Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com
For the first time all season, there's a change at the top of the SBI MLS Power Rankings.
The Los Angeles Galaxy has snatched the top spot from Western Conference rival Real Salt Lake after a convincing win on Saturday night made L.A. the first to reach 20 points this season.
Another riser from the Western Conference is FC Dallas, which won twice this past week to climb all the way to No. 4.
The Galaxy's victim this weekend, Sporting Kansas City, finds itself in the cellar, while the Galaxy's rival and next opponent, Chivas USA, made its way into the top 10 after an impressive road victory over the New York Red Bulls.
Here are this week's SBI MLS Power Rankings (as voted on by SBI staff):
SBI MLS POWER RANKINGS (WEEK 9)
1. (Last week – 3) LOS ANGELES GALAXY (5-2-5, 20 points)
Last week: Tied Philadelphia, 1-1, on Wednesday; Beat Sporting Kansas City, 4-1, on Saturday.
This week: at Chivas USA, 10 p.m., Saturday, ESPN2/ESPN Deportes.
Outlook: The team's three Designated Players all got on the board against SKC, and Bruce Arena's decision to sit David Beckham for its midweek game at Philadephia looked to pay off. With L.A. and Chivas both coming off nice victories, this weekend's Superclasico is all the more intriguing.
2. (1) REAL SALT LAKE (5-1-1, 16 points)
Last week: Tied Houston, 0-0, on Saturday.
This week: at FC Dallas, 7 p.m., Sunday.
Outlook: It's tough to drop Salt Lake when it didn't lose, but the team's overall form has been under par (by its own high standard) since its CONCACAF Champions League bid ended and while the team copes without Javier Morales. There would be no better way for RSL to get back on track than by defeating the team that knocked it out of the playoffs a season ago.
3. (2) NEW YORK RED BULLS (4-2-3, 15 points)
Last week: Lost to Chivas USA, 3-2, on Saturday.
This week: at Houston, 8:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: Blame it on the midweek friendly against the Montreal Impact, blame it on the set pieces. Either way, the Red Bulls' loss at home to Chivas was pretty unexpected, especially the manner in which it happened. On the plus side, Dwayne De Rosario opened his account with the team and Thierry Henry scored yet again.
4. (9) FC DALLAS (5-3-2, 17 points)
Last week: Beat Toronto FC, 1-0, on Wednesday; Beat Philadelphia, 2-0, on Saturday.
This week: vs. Real Salt Lake, 7 p.m., Sunday.
Outlook: Kevin Hartman is in the zone. In the midst of another one of his trademark shutout streaks, the FC Dallas goalkeeper is at the heart of the team's latest run of form. Fabian Castillo and Brek Shea, he of the recent contract extension, are stepping up in David Ferreira's absence as well, as the Red Stripes seem to have found their way.
5. (5) PORTLAND TIMBERS (4-3-2, 14 points)
Last week: Tied Seattle, 1-1, on Saturday.
This week: vs. Columbus, 11 p.m., Saturday
Outlook: The Timbers showed nice resolve in coming back to take a point at the home of their hated rivals. The team's execution on set pieces continues to be paramount to its success, and centerback Futty Danso is looking like one of the nicer finds of the season so far. Next up: a game at JELD-WEN Field, where the Timbers are 4-0.
6. (7) SEATTLE SOUNDERS (3-3-5, 14 points)
Last week: Tied Portland, 1-1, on Saturday.
This week: vs. Sporting Kansas City, 10 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: The Sounders have to be kicking themselves for letting the Timbers come back and force a draw on a goal that Kasey Keller probably should have prevented. The injuries keep piling up, but facing the league's leakiest defense at Qwest Field is next on the docket.
7. (6) COLORADO RAPIDS (4-3-3, 15 points)
Last week: Tied D.C., 1-1, on Saturday.
This week: vs. Toronto FC, 7 p.m., Sunday.
