MLS Week Three had plenty of surprises and intrigue, as well as some truly impressive performances. With eight matches on the schedule, we saw a little bit of everything.
We saw Los Angeles and New England deliver thoroughly impressive performances, while surprising winners San Jose, Chivas USA and Philadelphia gave their fans reason to be optimistic.
We also saw plenty of bad soccer. D.C. United and Toronto FC suffered awful losses to plummet to the bottom of this week's SBI MLS Power Rankings, which see a new team on top, as well as a new team on the bottom.
Now, without further ado, here are this week's SBI MLS Power Rankings:
SBI MLS POWER RANKINGS (Week 3)
1 (2). LOS ANGELES GALAXY (3-0)
Last Week– Beat Houston Dynamo, 2-0, on Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Outlook: Edson Buddle can't be stopped, and Sean Franklin looks poised for a big year.
———————————–
2 (5). KANSAS CITY WIZARDS (2-0)
Last Week– Beat Colorado, 1-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– at Seattle Sounders on Saturday.
Outlook: Another strong performance for the Wizards, but now KC must leave the friendly confines of home and show they can win on the road.
———————————–
3 (Last Week- 1). COLUMBUS CREW (1-0-1)
Last Week– Tied FC Dallas, 2-2, last Saturday.
Next Week– Bye Week
Outlook: The Crew defense actually played well vs. FC Dallas, but dropping two points on a last-second equalizer has to burn heading into Columbus' second bye week of the early season (who made this schedule?).
———————————–
4 (9). NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (2-1)
Last Week– Beat Toronto FC, 4-1, last Saturday.
Next Week- at San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Outlook: Zach Schilawski's coming-out party was a welcomed sight for a team in need of a reliable goal-scorer. More importantly for New England was the return of Shalrie Joseph, who remains as important as ever.
———————————–
5 (3). NEW YORK RED BULLS (2-1)
Last Week– Lost to Chivas USA, 2-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. FC Dallas on Saturday.
Outlook: A flat performance doomed New York, though it was more the team's lack of attacking energy than defensive shortcomings. The first goal came on a Bouna Coundoul blunder, and the second came on a long goal-kick that bounced behind the defense. A tougher test awaits the defense in the form of 2009 MLS scoring leader Jeff Cunningham and FC Dallas.
———————————–
6 (7). SEATTLE SOUNDERS (1-1-1)
Last Week– Tied Real Salt Lake last Saturday.
Next Week- vs. Kansas City Wizards on Saturday.
Outlook: The Sounders will hate giving up the late equalizer, but they have to feel good about taking a road point against a top Western Conference rival.
———————————–
7 (4). HOUSTON DYNAMO (1-1-1)
Last Week– Lost to Los Angeles, 2-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Chivas USA on Saturday.
Outlook: Houston's offense continues to struggle to generate chances, struggles that are likely to continue while Brian Ching is sidelined. Will Dom Kinnear move Mr. Versatility, Geoff Cameron, up top to help try and generate more chances?
———————————–
8 (6). REAL SALT LAKE (1-1-1)
Last Week– Tied Seattle Sounders, 2-2, last Saturday.
Next Week– at Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.
Outlook: Late equalizer by Alvaro Saborio helped save RSL's blushes, but injury concern regarding Javier Morales
———————————–
9 (8). COLORADO RAPIDS (1-1-1)
Last Week-Lost to Kansas City Wizards, 1-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Toronto FC on Sunday.
Outlook: Small field coupled with tough KC defense made things difficult for Rapids attack. Things should come more easily back at home against an awful TFC defense.
———————————–
10 (13). CHIVAS USA (1-2)
Last Week– Beat New York Red Bulls, 2-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– at Houston Dynamo on Saturday.
Outlook: Jesus Padilla provided sorely-needed energy to the Rojiblancos attack. Can Chivas USA go on the road and show that same energy?
———————————–
11 (15). SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (1-1)
Last Week– Beat Chicago Fire, 2-1, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. New England Revolution on Saturday.
Outlook: Earthquakes defense delivered an impressive performance on the road, with Ike Opara flashing some Rookie of the Year talent.
———————————–
12 (10). CHICAGO FIRE (0-2-1)
Last Week– Lost to San Jose Earthquakes, 2-1, last Saturday.
Next Week– at D.C. United on Saturday.
Outlook: The Fire didn't play terribly, but not enough finishing and some defensive blunders cost Chicago yet again. Anything short of a win against struggling D.C. United will lead to even more questions about the job Carlos De Los Cobos is doing.
———————————–
13 (11). FC DALLAS (0-0-2)
Last Week– Tied Columbus Crew, 2-2, last Saturday.
Next Week- at New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Outlook: Two home games to start the year and two draws. That's not good enough for a team with playoff aspirations. We will see how serious Dallas is about turning things around when it travels to Red Bull Arena.
———————————–
14 (16). PHILADELPHIA UNION (1-1)
Last Week– Beat D.C. United, 3-2, last Saturday.
Next Week– at Toronto FC on Thursday.
