Just how much are things changing in MLS? At present, San Jose, Toronto FC and FC Dallas can be considered streaking teams, while Chicago, New England and Seattle are struggling badly.
The most reliable constant remains the Los Angeles Galaxy, which posted a pair of impressive road victories last week to solidify its place atop the SBI MLS Power Rankings. The Columbus Crew remains the only other unbeaten team, but the Crew showed some vulnerability in its last-minute win vs. New England.
While LA and Columbus remain unbeaten, we saw the two remaining winless teams post victories last week as D.C. United and FC Dallas erased the zero from their win columns. Dallas did D.C. one better by beating D.C. at Pizza Hut Park last Saturday.
Now, without further delay, here are this week's SBI MLS Power Rankings:
SBI MLS POWER RANKINGS (Week 7)
1 (Last Week- 1). LOS ANGELES GALAXY (7-0-1)
Last Week- Beat Colorado Rapids, 1-0, on Wednesday, beat Seattle Sounders, 4-0, on Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Toronto FC on Saturday.
Outlook: Landon Donovan's best performance of the season helps cap a 2-0 road trip that gives the Galaxy a hammerlock on the West. The real test awaits when Donovan and Edson Buddle depart for national team camp.
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Last Week- Beat New England Revolution, 3-2, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Chivas USA on Saturday.
Outlook: Struggled to beat a short-handed New England side. As promising as it was to have Robbie Rogers score and Chad Marshall play 90 minutes, both players are now set to leave for national team camp. Chivas USA should provide a stern test at Crew Stadium.
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3 (6). SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (4-2)
Last Week- Beat New York Red Bulls, 4-0, on Saturday.
Next Week– at New England Revolution on Saturday.
Outlook: The Earthquakes were aided by the Red Bulls early red card, but still showed good quality in breaking down New York in the second half of their blowout. A match against a depleted New England side could help Frank Yallop's men move a step closer to matching last season's win total before June.
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4 (3). NEW YORK RED BULLS (5-2)
Last Week– Lost to San Jose Earthquakes, 4-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Seattle Sounders on Saturday.
Outlook: Hans Backe hasn't done much wrong since taking over, but his decision to start Luke Sassano proved costly when Sassano drew an early red card vs. the Earthquakes. New York actually played well down a man for about 25-30 minutes before eventually crumbling. They'll need to step it up against a struggling Seattle squad desperate for points.
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5 (4). HOUSTON DYNAMO (4-3-1)
Last Week- Lost to FC Dallas, 1-0, last Wednesday, Beat Chivas USA, 2-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– at Real Salt Lake tonight.
Outlook: Dropping points to Dallas had to be disappointing, but Dom Kinnear's men responded well with a good performance against Chivas USA on the road. Lovel Palmer continues to be a rock in midfield, while Brad Davis is stepping up just when the Dynamo needs him to.
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6 (10). REAL SALT LAKE (3-3-1)
Last Week- Beat Philadelphia Union, 3-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Houston Dynamo tonight.
Outlook: That sound you hear is RSL storming up the standings. One of the league's most gifted teams, Real Salt Lake has responded well to an easy patch in its schedule. Now comes a stiff challenge from the Dynamo. With Javier Morales back in the fold, the champions should continue to climb.
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7 (7). COLORADO RAPIDS (3-3-1)
Last Week- Lost to Los Angeles Galaxy, 1-0, last Wednesday.
Next Week– at D.C. United on Saturday.
Outlook: The Rapids' scoring woes continue with their third shutout loss in five matches. How a team with Omar Cummings and Conor Casey can struggle to score consistently is a bit perplexing. Claudio Lopez was supposed to help the attack, but he has yet to crack the starting lineup. A trip to D.C. once seemed like a good cure for a struggling offense, but United has allowed one goal in its past two matches.
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8 (11). CHIVAS USA (3-4-1)
Last Week- Beat New England, 4-0, last Wednesday, Lost to Houston Dynamo, 2-0, last Saturday.
Next Week- at Columbus Crew on Saturday.
Outlook: Fielding a rookie central midfield can sometimes lead to mistakes and mismatches, which we saw against Houston. Now Blair Gavin and Ben Zemanski will have to take on a tough Crew midfield. Sacha Kljestan will need to continue his recent strong form if the Rojiblancos will have any chance at Crew Stadium.
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9 (13). TORONTO FC (3-4)
Last Week- Beat Chicago Fire, 4-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– at Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.
Outlook: As much as the weather played a part in TFC's win vs. Chicago, Toronto still deserves credit for finishing chances and posting a shutout in awful weather conditions. Unfortunately for Preki's squad, a visit to face Los Angeles awaits, and having the league's worst road team take on the league's best team is never a good recipe.
