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Just when you think you have a good read on Major League Soccer, you get a week like Week 11.
The Chicago Fire defeated Chivas USA, arguably the best team in MLS, on Thursday, then gets pummeled at home by FC Dallas, widely-regarded as one of the worst teams in MLS.
FC Dallas wasn't the only bottom-dweller to rise up this week. San Jose finally broke its own winless streak by knocking off a struggling Real Salt Lake team that hasn't looked the same since that blowout win over New England. The Columbus Crew escaped Seattle with a valuable point and is looking poised to start climbing up the standings.
Not everything was unpredictable this week. New York still can't win, Los Angeles still can't do anything but tie and the Houston Dynamo can't stop winning. Oh, and the referees were AWFUL again (yes, I know I wrote the ESPN feature about how people thing MLS refs are better this year, but after watching that embarrassment of a penalty called in the New England-DC match I'm officially on the "MLS refs are having a bad year" bandwagon).
Here is a rundown of this week's MLS Power Rankings:
SBI MLS Power Rankings (Week 11)
1 (Last week- 1). Chivas USA (7-2-3)
Last Week: Lost to Chicago Fire, 3-2, on Thursday.
This Week: vs. Seattle Sounders on Saturday (10:30pm, Direct Kick).
Outlook: Blew a lead and lost some poise in dropping decision to Chicago, but given the way that game ended, and given Chicago's meltdown vs. FC Dallas, it's tough to remove the Goats from the top spot. Seattle will pose a tough test, especially with Jesse March suspended.
2 (2). Chicago Fire (5-1-6)
Last Week: Beat Chivas USA, 3-2, on Thursday; Lost to FC Dallas, 3-0, on Sunday.
This Week: vs. Houston Dynamo on Friday (9pm, Direct Kick).
Outlook: Comeback against Chivas USA was impressive, but losing to FC Dallas at home (even with some starters benched) is inexcusable.
3 (4). Houston Dynamo (5-2-3)
Last Week: Beat Toronto FC, 3-0, on Saturday.
This Week: at Chicago Fire on Friday (9pm, Direct Kick)
Outlook: Dynamo keep on rolling and Stuart Holden is in a groove. With him and Davis sparking the attack, Houston is suddenly a complete team that doesn't seem to be missing Dwayne DeRosario all that much. A win on Friday and Houston could catapult into the top spot here.
4 (7). Colorado Rapids (4-2-4)
Last Week: Beat New York Red Bulls, 3-2, on Saturday.
This Week: at Real Salt Lake on Saturday (10pm, FSC).
Outlook: Conor Casey cannot be stopped. Still not sure if the defense is championship caliber, but the Rapids attack is capable of being one of the best in the league.
5 (6). Seattle Sounders (4-2-5)
Last Week: Tied Columbus Crew, 1-1, on Saturday.
This Week: at Chivas USA on Saturday (10:30pm, Direct Kick).
Outlook: Freddie Ljungberg will wear the goat horns for Seattle this week, but he will have a chance to redeem himself in big Western Conference showdown vs. Chivas USA.
6 (3). D.C. United (3-2-7)
Last Week: Lost to New England, 2-1, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. New York Red Bulls on Thursday (7:30pm, ESPN2)
Outlook: Was absolutely robbed of a point by an awful penalty call at the end of the New England match. Luckily for D.C., it's favorite cure for the blahs is on the way, yes, the Red Bulls are up next on the schedule.
7 (5). Toronto FC (4-4-4)
Last Week: Lost to Houston Dynamo, 3-0, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday (4pm, Direct Kick)
Outlook: TFC fans sing: "All we are sayyy-ing, is give us a forward who can score goals." Seriously though, losing to Houston is nothing to be embarrassed about, being being smacked around, 3-0, is alarming.
8 (8). Kansas City Wizards (4-4-4)
Last Week: Tied Los Angeles Galaxy, 1-1, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. Columbus Crew on Saturday (8:30pm, Direct Kick).
Outlook: Wizards had a great chance to move up the East standings before blowing a late lead against LA. Now, KC is in danger of being passed up in the standings by the recovering Columbus Crew.
9 (10). New England Revolution (3-3-4)
Last Week: Beat D.C. United, 2-1, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. New York Red Bulls on Sunday (6pm, Direct Kick)
Outlook: Having Taylor Twellman back is huge for the Revs (and not because of his diving skills). Shalrie Joseph keeps scoring goals, but you have to wonder if Joseph's time at forward is over now. He's just too important in the midfield not to use there.
