Everyone expecting the Philadelphia Union to revert back to the mean is in for a rude awakening. Just ask the New York Red Bulls.
In its second season as a franchise, the Union has the look of a winner after gutting out a home result against New York, maintaining its spot atop the Eastern Conference standings and climbing into the top three of the SBI MLS Power Rankings.
Perched at the top of the rankings, Real Salt Lake doesn't seem to be going anywhere after a convincing win over New England turned in by its reserves. Meanwhile, FC Dallas is back on the rise after a thrashing of its 2010 MLS Cup adversary, previously unbeaten Colorado.
Here are this week's SBI MLS Power Rankings (as voted on by SBI staff):
SBI MLS POWER RANKINGS (WEEK 4)
1. (Last week – 1) REAL SALT LAKE (3-0-0)
Last week: Beat New England, 2-0, on Saturday.
This week: vs. Colorado, 9 p.m., Wednesday.
Outlook: RSL can do no wrong. Fielding a reserve-heavy lineup, the CONCACAF Champions League finalists went into Gillette Stadium and smacked around the previously unbeaten Revolution. Collen Warner, Paulo Jr. and Chris Schuler stood out while given the chance to start, and Kyle Reynish earned the clean sheet in place of Nick Rimando. Up next: A Rocky Mountain Cup rivalry match with Colorado, which was shorthanded but exposed nonetheless by FC Dallas on Friday.
2. (4) LOS ANGELES GALAXY (2-1-2)
Last week: Tied D.C. United, 1-1, on Saturday.
This week: at Toronto FC, 8 p.m., Wednesday; at Chicago, 4 p.m., Sunday, Telefutura.
Outlook: Without Landon Donovan, the Galaxy didn't have the most fruitful attack but still did enough to earn a result against United. That is, until Charlie Davies drew a controversial PK on Omar Gonzalez and salvaged the draw. Road points in MLS aren't the easiest to come by, but the Galaxy will need to make up for lost points in its two road matches this week to avoid falling even further behind RSL in the West.
3. (6) PHILADELPHIA UNION (3-1-0)
Last week: Beat New York, 1-0, on Saturday.
This week: vs. Seattle, 4 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: Say what you'd like about the possession/chances disparity between the Red Bulls and the Union, but Philadelphia found a way to win and cashed in on a pretty bad error by the normally sure-footed Tim Ream. After four consecutive 1-0 results (odd, right?), the Union must play down the hype and turn its attention to suddenly streaking Seattle, which seems to have found its offensive roadmap.
4. (2) COLORADO RAPIDS (3-1-0)
Last week: Lost to FC Dallas, 3-0, on Friday.
This week: at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m., Wednesday.
Outlook: Without Pablo Mastroeni and Conor Casey, the Rapids struggled to maintain its early-season form. David Ferreira carved up the Colorado midfield, and he and Fabian Castillo had too much speed and creativity for the back line to handle. Considering the forms of the two teams, we figured the MLS Cup rematch might be a one-sided affair — just the other way around. The Rapids could struggle again unless Mastroeni returns to combat the RSL attack.
5. (3) NEW YORK RED BULLS (1-1-2)
Last week: Lost to Philadelphia, 1-0, on Saturday.
This week: vs. San Jose, 7:30 p.m, Saturday.
Outlook: It's a long season, but that loss to the Union certainly put a damper on the enthusiasm surrounding Hans Backe's star-studded roster. Granted, Juan Agudelo hit the post twice, and New York was the better side by all metrics other than the scoreboard; however, in the end, the scoreboard is all that matters. There's no rest for the weary, as the Red Bulls have to figure out how to finish their chances against the team that knocked them out of the postseason last year.
6. (5) SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (1-1-2)
Last week: Tied Toronto FC, 1-1, on Saturday.
This week: at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: Drawing TFC at home can only be seen as a disappointment, but the continued emergence of Simon Dawkins is a big plus as the Earthquakes prepare for a 2010 playoff rematch against the Red Bulls. The potential Ike Opara-Juan Agudelo/Tim Ream-Chris Wondolowski matchups should entice USMNT fans.
7. (T-12) SEATTLE SOUNDERS (1-2-2)
Last week: Beat Chicago, 2-1, on Saturday.