Outlook: The defense still has its shaky moments, but it was an overall much stronger performance from the Union in its second match. Sebastien LeToux will look to keep it going against a terrible Toronto FC defense.
———————————–
15 (14). TORONTO FC (0-2)
Last Week– Lost to New England Revolution, 4-1, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Philadelphia Union on Thursday, at Colorado Rapids on Sunday.
Outlook: Where do we begin? The defense just looks flat-out putrid and After being throttled by New England, TFC now gets a two-game week. The match vs. Philly doesn't look as much of a pushover now, but Toronto needs a win to avoid a truly nightmarish start to the season.
———————————–
16 (12). D.C. UNITED (0-3)
Last Week– Lost to Philadelphia Union, 3-2, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Chicago Fire on Saturday.
Outlook: Zero points from three matches with a -7 goal difference has D.C. at rock bottom and facing as close to a must-win game as you can have in April against an equally-struggling Chicago Fire side.
———————————–
Some thoughts on this week's rankings:
I flipped back and forth between Columbus and New England at No. 3. We could go either way, but we'll give the nod to the Crew. Why? That Champions League series vs. Toluca impressed me and while that isn't MLS play, it's still official competition and they did well considering it was still the MLS pre-season.
——-
D.C. and Toronto could both sit in last place, but D.C. has three losses and just lost to an expansion team, looking awful in the process. I probably should have just tied them for last, but D.C. has done more to earn the cellar.
——-
I dropped the Red Bulls two spots, but couldn't really justify dropping them more because the first two wins are still there, including the Seattle win and the Sounders rebounded with their own impressive road performance. In the end, New York played poorly and still had a chance to beat Chivas USA, if not for Bouna Coundoul's blunder. We'll see what New York can do with Jeff Cunningham and FC Dallas.
——-
Is there a team I'm tempted to rank higher despite their record? Chicago fits that description. They haven't been bad in any of their three matches, but costly mistakes have led to dropped points. Conversely, a team like FC Dallas has not played the best soccer, but has managed to gain points against two good opponents.
——-
It's still early in the season, so you'll see plenty of dramatic shifting from week to week, like New England jumping six spots with a win, but the rankings should begin to settle in mid-to-late May as we have a better sample size to measure from.
——-
Once again, please realize that these rankings are completely subjective and opinions obviously will vary.
————————————
What do you think of this week's rankings?
Share your thoughts below.
Hmm Sean Franklin has not been cap to the senior team yet. Look forward to him playing for the US in 2014 when Dolo will be 35.
You heard it on SBI, DC uses their DP slot on Abby Wambach.
Ives, we told you last week DCU should have been last – guess you believe us now. They were horrific on Saturday.
RSL is 3-1-4 against LA going back to 2007, I don’t see them losing. 2-2 tie this Saturday seems pretty likely
Against the run of play, with the second goal coming off a Ljundberg dive?
Fair point regarding some returning players, namely Joseph.
With that said, we’ll definitely see how the season plays out and whether or not they can maintain against more formidable foes.
I’m inclined to think they can’t but betting against a Nichol-lead Club probably isn’t the wisest thing either.
you mean colorado plays balls over the top?
I was not impressed with the Sounders performance in RSL.You can move them up a place because they got a point on the road, but you must hold your nose at the way it was accomplished.
Pay the man, Shirley…
yes, i hope for the love of god and all of humanity existing north of border that tfc can “put it together” on that night of nationally-televised soccer. I, as a 40% SJ fan (and the rest for galaxy), feel your pain tfc. I say this not in the fake bill clinton mode, but as someone who is physically just now feeling an intense abdominal pain as I think of the emotions that tfc fans must be going through (that might also just be the mexican food i ate at lunch time).
not winning both of their home games will that while san jose got an road win over Chicago.
Revs ahead of Houston, RSL, Seattle AND New York.
While I don’t agree given their 6 points comes from knocking off arguably the two worst Clubs in the league, I have immense respect for Stevie Nichol.
If he’s able to guide them to the playoffs and actually advance within the Cup it’ll be one of his best feats as a manager in this league.
(SBI-I factored their opponents in those wins as well, but it should also be noted they gave LA all LA could handle and that was without Shalrie Joseph and Darrius Barnes. Nicol is working some magic this year.)
I’m an RBNY fan, but I would have to honestly put us at #7 or #8. The Red Bulls played like absolute crap vs. Chivas with no attack to speak of.
The first goal against Houston was all Buddle. Franklin did his part to put the ball in the proper place for the second goal, but Buddle made a superb professional strike on the ball.
Donovan has been doing well and he set up several of Buddle’s goals this year, but he gets lost a bit playing as the withdrawn striker. He is probably a more dangerous player on the left wing where he can cut inside to his right and make runs. If LA can find a suitable partner up top for Buddle, they will be even more dangerous with Landon in the midfield.
Thanks for your hard work Ives. Over the years I’ve come to enjoy watching and keep track of MLS teams more than their European counter-parts. Though I still would like to hear more about the J-league.
