The Los Angeles Galaxy stayed red hot while D.C. United continued to endure a nightmare start to the season.
Want surprises? The San Jose Earthquakes posted a second straight win, while defending champion Real Salt Lake extended its winless streak to three matches.
The Galaxy's win vs. RSL helped Bruce Arena's team secure its grip on the top spot in the SBI MLS Power Rankings, while Columbus moved up to No. 2 despite being on a bye week.
Here are this week's SBI MLS Power Rankings:
SBI MLS POWER RANKINGS (Week 3)
1 (Last Week- 1). LOS ANGELES GALAXY (4-0)
Last Week– Beat Real Salt Lake, 2-1, last Saturday.
Next Week– at Kansas City on Saturday.
Outlook: Edson Buddle can't be stopped and the Galaxy as a team is playing at a high level, but its toughest test of the season awaits against Kansas City, which is perfectly-built to play on its narrow home field.
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Last Week– Bye Week
Next Week– vs. Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Outlook: A second bye week in three wasn't ideal, but the Crew should be healthy against a Real Salt lake team that will be desperate to register at least a point at Crew Stadium.
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3 (5). NEW YORK RED BULLS (3-1)
Last Week– Beat FC Dallas, 2-1, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Philadelphia on Saturday.
Outlook: Overcame a flat start against Dallas to pull out a last-second win, but a second subpar performance reveals some flaws and some needs the Red Bulls still have. Facing the expansion Union at home should help.
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4 (6). SEATTLE SOUNDERS (2-1-1)
Last Week– Beat Kansas City Wizards, 1-0, last Saturday.
Next Week- at FC Dallas on Thursday; at Toronto FC on Sunday.
Outlook: Michael Fucito played the role of hero for the Sounders with his last-second goal, leaving us to wonder whether the super sub should see more minutes considering the team's inability to finish. A two-game week awaits, but the good news is both opponents have beatable defenses.
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5 (2). KANSAS CITY WIZARDS (2-1)
Last Week– Lost to Seattle Sounders, 1-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.
Outlook: Wizards played tough defense, and created chances against the Sounders, but their inability to capitalize on set pieces came back to haunt them. Kansas City faces a stiff test in the red-hot Galaxy, but Peter Vermes' squad is tough to handle at home.
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6 (7). HOUSTON DYNAMO (2-1-1)
Last Week– Beat Chivas USA, 3-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– at Chicago Fire on Saturday.
Outlook: Offense finally showed up, and now we've seen what the new-look Dynamo could look like. That said, will the goals come against tougher competition? The Chicago Fire don't have a winning record, but will be a much tougher test than Chivas USA was.
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7 (11). SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (2-1)
Last Week– Beat New England Revolution last Saturday.
Next Week– at Chivas USA on Saturday.
Outlook: Earthquakes thoroughly outplayed the Revolution and Joe Cannon flashed some of his former Goalkeeper of the Year form. Can the Earthquakes win a second straight road match by beating a vulnerable Chivas USA squad?
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8 (9). COLORADO RAPIDS (2-1-1)
Last Week– Beat Toronto FC, 3-1, last Saturday.
Next Week– at New England Revolution on Saturday.
Outlook: Conor Casey was a handful on Sunday in the Rapids' win vs. TFC and he just might be feeling the pressure to perform as the World Cup approaches and the competition for places heats up. The Colorado defense enjoyed a strong performance, but the offense didn't exactly flow (three goals came on two PKs and a free kick).
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9 (4). NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (2-2)
Last Week– Lost to San Jose Earthquakes, 2-1, last Saturday.
Next Week- vs. Colorado Rapids on Saturday.
Outlook: The Revs couldn't handle San Jose's work in midfield and the absence of Shalrie Joseph was too much to overcome. Marko Perovic showed some signs of bringing creativity, but there was little else positive from New England's midfield.
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10 (8). REAL SALT LAKE (1-2-1)
Last Week– Beat Los Angeles Galaxy, 2-1, last Saturday.
Next Week– at Columbus Crew on Saturday.
Outlook: Much like its loss to Houston, RSL didn't exactly play badly in the loss, but the champs need to start winning these tough games to be considered among the elite. Javier Morales was clearly missed by an attack that mustered just three shots on goal vs. LA. Another tough opponent awaits in a rested Columbus side.
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11 (12). CHICAGO FIRE (1-2-1)
Last Week– Beat D.C. United, 2-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Houston Dynamo on Saturday.
Outlook: The Fire offense finally showed up and who would have thought that it would be Brian McBride playing the role of super sub? Justin Mapp rewarded Carlos De Los Cobos' confidence in him with a strong performance and now the Fire get a tough home test vs. Houston.
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12 (10). CHIVAS USA (1-3)
Last Week– Lost to Houston Dynamo, 3-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Outlook: Just when you thought tihe Rojiblancos defense might have its act together, we get this lackluster performance vs. Houston. Chivas USA clearly needs a striker as well as some bite in central midfield. As it stands, the Goats will head into its home match against San Jose as an underdog. Who would have thought that a month ago?
