After a Gold Cup-induced two week hiatus, the SBI MLS Power Rankings are back and you might think you're looking at some 2008 rankings when you see who is on top now.
The Columbus Crew is hot, red-hot, champion hot, and Toronto FC found out just how hot last Saturday when Jason Garey buried a Frankie Hejduk cross in the net in stoppage time for a 3-2 Crew win.
The Crew hold the top spot, while the Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders follow after their spirited and entertaining 0-0 tie (yes, 0-0 ties can be entertaining).
Now, without any further ado, here are this week's SBI MLS Power Rankings:
SBI MLS Power Rankings (Week 19)
1. Columbus Crew (7-3-9)
Last week– Beat Toronto FC, 3-2, last Saturday.
This week- at Colorado Rapids on Saturday.
Last Five – 3-0-2, unbeaten at home this season.
Outlook – The champs are on a serious roll and their late game-winner against TFC showed us they can even win without Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
2. Seattle Sounders (7-3-8)
Last week– Beat Houston Dynamo, 2-1, in U.S. Open Cup semifinal; tied Chicago Fire, 0-0, last Saturday.
This week- at San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday. (Telefutura, 3pm)
Last Five – 2-0-3, unbeaten in six
Outlook – Created chances against Chicago, but couldn't find the net, a habit that plagued the Sounders before their current unbeaten stretch. The diving yellow on Freddie Ljungberg was suspect, but he can't lose his cool the way he did.
3. Chicago Fire (7-3-8)
Last week– Tied Seattle Sounders, 0-0, last Saturday.
This week- vs. Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Last Five – 2-1-2, three straight shutouts
Outlook – The Fire defense has been missing Gonzalo Segares and Bakary Soumare in recent weeks but still has managed to post three straight shutouts. Now the question is whether Chicago can beat a decent team at home.
4. Houston Dynamo (9-5-5)
Last week– Lost to Seattle Sounders, 2-1, in U.S. Open Cup semifina; Lost to New England, 1-0, last Saturday.
This week- vs. D.C. United on Saturday (8:30pm, Fox Soccer Channel).
Last Five – 1-3-1
Outlook – Brian Ching and Stuart Holden are set to return from Gold Cup duty, which should help boost an offense that has managed just three goals in five matches.
5. D.C. United (6-3-10)
Last week– Beat Rochester Rhinos, 2-1, in U.S. Open Cup semifinal last Tuesday; Tied San Jose Earthquakes, 1-1, last Saturday night.
This week- vs. Luis Angel Firpo on Tuesday (CONCACAF Champions League); at Houston on Saturday (8:30pm, Fox Soccer Channel)
Last Five – 1-1-3, winless in seven straight road games.
Outlook – No excuse for blowing a two-goal lead against a lowly San Jose squad. Injuries are starting to take their toll, but D.C. boasts good depth and recently-signed Danny Szetela should get his chance to contribute.
6. Los Angeles Galaxy (6-3-9)
Last week– Tied Kansas City Wizards, 1-1, last Saturday
This week- Friendly vs. FC Barcelona on Saturday.
Last Five – 4-0-1
Outlook – More troubling than the dropped points to KC is the concern over Donovan Ricketts, who left the Wizards match after crashing into the post. Ricketts has arguably been the Galaxy's MVP this season so LA can't afford to lose him for too long.
7. Colorado Rapids (7-5-6)
Last week– Beat New York Red Bulls, 4-0, last Saturday.
This week- vs. Columbus Crew on Saturday.
Last Five – 2-3
Outlook – Beating the Red Bulls isn't exactly an accomplishment these days. The Rapids' real test comes in Columbus this weekend.
8. Chivas USA (8-6-3)
Last week- bye
This week- bye
Last Five – 1-4, lost four straight.
Outlook – MLS schedule makers have done Preki a favor with this time off. With the recent trades made, the reigning MLS coach of the year will have time to integrate everybody into the squad.