10 (11). Columbus Crew (2-2-7)
Last Week: Beat San Jose Earthquakes, 2-1, on Wednesday; Tied Seattle Sounders, 1-1, on Saturday.
This Week: at Kansas City on Saturday (8:30pm, Direct Kick).
Outlook: Tying Seattle without Frankie Hejduk or Brian Carroll was impressive and makes me think Columbus is serious about climbing into this wide-open Eastern conference race.
11 (12). Los Angeles Galaxy (1-1-9)
Last Week: Tied Kansas City Wizards, 1-1, on Saturday.
This Week: at Toronto FC on Satuday (4pm, Direct Kick)
Outlook: Another late comeback, another tie. Rallying for a point despite being a man down moves up LA up a bit, but winning in Toronto without Landon Donovan would provide a major boost.
12 (9). Real Salt Lake (3-6-2)
Last Week: Lost to San Jose Earthquakes, 2-1, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. Colorado Rapids on Saturday (10pm, FSC)
Outlook: Has the worm turned in Salt Lake City? It's amazing how things have gone from extremely promising to volatile. RSL is looking to deal players and can't put together a quality performance because of the turmoil going on.
13 (14). FC Dallas (2-6-3)
Last Week: Beat Chicago Fire, 3-0, on Sunday.
This Week: vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday (3pm, Telefutura).
Outlook: Kudos to FC Dallas for putting a beatdown on the Fire at Toyota Park. That win won't matter much though if they lose to San Jose this week.
14 (13). New York Red Bulls (2-7-3)
Last Week: Lost to Colorado Rapids, 3-2, on Saturday.
This Week: at D.C. United on Thursday (7:30pm, ESPN2); at New England on Sunday (6pm, MSG).
Outlook: The Red Bulls/MetroStars haven't missed the playoffs since 2002. That six-year streak looks all but over as bad as certain key players are playing for the Red Bulls. They need to find a way to get results at RFK Stadium and Gillette Stadium, two places that have been horror shows for New York.
15 (15). San Jose Earthquakes (2-7-2)
Last Week: Beat Real Salt Lake, 2-1, on Saturday.
This Week: at FC Dallas on Sunday (3pm, Telefutura).
Outlook: Cornell Glen has that look of being a player who can not only help Ryan Johnson up top, but also provide some real speed in attack. Has he really grown up now? If so, the Earthquakes could wind up with a steal.
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Here are some thoughts on this week's rankings:
Chivas USA over Chicago. I was all set to put Chicago back on top, but how can you move a team to No. 1 after a blowout loss to FC Dallas? I know the Fire had just capped a brutal schedule stretch, but Chivas USA probably should have gotten a point vs. Chicago and will have a chance to keep or lose that top spot after playing Seattle.
I definitely thought about ranking the Red Bulls last, but they did just smoke San Jose recently and Real Salt Lake looks like it would lose to a PDL team at the rate its going these days.
Has Conor Casey replaced Kenny Cooper as Mr. "Why hasn't he gotten a legitimate national team look"?
Cornell Glen signals his return to MLS with a goal. San Jose fans are happy the bleeding stopped, and now comes a match-up against FC Dallas the Earthquakes will desperately need to win to have any hope of climbing out of the West basement.
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What do you think of this week's rankings? Think the Fire should have still moved up to No. 1 despite losing to FC Dallas? Stunned at how bad things are getting for Real Salt Lake? Think Columbus will wind up near the top of the rankings by July?
Share your thoughts below.
1. I don’t have a problem with Ives’ placement of DCU. The team has been inconsistent.
2. DCU has had 3 late PKs called against them there were dubious to give up a total 5 points. I know everyone likes to complain about the refs and I tend to think it all equals out in the end. But that’s truly a weird series of PK impacts for less than 1/2 of the season.
Harsh to see DC drop so many spots — but I don’t mind being seen as an underdog this year. It’s too soon to be defending a top-spot.
They did play a stellar first half (though finishing could have been better). Second half they let it go just as the Revs pulled out of their funk and kept play pretty much even.
But I’m sick of seeing horrible calls decide games. And I agree, fines and retroactive cards should be applied to obvious game-changing dives.
that’s not going to happen refs are like everyone else and get paid a lot less then the players who only get $500 fines. How would you like to fined at the job that you do?
