Top Stories

SBI MLS Power Rankings (Week 5)

MLS_Logo

Somebody finally managed to slow down the Los Angeles Galaxy, but keeping them off the top of the SBI MLS Power Rankings is another story.

The Kansas City Wizards outplayed the Galaxy and came very close to knocking off the unbeaten squad in Kansas City this weekend, but some stellar goalkeeping from Donovan Ricketts (along with one inexplicable miss) force the Wizards to settle for a tie.

While there wasn't a bunch of shifting at the top of this week's rankings, one team that made a considerable jump up is the Chicago Fire, which won its second straight match and is starting to look like the Eastern Conference power we expected when the season began.

Here are this week's SBI MLS Power Rankings:

SBI MLS POWER RANKINGS (Week 5)

1 (Last Week- 1). LOS ANGELES GALAXY (4-0-1)

LA_Primary_COL 

Last Week– Tied Kansas City, 0-0, last Saturday.

Next Week– vs. Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

Outlook: Narrow field in Kansas City (and the Wizards tough defense) made things difficult for the Galaxy attack, but Donovan Ricketts stepped up and LA showed it can get road points even without playing well. A return to Home Depot Center to face a vulnerable Union defense should help the Galaxy attack get rolling again.

———————————–

2 (2). COLUMBUS CREW (2-0-1)

CLB_Primary_COL 

Last Week– Beat Real Salt Lake, 1-0, last Saturday.

Next Week– at Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

Outlook: The Crew offense didn't exactly light it up against RSL, and it took a standout performance from Wil Hesmer to preserve the three points. Columbus is definitely missing injured defensive star Chad Marshall, and head to Seattle to face a struggling Sounders squad desperate for three points.

———————————–

3 (3). NEW YORK RED BULLS (4-1)

NY_Primary_COL 

Last Week– Beat Philadelphia Union, 2-1, last Saturday.

Next Week– at D.C. United on Saturday.

Outlook: Another less than stellar performance for the Red Bulls, but another home victory. New York isn't winning pretty, but we are seeing signs of maturity from a team that has shown it can win even without playing at its best. A tricky tilt awaits at RFK Stadium, where a rested and desperate D.C. United awaits.

———————————–

4 (5). KANSAS CITY WIZARDS (2-1-1)

KC_Primary_COL 
  
Last Week– Tied Los Angeles Galaxy, 0-0, last Saturday.

Next Week– at Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

Outlook: It can be argued that the Wizards have been the better team in all four of its matches this season (with the loss to Seattle the toughest to argue), but the Wizards dropped points because of poor finishing. A road game against a vulnerable Houston side should show us just how seriously we can take the Wizards as a powerhouse this season.

———————————–

5 (8). COLORADO RAPIDS (3-1-1)

COL_Primary_COL

Last Week– Beat New England Revolution, 2-1, last Saturday.

Next Week– at San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.

Outlook: The tandem of Pablo Mastroeni and Jeff Larentowicz is anchoring a Rapids squad that has quietly established itself as a force. The bigger question is whether the defense can keep playing at its current level.

———————————–

6 (11). CHICAGO FIRE (2-2-1)

CHI_primary_COL 

Last Week– Beat Houston Dynamo, 2-0, last Saturday.

Next Week– vs. Chivas USA on Saturday.

Outlook: Most would have expected Collins John and Brian McBride to be key to a Fire resurgence, but it has been Marco Pappa and Patrick Nyarko who have provided the energy to a Chicago offense starting to find a good rhythm. Carlos De Los Cobos has also turned to some unlikely young players in Baggio Husidic and Peter Lowry, which is helping develop the Fire's depth.

———————————–

7 (4). SEATTLE SOUNDERS (2-2-2)

SEA_Primary_COL 
  
Last Week– Tied FC Dallas, 2-2, last Thursday; lost to Toronto FC, 2-0, last Sunday.

Next Week- vs. Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Outlook: What is wrong with the Sounders? Aside from Steve Zakuani and Kasey Keller, there are a lot of underachieving players in rave green these days and the result is dropped points. Is Fredy Montero thinking about a summer move? Are we finding that Seattle's depth isn't as strong as we thought? Saturday's match vs. Columbus will reveal plenty.

