Falling a bit behind on my Major League Soccer power rankings, not that's going to make a lot of you too upset...or any of you for that matter.
I think this week is where the parity has finally began to kick in. It was fun thinking for awhile we had super clubs, good clubs, okay clubs, bad clubs, and horrifyingly awful clubs. Case is, with some minor exceptions, parity prevailed this week. Perhaps an upset here and there.
Now for the rankings. Not a good deal of change, except in the middle of the pack.
I think this week is where the parity has finally began to kick in. It was fun thinking for awhile we had super clubs, good clubs, okay clubs, bad clubs, and horrifyingly awful clubs. Case is, with some minor exceptions, parity prevailed this week. Perhaps an upset here and there.
Now for the rankings. Not a good deal of change, except in the middle of the pack.
1. LOS ANGELES GALAXY (11-2-3)
Last Week: 1
Result: L 0-2 @ New England
Could it be parity? Or just an amazing upset? Or would it be an MLS-stint to attract more fans to New England matches because 21,000 filled Gillette Stadium to see the Revs win? You decide. Oh yeah...neither Donovan nor Buddle was there. Hm. Hmmmm...
2. REAL SALT LAKE (9-3-3)
Last Week: 2
Result: W 1-0 @ Chicago
People really need to stop omitting this club. RSL has shown they're a fairly dangerous team both at home and on the road. This past victory in Bridgeview, at Toyota Park showed simply this: RSL is better than the Fire.
3. COLUMBUS CREW (7-2-3)
Last Week: 4
Result: T 0-0 at Houston
It's looking like the Columbus Crew might the final team vying for the Supporter's Shield, in my opinion the more honorable award. Crew got a win against Houston, in a game the Dynamo deserved to win. How often will this continue to happen for the Crew? Can't wait to see how they preform though in the CONCACAF Champions League next week.
4. RED BULL NEW YORK (8-5-2)
Last Week: 5
Result: T 0-0 vs. D.C. United
Red Bulls pulled off a nice victory in Kansas City thanks to Juan Pablo Angel. Still laughing though at this corny attempt to make people guess who's joining the Red Bulls in two days. We know it's Thierry Henry. Stop. When Henry and Angel pair up, perhaps seasoned, but they'll become a potent power amongst the top clubs in MLS. Since they're not participating anymore in the U.S. Open Cup nor the Champions League, they can further emphasize on the regular season. Work on aiming guys.
5. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (6-4-4)
Last Week: 3
Result: W 2-1 @ Philadelphia
Earthquakes hurting MLS biz. First they tie the worst team in the league (at the time) at home. Now they send 18,000 at PPL Park home upset. Stole three points. Critical. It's MLS though. Wins at home are guaranteed for the most part to keep fans happy. In my opinion, they were not impressive against probably the worst teams in the league: the United and Union.
6. FC DALLAS 96 (5-2-7)
Last Week: 8
Result: T 1-1 @ Seattle
Silly FC Dallas, that's so 2009 to go and tie a majority of your games.
7. TORONTO FC (6-4-4)
Last Week: 7
Result: W 1-0 vs. Colorado
Toronto really needs to capatalize on home points if they want to snatch a playoff spot. The way it's looking, the play-offs will be all west, except Columbus and New York and thankfully not because two playoff spots are guaranteed to the East.
8. COLORADO RAPIDS (6-4-4)
Last Week: 6
Result: L 0-1 @ Toronto
The game against Toronto was a fairly evened match. BMO's 12th...20,000th man came to help the Reds overcome the Rapids.
9. HOUSTON DYNAMO (5-7-4)
Last Week: 8
Result: T 0-0 vs. Columbus
Remember when I said "find advantage on home turf". Doesn't mean blow a chance to upset the Crew.
10. CHICAGO FIRE (4-5-5)
Last Week: 10
Result: L 0-1 vs. RSL
Chicago's going to need to step it up if they want to make it into the MLS Cup play-offs. In all fairness, the Royals are a better team than the Men-In-Red.
11. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (3-7-2)
Last Week: 12
Result: W 2-0 vs. Los Angeles
Perhaps a win in front of 21,000 in Foxboro will help the Revs with home-field advantage. New England was playing the best MLS club, could help too. For the educated fans at least.
12. C.D. CHIVAS USA (4-9-1)
Last Week: 16
Result: W 2-0 @ Kansas City
Perhaps their Open Cup win against Houston ignitied confidence in the young squad to grab three points in Kansas City? Doubt it'll last with the Goats.
13. D.C. UNITED (3-9-1)
Last Week: 13
Result: T 0-0 @ RBNY
Wonder what Curt Onlafo said before their very difficult road series, playing against perhaps the best of MLS, and in the intimidating Qwest Field. Whatever it was, the Black-and-Red return back to RFK with a 1-1-2 road record from that. Not so bad given MLS standards. Should be interesting to see how they do at home against Seattle and LA.
14. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC (4-8-4)
Last Week: 15
Result: T 1-1 vs. FC Dallas
Okay, granted, it's impossible to beat another MLS team in their home stadium the grand opening of their new stadium. But the effort was hopeless. Ljungberg? Was he there. Seemed invisible...except when he whined like always does.
15. PHILADELPHIA UNION (3-8-2)
Last Week: 14
Result: L 1-2 vs. San Jose
The Zolos might just have the worst defense in the league. This became apparent after seeing this:
16. KANSAS CITY WIZARDS (3-8-3)
Last Week: 14
Result: L 0-2 vs. Chivas USA
One thing to lose to one of the better MLS clubs in your home ballpa–stadium...yet it's another thing when you lose to weakest team lately...in your hometown. KC has been horrid.
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