This week: at Philadelphia, 4 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: Mauro Rosales is certainly going to give Sigi Schmid something to think about if/when Fredy Montero is ready to return. In his second game playing a major role, the veteran Argentine was a standout performer and the Sounders' attack was better off for it. With two goals in each of their last two games, the Sounders are on a roll but face one of the league's stingier defenses in one of the more anticipated matchups of the week.
8. (15) FC DALLAS (1-2-1)
Last week: Beat Colorado, 3-0, on Friday.
This week: at Portland, 6 p.m., Sunday.
Outlook: Now that's the FC Dallas team that came so close to winning MLS Cup. Against the Rapids, Ferreira looked every bit like the MVP he was last season, other attackers took pressure off of him and allowed him to operate in space, and the defense — led by Ugo Ihemelu and George John — rendered Omar Cummings irrelevant. Now let's see if FCD can build on its best performance of the season.
9. (14) HOUSTON DYNAMO (1-1-2)
Last week: Beat Vancouver, 3-1, on Sunday.
This week: vs. New England, 7 p.m., Sunday.
Outlook: The Dynamo turned in a pretty complete performance to win its first match of the season and now gets the Revolution at the right time — with Shalrie Joseph unavailable due to suspension. Perhaps the most encouraging item to come from the win over Vancovuer was that the team posted three goals with Brian Ching unavailable due to his rib injury.
10. (9) VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (1-2-2)
Last week: Lost to Houston, 3-1, on Sunday.
This week: vs. Chivas USA, 7 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: Health is starting to become a factor for the Whitecaps, who have Jay DeMerit and Terry Dunfield on the shelf. In a positive development, though, Omar Salgado made his MLS debut in the waning minutes of the Houston loss. If Eric "The Red" Hassli can go a game without getting ejected and Davide Chiumiento can stay fit, we might finally see the Whitecaps' attack at full strength. Salgado potentially taking on Chivas is a tasty storyline heading into Week 5.
11. (7) NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (1-1-2)
Last week: Lost to Real Salt Lake, 2-0, on Saturday.
This week: at Houston, 7 p.m., Sunday.
Outlook: Yes, the Revolution was a bit short-handed, and yes, the team had just played in Vancouver a few days earlier. But there's no excuse for the egg the team laid at home against a reserve-laden Real Salt Lake side. It's not so much the result itself as much as it is how the result was achieved. RSL's reserves dominated for 90 minutes. Now the Revolution will be without Joseph (red card) for the weekend's match against a Houston team that's starting to find itself.
12. (10) SPORTING KANSAS CITY (1-1-1)
Last week: Idle.
This week: at Columbus, 7:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: Did Kansas City sort out its defensive issues during its bye week? Playing the Crew is a good way to take a step in the right defensive direction, as Columbus has managed just three goals (two PKs) in four matches. Omar Bravo will be out for the next month or so with a sports hernia, giving more responsibility to able-bodied rookie C.J. Sapong, who should continue to see prime minutes.
13. (8) CHICAGO FIRE (1-1-1)
Last week: Lost to Seattle, 2-1, on Saturday.
This week: at Portland, 11 p.m., Thursday, ESPN2/ESPN Deportes; vs. Los Angeles, 4 p.m., Sunday, Telefutura
Outlook: Despite Diego Chaves finding the net for the third straight match, the Fire was put out by Kasey Keller over the weekend, and the club is in the unenviable position of being the away team at Portland's home opener. If that wasn't tough enough, Chicago has to turn around three days later and host the Galaxy in Sunday's early game. Both matches are on national TV, too, so whatever the Fire does, for better or for worse, will be magnified because of the exposure.
14. (11) D.C. UNITED (1-2-1)
Last week: Tied Los Angeles, 1-1, on Saturday.
This week: at Toronto FC, 7 p.m., Saturday, Fox Soccer Channel.
Outlook: D.C. was pretty fortunate to escape Saturday's match with a point, but give United credit for managing to rescue the point while down a man. As the red-carded Santino Quaranta said after the match, it's not a result the team would have gotten last season. United will try to replicate its victory over TFC at BMO Field from last season this weekend.
15. (T-12) COLUMBUS CREW (1-1-2)
Last week: Tied Chivas USA, 0-0, on Saturday.
This week: vs. Sporting Kansas City, 7:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: On the plus side, the Crew's defense turned in its third consecutive clean sheet. On the down side, the team's offensive woes continue. Something will likely give one way or another this weekend, as the Crew takes on SKC, which is scoring and yielding more than two goals per game (highest in the league for both).