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10 (5). KANSAS CITY WIZARDS (2-3-1)
Last Week- Lost to D.C. United, 2-1, last Wednesday.
Next Week- vs. Chicago Fire.
Outlook: The Wizards laid an egg in their loss to D.C., showing little life or creativity. A return home should do the trick, especially against a Fire team coming off a 4-0 lashing by TFC. Ryan Smith has fallen into a bit of a rut while Josh Wolff needs to step up and spark the attack.
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11 (14). FC DALLAS (2-1-4)
Last Week- Beat Houston Dynamo, 1-0, last Wednesday, beat D.C. United, 1-0, last Saturday.
Next Week- at Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
Outlook: Schellas Hyndman's squad was hovering under the radar for weeks, picking up draws here and there, but the two-win week serves notice that Dallas just might be ready to recapture the late-season form that pushed FCD to the brink of the playoffs last season.
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12 (8). CHICAGO FIRE (2-3-2)
Last Week– Lost to Toronto FC, 4-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– at Kansas City Wizards on Saturday.
Outlook: Sure, you can blame the loss on the terrible weather in Toronto, but the fact remains Chicago showed very little against an opponent that was supposed to be inferior. Now the Fire has to win in Kansas City, where the Wizards are unbeaten this season. Still waiting for off-season signings Collins John and Julio Martinez to make an impact.
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13 (9). SEATTLE SOUNDERS (2-3-3)
Last Week- Lost to Los Angeles Galaxy, 4-0, last Saturday.
Next Week- at New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Outlook: Refunding tickets after last week's awful loss to Los Angeles was a nice gesture, but it doesn't solve Sigi Schmid's problems. His defense is taking on water and the once-potent offense can't create enough chances. Things only get tougher against a New York team that is a perfect 3-0 at Red Bull Arena.
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14 (12). NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (2-5-1)
Last Week– Lost to Chivas USA, 4-0, last Wednesday, Lost to Columbus Crew, 3-2, last Saturday.
Next Week- vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Outlook: Injuries continue to mount, along with the losses, but it can't be denied that Steve Nicol's team put in a promising performance in a close loss to Columbus. Unfortunately for the Revs, help isn't on the way. It will take another effort like last Saturday's to take points from a surging San Jose.
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15 (15). PHILADELPHIA UNION (1-5)
Last Week– Lost to Real Salt Lake, 3-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. FC Dallas on Saturday.
Outlook: The Union will love coming home after a brutal road stretch. Unfortunately, a dangerous Dallas team awaits in a game that will be far from easy for a vulnerable Philly defense. Fans aren't the only ones counting the days until the transfer window opens. Peter Nowak must be as well.
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16 (16). D.C. UNITED (1-5)
Last Week- Beat Kansas City Wizards, 2-1, last Wednesday, Lost to FC Dallas, 1-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Colorado Rapids on Saturday.
Outlook: Curt Onalfo's squad is looking much better after posting its first win of the season. The loss to Dallas was a tough one, but being able to compete on the road is a positive step. Now it's up to the offense to show it can produce goals consistently. Is Danny Allsopp really ready to do the heavy lifting?
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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.
1. LA 2. CLB 3. SJ 4. RSL 5. NY 6. TFC 7. HOU 8. CO 9. SEA 10. CHI 11. FCD 12. KC 13. NE 14. CHV 15. DC 16. PHI
Fire played TERRIBLY. we deserve the rank we have. As you said, the weather cannot be blamed… Cold, rain, wind… sounds like chicago to me
I’m a DC fan, but I have to be realistic here: you have DC ranked too highly.
I look for Sounders to drop further as neither Sigi nor Hanauer can finish against Petke and Ream.
McBride is 37 years old. In sub duty he looks fine.
Justin Mapp has played well but recently suffered an injury on a dangerous tackle.
Patrick Nyarko, Marco Pappa, Baggio Husidic and Peter Lowry are all good young players on the rise. Which rated young players have fizzled with the Fire?
DC was due to win and won a game they really shouldnt have. Its a single place in power ranking. KC is also the only team to take a pt off Galaxy. Everything in the middle will switch around this weekend anyway.
Are you even looking at who FC Dallas has played?
They played and won a series against Houston. They tied Columbus. Their only loss was to your No. 4 team – one that both teams agreed NY probably should not have won.
But you have KC (who lost to DC!), TFC (really?), RSL, Chivas and Colorado ahead of them. Dallas played a tougher schedule than RSL and has essentially the same record.
Oh well. As the team rounds out, they will show themselves.
I’m not optimistic about SJ’s chances on NE’s plastic pitch.
not sold on SJ’s stadium or not sold on SJ ranked #3?