———————————–

8 (7). SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (2-2)

SJ_Primary_COL

Last Week– Lost to Chivas USA, 3-2, last Saturday.

Next Week– vs. Colorado Rapids on Saturday.

Outlook: Poorly officiated match may have cost San Jose a point, but the normally stingy defense gave up too much to Chivas USA (though we suspect the midfield was as much to blame). It still feels like San Jose is a top striker short of being a serious contender, but Saturday's match vs. Colorado will tell us whether Earthquakes are for real or not.

———————————–

9 (6). HOUSTON DYNAMO (2-2-1)

HOU_Primary_COL

Last Week– Lost to Chicago Fire, 2-0, last Saturday.

Next Week– vs. Kansas City Wizards on Saturday.

Outlook: Dom Kinnear must have a lot of black cats in his neighborhood because he's being hit with new levels of bad luck. Losing Geoff Cameron for the season is a real hammer blow and now the Dynamo have to hold the fort down for three months. Houston needs Brian Ching back badly, but the lack of creative central midfield options is scary. 

———————————–

10 (10). REAL SALT LAKE (1-3-1)

RSL_Primary_COL 
  
Last Week– Lost to Columbus Crew, 1-0, last Saturday.

Next Week– vs. Toronto FC on Saturday.

Outlook: In terms of the quality of soccer they've played, RSL probably deserves to still be a top five team, but they haven't been able to win any of these tough early-season matches. Having a healthy Javier Morales will help, but Jason Kreis needs his forwards to start converting chances ASAP. Toronto is playing much tougher lately, but RSL will welcome the Canadians to Rio Tinto after having faced the toughest schedule of the early season.

———————————–

11 (12).  CHIVAS USA (2-3)

CHV_Primary_COL

Last Week– Beat San Jose Earthquakes, 3-2, last Saturday.

Next Week- at Chicago Fire on Saturday.

Outlook: Sacha Kljestan stepped up to the challenge and helped the Rojiblancos post a much-needed win. We're still not sold on Chivas USA though, particularly on the road, and a stiff test awaits from the Chicago Fire. If the central defense of Michael Umana and Dario Delgado is for real, the FIre tandem of McBride and John will let us know for sure.

———————————–

12 (9). NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (2-3)

NE_Primary_COL

Last Week– Lost to Colorado Rapids, 2-1, last Saturday.

Next Week- vs. FC Dallas on Saturday.

Outlook: Marko Perovic signaled his arrival in New England with a beautiful free kick, but not much else went right for the Revs attack. It was no small coincidence that on the day Jeff Larentowicz returned to face his former team, that same team would surrender two long range strikes from midfield. Perhaps Shalrie Joseph's absence had as much to do with that. Now that Joseph is out indefinitely, New England suddenly finds itself in trouble.

———————————–

13 (15). TORONTO FC (2-3)

TOR_Primary_COL

Last Week– Beat Seattle Sounders, 2-0, last Sunday.

Next Week– at Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

Outlook: It took three matches, but Toronto FC finally put together a performance that might lead fans to believe this season will be something other than a failure. O'Brian White has the look of a future standout, but TFC needs another forward. Julian DeGuzman took a step toward silencing the talk of him being a DP bust. A tough road test awaits in Utah.

———————————–

14 (13). FC DALLAS (0-1-3)

DAL_Primary_COL

Last Week– Tied Seattle Sounders, 2-2, last Thursday.

Next Week- at New England Revolution on Saturday.

Outlook: For the third time this season, Dallas has managed to pull out a draw in a match it could have easily lost. To be fair, Dallas deserved a tie against a lackluster Seattle side, but it can't be ignored that Jeff Cunningham continues to struggle in the run of play (his goals have all come from the penalty spot). Until he regains his scoring touch, Dallas will continue to struggle for points.