16. (16) TORONTO FC (1-1-2)
Last week: Tied San Jose, 1-1, on Saturday.
This week: vs. Los Angeles, 8 p.m., Wednesday; vs. D.C. United, 7 p.m., Saturday, Fox Soccer Channel.
Outlook: Coming up with a tie at San Jose is an impressive result for a team in flux, and new additions Tony Tchani and Danleigh Borman seem to be fitting in just fine in their new-found starting roles. TFC welcomes two home challenges this week, and we should know a bit more about where Aron Winter's team really stands after tough matches with L.A. and D.C.
17. (17) CHIVAS USA (0-2-2)
Last week: Tied Columbus, 0-0, on Saturday.
This week: at Vancouver, 7 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: Robin Fraser looks to have worked out some of the kinks on the defensive end, but Vancouver's attack will put that to the test at what is sure to be a raucous Empire Field Saturday night. The lack of goals for the Goats is still troubling.
18. (18) PORTLAND TIMBERS (0-2-1)
Last week: Idle.
This week: vs. Chicago, 11:30 p.m., Thursday, ESPN2/ESPN Deportes; vs. FC Dallas, 6 p.m., Sunday.
Outlook: Still in search of their first win, the Timbers will open the doors (and windows) to JELD-WEN Field for the first and second times in what should be a pair of memorable nights in the Rose City. Portland had a week to rest while building off the momentum of its road draw against the Revolution, and Darlington Nagbe used the break to score in a friendly against Oregon State University.
Portland at 18 is generous
Seems strange Ives, everyone (media) was claiming this would be an impossible feat for Toronto to get points in San Jose. You also has SJ at fifth in your “Power Rankings”, would this not be considered a good team??
(SBI-It’s MLS, a bad team can tie a good team on any given day. Trying to use one draw as an example of why Toronto FC is much better than they’re being ranked seems a bit flimsy to me. I watched the game and San Jose controlled the action for much of the match. Not sure where this grand TFC performance came that someone mentioned earlier. San Jose had much more of the ball and more chances. If Toronto had won in San Jose or had actually outplayed San Jose then I could see an argument being made, but save for a few flashes I didn’t see all that much from Toronto in that match.
FCD will be back in the top 3 (where they belong) within 3 weeks
With this on ESPN2, it will be hosted on ESPN3 for who knows how long because you can still catch games from last September there.
BS Davies dive made me lose all respect for him.
As for NY it’s time for Henry to step up and take the team on his shoulders
This is futbol not the Masters.
I’d advise you to DVR it. That’s what I’m doing.
Misogyny -1
Total: -3
Very Bill Simmons comment.
+1
Yep. Also a journalist and not particularly prone to confirmation bias. I suspect they’re wrong. Not sure, but suspect, particularly if you rank San Jose that high.
It’s the first time TFC has played a proper system and it’s starting to show.
(SBI-Jeremy, your prone to pro-TFC/Canada bias. That much as been clear for years, and let’s face it. How many MLS games have you watched this year that didn’t involve TFC? More to the point, would you say it’s fair to say that you’ve watched much more of TFC than all other teams in MLS. Also, would it be a stretch to say that the bar has been set low for you in terms of expectations for Toronto? You’ve said it yourself. The team is playing a system finally, so you’re measuring TFC based on past ineptitude rather than current quality.
And you being a (non-soccer) reporter doesn’t somehow make you more of an authority than any other fan who weren’t a news reporter.
These are a collective ranking based on rankings of multiple staffers, including myself. They’re not my specific rankings, but I really don’t think having TFC ranked 16th is some great crime. Toronto’s draw at San Jose was respectable, but the collective performance hasn’t been all that impressive, especially considering the schedule (relatively weak to date).
Do I think Toronto FC could wind up being better than some thought they’d be? That’s possible, and I’m a guy who has Stefanovic and Martina on his fantasy team, but as of right now, based on the body of work to date, TFC hasn’t really done all that much to differentiate itself from the four or five teams above it in the rankings.
In the end, rankings are always going to be subjective, but when a collective of five voters, including voters from around the country, comes up with a similar conclusion I’m inclined to believe the rankings aren’t THAT far off.)
