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SBI MLS Power Rankings (Week 15)

OlmesGarcia2-LA Galaxy (AP)

By IVES GALARCEP

It was supposed to be a rebuilding season for Real Salt Lake after an off-season roster overhaul, but RSL has shaken off some early-season struggles to show us all that they are still very much a force in the Western Conference.

RSL knocked off the slumping Los Angeles Galaxy last Saturday to extend their unbeaten streak to four matches (3-0-1) and climb up the SBI MLS Power Rankings.

Led by the goal scoring of Colombian striker Olmes Garcia, Real Salt Lake moved to within a point of FC Dallas in the Western Conference standings.

We have a new team at the bottom of the Power Rankings as well. D.C. United may still have the worst record in the league, but a tough draw vs. New England followed by an impressive U.S. Open Cup win vs. the Philadelphia Union helped them move out of the last place in the rankings. Who is the new No. 19? You will have to see the rankings to find out.

Here are the SBI MLS Power Rankings for Week 15:

SBI MLS Power Rankings (Week 15)

1. (Last Week- 1) MONTREAL IMPACT (8-2-2)

Logo Impact MLS

LAST WEEK– Bye

THIS WEEK– at Columbus Crew on Saturday.

LAST FIVE IN MLS– W-W-W-L-T

OUTLOOK– Some time off should do the Impact some good, and they will look to make it four straight wins as they catch a Columbus team struggling and coming off a Thursday U.S. Open Cup match.

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2. (2) FC DALLAS (8-2-4)

DAL_Primary_COL

LAST WEEK– Beat Houston Dynamo, 3-0, last Wednesday (U.S. Open Cup).

THIS WEEK– at Portland Timbers on Saturday.

LAST FIVE– T-W-L-W-T

OUTLOOK– Took a week off from league play, but won a Texas Derby match-up vs. the Dynamo to reach the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals. Look for Dallas defense to play with an edge now after seeing all four starters snubbed from MLS All-Star Ballot.

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3. (5) REAL SALT LAKE (8-5-3)

RSL_Primary_COL

LAST WEEK– Beat Los Angeles Galaxy, 3-1, last Saturday; beat Charleston Battery, 5-2, last Wednesday (U.S. Open Cup).

THIS WEEK– Bye.

LAST FIVE– W-W-T-W-L

OUTLOOK– Olmes Garcia stole the show during RSL’s win vs. the Galaxy, while several bench players stepped up in the mid-week Open Cup victory. The international break was supposed to be a tough time for Jason Kreis’ team, but they are surging despite being without Alvaro Saborio.

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4. (4) SEATTLE SOUNDERS (6-4-3)

SEA_Primary_COL

LAST WEEK– Beat Vancouver Whitecaps, 3-2, last Saturday.

THIS WEEK– Bye

LAST FIVE– W-W-L-W-W

OUTLOOK– Obafemi Martins is the marquee name, but it was unsung heros Lamar Neagle and Andy Rose who stepped up when the Sounders were trailing. Sigi Schmid has to be happy with the reserves who have stepped up in the absence of the likes of Eddie Johnson, Brad Evans and Osvaldo Alonso, and a bye week comes at a good time. When Seattle returns to action, Schmid will have some very tough lineup decisions to make.

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5. (3) PORTLAND TIMBERS (5-1-8)

TimbersLogo

LAST WEEK– Tied Chicago Fire, 2-2, last Saturday; beat Tampa Bay Rowdies, 2-0, last Wednesday (U.S. Open Cup).

THIS WEEK– at FC Dallas on Saturday.

LAST FIVE– T-W-T-W-T

OUTLOOK– Timbers have to feel disappointed about dropping points in a match they led 2-0 in the second half, but the good news is their unbeaten streak is now at 12 matches and they advanced to the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals as well. Now they face FC Dallas in what should be one of the best games of the summer.

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6. (6) NEW YORK RED BULLS (7-5-4)

NY_Primary_COL

LAST WEEK– Lost to New England Revolution, 4-2, last Wednesday (U.S. Open Cup).

THIS WEEK– Bye

LAST FIVE – L-T-W-T-W

OUTLOOK– The team’s lengthy break from MLS play continues, but they saw their U.S. Open Cup hopes dashed by New England. For a club that has never won a domestic trophy, that has to sting.

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7. (7) COLORADO RAPIDS (5-4-5)

RapidsLogo

LAST WEEK– Bye

THIS WEEK– at San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.

LAST FIVE– T-W-T-W-W

OUTLOOK– A full week off should do some wonders for a Rapids team that is starting to get healthier, and they have a good chance of extending their unbeaten streak against a struggling San Jose side.