Outlook: Another team plagued by injuries, the Rapids are hanging tough. They were a bit unfortunate to have left D.C. with just a draw after an extremely questionable penalty call yielded United the equalizer, but five points off a three-game road swing is a pretty decent haul.
8. (4) PHILADELPHIA UNION (4-3-2, 14 points)
Last week: Tied Los Angeles, 1-1, on Wednesday; Lost to FC Dallas, 2-0, on Saturday.
This week: vs. Chicago, 8 p.m., Saturday, Galavision.
Outlook: The Union gets a bit of an unfair shake, tumbling four spots after conceding more than one goal in a match for the first time all season. Philadelphia hasn't scored more than one goal in a match all season either, and it hasn't won in three matches. The Union returns to the friendly confines of PPL Park, though, where it hasn't lost all season and faces a Fire team ripe for the picking.
T-9. (10) HOUSTON DYNAMO (3-3-4, 13 points)
Last week: Tied Real Salt Lake, 0-0, on Saturday.
This week: vs. New York, 8:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: After securing a point at RSL's fortress, the Dynamo turns its attention to its second meeting with the Red Bulls in seven weeks. The Corey Ashe-at-left-back experiment started against New York, and Ashe will again be a key part of Houston's gameplan against the Red Bulls, who love to attack that side of the field with Jan Gunnar Solli and Dane Richards.
T-9. (12) CHIVAS USA (3-3-3, 12 points)
Last week: Beat New York, 3-2, on Sunday.
This week: vs. Los Angeles, 10 p.m., Saturday, ESPN2/ESPN Deportes
Outlook: The win of the week goes to the Goats. Justin Braun's hat trick led the way as Chivas turned plenty of heads with its result at Red Bull Arena. Braun, a breakout striker in 2010, hardly got the chance to build off that campaign until Sunday night, but he's more than proven that he should be a starter for the foreseeable future. Saturday's Superclasico couldn't come at a better time.
11. (8) COLUMBUS CREW (3-2-4, 13 points)
Last week: Lost to San Jose, 3-0, on Saturday.
This week: at Portland, 11 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: The Crew had scraped by with some less-than-aesthetic results thanks to its stingy defense prior to Saturday, but that gameplan went out the window in the middle portion of its game against the Quakes. Making matters worse, former Crew striker Steven Lenhart, who was traded during the MLS SuperDraft, was involved in the scoring for San Jose. Chad Marshall & Co. will need to be at their best in order to salvage a result at Portland.
12. (13) NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (3-3-4, 13 points)
Last week: Beat Vancouver, 1-0, on Saturday.
This week: at San Jose, 10:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: Benny and the Revs secured an important victory to get back in the W column, and Feilhaber was a key figure in earning that result. The Revs have proven they can succeed at home against inferior competition, but can they improve on their 0-2-2 road record? We'll find out Saturday night.
13. (11) D.C. UNITED (3-4-3, 12 points)
Last week: Tied Colorado, 1-1, on Saturday.
This week: Idle (friendly vs. Ajax, 5 p.m., Sunday).
Outlook: D.C. was the beneficiary of another generous penalty call that allowed the team to rescue a point, but the club's attack was dealt a bit of a blow when Josh Wolff and Charlie Davies both went down with injuries against the Rapids. The silver lining is that there's two weeks off between league games for those on the mend to heal.
14. (17) SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (2-4-3, 9 points)
Last week: Tied Vancouver, 1-1, on Wednesday; Beat Columbus, 3-0, on Saturday.
This week: vs. New England, 10:30 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: The Earthquakes deserve some credit for bouncing back after letting points slip away in their first game of the week only to turn around and take it to a Columbus team that hadn't been conceding a whole lot of goals. We'll see if San Jose has really turned the corner from its abysmal start when it hosts New England this weekend.
15. (15) TORONTO FC (2-4-5, 11 points)
Last week: Lost to FC Dallas, 1-0, on Wednesday; Tied Chicago, 2-2, on Saturday.