9 (9). Real Salt Lake (6-7-5)
Last week– Beat FC Dallas, 4-2, last Friday.
This week- at Chicago Fire on Saturday.
Last Five – 2-1-2, unbeaten in four at home.
Outlook – RSL's explosive attack woke up yet again in smashing FC Dallas, but a much tougher defense awaits in Chicago on Saturday. The Fire inexplicably struggle at Toyota Park, but Real Salt Lake is still one of the worst road teams in the league.
10. Toronto FC (7-7-5)
Last week– Lost to Columbus Crew, 3-2, last Saturday.
This week- vs. Puerto Rico Islanders on Wednesday (CONCACAF Champions League); at New England Revolution on Saturday.
Last Five – 2-2-1
Outlook – Dropping a late point in Columbus is a heart-breaker, but TFC is poised for the playoff run, with Ali Gerba on board and Sam Cronin coming back from Gold Cup duty.
11. New England Revolution (6-5-5)
Last week– Beat Houston Dynamo, 1-0, last Saturday.
This week- vs. Toronto FC on Saturday.
Last Five – 2-1-2, posted three straight shutouts.
Outlook – Steve Ralston is working some real magic to keep this injury-hit group in the playoff conversation. Shalrie Joseph still isn't healthy, but 50 percent of Joseph is still better than many midfielders. The defense has stepped up mightily, but the attack still needs a boost if this team is to be taken seriously.
12. Kansas City Wizards (5-6-6)
Last week– Tied Los Angeles Galaxy, 1-1, on Saturday.
This week- at FC Dallas on Saturday.
Last Five – 1-2-2, one win in eight matches.
Outlook – The club will gratefully welcome the return of Jimmy Conrad and Davy Arnaud from Gold Cup duty, but will that be enough to push KC back into the playoff race?
13. FC Dallas (4-9-5)
Last week– Lost to Real Salt Lake, 4-2, last Friday.
This week- vs. Kansas City Wizards on Saturday.
Last Five – 2-2-1
Outlook – Just when Dallas showing some signs of life they go and lay an egg like Friday's. If FCD fans can accept that this is a rebuilding year then it will be much easier to accept this season and appreciate all the young talent on the roster.
14. San Jose Earthquakes (3-10-5)
Last week– Tied D.C. United, 2-2, last Saturday.
This week- vs. Seattle Sounders on Sunday (Telefutura, 3pm)
Last Five – 1-2-2, winless in four straight.
Outlook – Earthquakes showed great heart in rallying to tie D.C. United on Saturday, but a visit from red-hot Seattle awaits on Saturday.
15. New York Red Bulls (2-15-4)
Last week– Lost to Colorado Rapids, 4-0, last Saturday.
This week- at W Connection on Thursday (CONCACAF Champions League); Bye in MLS.
Last Five – 0-5, winless in 12 straight.
Outlook – The cellar dwellars have a week off to focus on the CONCACAF Champions League, the only thing the Red Bulls have left to play for. An ugly loss to W Connection on Thursday could be the end of Juan Carlos Osorio.
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Some quick thoughts:
Seattle and Chicago are interchangeable so please don't get all pissy about one being ahead of the other. I could have just done a tie for second but Seattle has had a better record in recent weeks. That said, the Fire really impressed my on Saturday. For them to do so well defensively without Bakary Soumare one week, Gonzalo Segares another week, and Logan Pause for a month, shows just how deep they are.
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Yes, Houston is fourth but they'll definitely be moving back up once Brian Ching and Stuart Holden come back into the mix. Losing Richard Mulrooney will hurt, but the Dynamo is still the favorite to win the West.
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Toronto FC suffered a gut-punch loss to the Crew but I still see TFC being the potential surprise team heading down the stretch. Ali Gerba could become the league's most effective second-half acquisition and there's still the matter of Julian DeGuzman. If Toronto can land a big-ticket player this summer they'll be right in the title chase.
