The prevailing argument on the Power Rankings Committee boils
down to one question: Galaxy or Sounders? After a week when most teams
rested on their laurels, the Galaxy retained the top spot with a draw at
Sporting KC. But will it last? Big games loom in both LA and Seattle
this weekend, and Real Salt Lake continue to creep up the polls.
Got a problem with our Power Rankings? Vote for your own!
All match times for this week's games are ET; only MLS regular-season games reflected on schedule.
<strong>Rank</strong> |
<strong>Trending</strong> |
<strong>Last </strong> |
<strong>Club</strong> |
<strong>Comment</strong> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>1</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>1</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55"> |
They weren’t particularly convincing against Sporting on Monday,
which isn’t really a surprise given the somewhat makeshift XI Bruce
Arena trotted out there. Gregg Berhalter was missed and will continue to
be missed down the stretch. They’re still Shield favorites, but are
they the same team they were two weeks ago?
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Tied Sporting KC, 2-2 (<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=18764">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday vs. Colorado (11 pm, Fox Soccer)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>WLWWT</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>2</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>2</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/seattle_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="62" height="62"> |
<p>Seattle are on a pretty epic roll right now, getting contributions
from all over the field and continuing their solid play in defense. Most
impressive is that they’ve finally learned how to gut out tough wins – a
skill that eluded them in their first two seasons. If LA slip up, the
Sounders could very well pip them for the Shield.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Real Salt Lake (4 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>LWTWW</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>3</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>3</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dallas_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55"> |
Dallas have more than just the game on their minds this week with
the tragic passing of Bobby Rhine. It’s a tragic end to what’s been a
tumultuous few weeks in Big D, and it’ll take some serious wizardry from
Schellas Hyndman to keep his team focused on the task at hand. The
tight-knit locker room will be a big help in the weeks to come.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at New England (7:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>WLTLW</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>4</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>6</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55"> |
Are they back? They looked the part in a dominant first half against
Philly, mostly shutting the Union down through midfield and getting out
on the break a few times themselves. Paulo Jr. could very well be the
key to their playoff hopes, as he adds a dimension in attack that
they’ve been lacking all year.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Beat Philadelphia, 2-1 (<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=18744">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Seattle (4 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> WLLWW</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>5</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>4</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/columbus_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55"> |
The Crew’s veteran leaders and usually hot-tempered coach Robert
Warzycha shrugged their shoulders after the 6-2 Seattle loss and moved
on. It’s the right move at this point of the season, especially for a
team that’s come so far since March. Dwelling on the blowout – which was
an aberration – would have done no good.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Toronto (7:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> WLWWL</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>6</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>5</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/colorado_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="64" height="64"> |
The Rapids needed a break as badly as anyone in the league after
their midsummer charge up the standings seemed to have sapped their
energy by the end of August. Now rested and recharged, they get ready
for seven games in a season-defining 23-day stretch. Time to show that
championship mettle.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday at LA (11 pm, Fox Soccer)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>WWWTL</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>7</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>7</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sportingkc_logo.png" border="1" alt="" width="58" height="58"> |
<p>Peter Vermes & Co. are clearly riding the “it’s us against the
world” mentality from here on out. Even after replays showed that
Aurélien Collin’s non-goal against the Galaxy was indeed offside,
neither the coach nor the players moderated their stance one bit. It’s a
good gambit – teams have won championships with that attitude before.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Tied LA, 2-2 <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=18640">(</a><a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=18764">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Houston (4 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>LWWLT</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>8</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>10</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dc_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55"> |
DC will have gone nearly three weeks since their last contest when
they next step on the pitch. It’s a much-needed break – though the guy
who could use it most, Dwayne De Rosario, will have spent 180 minutes of
sweat for Canada during that time. Bottom line, though, is United have
their fate in their hands with 10 games left to play.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Chivas USA (10:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>WTWTL</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>9</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>10</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" alt="" width="50" height="50"> |
The Timbers don’t have the most forgiving schedule down the stretch,