———————————–

15 (14). PHILADELPHIA UNION (1-3)

UNI_Primary_COL

Last Week– Lost to New York Red Bulls, 2-1, last Saturday.

Next Week– at Los Angeles Galaxy, on Saturday.

Outlook: The Union attack continues to show good promise, and Peter Nowak showed some ingenuity in making some interesting lineup moves, but miscues cost the Union yet again as Michael Orozco's handball gave New York the winning goal. Roger Torres struggled a bit and may start to feel the pressure that comes with being the team's lead creator. Things get no easier for the expansion side as the unbeaten Galaxy await.

———————————–

16 (16). D.C. UNITED (0-4)

DCU_Primary_COL

Last Week– Bye Week

Next Week– vs. New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

Outlook: The week off couldn't have come at a better time for D.C., which will look to get healthy ahead of a crucial showdown vs. arch-rival New York.

———————————–

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.

Comments

  1. Yeah, I didn’t like the fact that they would hire a British commentator. But after watching a couple of games, I rely enjoy his commentary.

    Reply
  2. By any honest assessment, Union was the better team against RBNY.

    You’re out of your mind. When NY took the lead, they set up two lines and held their defensive shape. It didn’t matter how many passes Philadelphia played among the defenders or back from the midfield: they couldn’t break down NY’s defense except for one half-chance.

    You must not know much about soccer if you think meaningless possession equals dominating the game. For an “honest” comparison, watch the way Germany play when they get a lead. Teams can knock the ball around all they want, but they’re not going to score. NY isn’t Germany, but they do play a tight defense and have successfully preserved a lead in three of their four wins (exception being Dallas, when they had to attack lated to take the lead).

    Reply
  3. The Red Bulls had more goals, more shots on goal and more shots. How exactly were they outplayed by Philly? Be serious, please. Philly is the most undisciplined team in MLS

    Reply
  4. yes, we have great fans and you won’t see an empty stadium in Seattle this week like there was in Toronto; the fans will be there in RAVE GREEN, standing, and singing even though the team is not playing up to expectations, yet.

    Reply
  5. I’m with Ives here. It was a pretty even game. The Union have shown that they can compete until one of them has a brain cramp. It’s happened in every game so far. On the plus side though, these guys fight for 90 minutes very game. I love that! Now we just need them to think for 90 minutes.

    Reply
  6. “But with nobody strong on the ball to hold up play, the formation seems to rely on counter attacks and the two or three clean breaks that Zakuani gets down the flank each game.”

    This is spot on.

    Reply
  7. I would love to see SBI cover this story of the internal implosion at TFC. There are so many good angles: The club confiscated anti-Mo Johnston signs from fans. Former coach Chris Cummins slammed Johnston so Johnston threatens a defamation suit. Cummins also claimed divisions between Canadian and US players. And what was up with Jim Brennan retiring to be an assistant coach just weeks into the season? What a circus: Players and coaches come and go at a dizzying pace, but the fans and the carnival barker Johnston remain thru it all, and now they are turning on each other.

    Reply
  8. No need to shout, we can still hear you over the rave green shirts even if you use your inside voice.

    I’m starting to wonder whether Sigi’s formation makes sense for the players that are on the roster for Seattle. When Nkufo shows up, maybe they’ll be able to hold possession more effectively. But with nobody strong on the ball to hold up play, the formation seems to rely on counter attacks and the two or three clean breaks that Zakuani gets down the flank each game.

    Reply
  9. I agree! I think Andre Luiz was missed the most against Chivas though. When is Alvarez due back, and Glen? I have yet to see this Eduardo play.

    Reply
  10. LOL. That he did. That he did.

    Rapids beat KC at KC days later in the Open Cup. I think it was the same defensive line up as the Leauge game, but on a standard size field. Not so stingy then, were they? 😉 #complainaboutthefield #typicalsoreloser

    However, Teal Bunbury goal in the 4th minute was nice… Hope to see more of him.

    Talk to me when you guys get a road win. A decent one. Against a decent side. If you get a road win… #snap

    Reply
  11. My friend, if you can’t finish and you made boneheaded mistakes, you deserve to be ranked low. I was at the game Saturday. The Cosmos played poorly and they still beat you. Your team is terrible and your woman are unattractive. Accept that and you will find happiness.

