Photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com
The Los Angeles Galaxy strengthened its hold atop the SBI MLS Power Rankings with a victory over Superclasico rival Chivas USA, but it's another team from California that is starting to make some noise on its way up the table.
The San Jose Earthquakes climbed another three spots this week, making that a six-spot improvement over the last two weeks, from No. 17 to 11. The Quakes' victory over the New England Revolution extended their unbeaten streak to three games after an extended period of looking lost and out of sync.
There was not a whole lot of other change in the rankings, as Real Salt Lake and New York remained at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, while the bottom four teams also stayed put.
Here are this week's SBI MLS Power Rankings (as voted on by SBI staff):
SBI MLS POWER RANKINGS (WEEK 10)
1. (Last week – 1) LOS ANGELES GALAXY (6-2-5, 23 points)
Last week: Beat Chivas USA, 1-0, on Saturday.
This week: vs. Houston, 10:30 p.m., Wednesday; at New England, 8 p.m., Saturday, Galavision.
Outlook: The Galaxy maintained its dominance in the Superclasico rivlary, but the club will be without David Beckham for the midweek game against the Dynamo. The likes of Juninho and Michael Stephens will be called upon with Landon Donovan out for the Gold Cup, so they might as well get used to playing a bigger role on Wednedsay when they try to fill Beckham's creative void.
2. (2) REAL SALT LAKE (5-1-2, 17 points)
Last week: Tied FC Dallas, 0-0, on Saturday.
This week: vs. Seattle, 9 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: RSL finally got a point in Dallas and returns home to Rio Tinto to face a Seattle team that will be playing its third game in seven days. The club has still yet to score in the two games since Javier Morales' injury, though. Alvaro Saborio and Arturo Alvarez have already departed for Gold Cup duty, leaving Fabian Espindola with a big responsibility up top.
3. (3) NEW YORK RED BULLS (4-2-4, 16 points)
Last week: Tied Houston, 2-2, on Saturday.
This week: vs. Colorado, 8 p.m., Wednesday; at Vancouver, 5:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: Set-piece defending let the Red Bulls down in the final minutes against Houston, but Mehdi Ballouchy played the hero's role and grabbed the equalizer. He'll likely get a significant boost in minutes during the Gold Cup considering the team's absences, and he'll also look to play a role in the club's first match this week against his former team, Colorado.
4. (5) PORTLAND TIMBERS (5-3-2, 17 points)
Last week: Beat Columbus, 1-0, on Saturday.
This week: vs. D.C. United, 5 p.m., Sunday.
Outlook: Another set-piece goal for a centerback, another home win for the streaking Timbers. Portland turns its attention to another home match, this one with D.C. in a battle of teams that made one of the bigger trades of the offseason on Expansion Draft day. While Dax McCarty has been a constant starter in D.C.'s central midfield, Portland has seen a solid return on its acquisitions of Troy Perkins and Rodney Wallace.
5. (4) FC DALLAS (5-3-3, 18 points)
Last week: Tied Real Salt Lake, 0-0, on Sunday.
This week: at Seattle, 10 p.m., Wednesday; Houston, 8:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: Kevin Hartman's shutout streak is still alive, but FCD's nine-game home winning streak against Real Salt Lake is not after their weather-altered draw over the weekend. Two tough road matches are next on the docket, including a Texas derby during which FCD will try to prove that Houston is not, in fact, two times better than Dallas, as this billboard might have you believe.
6. (8) PHILADELPHIA UNION (5-3-2, 17 points)
Last week: Beat Chicago, 2-1, on Saturday.
This week: at Toronto FC, 12:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: The Union finally scored more than once in a game, thanks to Carlos Ruiz' super volley that defeated the Fire. Rookie Michael Farfan also got on the board with his first career goal and continues to play valuable minutes for Peter Nowak. Amobi Okugo exited with a high ankle sprain, but X-rays are negative, and the U.S. U-20 midfielder shouldn't have to miss too much time.
7. (6) SEATTLE SOUNDERS (4-3-5, 17 points)
Last week: Beat Sporting Kansas City, 1-0, on Saturday.
This week: vs. FC Dallas, 10 p.m., Wednesday; at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: Jeff Parke left it late with his first goal in seven years, but the Sounders probably expected a better performance at home against a defense as maligned as Kansas City's. If Seattle wishes to walk away with big points this week, it'll take better efforts against the two teams directly ahead of the Sounders in the conference standings.
8. (7) COLORADO RAPIDS (4-3-4, 16 points)
Last week: Tied Toronto FC, 0-0, on Sunday.
This week: at New York, 8 p.m., Wednesday; vs. Sporting Kansas City, 9 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: The Rapids will see both sides of the Eastern Conference spectrum this week, with a game at New York and then one at home against road-warrior and league cellar dweller SKC. Conor Casey's return from the injured list should provide a boost to an attack that has been lacking of late. He played an hour against TFC to get his feet wet again but should be ready to assume the leading role up top again.
9. (T-9) HOUSTON DYNAMO (3-3-5, 14 points)
Last week: Tied New York, 2-2, on Saturday.
