Photo by Jean-Yves Ahern/USA Today Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
The past week of MLS action proved to be a fruitful one for those north of the border.
The trio of Canadian teams combined to grab twelve points this past week, led by a Montreal Impact team that went unbeaten in two contests. Meanwhile, Sebastian Giovinco led the way as Toronto FC continues to surge, while the Whitecaps rebounded from a midweek loss to the Impact by knocking off the defending champions.
Elsewhere, Sporting KC continued to climb the table with a victory over the Seattle Sounders, while NYCFC finally got back into the win column by defeating the Philadelphia Union.
Have a look at the SBI MLS Power Rankings for Week 14 below:
SBI MLS POWER RANKINGS (WEEK 14)
1. (Last Week- 1) SEATTLE SOUNDERS (8-4-2)
LAST WEEK: Â Lost, 1-0, to Sporting KC last Saturday
THIS WEEK:Â vs. FC Dallas on Saturday
OUTLOOK– After picking up back-to-back wins in a weeks time, the Seattle Sounders finally showed some cracks in a loss to Sporting KC. In the midst of a busy period, the Sounders couldn’t get on the board against a tough Sporting KC side, but this one can be chalked up to a bit of fatigue against a tough conference foe.
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2. (3) Â SPORTING KANSAS CITY (6-2-6)
LAST WEEK: Defeated Seattle Sounders, 1-0, last Saturday
THIS WEEK:Â BYE
OUTLOOK– After demolishing FC Dallas last time out, Sporting KC picked up a hard-earned victory over the Sounders Saturday. The Sounders have always proven troubling for SKC, and a victory over the Western Conference powerhouse could serve as yet another momentum boost for a team rounding into form in recent weeks.
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3. (2) D.C. UNITED (8-4-4)
LAST WEEK: Defeated Chicago Fire, 3-1 last Wednesday; Lost, 2-1, to Toronto FC last Saturday
THIS WEEK:Â vs. Orlando City on Sunday
OUTLOOK– In the team’s second straight double game week, D.C. United picked up another split, topping the Fire handily before falling to Sebastian Giovinco and TFC. Overall, not a bad haul from D.C., who will do well with a week of rest before taking on Orlando City.
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4. (6) VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (8-6-2)
LAST WEEK:Â Lost, 2-1, to Montreal Impact on Wednesday; Defeated LA Galaxy, 1-0, on Friday
THIS WEEK:Â BYE
OUTLOOK– Not exactly a banner week for the Caps, but definitely a respectable one in grabbing three needed points from the Galaxy. The loss to the Impact will sting a little, but a win over a conference foe later in the week is much more important in keeping up in the West.
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5. (4) NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (5-3-4)
LAST WEEK:Â Lost, 2-0, to Portland Timbers last Saturday
THIS WEEK:Â vs. Chicago Fire on Saturday
OUTLOOK–  Somewhat of a late-game collapse for the Revs, who allowed a pair of goals in the final four minutes to squander points against the Timbers. Dominated for large stretched of the match, it was a fair result though, as the Revs lacked any sort of bite in attack.
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6. (9) TORONTOÂ FC (6-5-1)
LAST WEEK: Defeated D.C. United, 2-1, on Saturday
THIS WEEK:Â BYE
OUTLOOK– Sebastian Giovinco is by far the hottest player in MLS, and TFC have been riding the diminutive Italian in the absence of Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore. Having won three in a row now, Altidore’s late-game cameo is promising, giving the forward a little game action ahead of a long break that will do well to help heal some injuries.
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7. (8) FC DALLAS (6-4-3)
LAST WEEK:Â Tied San Jose Earthquakes, 0-0, on Sunday
THIS WEEK:Â at Seattle Sounders on Saturday
OUTLOOK– Now winless in four games, FC Dallas is beginning to lag a little bit behind in the Western conference race. A draw away from home isn’t a horrible result, but not the one FCD needed to get back into the hunt atop the Western Conference.