Onalfo’s the better defender, Garcia’s the better coach.
For a Houston fan, the best thing out of the last game is that Landin can’t play in the next one.
Nice post, Don. Really groundbreaking logic there, big guy.
Dunno if the backline can deal with the physicality of Wambach
And if LA beats RSL, what shall you say then? 🙂
Pretty rank.
Also, KC has really done a good job in bringing in new talent this offseason. Was he responsible for the roster before, or could they have done a better job in support of him?
I don’t have the answers, but it seems to me those are good questions.
To give him a bit of credit, the team is terrible. We have huge holes in every part of our formation. Let’s give him at least a season before we begin to bring on the “fire Onalfo” regime.
+1 what do people see in him??
We shall find out soon enough
Where does DC rank in WPS?
Ive been unable to watch any LA Galaxy games thus far. To those who have, how has Donovan looked? Is Buddle doing it all on his own, or is Donovan-or other players-instrumental in Buddle being able to score goals at will? Thanks.
Dude two ties at home to open the season is not good and after Dallas loses to NY on Saturday it will be even more justifiable!
Finally LAG makes your first place spot. Im surprised you didnt put Columbus there yet again.
I can’t decide who is worse, Nick Garcia or Curt Onalfo.
Its easier to defend Cummings when he has to play on a small field because it limits the effect of his speed. KC typically plays balls over the top and he runs onto them.
I say again – Curt Onalfo is garbage. Awful appointment
Seriously, this is the time of year to be playing more games – why the hell are there two byes for C-Bus? Did the FO expect them to be playing in the CCL?
You need to put more weight on strength of opponents. KC’s victories aren’t as impressive as the RSL-Seattle tie, because of the quality of the opposition. I realize RSL and Seattle have each lost a game, but does anyone really think KC is as good as either of those teams?
uh, they are rated at number 2 after only two matches… Is that not enough credit?
I’m not saying KC aren’t going to be a threat this year, I think Ryan Smith is also a great player, and Kei Kamara had a great game, but seriously? The size of the pitch makes a difference.
If you practice all the time on a smaller pitch, you have a greater advantage over people who come in not having practiced on a smaller pitch. Like in Colorado. If you don’t practice at 1 mile altitude, it affects you more than if you are used to it.
That game was just ugly all around.
At least RSL is in front of Colorado… Can’t wait to see your rankings after they beat the Galaxy at home, AGAIN.
The Galaxy are probaby 1 position too high, but based on early results its a fair pick for #1 right now.
However, I can’t be with you on KC at #2 despite an ‘unbeaten-untied’ start…I’d still give Columbus and/or Seattle a nod over them at #2. (Though I get why Seattle had to fall as far as they did due to their home loss to NYRB)
Also, really good point on Franklin for the Galaxy, he had a great game at right mid…I remember an interview with Bruce Arena from last year when AJ deLaGarza had it going and in response to a question about what he would do when Sean Franklin returns he answered “move Sean to mid-field’…
I also liked the way Bornstein moved to LM for ChivasUSA for the first part of the game.
The argument for the “best XI’ on the pitch at one time made a good case this last week.
Attendance figures shouldn’t affect your power rankings, and neither should point totals – it’s how good the team is. Finishing last season as one of the hottest teams in the league and tying your #3 and #7 teams should net higher than a #13 ranking for Dallas. Your bias against Dallas shows again.
I am assuming this is just based on the short run…I can’t seem to even fathom a team below TFC right now–not even DCU. One of the strongest supported teams just has a garbage side at the moment. sucks.
Not to mention Bruce completely shored up the defense. From Horrendous most goals allowed, to very giving up close to the fewest in about a years time. Oh yeah, and it is only three games into the season, but that is a long time to not give up any goals.
The Galaxy were in the MLS Cup Finals last year and have picked up where they left off. Give Bruce the credit he deserves.
HOU > RSL = mindboggling. HOU + Landín = overweight, overrated
(SBI- Dynamo 2, Real Salt Lake 1. That was the score of the game they just played two weeks ago, in case you missed it.)
When are teams going to stop blaming the “small field” in KC for their poor performances? Colorado lost to KC because their defense shut down Casey and Cummings. Give credit where credit is due, Ives.
The fire are frustrating.. they need to finish and maybe sit ward a game or 2..
You realize this is only a 3rd week Power Rankings. 😉
They haven’t won anything yet…
In a league where 9 points seperated the top 10 teams last year, you don’t really want to give away points like Seattle and many others did late this week. Makes it tough to make the playoffs.
I guess it goes without saying you don’t want to be down 9 points…..after 3 games.
LA Galaxy from worst to first in two seasons under Bruce Arena. Demonstrably the best coach ever produced on these shores. And they are going to get better.
i meant to add, san jose isn’t good. at all. same with chivas. that team stinks too. i see dallas as better than them. but i’m a homer, so i’m biased.
if tfc looses on thurs, i swear to effin mother of christ
you really don’t like dallas. no love at all. you have san jose in front of them.