This week: at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m., Wednesday; vs. FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: The Dynamo probably should have beaten the Red Bulls if not for some poor set-piece defending late in their match. The club will be thrilled that Brad Davis wasn't selected for the Gold Cup, considering his form in MLS thus far, and it'll look to the captain to deliver from the left even more in two tough games this week.
10. (T-9) CHIVAS USA (3-4-3, 12 points)
Last week: Lost to Los Angeles, 1-0, on Saturday.
This week: at Columbus, 7:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: The Goats followed up their win over New York with a loss to rival L.A., but they had their chances to pull even and couldn't deliver. Justin Braun had a tough time getting going on the heels of his hat trick against New York, and he faces another tough challenge in going head-to-head with Chad Marshall.
T-11. (14) SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (3-4-3, 12 points)
Last week: Beat New England, 2-1, on Saturday.
This week: at Chicago, 8:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: The Earthquakes continue to rise up the charts after another victory. Gold Cup-bound forward Chris Wondolowski set up the first goal against the Revolution, but more importantly, Bobby Convey got involved and scored the game-winner. The Quakes are at their best when Convey is influential, and he'll look to continue his run of form at Toyota Park.
T-11. (11) COLUMBUS CREW (3-3-4, 13 points)
Last week: Lost to Portland, 1-0, on Saturday.
This week: vs. Chivas USA, 7:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: Columbus left Portland with a sour taste in its mouth after former Crew defender Eric Brunner scored the game-winner. The club definitely left some points on the table at Jeld-Wen Field and returns home to face another former Crew defender — Chivas coach Robin Fraser.
T-13. (12) NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (3-4-4, 13 points)
Last week: Lost to San Jose, 2-1, on Saturday.
This week: vs. Los Angeles, 8 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: The Revs have a big test ahead as they welcome the league-leading Galaxy to Gillette Stadium. With Benny Feilhaber and Shalrie Joseph leaving the club for the Gold Cup, New England will want to maximize the games for which they're still around.
T-13. (13) D.C. UNITED (3-4-3, 12 points)
Last week: Idle.
This week: At Portland, 5 p.m., Sunday.
Outlook: D.C. spent its bye week tussling with Ajax, and a number of players did well against the European power, including rookie Perry Kitchen. He started at central midfield in the friendly and could be an option there going forward. Charlie Davies and Josh Wolff are both doubtful for this weekend's game, coach Ben Olsen said on Sunday.
15. (15) TORONTO FC (2-4-6, 12 points)
Last week: Tied Colorado, 0-0, on Sunday.
This week: vs. Philadelphia, 12:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: TFC eked out a point against the Rapids and would surprisingly be right in the middle of the hunt in the Eastern Conference with a win over the Union. Philadelphia is just 1-3-0 on the road this season, and if TFC can beat Vancouver in their midweek Canadian championship final, the club could enter the weekend with plenty of momentum.
16. (16) CHICAGO FIRE (1-4-5, 8 points)
Last week: Lost to Philadelphia, 2-1, on Saturday.
This week: vs. San Jose, 8:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: The Fire hasn't won in eight games, and its four-match draw streak is a thing of the past. After Jon Conway's performance against Philadelphia, will Carlos de los Cobos turn back to Sean Johnson in goal?
17. (17) VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (1-5-5, 8 points)
Last week: Idle.
This week: vs. New York, 5:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: The Whitecaps are rested, but they'll face Toronto FC in a high-pressure midweek Canadian championship final before welcoming the Red Bulls to Empire Field. Their performance on Saturday could easily be dictated by the outcome of Wednesday's second leg at BMO Field, where a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League is on the line.
18. (18) SPORTING KANSAS CITY (1-6-1, 4 points)
Last week: Lost to Seattle, 1-0, on Saturday.
This week: at Colorado, 9 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: Ouch. After putting forth a gritty effort at Qwest Field and being just moments away from the club's first clean sheet of the season, SKC succumbed to Parke's header and extended its winless streak to seven games. Two more road games remain before the club finally has a home game.
Replying late… I meant he doesn’t seem to be able to play more than one competitive match per week. I’ll be surprised if Beckham goes anywhere near the full 90′ for Galaxy this weekend. If he does, I’ll admit I was wrong.
Good luck in the fight against Cancer. I hope all goes well. Many blessings to them.
Sporting KC FIRST HOME GAME IS TONIGHT- against the New England Revolution in the US OPEN cup.
Then San Jose and Chicago play twice this week. Wednesday in the US OPEN Cup and then for the MLS regular season game on the weekend.
Good luck Pizza Hut
COL: Omar Cummings reping JAMAICA as well
And the manager will probably score a few goals.
it will after tomorrow
This isnt standings, this is as much about form as wins, and clearly the win v KC was nothing to brag about. Given the injury situation I’d say they’re fortunate to be as high as they are.
RSL is going to be depleted by GC call-ups. Our forward options are very thin with Saborio, Alavarez joining their respective countries, Will Johnson loss i huge in the midfield and part of me wants Rimando to get cut from the US GC team. Top it off with Javi’s injury… oh and Paulo Jr is still hurt as well as a few others. the manager is going to have to play this summer.