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Can D.C. United survive the recent rash of injuries? Chicago and Columbus have endured their own injurie woes, but now D.C. will have to in order to avoid falling behind the lead pack in the East. Will rookies Chris Pontius and Rodney Wallace get their second wind and finish the season they way they started it? They'll need to in order to help D.C. challenge for a title.
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What do you think of this week's rankings? Do you see the Crew being the title favorite again? Impressed by Chicago's recent defensive form? Think Chivas USA will turn things around?
Share your thoughts below.
Sounders FC should be #1 without doubt. Salt Lake should be higher.
I’m a Seattle fan, and while a yellow for a dive was harsh, it was not outrageous. Freddie took minimal contact and went down. Fair enoug; that’s a game everybody plays. But Freddie can’t ever let anything go; he turned yellow into red purely on his own doing, beating his chest and saying something. He’s been challenging calls right up to the limit all year — hell, all of his career.
Seattle isn’t “Dive FC” but they are “Make every situation worse if possible FC”. Hurtado’s yellow in the first half wasn’t for the original foul, which was just an ordinary whistle, but for playing on after it and fouling AGAIN when play was dead. We’ve been doing this sort of crap all season long. If it seems like we’re never getting the benefit of the doubt, it’s because we deserve not to. Our tempers are a real problem.
But Seattle was MUCH the better team against Chicago, steam or no.
Freddie took an elbow in the ribs by a defender that was clearly beaten and it’s not a dive to go down in order to protect yourself from injury.
Posted by: k
You’re kidding, right? Did you even watch the play? CJ Brown backed off, there was minimal shoulder contact (no elbows), and it was all Ljungberg’s doing. He lost control of the ball plain and simple, was close enough to Brown to think he’d get away with it, so he charged him and fell to the ground. One of the easiest diving calls I’ve ever seen, and good decision by the ref.
haha rash of injuries, you just made all the revs fans laugh. but were coming back.
Freddie took an elbow in the ribs by a defender that was clearly beaten and it’s not a dive to go down in order to protect yourself from injury. Freddie didn’t drop to the ground and grab his favorite shin and roll around like that fat arse blonco did every time he touched the ball. And Freddie didn’t say anything, he hit his chest with his fist; that ref told Freddie not to argue any calls but he spent 15 minutes chatting with blonco at half on what calls to make.
Posted by: k
Hahaha, Elbow to the ribs !!! there was a minimal amount of shoulder contact, and while i agree the ref was far to quick to pull the second yellow, the fall was a blatant dive….
And no I am not a Fire fan, my team is already pretty much out of the running for anything.
he spent 15 minutes chatting with blonco at half on what calls to make.
Posted by: k | July 28, 2009 at 02:40 PM
He was just trying to figure out when he should get Blanco’s jersey from him.
Freddie took an elbow in the ribs by a defender that was clearly beaten and it’s not a dive to go down in order to protect yourself from injury. Freddie didn’t drop to the ground and grab his favorite shin and roll around like that fat arse blonco did every time he touched the ball. And Freddie didn’t say anything, he hit his chest with his fist; that ref told Freddie not to argue any calls but he spent 15 minutes chatting with blonco at half on what calls to make.
Dedicated Fire fan here.
Freddie let himself fall after some contact with CJ — no call would have been a better decision.
And yes, the ref comletely missed a penalty call against Seattle in the first half.
Both teams had plenty of chances to score, but poor finishing from both teams (and two pieces of wood) kept a very entertaining game scoreless. Nyarko and Montero will both be trying to forget that game . . .
I thought RBNY lost 2-0 to “Bye”.
There’s a reason Seattle is taking on the nickhame “Dive FC” in some circles.
Kansas City MIGHT have a chance at the playoffs, now that we have Zoltan.
DON’T MESS WITH THE ZOLTAN!