This week: at Vancouver (Canadian championship), 10 p.m., Wednesday; at Colorado, 7 p.m., Sunday.
Outlook: A touch of misfortune cost the Reds some points on Wednesday and a failure to hold a two-goal lead at home cost some more over the weekend. It won't get any easier, as TFC ventures into the house of the defending league champions after a midweek Canadian championship game that's sure to be an intense battle.
16. (14) CHICAGO FIRE (1-3-5, 8 points)
Last week: Tied Toronto FC, 2-2, on Saturday.
This week: at Philadelphia, 8 p.m., Saturday, Galavision.
Outlook: The Fire remains a bit of an enigma. Chicago hasn't won in seven matches, but it's also tied its last four, including its come-from-behind effort at BMO Field. Is this stretch a sign of mediocrity, or a sign of a team that refuses to wilt when facing a deficit? Regardless, Chicago is losing ground in the Eastern Conference by the week and needs to start turning these draws into wins before the pressure really gets cranked up.
17. (18) VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (1-5-5, 8 points)
Last week: Tied San Jose, 1-1 on Wednesday; Lost to New England, 1-0, on Saturday.
This week: Idle (hosts first leg of Canadian championship vs. TFC, 10 p.m., Wednesday).
Outlook: The Whitecaps needed more late-game heroics from Davide Chiumiento to snatch a draw at home against San Jose before trotting out a less-than-full-strength lineup against the Revolution and succumbing on the road. Captain Jay DeMerit is back from injury, though, and the Caps turn their attention to the Canadian championship, where they'll look to create a turning point in their season.
18. (16) SPORTING KANSAS CITY (1-5-1, 4 points)
Last week: Lost to Los Angeles, 4-1, on Saturday.
This week: at Seattle, 10 p.m., Saturday.
Outlook: Three games remain on the Sporting KC road tour, and they can't come and go any faster. SKC is in desperate need of some home cooking, which it won't get until Livestrong Sporting Park's grand opening on June 9. With a league-low four points, SKC needs to follow in Portland's footsteps and at least gather a draw out of its match at Seattle.
Galaxy still doesn’t have the team that NY has…There is no depth and Barret and Magee will catch up with them. Bitchall blows also…
Blame it on the pathetic lack of support…No Home Field Advantage for NY will catch up with them in the Playoffs
But LA wooped em by 3 goals, while other teams like Red Bulls only won by a single goal.
+2
Agreed on Saborio. He hasn’t been too sharp.
I believe he meant 3 in a way that meant this is the 3rd season on the team.
Looks like 2 years. Didn’t start consistently until middle of last year.
Danso was acquired by Major League Soccer club D.C. United via the waiver ranking order,[1] having left college early to turn professional, but was transferred to Portland Timbers of the USL First Division in April 2009 without ever signing a contract with MLS.[2]
Danso made his professional debut on April 25, 2009, coming on as a late substitute in Portland’s game against the Vancouver Whitecaps.[3] He scored his first professional goal on May 24, 2009, in a 2-1 victory over the Puerto Rico Islanders.[4]
All I’ll say is if the NYRB loss did have anything to do with playing a ludicrous low-level friendly against a D2 side in the swing of the clubs season had any factor then more fool them.
I will not be happy until MLS does one of three things:
#1 Bans in-season friendly matches against ANY competition
#2 Bans in-season friendlies on any other date than a bye weekend (and a minimum 7 days before the next competitive match)
#3 Plays some form of split season (allowing a break for international competitions) and plays the games during this break.
Otherwise it’s a catastrophic blight on our domestic game. Playing Chelski or Man Ure is one thing, but Montreal? FFS…get your priorities straight.
Right, because there’s a bunch of discussion going on over there…
Shut Up.
Philly is getting a phair shake I phear. Their stingy dephense is admirable, but until they phigure out what’s keeping their ophense so quiet it’s going to be mid-table success and phingernail biting time come playophs.
Salt Lake should be number one.