I got an idea on how to improve referees in MLS. For every bad call they do, they should pay a big fine (e.g. $2000). A panel should review the bad call, and decide if the referees deserve the fine. If players can bi fined, why not referees.
Definition from Webster Dictionary…
Ridiculous: Rio Tinto hosting the 2009 all star game, and not one RSL player will be on the all star team.
This makes me sick, considering all of the hype about RSL for this year.
Don’t want to get ahead of myself but our (Houston Dynamo) defense is AWESOME, GEOFF won’t be in our league for much longer dude is a BEAST!
Here is where i think who should get called up for the Gold cup. If i miss an obvious one then chances are they are playing in the confed cup.
F: Connor Casey, Kenny Cooper, Jamal Johnson, Eddie Johnson, Chris Pontius, Brian McBride(?)
M: Ricardo Clark, Stuart Holden, Arturo Alvarez, Benny Feilhaber, Pablo Mastroeni, Bobby Convey, Robbie Rogers, Davy Arnaud
D: Michael Orozco, Chad Marshall, Jason Hernandez, Bobby Boswell, Jay Demerit, Zack Whitbread (sp?)
G: Kasey Keller(?), MArcus Hannaman, Troy Perkins, Matt Pickens (thats right i said it)
Socrates,
Guerrero was released and already went back to Honduras.
——————-
Ives, any word on what teams are interested in trading with RSL? I would love for DC to get Beckerman to solidify the midfield or Wingert to start at LB.
I truly believe the reason for Houston’s success is their strong coaching. Kinnear and Spencer seem to get the most out of their players. Kinnear is molding Holden, Kamara, Hinnault and Cameron into top notch players. Holden is just now coming into his own. Kamara is working well with Ching, Hinnault is only 22 and playing stellar defense and Cameron wherever he is placed, seems to excell. They still have Robinson, Mulrooney, Barret out with injuries. When they are ready, they will have a bench second to none in the league. If they ever get there stadium, look for even better players to be brought in, if you can believe that. The Golden Boy wants a top flight striker from the Mexican league and there are rumors that they have not stopped pursuing Omar Bravo. Now that is a scary thought.
Well I finally think DC is about where they should be. Even if they beat the Red Bulls (and I certainly think they should), they haven’t shown that they can put it together for an entire game at a high level. Last weekend, they had the best half of the season. Need to do that a lot more before they should be ranked in the top 3.
I may be biased as a DC United supporter, but why do refs seem to hate us? 4 points have been stolen from the team this season, we missed the playoffs by one point last season…
And Ives, I want you to start a new segment on here called “Horrible call of the week” and have a clip of all the terrible calls refs and linesmen make so we can vote on the worst one. You could have a clip of each one!
Brett…. Obviously you were in a real hurry…. or a ponce……how can you leave Conde out of your line up…. he will win Defender of the Year this year…. Unless they give to Keller’s bald spot. Should be unfair to reflect the light of his melon, the way he does
Ives, good stuff, but it is just a rehash of the standings. I’ll deviate a bit.
1. Houston (we’ll see this week).
2. Chicago
3. Chivas (I still don’t believe).
4. Colorado.
5. DC (boy did they get hosed)
6. Seattle (haven’t won in a while).
7. New England
8. Columbus
9. Kansas City
10. TFC
11. RSL
12. Los Angeles
13. Dallas
14. New York
15. San Jose
BTW, i just looked back at the replay on mlsnet and if you look at it in real time (with an angle very similar to the refs angle) you will see clearly that
1) Twellman jerks back quickly while falling, which proves that he didn’t dive
2) The defenders hands were there, grabbing TT’s arm and moving in that direction
3) Twellman’s leg which is reaching out for the ball suddenly gets pulled back as well
On the replay it looks less like a foul granted, but in real time and from that angle I can see why the ref thought there was a foul there. AGAIN, not that it should have been called because a foul in the box in stoppage time better be a better foul than that to help decide a game.
DWE4,
Watch the replay again. You will see that the defender has his hands on TT’s shoulders and is moving in the downward direction. Once TT is on the ground he starts flailing his arms, because that is what every coach teaches a player to do in that situation; TT didn’t dive the way McBride did. TT was in a mix and waved his hands in the air once it was done.
That being said, I don’t think it should have been a penalty either, as I said. The refs seriously DO need to take everything into consideration when making these calls, because “a foul is not always a foul” and that is why WE GIVE THE REFS DISCRETION.