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8. (7)Â LOSÂ ANGELESÂ GALAXY (5-5-7)
LAST WEEK:Â Lost, 1-0, to Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday
THIS WEEK: vs. Columbus Crew on Saturday
OUTLOOK– After snagging four points last week, the Galaxy limped into a 1-0 loss to the Whitecaps this time out. Without Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes, the Galaxy had little to no effect up front, something that will be cleaned up when the star duo returns.
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9. (11) HOUSTON DYNAMO (5-5-5)
LAST WEEK:Â Defeated New York Red Bulls, 4-2, on Friday
THIS WEEK:Â BYE
OUTLOOK–  The Houston Dynamo have asserted themselves as somewhat of the gatekeepers in the East, but a win over the Red Bulls remains an impressive feat. It’s now up to putting things together consistently, something the Dynamo have lacked so far this season.
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10. (5) Â NEW YORK RED BULLS (4-4-5)
LAST WEEK:Â Lost, 4-2, to Houston Dynamo
THIS WEEK:Â BYE
OUTLOOK– The Red Bulls issues in defense reared their ugly head again in the loss to the Dynamo. Without Damien Perrinelle and Matt Miazga, that Red Bulls struggled at the back in giving up four goals and have now gone four games without a win.
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11. (13) PORTLAND TIMBERS (4-5-4)
LAST WEEK: Defeated New England Revolution, 2-0, last Saturday
THIS WEEK:Â BYE
OUTLOOK– After snagging six points from a pair of games the prior week, the Timbers kicked it into overdrive yet again to grab two late goals and a victory over the Revs. Fanendo Adi provided both of the finishes, and if the forward can start finding his form, the Timbers have a real chance to push towards the top of the conference.
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12. (15)Â ORLANDO CITY (4-5-5)
LAST WEEK: Defeated Chicago Fire, 3-2, last Saturday
THIS WEEK:Â vs. D.C. United on Sunday
OUTLOOK– Orlando City continues to do things the exciting way, defeated the Fire with a pair of late goals. Most promisingly, Cyle Larin continues to score, as the forward continues to adjust to his role as Orlando City’s primary goalscorer. If Larin keeps firing, Orlando City will continue to ascend up the table.
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13. (12) SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (5-5-4)
LAST WEEK:Â Tied FC Dallas, 0-0, last Sunday
THIS WEEK:Â BYE
OUTLOOK– The Earthquakes have picked up just two points from the team’s last three games and are now on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture. Fighting out from a pair of red cards is a tough situation for any team, so a draw was probably a fair result in a game without much to it offensively.
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14. (10) COLUMBUS CREW (4-6-4)
LAST WEEK: Lost, 3-0, to Philadelphia Union last Wednesday; Lost, 2-1, to Montreal Impact last Friday
THIS WEEK:Â vs. LA Galaxy on Saturday
OUTLOOK:Â Coming off the team’s worst performance of the season, the Crew didn’t do much to allay fears with a 2-1 defeat at home to the lowly Montreal Impact. That followed a 3-0 drubbing in Philadelphia where a weakened team was no match mentally for the Union. The Crew are barely in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, having gone winless in their last five games as injuries and international callups have depleted the roster.
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15. (18) MONTREAL IMPACT (4-4-3)
LAST WEEK:Â Defeated Vancouver Whitecaps, 2-1, last Wednesday; Defeated Columbus Crew, 2-1, last Saturday.
THIS WEEK:Â At NYCFC on Saturday.
OUTLOOK– Following the team’s worst performance of the year against the Fire, the Impact put on a pair of inspired performances this week in defeating two playoff contenders. A banner week for the Impact, who saw contributions from a variety of players en route to a pair of victories that further their credentials as a team to watch in the Eastern Conference.
