- by Tyler Walter, writing from Richmond, VA
For the last month and a half, both Seattle and Los Angeles have occupied the top two spots of the Power Rankings ladder. And for the first time since July 26 (Week 19) a club has dethroned the Galaxy from the top of the rankings, and yes, like last time, this time it is Seattle.
1. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Last Week: 2
Result: W 2–1 @ NE (W 2–0 vs. CHI in the U.S. Open Cup; T 2–2 @ COM in the CONCACAF Champions League)
Last Five: W-L-W-W-W
Seattle, or should we say Three-attle, may not have the record to capture the Supporters’ Shield from LA, but their three-peat Open Cup title, and thus far being the only MLS side in the Champions League to qualify for the quarterfinals speaks enough of their depth during excruciating travel, and their resiliency. Next on the agenda: the MLS Cup, and Seattle looks to be mighty heavy favorites.
2. LOS ANGELES GALAXY
Last Week: 1
Result: W 2–1 vs. RSL; L 0–2 @ NY (W 2–1 @ MOR in the CONCACAF Champions League)
Last Five: W-T-W-W-L
Really, the mulligan of the week has to be LA traveling to New York and burning out in a forgettable 2–0 loss. Mind that it was only the Galaxy’s fourth loss in league play, and that the Shield looks set to remain in SoCal for a second consecutive season.
3. SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Last Week: 6
Result: W 2–1 vs. CLB; T 1–1 @ SJ
Last Five: L-T-T-W-T
Earning results, even if they’re ugly is, well, the best way to earn your way to an MLS Cup title. And, given the fact mid-table, or upper-mid table clubs have recently found their way to reaching the final, I’m going out to say the Wizards are likely to reach the MLS Cup final.
4. REAL SALT LAKE
Last Week: 3
Result: L 1–2 @ LA
Last Five: W-W-L-L-L
Their three-match slide may be excusable, but the fact is the Galaxy are a team with much depth like Salt Lake. The difference? The Galaxy are juggling their way through Champions League unlike Salt Lake.
5. HOUSTON DYNAMO
Last Week: 5
Result: T 1–1 vs. CHI
Last Five: L-T-W-W-T
Houston, nice recovery from last year. The voids of past Dynamo greats such as Stuart Holden and Ricardo Clark have been (nearly) filled. Unless a tragic disaster concludes the season, the Dynamo look set to stake claims on a playoff spot. Maybe even a top three spot in the Conference.
6. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Last Week: 9
Result: W 3–2 vs. DC; T 1–1 @ CHV
Last Five: T-W-T-W-T
It’s thrilling victories like their home victory to D.C. United that are badly needed in the MLS Cup Playoffs, even the same for Chivas USA. The flare and attacking mindset were all there for the Union. The defense...
7. CHICAGO FIRE
Last Week: 10
Result: T 1–1 @ HOU (L 0–2 @ SEA in the U.S. Open Cup)
Last Five: W-L-W-W-T
One of the hottest teams in the east right now is...Chicago?! Yes, the parity-plagued, mediocre east has the Fire living up to their name. The playoffs are still a bit of a stretch, but if they field reserves at Houston and draw, and keep up their sudden splurge of victories, the Fire might find their way into the wildcard round...against all odds.
8. D.C. UNITED
Last Week: 4
Result: L 2–3 @ PHI; L 1–2 @ CLB
Last Five: W-T-W-L-L
On a two-match road swing against Conference foes, we learned why one does not put Joseph Ngwenya in the rotation. In their first losing streak since April, D.C. blew some matches in hand to peak the conference. With a three-match home stand to close out the season, United look in a good posistion still to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
9. COLORADO RAPIDS
Last Week: 12
Result: W 1–0 vs. FCD (W 3–1 @ MET in the CONCACAF Champions League)
Last Five: T-L-L-T-W
Colorado managed to end their winless streak in an 2010 MLS Cup final rematch. Not only that, the Rapids made head coach Gary Smith look like a depth genius as they stormed the turf in El Salvador.
10. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Last Week: 8
Result: W 1–0 @ VAN
Last Five: T-W-T-L-W
The Timbers grabbed a critical three points on the road to their meager I-5 rivals, but lacking matches in hand, might cause these scrappy Timbers to narrowly miss out on the postseason.
11. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Last Week: 11
Result: T 1–1 @ TOR; W 2–0 vs. LA
Last Five: W-L-W-T-W
After an uninspiring performance that was saved by a wicked Thierry Henry strike, the Red Bulls plucked apart a makeshift Galaxy squad, and in sheer style. The only thing holding them back from turning it into a complete rout was that little thing called the crossbar.
12. FC DALLAS
Last Week: 7
Result: L 0–1 @ COL (L 3–5 @ TAU in the CONCACAF Champions League)
Last Five: W-L-L-L-L
Extending out too much has really hurt Dallas, and now they’re falling off the map. They’ll likely still make the playoffs, but it will complete their crashing and burning process.
13. COLUMBUS CREW
Last Week: 15
Result: L 1–2 @ SKC; W 2–1 vs. DCU
Last Five: L-T-L-L-W
While their odds to win the Eastern Conference might be damaged, their winless streak finally came to an end with a hardworking rally, and a Eddie Gavin header, to defeat red-hot D.C. United.
14. CHIVAS USA
Last Week: 13
Result: T 1–1 vs. PHI
Last Five: L-L-L-T-W
Angel’s second half strike against Philly was enough to salvage a point, but ultimately, the match along with the fate of other league matches mathematically ended Chivas’ postseason hopes. The good news, they look to have a collection of players and management that could give the Goats a competitive edge for at least next year.
15. TORONTO FC
Last Week: 14
Result: T 1–1 vs. NY (T 1–1 vs. UNAM in the CONCACAF Champions League)
Last Five: T-W-W-L-T
Two late draws at home might have punctured their odds to get into the Champions League knockout round, as well as officially knocked the Reds out of the MLS Cup Playoffs, breaking the record for the most consecutive seasons failing to qualify for the playoffs. (San Jose held the old record from 1997–2001).
16. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Last Week: 16
Result: T 1–1 vs. SKC
Last Five: W-L-T-T-T
Now, it’s official; the ‘quakes are out of the playoffs. San Jose fans might just want Yallop to be the first person to be cleaned out of house.
17. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Last Week: 17
Result: L 1–2 vs. SEA
Last Five: T-W-L-L-L
New England is hopelessly sitting in the same posistion D.C. United was in this time last year. Miserable campaign, losing matches left and right, and a young phenom becoming a distraction from the eyesore of a poorly organized back line.
18. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Last Week: 18
Result: L 0–1 vs. POR
Last Five: L-W-T-L-L
On the brighter end of things, the Whitecaps have a beautiful, domed stadium to call home. Doesn’t suit up well with a swiss cheese defense, and a loss to a Cascadian rival.
