standings, along with just missing the knockout round of the Champions League, third in their group. Oh, and of course, immediately crashing and burning out of the U.S. Open Cup in qualification propers. And the path to win their second MLS Cup looks eerily similar to the path paved for them in 2010.
10. FC DALLAS
Last Week: 7
Result: L 2–4 @ SJ (L 0–3 vs. TOR in CONCACAF Champions League)
Last Five: L-L-W-W-L
Suddenly, their brief period of wins had crashed as the team disastrously ruined their Champions League run, being shut out and wiped out by Toronto FC only to lose their regular season finale by another considerable margin. And like that, Dallas looks to be on a downswing going into 2012. Still, they have one final cup to possibly grasp after narrowly losing out the Texas Derby, U.S. Open, Supporters’ Shield, and now, the Champions League.
11. COLUMBUS CREW
Last Week: 9
Result: L 2–3 @ CHI
Last Five: L-L-W-W-L
All in all, it is still impressive to think that the rebuilding Columbus side managed to earn a playoff berth. And with a likely urge to seek revenge on Colorado in the 2010 rematch, the Crew may find themselves hunting for some 2008 glory. Whether that happens or not looks to be more centered around the latter.
12. D.C. UNITED
Last Week: 11
Result: L 1–2 @ VAN; L 1–2 vs. CHI
Last Five: L-L-L-T-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.
13. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Last Week: 15
Result: W 4–2 vs. FCD
Last Five: T-T-W-L-W
The Wonderous Wondo might have fallen short in tiebreakers for his second-consecutive Golden Boot, but this club exhibits qualities of playoff caliber, had the side not fallen into a massive summer swoon. The real need though to prevent that from happening again will have to be an injection of some depth. If that’s Frank Yallop’s focus this offseason, the ‘Quakes will likely build up on 2010 and brush this season behind.
14. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Last Week: 13
Result: T 1–1 @ DC; T 1–1 vs. RSL
Last Five: T-W-T-L-W
Frustrating draws to close out the see, the Timbers should be proud of their return to top flight soccer. Not everyday as an expansion franchise or a “promoted side” make the playoffs their first year. Of course there is the Chicago and Seattle exceptions, but Chicago entered in an era where 80% of the teams made the playoffs, and Seattle simply had lightning in a bottle with their then-unprecedented fan support. Portland, well, by now, the fans should know.
15. TORONTO FC
Last Week: 14
Result: T 2–2 vs. NE
Last Five: W-W-L-T-T
Danny Kovermann’s has easily etched his place in the hearts of Red Patch Boys across Ontario. Aron Winter, well, has been less dicey in terms of supporter perception. The only way to solidify his place in TFC, along with his Dutch facelift has been partially done: a berth in the Champions League quarterfinals. Next...the MLS Cup Playoffs. And with an arsenal of attacking talent, this side looks like they might be a contender to win the Eastern Conference next season.
16. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Last Week: 17
Result: L 1–2 vs. COL
Last Five: L-L-W-L-L
Towards the latter half of the season, the ‘Caps were finally gaining momentum and becoming competitive in league matches. By “competitive”, I’m talking teams that were MLS heavyweights and lowly MLS sides who sat in their tier during the course of the year. Martin Rennie, who turned the Carolina RailHawks into a winning machine in the NASL, might be the solution to give this scrappy team a winning mentality.
17. CHIVAS USA
Last Week: 16
Result: T 1–3 vs. SEA
Last Five: T-W-T-L-L
The way I see it, losing at home to mixed reserve and starting sides, Chivas USA looks to be the only sure bet (other than the Montreal Impact) of an MLS side that will likely miss the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs. And the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs have yet to begin!
18. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Last Week: 18
Result: T 2–2 @ TOR
Last Five: L-L-L-L-T
Long story short, 2011 was an absolute disaster for the Revs. Not necessarily due to their attack, or posting goals on the scoreboard, but their back line. The defense has lost the Revs countless games this season, and is a reason why they spent a majority of the season at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and overall tables. I’m curious to see if Stevie Nicol is around for his eleventh-consecutive season in charge of the club.