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13 (13). FC DALLAS (0-1-2)
Last Week– Lost to New York Red Bulls, 2-1, last Saturday.
Next Week- vs. Seattle Sounders on Thursday.
Outlook: Dallas isn't a bad team but Schellas Hyndman is learning quickly that when you depend on Jeff Cunningham to carry you're offense you become a slave to his streakiness. If Cunningham isn't finishing, Dallas has little hope of generation consistent offense, which suggests FCD may want to consider cracking open the checkbook to land a top striker this summer.
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14 (14). PHILADELPHIA UNION (1-2)
Last Week– Lost to Toronto FC, 2-1, last Thursday.
Next Week– at New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Outlook: The Union played well in Toronto, but Danny Califf's brain cramp and Chris Seitz's continued shakiness cost Philly three points. On the bright side, Roger Torres looks like the real deal and Sebastien LeToux appears ready to be a consistent contributor. They'll need more than those to in order to beat New York at Red Bull Arena.
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15 (15). TORONTO FC (1-3)
Last Week– Beat Philadelphia Union, 2-1, last Thursday; lost to Colorado Rapids, 3-1, last Sunday.
Next Week– vs. Seattle Sounders on Sunday.
Outlook: It is clear that Toronto realizes its offensive shortcomings and is trying to turn matches into defensive struggles. That plan can work, as we saw vs. Philly, but won't yield consistent results, particularly if defenders make silly mistakes. TFC's back-line is considerably better now that Nick Garcia is on the bench, but we're still waiting for Julian DeGuzman to start showing us Designated Player value.
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16 (16). D.C. UNITED (0-4)
Last Week– Lost to Chicago Fire, 2-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– Bye Week.
Outlook: The nightmare continues for D.C., which will surely welcome a week off to regroup and get some defenders back healthy. D.C. United needs Clyde Simms and Bryan Namoff back badly, but perhaps more of a concern is the team's lack of offensive punch.
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What do you think of this week's rankings? Who do you feel is ranked too highly? Who isn't ranked high enough?
Share your thoughts below.
woot woot! highest ive ever seen the quakes ranked on SBI
Agreed Rory, save for at least 2 missed sitters and the woodwork, Dallas would have routed the Red Bulls
RSL will be fine. Tough schedule to start the season with 4 of 5 on the road but have looked the better team in all but the game against LA on saturday. Once they get through this early stretch, they’ll work their way back up the ranking.
Also, if you saw any of their road games last year compared to their road form this year, you certainly wouldn’t say that they look like last year’s regular season team.
Ill give him a little love but send more love to…………
Nyarko who has been a terror down the wings and instrumental to setting up multiple goal scoring chances. This guy stretches the field and creates space for Pappa to get those goal scoring chances.
of course, LD will be in south africa by then. someone else expressed concern about the lack of scoring from everybody else in an LAG shirt; if he makes the WC roster or gets hurt, it might be a long May/June- dare i say July? for the galaxy.
I would flip Dallas and Chivas..
and also flip colorado and RSL. Otherwise standings are good.
Oh yea RSL is the defending champion but they will not dominate the regular season because they still look much like the team from last regular season.
You dont think there is a chance that he comes back after his contract is over do you ?
I say no way.
RSL requested this JGIB. They wanted only a few home games in April/early May so that they can have more when it is warmer out because even with the new stadium last season their attendance suffered in April due to the snow and cold weather. DC played there in front of like 12k with snow all around the pitch. It was mid to low 40s and cloudy.
There are fewer players available right now, that’s why. They’ve got to wait for the bigger summer transfer window.
D.C. United is rated too high.
Amen!
Go Quakes!!!
Why no love for marco pappa in the chicago section?
I’m pretty sure the seattle front office consider the Ljungberg signing a big success. He played spectacularly well in the second half of last season.
Glad to see LA at #1 so early in the season. Buddle’s scoring streak will eventually fade as defenses put more emphasis on him, which will then open up Landon to score.
Houston too low, and Columbus way too high.
And what is up with the scheduling? Columbus had two bye weeks in the first month. Toronto has 2 days rest before traveling to Colorado to play at altitude. Did MLS pick out the schedule during happy hour?
I haven’t slept well since Saturday’s game against Chicago. After seeing the team in person for the first time this season, I realized how badly we…
A: need a playmaker with vision
B: someone over 6’0″ besides Cristman
C: need our starting defenders back
A bright spot from the game for DC is Andy Najar. He was unbelievable in midfield. For a tiny 17 year old, he is really good and tenacious.
Also props to the Fire fans who made the trip, it was a sad group of a baker’s dozen, but you were there nonetheless.
Alright DC, time to convince Benny to come out of retirement, lace the boots up, and give the team some much needed fighting spirit!!