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8. (8) NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (5-4-5)

NE_Primary_COL

LAST WEEK– Tied D.C. United, 0-0, last Saturday; beat New York Red Bulls, 4-2, last Wednesday (U.S. Open Cup).

THIS WEEK– at Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.

LAST FIVE– T-W-W-W-T

OUTLOOK– Saw their winning streak halted in a disappointing home draw vs. D.C. United, by Kelyn Rowe’s recent hot form continued as he led them to an important U.S. Open Cup victory over the Red Bulls. Will have their five-match unbeaten streak tested by a tough Vancouver side.

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9. (9) SPORTING KANSAS CITY (6-5-4)

SportingKClogo

LAST WEEK– Lost to Orlando City, 1-0, last Wednesday (U.S. Open Cup).

THIS WEEK– Bye

LAST FIVE– L-T-T-W-L

OUTLOOK– A two-week break from MLS play figured to give Sporting some rest as they focused on the U.S. Open Cup, but they wind up suffering a devastating upset loss to Orlando City. Now they have a week to regroup and refocus with the CONCACAF Champions League still to play for this summer along with the MLS regular season. Teal Bunbury’s return was a singular bright spot last week.

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10. (10) LOS ANGELES GALAXY (6-6-2)

LA_Primary_COL

LAST WEEK– Lost to Real Salt Lake, 3-1, last Saturday.

THIS WEEK– Bye

LAST FIVE– L-L-W-L-W

OUTLOOK– The champs have dropped three of their past four, and that Mike Magee trade is looking worse and worse with each goal he scores for Chicago. No, it isn’t time to panic yet. Not with Robbie Keane and Omar Gonzalez set to rejoin LA once they return from their bye week.

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11. (12) PHILADELPHIA UNION (6-5-4)

UNI_Primary_COL

LAST WEEK– Beat Columbus Crew, 3-0, last Wednesday; lost to D.C. United, 3-1, last Wednesday (U.S. Open Cup).

THIS WEEK– Bye

LAST FIVE– W-T-L-W-L

OUTLOOK– Their mid-week romp over the Columbus Crew had to be a confidence booster, but then they looked unfocused in their Open Cup loss to D.C. United. That defeat should give John Hackworth plenty to work on, while also giving Brazilian midfielder Kleberson some more time to recover from injury.

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12. (11) VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (4-5-4)

WhitecapsLogo

LAST WEEK– Lost to Seattle Sounders, 3-2, last Saturday.

THIS WEEK– vs. New England Revolution on Saturday.

LAST FIVE– L-W-T-W-L

OUTLOOK– The Whitecaps defense suffered a blow with the loss of Andy O’Brien during their loss to Seattle, but his injury didn’t excuse them giving up all three points in Seattle after leading. The trading away of Alain Rochat turned some heads, but Martin Rennie is talking about bringing in reinforcements. Are we seeing another poorly-timed roster tinkering process like last season?

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13. (13) HOUSTON DYNAMO (6-4-4)

HOU_Primary_COL

LAST WEEK– Lost to FC Dallas, 3-0, last Wednesday (U.S. Open Cup).

THIS WEEK– Bye

LAST FIVE– T-T-L-L-W

OUTLOOK– An extended bye week from MLS play should be helping the Dynamo regroup, particularly with injuries and national team call-ups, but Dom Kinnear still won’t be happy with the way they lost to FC Dallas in the U.S. Open Cup. The time off should help the Dynamo get back to their winning ways because, let’s face it, there aren’t 12 teams in MLS that are really better than the Dynamo when they are healthy and on their game.

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14. (14) COLUMBUS CREW (4-5-5)

CLB_Primary_COL

LAST WEEK– Lost to Philadelphia Union on 6/5; lost to Chicago Fire, 2-1, on Thursday (U.S. Open Cup).

THIS WEEK– vs. Montreal Impact on Saturday.

LAST FIVE– L-T-T-W-L

OUTLOOK– Looked terrible vs. the Union last week, then saw a weather postponement and midweek Open Cup match force them into fielding a weakened squad in their Open Cup loss to Chicago. Up next is a very tough match against a rested Montreal side which could lead to another loss and more questions about Robert Warzycha’s future with the team.

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15. (15) CHICAGO FIRE (3-7-3)

CHI_primary_COL

LAST WEEK–  Tied Portland Timbers, 2-2, last Saturday; beat Columbus Crew, 2-1, on Thursday (U.S. Open Cup).

THIS WEEK– Bye.

LAST FIVE– T-W-T-L-L

OUTLOOK– Mike Magee has made it four goals in four matches, including the goal that helped spark Chicago’s comeback in last weekend’s draw vs. Portland. They haven’t lost since Magee and Bakary Soumare joined the Fire and a bye week should help Frank Klopas get things organized as Chicago prepares to make a run at the top five in the East.