SBI, DCU has a draw against LA and you move LA up 2 spots to No. 2 and drop DCU three spots to No. 14. Could you explain what considerations went into your analysis? Otherwise, it looks like getting a draw against one of the strongest teams leads to a drop in DCU’s ranking, while getting a draw against one of the weaker teams in your rankings gets LA moved up. Is it just “tough to play on the road” factor or is there more to it?
It’s easier to look good at home than it is on the road.
Take away their home games, and Vancouver are 0-2 and have only scored one goal–just like Portland in their first two road games.
And no, not a Portland fan; I just think Vancouver is in for a reality check and that judging a team before you’ve seen their home form is premature. Remember: if Portland win their home opener, they’ll be one point behind Vancouver with a game in hand and a tougher schedule played to date.
Attempt at humor: -1
Main idea of post: -1
Total: -2
Indeed
Agreed…Ives, I have clearly respected your work way to much before. Obviously TFC’s three game unbeaten streak isn’t enough to move them up the rankings to you…keep in mind there are 3 teams with worse records then Toronto ahead in power rankings and TFC istied for second in most goals scored in the east!!
(SBI-Interesting first comment for you. The power rankings aren’t based purely on standings, because let’s face it, not everyone has played the same schedule. If you want to look at standings then you go look at the MLS standings. These rankings are a collective measure of how the SBI writing staff thinks MLS teams stack up right now.
Toronto has improved on the disastrous first match, but until TFC beats a good team I don’t think people will forget that game or exclude it from ranking considerations.)
yep, now im starting to relish that nonsense. I hope it continues even if we start to win games.
Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but everyone involved with the team seems to refer to it as “RSL” now.
LA at 2? 2 wins in 5 matches.
Even with the bad loss the weekend, I think the Rapids still should be ahead of them.
I was at the game the weather sucked and as far as I could tell revs sucked or maybe rsl is really that good. one tidbit off the ball (i havent watched on tv yet) the first time revs went up the field an rsl player tripped sharlie as he was making a run. its hard to say if he would have made a difference (in the build up) but it was right in front of ref. it was totally flagrant and should have been straight red.
LOL, post of the day.
Guts to get a 1-0 win. Really? If it wasn’t for Ream’s boneheaded pass, it would have been a scoreless game. NY is still the better team despite the loss.
I do have to give props to Mondragon. His presence in goal at age 60 is amazing.
Terrible – everyone is ranked way too high! RSL should be ranked 5 or 6 AT BEST and the rest of the league should be below them…come on, get it together…
You will want to watch this one.
I meant Vancouver is too high
I’m going to use the hot and ugly girl analogy. At the moment, there’s only one really good looking girl everybody wants to go out with (RSL). They beat NE with a bunch of reserves! Pathetic for MLS and NE.
Then you have the girls who are kind of hot but they need to get their $#!% straight (LA, NY, FCD, CO). Lose the braces and glasses and maybe you’ll be better looking.
Then you have all the ugly girls (rest of MLS). Go home and eat some ice cream and cry you bunch of pansies. Learn to play some futbol before you come back again.
Yeah I have a lot of problems with these rankings- I’d say Philly is too high, Chicago is too low (would you have dropped the Red Bulls that far for losing at Seattle and outplaying them for stretches?), and Vancouver is too low. Oh, and KC is not that good.
Move to the West Coast. Catch all games prior to midnight.
I know, that’s not a solution. However, blame ESPN. Not MLS or Portland.
what game were you watching? obviously not any of the previous three played by the union. they played a perfect gameplan of sit and counter against a talented new york team. The union had the exact same number of chances as Red Bull, granted Agudelo’s chances hit the post. Califf missed a sitter in the first half and then condoul almost put one in his own net after le toux sent a teasing ball across the six in the first minute of the second half. Look at the formation the Union play, 4-2-2-2. Essentially six defenders on the field. They gladly yield possession because teams can’t break them down in the final third. Keep hating, but as a former player and current high school coach, it takes a TEAM and guts to get 1-0 wins. It ain’t pretty, but TOP OF THE TABLE is where it has put the U.
“They barely chained 2 passes together all game”.
That may be true, but they also managed to not pass it directly to the other team in front of goal. Stop complaining.
TFC continue to suffer from “we don’t know any of these guys” status among the power pollers this week, I see.
This team is better than it’s being portrayed here.