but they do have perhaps the best homefield advantage. That alone won’t
be enough to see them through – they’ll need a draw or two on the road –
but if they get hot and protect their house, they have a legit shot at
the playoffs.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Philadelphia (7:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>TLLWW</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>10</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>9</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newyork_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55"> |
New York’s walking wounded and over-30 crowd will be happy to have
had the international break off. Jan Gunnar Solli, Joel Lindpere,
Thierry Henry and – perhaps most importantly – Luke Rodgers have all had
time to rest and are expected to be back to 100 percent soon. It could
inject some life into a team that has won just twice in forever.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday vs. Vancouver (7:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>LTLTT</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>11</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>8</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/philadelphia_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55"> |
Peter Nowak took a couple of gambles this season, and in the
short-term they’re not paying off. Danny Mwanga’s not ready to be a
full-time starter, Freddy Adu is still finding his feet, they’re lacking
depth on the back line and, in general, they look pretty confused out
there. Season’s not over yet, of course, but things need to change fast.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong> Lost at Real Salt Lake, 2-1 (<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=18744">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. New England (8 pm, Galavisión), Saturday vs. Portland (7:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>TTTLL</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>12</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>12</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55"> |
As much as there is to like about this Houston team, the pieces just
haven’t seemed to fit. They’re unable to build out of the back and
nobody’s striker corps have been more wasteful in front of the net. And
to make the playoffs, they’ll need to do something they haven’t all
year: Win on the road.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Sporting KC (4 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>TWTWL</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>13</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>13</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chicago_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55"> |
Sometimes mid-season signings can submarine a season, changing the
on-and-off-field dynamics enough to sink a winning team. Chicago are at
the other end of the spectrum, as the additions of Sebastián Grazzini
and Pável Pardo have injected life into their season. They’re in the
USOC final now, and have a playoff push to make.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at San Jose (10:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>LTTWW</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>14</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>14</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chivas_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55"> |
Robin Fraser has done some really good work keeping this team –
which most had written off before First Kick – in the playoff hunt. But
after a late-August swoon, they’re on the outside looking in and need to
find the spark that they rode to a solid July. Without it they’ll be at
home come the post season.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. D.C. United (10:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> WTTLL</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>15</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>15</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newengland_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55"> |
Benny Feilhaber may not be putting up much in the way of stats –
just two goals and three assists through 15 games – but he’s completing a
high percentage of passes in the final third and gives the Revs a
calmness on the ball that they can build around. Figuring out which
pieces fit best around him should be priority No. 1 for the rest of
2011.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Philadelphia (8 pm, Galavisión), Saturday vs. FC Dallas (7:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>TLLTT</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>16</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>16</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/toronto_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55"> |
The Reds still have the CCL to play for, and like most everyone
else, are coming off a long and much-needed break thanks to the
international fixtures. A good run and qualification from the group
stage could make up for a lot of the pain they’ve suffered in the
regular season since 2007.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Columbus (7:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>TTWLT</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>17</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>17</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/vancouver_150.png" alt="" width="40" height="58"> |
How much different would this season have been if Jay DeMerit and
Alain Rochat had been able to play together in the heart of the defense
from Week 1? It’ll be bittersweet for ‘Caps fans to see that pairing
from here on out, but the hope is that it’s a successful preview of
what’s to come in 2012.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at New York (7:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>LWLLW</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>18</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" alt="" width="40" height="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>18</strong></span> |
<img src="//saltlake-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sanjose_150.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55"> |
<p>Everything that could have went wrong did for the Quakes this season.
The hope now is that they find a midfield formation that works for
them, that they get Ike Opara healthy enough to build around on the back
line, and that Chris Wondolowski rediscovers his scoring touch on a
permanent basis.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Chicago (10:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>LTLLT</li></ul> |