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16. (16) SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (3-6-6)

SJ_Primary_COL

LAST WEEK– Bye

THIS WEEK– at Colorado Rapids on Saturday.

LAST FIVE– L-L-T-L-W

OUTLOOK– Quiet week in San Jose, wasn’t it? Only Frank Yallop parting ways with the Earthquakes, leaving San Jose looking for a new long-term head coach. Mark Watson will have his chance to turn things around, but you can’t help but get the feeling San Jose is already looking to 2014.

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17. (17) TORONTO FC (1-7-5)

TOR_Primary_COL

LAST WEEK– Bye

THIS WEEK– at D.C. United on Saturday.

LAST FIVE– T-L-L-L-L

OUTLOOK– Parted ways with Terry Dunfield, which might seem odd if not for the fact central midfield is the lone area of true strength on the current TFC squad. Ryan Nelsen insists that his team is showing signs of progress, but anything short of a win against D.C. United will put a major dent in that theory.

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18. (19) D.C. UNITED (1-10-3)

DCU_Primary_COL

LAST WEEK– Tied New England Revolution, 0-0, last Saturday; beat Philadelphia Union, 3-1, last Wednesday (U.S. Open Cup).

THIS WEEK– vs. Toronto FC on Saturday.

LAST FIVE– T-L-L-T-L

OUTLOOK– With two draws in four MLS matches, and an impressive U.S. Open Cup victory last Wednesday, it was time to move D.C. out of the Power Rankings basement. Now they face another cellar dwellar in Toronto FC on Saturday in a match they must win to give the team, and their fans, some reason to believe this season isn’t completely lost.

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19. (18) CHIVAS USA (3-8-2)

CHV_Primary_COL

LAST WEEK– Lost to Carolina Railhawks, 3-1, last Wednesday (U.S. Open Cup)

THIS WEEK– Bye

LAST FIVE– L-L-L-L-L

OUTLOOK– The good news? They were able to take a break from their MLS skid. The bad news? They crashed out of the Open Cup to an NASL team. New coach Jose Luis Real has his hands full, and unless some serious reinforcements come this summer, things just might get worse.

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What do you think of this week’s power rankings? Think anyone is rated too highly? See anyone being too low?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Portland reminds me of Dallas a couple of years ago. IF you NEVER lose, don’t you eventually win MLS Cup ? Dallas made the finals and came close, but eventually lost.

    Reply
  2. Don’t see what reinforcements are coming for Chivas when the Mama Goats are raiding their team. That won’t help things at all.

    Reply
  3. Come on man! The Dynamo do not belong below the Galaxy. The Galaxy have been terrible the last month and Houston beat them 1-0 in Home Depot. Let me let you in on a little secret — David Beckham doesn’t play there anymore and Gio ain’t coming.

    Reply
    • Our marketing has really suffered since Beckham left, thank goodness for stubhub and time warner… on a somewhat related note, Galaxy’s quality (and effort?) always picks up come playoff time. Hope to play Houston again when the games really count!

      Reply
      • Would be happy to see LA again in the playoffs. This time the game will be in The Oven (aka BBVA Compass Stadium).

    • Which other teams? The next several teams in the rankings have not been very impressive lately. The Sounders? Squeaked past the Caps. The Timbers? Tied Chicago. The Red Bulls? Lost to the Revolution.

      Come on man, RSL are playing well right now.

      Reply
      • The Fire-Timbers outcome was crap. Magee flops and sets up essentially a PK. 2nd goal was a lucky strike. Timbers had that game. Better than RSL by far.

      • Let’s save it for after the timbers and RSL play each other. Right now they’re pretty even but I’m liking RSLs forward corps more and more.

      • Seattle has 5 wins and 1 loss in their last six, argument could be made for them to be above RSL quite easily. One close game against a rival doesnt matter too much, especially considering they won. Not sure who the other 5 would be that he thinks are better than RSL right now, id rank them at 4 personally

      • RSL is 4-1-1 in their last six, their loss coming to a hot Montreal team, on the road, at the death. RSL didn’t get spanked 4-0 to LA, has the better record, and won the head-to-head matchup. How is it that Seattle could be ranked above them quite easily?

      • I said an argument could be made quite easily and it could, over the last five Seattles record in marginally better. I think it a push and is fine the way it is but you seem to be dismissing Seattle for no real reason. Also what head-to-head are you talking about? If you are talking about the Seattle v RSL matchup from long two months ago that isnt relevant at all since power ranking are supposed to measure current form.

      • Nah, don’t hate Portland just the part of the fan base that is prematurely smug. Can’t you guys (and Montreal, for that matter) at least make the playoffs or win anything meaningful before anointing yourselves kings? That is all.

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