(SBI-Jeremy, everyone watches games so the whole “Nobody has seen Toronto play” theory is weak. Just because people don’t rate TFC as well as you do doesn’t mean THEY are wrong. Aren’t you a TFC fan after all?)
I hope he meant “of this season.”
People were always making too big a deal of it, but certainly now they are living up to the name.
I watched the NY vs Philly game and thought the same thing. Redbulls looked like the better team BY FAR.
Suddenly the name Real Salt Lake doesn’t seem nearly as forced and lame when they are the class of the league.
Wow Ives, between the power rankings and the article on foxsoccer, you really are making too much of Philly’s win over the weekend. Having witnessed the game in person, I can truly say that the Union were absolutely awful. They barely chained 2 passes together all game. Yes, it’s ulimately results that matter, but I don’t expect the Union to continue to win against good teams with that sort of performance once the better teams in the league (Red Bulls included) start to click. On the Red Bulls front, I will say though that Henry has been disgraceful. He’s barely broken a sweat all season. Backe also needs to absorb some of the blame for the team’s failings in the attacking third.
Okay, but the standings are based on what has happened so far.
If / when Portland starts winning at home, they would obviously rise in the power rankings. But that has to actually happen first.
There is nothing controversial about Charlie’s dive!
Because we have watched them play and Vancouver is better ?
If Vancouver keeps giving up 2 goals a game, they might be in trouble. But Portland doesn’t look good on D AND they can’t score.
You seem like a PDX fan.
Good luck….from a Sounder’s fan 😉
surprised to see Chicago drop from 8 to 13 just because of a 2-1 loss AT Seattle. We beat Kansas City who is above us, New England looks terrible and Vancouver not much better. Oh well though hopefully we beat Portland and then a big game on Sunday against LA!
Seattle needs grass… can’t be playing games on that carpet.
I know it’s nit-picking, Avi, but Kyle Reynish actually posted his first clean sheet last year @ Seattle.
Why is everyone jumping to the conclusion that Vancouver (#10, #9 last week) is so much better than Portland (#18)?
Remember, Portland have yet to play at home. Yes, they only have one point from their three road games so far, but then again Vancouver have yet to earn a point on the road. The difference in the standings is entirely due to points Vancouver earned at home, which Portland hasn’t had the chance to replicate yet.
You can’t even point to those multi-goal scoring festivals to differentiate the clubs, because again, they only happen at home. Vancouver has not yet scored more than one goal in any road game.
And yet, even with that advantage, the Whitecaps only have one win–against Toronto, at home, in their franchise opener. The Kansas City home draw may have “felt like a win,” but it’s still one point at home.
I suspect these two teams will end the season a lot closer than eight spots apart. And I suspect both will be closer to 18 than they are to 10.
That Thursday MLS game, while i’m eager to watch it, unfortunately due to how late its on at, I can only catch about 30 minutes. Shame. Put it on at 10PM and i’ll watch the whole thing.. 11:30?!
Dave, I don’t know about needing more creativity from those guys… The Quakes created scoring opportunities against TFC, they just didn’t put them in the back of the net. The Quakes issue is not creating opportunities, it’s putting the ball in the back of the net. But I do agree that getting a tie at home against TFC is not good enough.
I’d have to agree. Moreso than anything I want them to win CCL so Ic an see them in the FIFA Club tournament. Very interested to see how they shape up against other teams.
It’s very nice to have RSL deliver on the road…Those first several years were so futile and painful….
It was good for SKC, but this is MLS power rankings. DCU knocked off Philly midweek too, didn’t have much of an impact on either team’s MLS play as far as I can see.
Ratings be based on league play.
SKC puts up a scoreless 120 in the U.S. Open Cup and they drop two spots?
As a San Jose homer, I’ll be the first to suggest that you drop San Jose down to #8, #9 or #10. We’re unbeaten in 3, but we’re winless in 3 at home. Tying Toronto at home is NOT good enough. Still need more creativity/ideas from Ryan Johnson/Bobby Convey/Kaari Stephenson and still need better finishing from Wondo. Very hopeful that Lenhart will make a big difference so we can re-arrange around Yallops preferred 4-3-3.
I think it says a lot for just how good RSL will be this year that they were able to post a 2-0 win on the road with most of their starters on the bench. Right now they are playing at a notch higher than the rest of the league.