Rory – agree. Why wasn’t that cap money that freed up used to buy talent. You can’t give all your top players away and then hope for the best without replacing them. Maybe we can make Olsen and Onalfo “playing” coaches…it could improve the defense.
I agree that the front office is more to blame than Onalfo, both should be axed really. The thing is, starting 0-4 is really hard on team morale and I think that a change in coach is the only thing that can rectify that. The sooner the better, frankly.
amen….there are some historically bad teams (red bulls ’09) who should be ranked above DC let alone college and high school teams.
and nice to see Convey doing well…..maybe someday we’ll see some SBI love given there!
second that. red bull didn’t play very well saturday. dallas blew a ton of chances
Can we give the Curt Onfalo Face a little love?
obviously you didnt see his 1 touch finesse to the near post…
That is exactly why you do fire the coach… his inability to evaluate talent (bringing the right players) and the coaches inability to evaluate current players and know how to get the right players on the field. Onalfo may know tactics, but he does not know player evaluation and how best to use the talent he does currently have. That is a skill few coaches have.
DC should be ranked 17th behind “random people who kick the ball around the parking lot.”
I hope the black cloud (ash) doesn’t delay Neilsen from coming over!
Angel needs to pick up his game. He hasn’t been impressive so far this year, which is surprising. But to me, he just seems “off.”
Can’t wait until we add Nielsen and Rodgers to this attack. Rodgers should be a nice second half sub with his speed, and possibly start a couple matches when he’s in scoring form.
I’m also waiting to see if Nielsen can live up to the hype Soler is giving him. Youth international status is nice, but can it translate to MLS??
I’d love to see some more of Connor Chinn, and let’s get Austin Da Luz some run as well.
Just an edit needed under FC Dallas it lists the matchup as Saturday. It is correctly listed under the Sounders as Thursday.
Should be a huge crowd in Dallas on Thursday night. 🙂
lol. that was good
Rory, The Moment hasnt even begun… We are still waiting on a few high caliber players, and have one of the most knowledgeable coaching staffs/FO in MLS
RSL wins the cup then we are given 4 out of 5 road games to start the season what a joke MLS
Ye of little faith. DCU is simply on its way to 0-6, and then the championship!
Sorry, but firing the coach will not make the players any better. Is there someone who he’s benching that should be playing right now? No. Is his formation something drastically wrong for his players? No.
Your front office should be blamed. They were bad last year but tried to get better by letting a lot of talent go and hoping that they got better replacements. For all of Emilio’s problems, he scored some goals early last season and nobody on DC seems ready to do that now.
I think that you may have had it right the first time. You are better off with Dom developing US talent.
Please see the Ljungberg 2010 highlight video for example. I have posted it here:
Charles
I’m not sold on this Red Bull team being that good. They’re off to a great start but that momentum looks like it’s starting to fizzle a bit.
my bad–that should say “WILL NOT hold them back from making big signings”
I was at RFK for DC vs Fire. United is terrible. It was difficult to even watch. When you start the season 0-4, something has to change. Fire Onalfo already.
RSL are starting to look shaky–maybe the pressure is too much this early for them so they need to start from the bottom up, as usual.
Dallas are better than they have appeared and could have easily taken 3 pts from NY (Nice to see JPA celebrating goals again)
I really hope HOU’s success without using a DP will hold them back from making big signings in the future. With the new stadium and a pretty good fan base, they could really be an elite club this decade–given Dom and other factors are still in place.
San Jose are sneaking up and look comfortable on the road. Solid, balanced roster overall–Who doesn’t love a pumped up Joe Cannon? Did you catch that fist pump/courtesy bow at sfter the final whistle? That tells the whole story.
Ives is right. LA can’t be beaten. They can firmly plant KC’s feet back on the ground by beating them on the road this weekend–narrow field or not.
Red Bull NY moved up after this weekend’s performance? Yes they won, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that they looked absolutely horrible, even in the second half. The score should have been about 5-2, Dallas (and they suck).
I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again: DC are still ranked too high. And I say this as a DC fan.
As a Galaxy fan, I am still concerned by the fact that EVERY goal this season has been scored by Edson Buddle. Somebody else has to start stepping up to provide a little balance.
Buddle has more goals than the bottom two teams of either conference combined.
Only 5 games out of 29 have been ties this year.
Seattle signing Ljungberg might be the reason that teams DO or DON’T go after aging name Euro players this summer. DO, he probably sells tickets and jerseys….DONT, your money is better spent.
2 new additions will be joining the Red Bulls, and that means they will be getting stronger. I see them in the number 1 slot in a couple weeks.
It’s actually possible that United are rated too highly in your rankings. They look Red Bull 2009 bad.
If I could I would put DC United below Portland, and Vancouver… they are bad very very bad
Even with their bad results I would put the union ahead of Chivas and even Dallas at this point but a fair assesment in general.
Good to see my Earthquakes doing okay and getting a little love from SBI.