I truly believe that it was a makeup call for the Simms headbutt and the Wicks linebacker move, both aimed at hurting TT, fresh off a neck injury.
great ideas socrates, id love to her a writers take on all those
Suarez re-signing was more for more for “green card” reasons. He has driven a wedge in the lockerroom, I suspect. Flirting with the Galaxy did not help his cause. Can you say token goat?
Talley is true professional here at ChivasUSA. His career is in full swing playing for his old buddy, Preki.
RSL needs to be last. Period.
Indie FC — from the Seattle/Columbus
My favorite moment, was FSC showing Ljungberg and Schelotto mocking the referees after the contest.
Ives-
We know you’re in CR now, but some MLS Qs for you (some may have simple answers or you may have already addressed them):
– Why has Ivan Guerrero not played a single minute this year? Given the lack of left-sided talent league-wide, I’m shocked he can’t at least get traded to a team like NE, LAG, FCD, etc. While were on this, is Ian Joy injured?
– Battle of the backups: which 2nd choice GK has impressed you the most so far? Knighton, Cepero, Gruenebaum, Wicks, Burse, Burpo, Seitz?
– New signing of the year so far? You’ve addressed the draft picks, but what about those signed from other leagues — who has been the best? Keller, Ljungberg, Hurtado, Alonso, Jakovic, Lillingston, Hirsig, Celades, Vitti?
– What is the deal with old man Claudio Suarez? He leaves Chivas USA, then rejoins them, only to be injured for the entire season? Huh?
– Related to that, how about Carey Talley reviving his career as a rock in the center of one of the league’s best defenses? Other comeback players: Tim Ward (warning: Ives man-crush), Josh Wolff, Clint Mathis.
– Or other guys who’ve emerged kinda out of nowhere or gotten a new level of recognition this year (Most Improved): LaBrocca, Pappa, Goldthwaite, Ekpo, Watson, McCarty, Harvey, Ballouchy?
Hook us up, Ives.
aristotle – Houston loves to play mind games…
you should always count them in the top 4 of the league since that is where they end up each season….
RSL needs to trade it’s coach
I guess the ways of Fernando WERE an enigma. Kudos to Gary Smith for getting the same group of players that couldn’t beat a PDL team last year to at least play up at a consistant level.
Every game except for one this year Columbus has been missing 2-5 starters and they are on a 7 game unbeaten streak. I can’t wait to see them at full strength if it even happens this year after the vicious attack on Carroll. Columbus will probably top the East but never have another shutout until Hesmer is back.
Tim, I’ve got multiple sources that have told me about RSL shopping players, and we’re talking starters.
As for Kreis, I don’t think he’s in trouble either, but as far as this season goes, they need to straighten out the ship in a hurry because the season could get away from them pretty quickly.
Houston?
What can you say? Every year they seem to play their little game of: “Look at us, we suck, and we’re at the bottom of the standings!” Then they say: “Hey! Look over there!” You look, and when you look back they are sitting at the top of the standings or at least have one of the best records in MLS! I thought this year was going to be different with no Derosario, but no, here they come again!
Ives,
I am also interested in the RSL trade info. Kreis is not going to lose his job anytime soon.
Re: LDQ
“noone can really claim that DC had points stolen from them”
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I’ll do it. They had a point in the Standings. Taylor fell on his a$$, cried, and flapped his arms. The ref blew the whistle. DC lost their point. Seems pretty straightforward.
I like Taylor, and I like McBride. But the League should really step in and start retroactively card and fine players who dive in the box to gain an advantage. If the ref sees it live, it’s supposed to be a red card. It won’t change the points in the standings, but it’ll make players (and hopefully referees) think a little harder about it.
The Seattle/Columbus game was marred by poor officiating as well. The ref actually showed good control early in the game, by calling out players and verbally controlling the game conditions. Then he fell apart in the second half and just started handing out cards for nothing, really. It wasn’t even a particularly physical game.
My biggest complaint? Time-wasting and defensive holding. Time-wasting needs to be dealt with sternly, since it robs the fans of game time that they’ve paid for (along with a slew of other ethical considerations). We got treated Ekpo going down twice, once after failing to get a foul called, running up to the ref to complain, then falling down, grabbing his hip and refusing to get back up. Yellow card. Period. Immediate and without prejudice. This is a no-brainer and MLS needs to get a grip. They don’t allow it in most of Europe now, they certainly shouldn’t here.
