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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2 (3). COLUMBUS CREW (1-0-1)

 

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?

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