Photo by ISIphotos.com
What happens to the SBI MLS Power Rankings when all five MLS matches end in ties? Can there be much of a change? Can there really be any change?
I say there can be. Let’s face it, not every tie is the same. There were also SuperLiga matches this week, and as those of you who read last week rankings know, those matches are considered for these rankings.
There weren’t any drastic changes this week, but a few tweaks to from last week’s MLS Power Rankings.
Here are this week’s SBI MLS Power Rankings:
SBI MLS Power Rankings
1. (Last week- 1) New England Revolution (10-4-3)
Last Week: Off in MLS, beat Pachuca, 1-0, on Tuesday and tied Chivas USA, 1-1, on Sunday in SuperLiga.
This Week: OFF
Last Five MLS Games: 3-1-1
Outlook: Unbeaten in SuperLiga (2-0-1), Revs are now in the semis in SuperLiga and U.S. Open and have just one loss in past 15 matches in all competitions.
2. (2) D.C. United (7-7-1)
Last Week: Off in MLS (lost, 3-2, to Atlante on Tuesday, lost, 3-1, to Houston on Saturday in SuperLiga).
This Week: vs. Houston on Wednesday.
Last Five MLS Games: 4-0-1
Outlook: Looked unstoppable before SuperLiga, now injuries to Marcelo Gallardo and Gonzalo Peralta could hurt D.C. heading into second half of the season.
3. (3) Columbus Crew (8-5-4)
Last Week: tied Kansas City Wizards, 3-3, on Thursday (ESPN) (lost, 3-1,to West Ham United on Sunday in friendly.)
This Week: at Colorado Rapids on Sunday.
Last Five MLS Games: 1-1-3
Outlook: Guillermo Barros Schelotto made a good case for being the worst MLS All-Star snub in the league. The Crew defense was ripped up by a normally awful KC attack, something that should set off alarm bells.
4. (4) Houston Dynamo (4-4-8)
Last Week: Off in MLS (lost to Chivas de Guadalajara, 1-0, on Tuesday and beat D.C. United, 3-1, on Sunday in SuperLiga.)
This Week: vs. D.C. United on Wednesday.
Last Five MLS Games: 1-1-3
Outlook: Dynamo need a win tonight to close gap on current West leaders. Another tie would be extremely frustrating for Houston squad that looked so sharp in SuperLiga.
5. (5) Chicago Fire (7-5-4)
Last Week: tied Real Salt Lake, 0-0, on Saturday.
This Week: at Kansas City on Sunday.
Last Five MLS Games: 1-1-3
Outlook: Poor finishing cost the Fire yet again as defense holds up once again. Is a forward on the way now that the transfer window is open?
6. (6) Real Salt Lake (6-6-6)
Last Week: tied Chicago Fire, 0-0, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. Toronto FC on Monday (friendly vs. Deportivo Saprissa on Wednesday).
Last Five MLS Games: 2-1-2
Outlook: RSL defense posts another shutout, but the attack still can’t find the net on the road.
7. (7) Toronto FC (6-6-4)
Last Week: tied San Jose, 0-0, on Saturday (lost, 1-0, to Independiente in friendly on Tuesday.)
This Week: vs. Montreal Impact tonight in CONCACAF Champions League qualifier, at Real Salt Lake on Monday.
Last Five MLS Games: 1-2-2
Outlook: TFC will play its biggest game in club history tonight. A win and Toronto will reach the CONCACAF Champions League.
8. (10) Kansas City Wizards (5-5-6)
Last Week: tied Columbus Crew, 3-3, on Thursday.
This Week: vs. Chicago Fire on Sunday.
Last Five MLS Games: 2-0-3
Outlook: Wizards salvaged a point thanks to Josh Wolff and now boast a five-match unbeaten streak. Could KC be poised for a second-half surge? It sure looks like it.
9. (8) Los Angeles Galaxy (6-6-5)
Last Week: tied New York Red Bulls, 2-2, on
Saturday.
This Week: at FC Dallas on Sunday.
Last Five MLS Games: 0-2-3
Outlook: Galaxy in the midst of a five-match winless streak, but arrival of Eduardo Dominguez should help bolster a defense still struggling to find good form. The offense is good enough, but the back-line needs to get better if LA will have any chance of winning the West.