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16. (16) REAL SALT LAKE (4-5-6)
LAST WEEK:Â Tied Colorado Rapids, 0-0, on Sunday
THIS WEEK:Â BYE
OUTLOOK– With Kyle Beckerman on international duty, the aura of Nick Rimando proved to be enough to snag a point, as Dillon Powers’ nerves got the better of him on a penalty kick. Rimando once again proved impenetrable, yet fairly untested, in a game that mustered just two total shots on target. A bit better from RSL but things will need to improve in the coming weeks if playoff contention remains a goal.
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17. (14) CHICAGO FIRE (4-7-2)
LAST WEEK: Lost, 3-1, to D.C. United last Wednesday; Lost, 3-2, to Orlando City on Saturday
THIS WEEK:Â at New England Revolution on Saturday
OUTLOOK– Terrible week for the Fire, especially given their performances in recent weeks. Dropping all six points in a double game week against fellow Eastern Conference foes is a disaster, especially the manner in which they fell against Orlando via two late goals. Now inching toward the bottom of the conference, the Fire will have to do better to regain the form that had them looking like a playoff contender a few weeks back.
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18. (17) COLORADO RAPIDS (2-4-8)
LAST WEEK:Â Tied Real Salt Lake, 0-0, last Sunday
THIS WEEK:Â BYE
OUTLOOK– The Rapids will rue one that got away on Sunday, as Dillon Powers’ penalty kick opportunity should have gifted the visitors three points. Dropping two points in such a fashion could come back to bite a Rapids team that still has a hole to climb out of out West.
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19. (19) PHILADELPHIA UNION (4-9-3)
LAST WEEK:Â Defeated Columbus Crew, 3-0, last Wednesday; Lost 2-1, to NYCFC last Saturday
THIS WEEK:Â BYE
OUTLOOK– The Union were a bit Jeckyll and Hyde this past week in grabbing three points from a pair of games. Dominant to kick off the week against a tough Crew team, the Union struggled in losing to the bottom-dwelling NYCFC. Confusing week for the Union, who just can’t seem to turn that corner and right the ship fully.
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20. (20) NEW YORK CITY FC (2-7-5)
LAST WEEK:Â Defeated Philadelphia Union, 2-1, on Saturday
THIS WEEK:Â vs. Montreal Impact on Saturday
OUTLOOK– After a string of gutsy performances, NYCFC finally put it all together to earn a much-needed victory. Patrick Mullins proved to be the hero, joining Tommy McNamara in finally ending the winless streak. With five points from four games, things are looking up a bit in the Bronx, but NYCFC still needs to build on a solid win to climb out of the bottom of the conference.
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What do you think of this week’s rankings? Which team do you feel isn’t ranked highly enough? Which team do you think has too generous a place in the rankings?
Share your thoughts below.
Limey…..not sure I said anything about picking Seattle was going out on a limb. My point is more who will come from East. Get it?
I still pick Seattle to be in MLS Cup this year (I know, it’s really early) and am now re-considering my pick of Columbus from the East.
Picking Seattle to make the final is hardly going out on a limb is it?
Maybe not, but they were crushed by Columbus
Can someone give me a good explanation as why the Impact are 15th ?
This is what Robert Heroux wrote on MLSsoccer’s website
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OK, I understand Power Rankings reflects most recent performances versus Standings. So if this is the case, how can you explain the following when we look at the last 5 games of each team:
1 – Seattle, 10 points, no change in ranking (fair)
2 – SKC, 11 points, no change in ranking (fair)
3 – Toronto, 10 points, + 5 ranks (ok)
4 – DC, 7 points, – 1 rank (could be lower)
5 – Vancouver, 6 points, + 2 ranks (5th in ranking, should be lower)
6 – FC Dallas, 5 points, -2 ranks (6th, should be lower)
7 – New England, 3 points out of 15 (7th, should be much lower)
8 – LA Galaxy, 7 points, – 2 ranks (ok at best, could be lower)
9 – Portland, 9 points, + 3 ranks, (should be higher)
10 – Houston, 10 points, + 3 ranks (should be higher)
11 – RBNY, 4 points out of 15, – 2 ranks, (should be lower)
12 – Orlando, 6 points, + 2 ranks (humm, Kaka effect?)