Defensive holding. Robs the fans of exciting football by canceling any advantage the offense might have had through good play. The defender just grabs the guy, slows him down just enough to say on him and destroy any continuity. Red card. Period. I’m sick of it and…. oh, HEY! It’s against the rules. Imagine….
IVES
Any word who about who RSL is pursuing in trades and any chance Kries could lose his job.
Ives,
What information do you have that RSL is trying to deal players?
The Refs do indeed blow. I was at the Revs/DC game and while I was ecstatic with a win, I hate winning in that way. No way did I think that him pulling Taylor down (and he did pull at him) merited a penalty, even if TT was bout to do a bicycle kick. My buddy who I was sitting was sure it was a handball, but the replay doesn’t really show it.
However:
1) I still think the call against Chivas for the Chicago PK was a much worse decision
2) I still too think that the Revs played well enough that noone can really claim that DC had points stolen from them. If anything the ref was lenient on the Wicks and the DC’s defense when they were aiming to hurt TT.
Houston is terrfying.
Casey & Cooper for the Gold Cup!
Can you imagine a more scary combo up top for the B-Side Nats? They both deserve their shot.
there is no excuse for the Fire’s performance against FCD…
we played absolute garbage…. not only did the players perform badly but DH gets alot of blame as well…
not to start Sega and Pappa was simply beyond me…
Thor has been a major let down this season..personally i feel he needs to be bench simply to give him a kick in the butt….
if mapp is going to play, let him run in blanco’s spot seeing as neither play defense…
—–BMB——–Rolfe—–
Banner—–Mapp——-Pappa
———Pause————
Sega–Woolard-Baky—–Ward
———-Busch————
perhaps then it would have been a respectable game…. honestly, what a major let down…
CONGRATS to FCD for coming out a playing soccer… great to see Shea and Wallace getting PT… our U20’s could definitely use it
Conor Casey has more of a case than Cooper has as of right now. He has actually scored goals in Europe. He had a bunch of injuries his last stint in Germany. I would not be surprised if a call came for the GOLD CUP. It would hurt the Rapids but could be stepping stone to backing up Ching at the WC2010. Casey is 27/28 so WC2014 would be a little far fetched. Just saying. Let the hate begin.
FCD needs to get Shea/Wallace/McCarthy playing more. Selfish reasons for me but I am tired of them rolling out these dude’s from south america that are terrible. Ferriera makes $150K and he is garbage. Im MLS money that is alot. Give the homegrown kids a shot.
Chicago looked real bad on sunday but i think the schedule got them. Also, rested some guys and Mr. White was with the tri colores. They will be fine.
Watch out people….Here comes Houston. Its time to put the fire out and rise ahead the western conference once again!
LOL! Chivas ain’t all that! That should be our theme for the rest of the year.
Truth be told, no one thought we’d be where we’re at right now.
We’ll be missing Marsch, Bornstein, and Mr. Invisible, Sacha k.
FC Dallas should use all the young guys so they can get some good experience.
Crazy week. San Jose and Dallas looked good this week, and the teams they played looked really bad.
My Sounders need to breakout with a big win against Chivas this week. With all the injuries, and with Marshall suspended, it’ll be tough. They can do it though. Chivas ain’t all that.
United slips 3 places after that loss to Revs? Harsh, just like that awarded PK.
Cooper needs to learn to use his size before he should get a national call up. Casey has done a nice job of making good runs and playing physical in the box.
You shouldn’t get an argument from anyone in the crowd at TP yesterday that the Fire should be #1. Ugh. I might have put Houston above them too based
on recent form but Friday should answer that question.
FWIW – Columbus played 2 games this week. Beat SJO on Wednesday before tying SEA on Saturday. 4 points from a west coast road swing ain’t *taht* bad…
The Chicago loss a great example of a “let down game”, they don’t lose that game any other weekend.
Also Ives, could you hook me up with the number of the modcloth bathing suit model?
Does JCO still have a job?
I would put Conor Casey ahead of Kenny Cooper in terms of the NATS…Cooper is soft.
FC Dallas…the Quakes…?
Call this weekend, The Day of the Dead
Fire over Houston in rankings? We’ll see after Friday night. That should be a great game, as well as Chivas/Seattle.
Refs in at number 3…