    Trust me, I know a thing or two about both football and women.

    I scored more times in one match tahn your team will score in a month and I’m not just talking about on the pitch, my friend.

    Reply
  12. Seattle should be below Houston and San Jose, they can’t score and their defense makes at least 2 stupid mistakes every game (Keller can’t save them all). I am a Sounder fan, but if they don’t beat Columbus at home this week, they should be even lower than NE and Toronto. I just hope they figure it all out before it’s too late.

    Reply
  13. Quakes fans are still waiting for an ‘Eduardo’ sighting. last week we were missing Alvarez, Eduardo, Glen, and Andre Luiz. if just two of these guys can get healthy and stay healthy, we’ve got reason to be optimistic.

    Reply
  14. Larentowicz has played pleasantly well. Pablo’s been touch and go, but is still a rock in the mid.

    Casey scores a few from a moving ball, and we’re in business. Omar’s been impressive at times.

    Reply
  15. Of all the defensive pairings I was most excited about watching this year was that of Orozco and Califf. So far it seems they have been an absolute mess.

    Is this just the two of them getting to know each other or are they just not as good as some people have thought they were individually?

    Reply
  16. Nah, gotta be when Nielsen got KO’d by an Omar Cummings shot on goal. KC v Rapids. Wish there was video of that somewhere…

    Back and to the left.

    Reply
  17. Glad my boys didn’t drop into the WPS rankings with our bye week. I hope we can get one player back from injury, just one, I don’t care if it’s even Harksy, just give us one healthy player back.

    Thanks.

    Reply
  18. Seattle has not been able to score for a long time now. Their D is still solid ( aside from the two massive mistakes Sunday ).

    Hopefully Blaise will save us this summer !

    Reply
  19. Fair position for Colorado, and for good reason. Although going purely by numbers they would be number three, but I can see why KC and Crew get the edge.

    The run we had on the Revs looked to me like a promising begining. Possibly the best football we’ve played in a long time. If Smith can keep this run of form up (time will tell) I think you’ll see Colorado in the playoffs. Possibly with an Open Cup in tow.

    Reply
  20. If Red Bulls lose to DC how far will they drop? I know it is probably a long shot with the way DC has been playing but it would be intresting to see.

    With Houston and the Revs losing key midfielders can they stay in contention for long or will they miss the playoffs? I am thinking Houston will miss the playoffs and depending on when Joseph gets back as to how bad the revs are hurt.

    Reply
  21. Also have been pleased with Wells Thompson. Although, the Revs fans did say that Colorado would like him at first and then slowly come to dislike him. I don’t see that happening though, if he keeps up his current level of play.

    Reply
  22. Chicago Fire is… BACK!! Nyarko can not be stopped and we have just been dominating teams… won’t be long now until we are back in the top 3!!

    Reply
  23. I wonder if there’s any room for improvement of play in these rankings. By any honest assessment, Union was the better team against RBNY. Yes, they didn’t pull out the win. And yes, they made some stupid mistakes. But some quality possession soccer has to count for something, right?

    (SBI-By “any honest assessment”? The Red Bulls scored the go-ahead goal and then definitely could be blamed for sitting on the lead. Up to that point, it was a pretty even game. Do you really think Philly deserves a better ranking because they were able to keep the ball against a team sitting on a lead? Not so sure about that one.

    I happen to think Philly is playing decently, and their offense does move the ball well at times, but until they A) finish their chances and B) stop making boneheaded mistakes, they won’t be moving up in the rankings, or the standings for that matter.)

    Reply
  24. Some Mapp’s are outdated and thus no longer useful. Time will tell.

    P.S. Justin Mapp should really just shave his head and get it over with.

    Reply
  25. Colorado only made a couple moves this off-season, but they all seem to add to that core they kept. Laraw. in the midfield and Wynne on the back line have paid off so far.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Sergio of SF Cancel reply