“Potential” is relative and hype is ubiquitous. And competing for a spot on a pro team is different from being the celebrated star of a youth or college team. This takes its tole on some people, exposes others… of course, I’m an accomplished footballer :p
Well soccer is about finishing chances, so I think having them down at 13 is pretty accurate. I don’t care if Seattle has 85% possession, they need to score goals to earn points.
I am down on Seattle right now, but looking at the starts put up by LA and Columbus last year, I think Seattle has plenty of time to recover.
Chicago are an enigma.
Brian McBride is bordering on Claudio Reyna 2.
What has happened to Justin Mapp?
(Why are so many good young players with great potential going nowhere or just completely fizzling?)
That’s exactly what I was thinking. Every time I see them play they create plenty of chances. They need someone who will finish those chances.
FCD could go in any direction. Based on recent results and points I would move them up considerably, but I am biased.
We have been in every game this season, only 5 teams have more points, and only 2 teams have fewer losses. But those 10 points are also good for a tie for 2nd-to-last in the West, we simply cannot score, and I think we are overly dependent on two players (Dav-eed and Pearce).
For FCD, like the rest of the league, the summer transfer window is going to be decisive in determining how the season turns out. Outgoing talent will upset a lot of teams, and there could be a big influx of DPs. This is a new world of summer transfers with the WC and the new DP rule.
My best bet, given FCD/HSG’s track record: Pearce leaves, and we don’t sign a DP or sign a trainwreck. That combination leaves us on the outside looking in, again.
They’ll be there seven so hold on to your hat!
FCD could be a threat! It’s pretty early but if I had to bet on a surprise playoff team in the West is could be them (wake up RSL, SSFC)
I’m still not sold on SJ.
RBNY will get better (relatively) when national team players leave for camps.
I would have put FC Dallas above the Wiz but other than that I think the rankings were pretty much right on. Should be interesting to see which teams are effected the most by the WC Camp. My guess is LA comes back to Earth but you never know with Bruce coaching.
At least FCD isn’t at the bottom
I haven’t heard when Eduardo & Alvarez will be back, but it doesn’t seem like we’ve been missing them too much. Alvarez has traditionally been used as a midfielder on the wing, but since Gjertsen has been doing so well it makes since to move Alvarez up front (where he plays better, see the Chicago game) and keep things mostly the way they are. I want to see how Eduardo does, I haven’t seen much so far since he’s constantly injured…
It’s been designed and approved, but construction hasn’t started. Planned to open in 2012.
It will be interesting to see what the Quakes can do on this 2 game road swing. I will be stoked even with 2 points, but I think 3-4 is very achievable.
Go Quakes!!!
its funny because Logan Pause got “Goal of the Week” in that game.
Give Brad Ring more playing time… he is the next big thing!
Seattle can create chances they just can’t ever finish them. If you look back at their games they have out shot their opponents but still manage to lose. Not counting the LA game of course.
Or they wanna go out with a bang…
But they’ve both probably mentally checked out and want to stay healthy for the camp.
Wondo is a sneaky player. It is crazy how many strikers SJ has. Glen, Sealy, Wondo, Johnson, Eduardo, and Alvarez. Anyone know when he will be back?
You forgot Pearce.
They report in on Monday.
No shutout in Toronto…
Go Quakes!!!
Convey is finally turining it on, Coralles is finding form, defense is playing well overall, and Wondo activated his offside-cloaking device to fool the linesman on 2 of his last 4 scores. Decent strikes though.
Serad: They just opened a team-owned, SS “Training Ground” near the spot where the Quakes hope to build a SSS “very soon”. Whatever that means.
How many MLS players will be leaving after this weekend for camp? 10ish?
LD, Buddle, Marshall, Rogers, Bornstein, Kljestan, Ching, Findley, Roger Espinoza, & Andrew Boyens.
Is that all, or am I missing someone?
Picks seem reasonable. Except for LA, NY, and CLB, there has been a lot of movement, going up or down three spots or more. It seems like consistent play in MLS is a bridge too far for most sides. Is that because of travel, rosters, or preparation?
I’m not saying the Fire are great right now or anything, but last week I think these rankings said they were on a hot streak and looking good, and just one game later they are “struggling badly”? And the score was 4-1, I believe, thanks for Logan….. Pause’s GOTW.
One can’t blame the weather, but it truly was atrocious, and I’d say the Fire outplayed TFC for long stretches of that match. Still a terrible result, but not panicking just yet. And I still love reading these rankings each week.
Small correction. Toronto didn’t shut out Chicago. Score was 4-1.
When do players have to report to US camp? Probably too much to hope that Donovan & Buddle miss the game on Saturday
Wow, SJ at 3…I guess that’s realistic considering their play of late. Anyone know when they’ll have their SSS done or if they’ll have one?