PPG it is not even close. Talk to me after Salt Lake loses one and ties 4 out of their next 5.
Hopefully Omar Bravo will be back for Kansas City this weekend.
As an RSL fan I can’t say it bothers me that RSL has dropped a spot. They should have beat Houston by at least a goal. They’re going to have diffuclties while Kreis tinkers with the lineup while trying to find the replacement for Javi. Even without Javi they should win and stay at or near the top.
Saborio has been poor so we need to start seeing more Araujo Jr. I still like RSL with the games in hand and their team depth over LAG.
RSL should still occupy the #1 spot for the reasons stated above, and LAG wooped a pathetic Sporting KC side, just as four other teams have this season. If LAG had come away with a home win against NYRB the weekend before and finished more chances against Philly, I’d say they deserve the #1 spot.
Upon further review…both the Red Bulls and Seattle are too high in these rankings while Dallas may deserve the #2 spot behind RSL, and Philly’s fall was too far for a T and L week.
Just for the record: LA is averaging 1.67 ppg. RSL is averaging 2.28. RSL also has more pts than LA over the last 4 games. If RSL continues in the form they are in right now, they’ll surpass LA once they’ve played the same # of games.
Galaxy fan here…and I would still agree with you. RSL is in the drivers seat in the West….and would still be # 1 in my power rankings. Yes, they’ve stumbled the last couple of weeks, but the earlier drubbing of the Galaxy still should bode for them as the team to beat until they at least reach the same # of losses as the Galaxy.
Futty Danso is not a “find”. He’s been with the club for 3 years.
RE: Photo
Thats the fruitiest looking strike ever
I feel bad for the Kansas City Wanderers
yea that would be why. The form RSL is in right now, even with those 5 games in hand you will still be behind Galaxy in points.
I agree with Kevin. Not worried about the ranking drop, five games in hand and only 4 points behind. RSL will bounce back because the team is the star isn’t just a fun little saying.
If you are looking for DCU love you came to the wrong blog Addy. Try the barra brava site.
Four points behind the Galaxy with FIVE games in hand? I’d say RSL is in the drivers seat in the west regardless of power ranking results. Maybe that’s just because my claret and blue glasses are on….
No FSC game this weekend? What a bunch of balogna.
+1
Adam, while I agree with you that DCU was denied an obvious penlaty shortly before the Pontius call (which many conveniently overlook), it looks like SBI downgraded them mostly because their starting forwards were injured. And those who claim that refs favor DCU should review DCU at New England game, where the refs mistakes resulted in two goals for New England and also a questionable ejection of a DCU player. DCU gets calls because they usually control possession and play attacking style rather than parking the bus and playing the long ball as some MLS teams do.
It’s not fair to say that Colorado was “unfortunate” though. Colorado was “fortunate” they didn’t get a straight red in the first half when the last defender took down a streaking McCarty. And, Colorado was “fortunate” they didn’t get called for the unquestionable penalty earlier. A tie was more than fair to Colorado.
Agreed that make up calls *shouldn’t* happen, but this is soccer – they happen all the time.
I don’t necessarily disagree with Ives’ characterization of the play (the generous Pontius PK), but mentioning it as a factor in DC’s power rankings is misleading, because it makes it seem like the tie result was undeserved and
DC should have one fewer point in the standings. So let me ask this, Ives: if the second PK *hadn’t* been called, would you have given them the same ranking and say that they deserved a tie but were unlucky because of a missed PK call?
The actual play that the penalty was called on was extremely generous and a poor call. Anyone would support that claim. Should a call have been made previously? Maybe, but it wasn’t. “Make up” calls on questionable plays are pathetic and further demonstrate MLS’s referee weaknesses. They “deserve” a PK call is not reason to give one unwarranted.
Vamos Galaxy!
Enough with the DC was the beneficiary of a generous PK call already. They had a clear one denied moments before and the Pontius call was a result of the Ref making up for his earlier mistake. They deserved a PK and the resulting tie was hardly thanks to a generous ref.