13 – San Jose, 6 points, – 2 ranks (humm, see #11)
14 – Columbus, 2 points out of 15, – 4 ranks (should be at #20)
15 – Montreal, 12 points out of 15, highest in league, + 2 ranks (should be way above #15).
16 – RSL, 4 points, -1 rank, (fair)
17 – Chicago, 5 points, -1 rank (fair)
18 – Colorado, 5 points, – 2 ranks (fair)
19 – NYFC, 5 points, +1 rank (vs # 20, makes no sense)
20 – Philadelphia, 9 points, – 1 rank (should be higher)
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– 12 points out of 15, highest in league for the last five matches.
(If the power ranking reflects recent performances, they should rank way higher)
– 3rd in the East on points per game
(If the power ranking reflects the standings, they should rank higher)
– Early MLS season results might be interpreted that they had to travel like crazy for the fist 2 months of the calendar because of CCL. Didn’t the play great in the CCL ? Add to that that they probably were more invested in CCL than in MLS regular season games = early season misfire.
MLSsoccer, soccer-in-america and SBI all rank Montréal 15th. Can someone explain me what I am missing ?
BTW, I don’t care that much about power rankings. What is really important for me is how well my team plays. The last few weeks, they’ve been playing good soccer. I’m a happy @Impact__Fan !
I say Montreal’s counter attack has been so good. The rest of CONCACAF agrees.
Seattle’s “loss” can be chalked up to two horrible calls that directly resulted in the loss of a goal and a goal awarded to SKC.
And 4 starters, including all 3 DPs, being out. Also their next in line striker
I was thinking, no way KC is second. Then I realized, they have only lost twice, with all those injuries. Look out.
6 out of the top 10 lost last week and 1 tied. MLS is a very exciting league.
I love MLS but I’m not a huge fan of the type of parity that exists in the league. It’s one thing to achieve parity over the long haul so that the same teams don’t win every single year. But it’s far less desirable to make it so that every team is around the same level. It’s fun to watch good/great teams. Outside of Seattle at the top end and maybe NYCFC, Philly and Colorado on the bottom end, everyone else seems to be at about the same level. Personally, I don’t find that particularly exciting.
Different strokes, but picking who will win this league is going to be VERY tough right now.
8. LA Galaxy, honestly these ratings are fun to laugh at but that’s about it. The Galaxy were without what? Five or six first team regulars. They are into 4th choice full backs, now even the super dependable Penedo is gone on international duty, oh and Robbie Keane did play vs. Vancouver by the way .
Never good when you won the MVP the year before and people don’t know you were in the game. Just my $0.02
You think LA should be higher? Everyone else has been pushing for them to be lower than the high ranking they were given. 8th seems about right to me now. When Omar comes back from Gold Cup, they could be quite a bit lower than .500
Quit, I agree with your comments and no I wasn’t really looking to have the Gals rated higher. They are playing much the same as they were when they were in the top 3 and I thought they were too high then. The whole power ranking thing is just so arbitrary it’s silly.
Silly sure. I love em!
Paging Ali Curtis, paging Ali Curtis –you have not made a public statement in what seems like months, and your team is showing significant cracks. Any ideas?
Not a whole lot he can do unless RB is going to get its checkbook out. Embarrassing for a NY area team to operate like a small market team. Just because the team across the river is owned by the Yankees doesn’t mean RBNY should operate like the Mets! At least get this team on radio. 20 years and no radio deal NYCFC on WFAN (the biggest sports radio station in the area by far) on day one.
That’s 100% attributable to the Yankees connection. But I’m less interested in radio broadcasts than I am in the team’s performance and basic architecture. I know Curtis answers to the ownership, but the silence from him is deafening. If RBNY stands pat during the summer, the revolt they will face will make the decidedly tense Petke holler-fest at the town hall meeting look like a quilting bee.