10. (9) Chivas USA (6-6-4)
Last Week: Off in MLS (beat Santos Laguna, 1-0, on Wednesday and tied New England, 1-1, on Sunday in SuperLiga.)
This Week: OFF
Last Five MLS Games: 2-1-2
Outlook: Goats failed to reach the SuperLiga semifinals but will now have some much-needed time to get healthy.
11. (11) FC Dallas (4-6-6)
Last Week: tied Colorado Rapids, 2-2, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday.
Last Five MLS Games: 1-1-3
Outlook: Schellas Hyndman still looking for his first win. Could it come against LA, which hasn’t won in five games.
12. (12) Colorado Rapids (6-8-3)
Last Week: tied FC Dallas, 2-2 on Saturday.
This Week: vs. Columbus Crew on Sunday.
Last Five MLS Games: 1-1-3
Outlook: Rapids are driving their fans completely crazy. Is there any other way to say it?
13. (13) New York Red Bulls (5-6-6)
Last Week: tied Los Angeles Galaxy, 2-2, on Saturday.
This Week: at San Jose on Sunday.
Last Five MLS Games: 1-2-2
Outlook: Another blown lead and more lost points for a team that has seen its defense fall short late in games far too often. Jorge Rojas looked good in his debut though, and the Red Bulls may finally have the playmaker they’ve lacked since Amado Guevara left.
14. (14) San Jose Earthquakes (3-9-5)
Last Week: tied Toronto FC, 0-0, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. New York Red Bulls on Sunday.
Last Five MLS Games: 0-2-3
Outlook: New attacking players didn’t deliver any goals but should help San Jose be tougher in the season’s second half.
————————-
What do you think of this week’s rankings? Share your thoughts below.
JPA: “Eat it!”
Oh sorry, this isn’t a caption the image post.
Ives I have to disagree with DC, you said that you were throwing Superliga play into the mix and they lost every game, yes there were injuries. But without those players they just aren’t as good and can’t possibly be ranked that high at this moment.
Ives I have to disagree with DC, you said that you were throwing Superliga play into the mix and they lost every game, yes there were injuries. But without those players they just aren’t as good and can’t possibly be ranked that high at this moment.
Jorge Rojas looked like Chad Barrett without the ability to finish…
Also Dallas should probably be at the very bottom of the list. Outside of Kenny Cooper they have been unbearable to watch all year. I would not even take them over San Jose at this point.
Ives,you mentioned last week you would take non-MLS games into account. Chivas beating Santos and drawing with the Revs in the same week get them dropped a spot? I kinda thought they had a good week…
Funny that should be the picture to illustrate the article, because Vagenas played like complete crap in that match …
I think it’s worth noting that outside of SJ, damn near everybody in the league has been in the top 3 or the bottom 3 at some point this year. Makes for a very entertaining and unpredictable season. Contrast that with where we’ll be in the EPL at Christmas – teh Big4 will all be in the top 6 (maybe not the top 4 by then, but close) and the new EPL teams will be clustered between 15-20, with the West Hams and Middlesboroughs in between.
I agree except for DC. Shouldn’t they be last because of the Superliga results?
Yes, my bad on LA having a losing streak. It’s a winless streak. To be fair, I typed that in a car on the way to BMO Field.
As for FC Dallas-Colorado. Joey, seriously? How much could it matter? I suppose I could tie them for 11th but I think Dallas is better. Not married to that opinion, just my opinion right now.
Ives: Thanks for your thoughts. But how does Dallas get ranked above Colorado?Dallas has looked pretty bad lately and drew the Rapids at home (thanks partially to a lucky PK call), while Colorado has gone on the road to pull out some hard-won draws. I’m not saying that the Rapids are anything but inconsistent, but I’m unclear as to how one could interpret the teams’ recent form and conclude that Dallas should be ranked higher. Colorado and Dallas should switch rankings in my humble opinion. I know, I know, I’m debating the merits of bottom-dwelling Western Conference teams, but that’s what it’s like to be a Rapids fan sometimes. Thanks.
Regarding the LA teams – the Galaxians aren’t on a 5 game losing streak, they are on a 5 game non-winning streak. I beleive they drew their last two games.
I would be tempted to put Chivas above the Galaxy. I think they are one or two players away from having a strong team. I haven’t followed them until recently, but they seem to be playing somewhat attractive football lately. They just better hope that Razov keeps scoring.