All of the above, but NY is still quality. They may miss Angel more than they expected, especially with Henry’s spotty injury record.
Re Dynamo – Not necessarily. They can slide Cameron back to CB (where he was a MLS All Star a couple of years back) to replace Heinault (who is himself having an All Star caliber year) and use Koke more as an attacking MF (which is his more natural position) With any luck he could be some approximation of when DeRo roamed the Dynamo midfield. What the Dynamo really need is for Ching and Cruz to get healthy. Had they been available against NY last weekend, NY wouldn’t have equalized b/c the gap at the end of the game would have been more than 1 goal.
Vancouver should be higher…And thanks MLS goons…RSL and FCD cant even score anymore!
…before that I see Seattle getting their a** torn by Dallas with George John scoring 2 with Big K.R.I.T /Adels “hometown hero” playing over the PA
Glad winning (albeit in unimpressive fashion) makes my sounders fall. That makes perfect sense
If you’re looking for a ranking of teams by points, I believe the league table should suffice. Are you looking for an exact replica disregarding all other criteria in Power Rankings?
I’ve got Tim Ream, Landon Donovan, Juan Agudelo, Chris Wondolowski, and Will Johnson all on my fantasy team. Does this mean that I shouldn’t start them for any matches this weekend? Will Landon, Juan and Tim be available for their matches tomorrow?
I dont get LA leading all the Power Rankings.
Salt Lake has FIVE games in hand
AND
they are playing better than LA
AND
they beat LA.
I guess it was because they squeeked by LA 4-1 ?
Well they are ranked higher than teams with more points than them.
It’s definitely an exhibition match, but Wayne Rooney doesn’t have a gear other than full speed. I can’t imagine the fallout if he got injured before the Champion’s League Final.
Sorry to all for getting entirely off topic.
Go Crew!
lol.. you are so jealous japa… over rated roster??? we have so many call ups… 2 of the best prospects for the US, one for mexico, one for jamaica, and one for canada… Our team is the matriarch for the league
I think people maybe miss the bigger picture on Beckham. He’s an injury prone, semi-retired old player. He can’t play more than one game per week. But he still has his moments and Galaxy don’t want to burn him out before playoffs. The royal wedding and the Neville testimonial are just excuses for an old player who needs additional rest.
Nice to see a DCU supporter who can type.
Having watched Portland-Columbus last week I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Crew improve as the season goes along. They’re a big physical team and showed some ability in the air, but what they need is some additional quality in the attacking third. So far it’s just Renteria and maybe Mendoza if he can get his head on straight (curly hair man was also active Saturday). If the Crew can get someone during the summer transfer window I wouldn’t be surprised to see them in the Top 3 of the east.
SBI,
What? No running commentary for the ManU-Juventus / Gary Neville Testimonial Match? Just kidding, but sitting here on the wrong side of the world watching the pre-match festivities. Announcers actually seemed surprised and made the comment about Becks “Wow, he really looks fit.”
NY Red Bulls
Overrated Team, Fanbase, or Roster, or all of the above.
only word that stands out “If”
I see Seattle going on a tear next month. dynamo may have a weaker defense than Chicago following the Gold Cup departures.
Getting back to the rankings, compare the rest of the road records for all teams, and KC isn’t in that bad a spot considering they haven’t played at home yet. Only three other wins for the East on the road TOTAL, so the whole conference sucks away from home. If KC can build a home field advantage like Portland and RSL have, look out for them in August when they have 9 straight at home. They will be climbing over the rest of the east when they are wilting in the summer heat. KC just decided to get their normal summer slump overwith at the beginning of the season this year, which is good since they are all road games.
Ah that’s right. He’s a big one too (maybe not so much from a stature perspective).
RSL will be missing Will Johnson as well
RBNY is 5. You forgot Richards for Jamaica
Thanks for the Supporters Sheild Bradley!
-FC Dallas and the boys
Breakdown of Players Missing for Gold Cup by Team:
RBNY – 4 (Rosario, Marquez, Ream, Agudelo)
Houston – 3 (Hainault, Taylor, Watson)
RSL – 3 (Alvarez, Saborio, Rimando)
Sporting KC – 3 (Auvray, Espinoza, Thomas)
Toronto FC – 2 (De Guzman, D. Williams)
NE Revs – 2 (Joseph, Feilhaber)
SJ Earthquakes – 2 (R. Johnson, Wondolowski)
LA Galaxy – 2 (Donovan, Ricketts)
DCU – 1 (Jakovic)
Portland – 1 (Purdy)
Chicago Fire – 1 (Pappa)
Philly Union – 1 (Ruiz)
Colorado Rapids – 1 (Marshall)
Columbus Crew – 1 (Rogers)
Vancouver – 0
Chivas USA – 0
Seattle – 0
FC Dallas – 0
RE: Alvaro Saborio
Left for Gold Cup a few days ago, already missed his chance.
You can see an Ultras banner in the background of that photo in support of Matt Luzunaris and his girlfriend Austen Everett who is battling lymphoma. It’s a very touching story that is worth reading about: http://www.mercurynews.com/earthquakes/ci_18034945