“The diving yellow on Freddie Ljungberg was suspect”
Riiiight. As suspect as the non-call handball in the box by Seattle in the first half? Freddie flopped, and hard, and the fact that he lost it after getting carded just proves that he thought he’d get away with it because he’s a “star”. If the dude’s going to do that, he needs to watch a few hours of tape of Blanco, the master at work.
As an FCD fan, it would be easier to appreciate the young talent on the team if someone would give them an opportunity to play…..it is nice watching them sit on a bench though.
Get the “back to back MLS Cup Champions” banners ready in Columbus. They have had 5-6 starters most of this season and are still winning games.
cmon la. 4-0-1 in the last five. and 3 of thsoe without landon and db. you smell that?? it smells like vindication.
Ike Opara I know you are going to be offered European Money but come on why would you pass up the opportunity to play for the League’s worst franchise in their brand new stadium
From my seat at Quest Field, Seattle looked like the better team. Created more opportunities to score, just didn’t put them away. They’ll come…
Hey Pat, I’m not “worried” about anything, but if Chicago doesn’t start winning some home games it won’t have to worry about home-field in the playoffs.
I picked Chicago to win it all this year by the way, in case you forgot or in case you’re one of the handful of deluded Fire fans who thinks I have something against the Fire.
Yes, it’s true that Ljunberg didn’t “freak out” until he was ejected. But unless you were there you can’t judge the 2nd yellow undeserved. It seemed clear to me that he said something to the referee after the first yellow. Do you know what he said? I don’t, but it must have been pretty offensive to warrant a 2nd yellow. The fact that he said it without screaming doesn’t change anything. If he said something offensive he deserved a sending off, and someone with his pedigree ought to have known better.
Regarding playoffs, or even the season in general, I have totally lost interest. I have no desire to watch any MLS games. Well, except for the Everton game coming up.
I wonder if my malaise has anything to do with being a Red Bull season tix holder… 😉
FIRE OSORIO! FIRE AGOOS!
For you Seattle fans who are whining, your team should have lost in Chicago and were lucky to get a tie having just one shot on goal. Even so , the Sounders could have lost Saturday if Prideauz’s late header goes in. Hey Ives, dont worry about the Fire beatind decent teams at home , win at home when it counts as they have neve lost a home playoff game.
Ljungberg didn’t even dive and no matter what the argument, it wasn’t worthy of a card. Losing his cool? Please. He didn’t truly freak out until after the ref sent him off, which is totally understandable considering the decision. Sounders should have taken 3 points and I think they are #1–and I’m an RSL man.
Posted by: SR
Dude definitely dove. Don’t know how you could call that one any other way. As for the second yellow–entirely undeserved. And yeah, they should have taken three points, but they were incapable of finishing with Busch in the net. That was the reality of the situation, and probably still would have held true even with Ljundberg still in the game. So stop whining from the backseat.
With all the games in hand, I think the Revs should be a bit higher.
And I think Seattle is too high, like TFC, the schedule has been home heavy.
Actually Mentz, Philly gets the #1 pick.
I know that the only thing that will move the Revs up in the rankings is more wins, but I’ve been encouraged by the solid play by the entire team. The(few)veterans on the pitch have been great,and the younger players are starting to figure things out. But yes, we need offense, as well as some healthy starters.
Ljungberg didn’t even dive and no matter what the argument, it wasn’t worthy of a card. Losing his cool? Please. He didn’t truly freak out until after the ref sent him off, which is totally understandable considering the decision. Sounders should have taken 3 points and I think they are #1–and I’m an RSL man.
Hey Ives,
Who will our Dead Bulls select with the #1 pick in the draft next year?! At least we got that locked up… lol
I thought we had already hit rock bottom before the Colorado game. Boy was i wrong.
Go Crew! Definitely think the Dynamo will be the class of the west as we head down the stretch.
How’s attendance? I know it was down earlier this year, but now that the weather is more stable, have the numbers gone up?