MLS Week 4 Power Rankings

By J.D. Smith, Host of National Soccer Radio

Some have asked how we come up with the NSR Power Rankings. While I can't say we just pulled them out of a hat, it's not exactly a scientific method. But let's just say we assign an avatar to each one of the teams, then have those avatars duke it out in an online forum where specific algorithms compute the relative strength of each team from week to week. The algorithms take into account everything from the average attendance of each home team to how well the halftime performers executed their sultry dance moves (or in Seattle's case, their march...).

Or, maybe, I just watch all of the games and go with my gut...

With that said, here's your week four power rankings:

1. L.A. Galaxy

Do I really need to explain this one? The only team with a 1.000 winning percentage. Edson Buddle is on pace to score 52 goals this season. And the goal they gave up on Saturday was the first goal scored against them in 2010. Like I said, no need to explain.

Last Week: 1st

2. Seattle Sounders F.C.

Michael Fucito gave the Sounders the points they should have earned in Real Salt Lake last weekend. The focus was there for the full 90 minutes for the Sounders, something Sigi Schmid no doubt preached about all week after last week's late game nap. The fact they beat the team that was directly ahead of them in the power rankings has to count for something, right?

Last week: 3rd (+1)

3. New York Red Bulls

Yes, they beat Seattle at home, so you can make the argument that they should be ranked above the Sounders. But they dropped a game to woeful Chivas, and needed two penalty kicks to finally dispatch of F.C. Dallas at home. And as long as Bouna Condoul is in net for New York, there will be concerns about the viability of New York's back line. Still, getting Juan Pablo Angel into the scorers column should help the offense get on the right foot.

Last week: 7th (+4)

4. K.C. Wizards

While Pablo Escobar was guilty of forgetting about that whole "Can't be offside on a throw in" rule, Kansas City was otherwise in charge of the possession against Seattle. On the road, in a tough environment, against one of the better returning teams to MLS this season. Next week's game against the Galaxy at home should be interesting, as the narrow field offers K.C. a unique home field advantage. Then again, if they fall asleep again against Edson Buddle, it's a safe guess he will be able to make them pay.

Last week: 2nd (-2)

5. Columbus

Idle. If you're wondering how one team in a 16 team league can be idle, TFC played twice. So...now you know.

Last week: 6th (+1)

6. Real Salt Lake

While there is no shame in losing to a red hot L.A. Galaxy team, a recent smattering of injuries coupled with a congested schedule this week took their toll on RSL. Fortunately, the schedule does lighten up on them, with Toronto, Philly, and Chivas USA all on the calendar in the next few weeks. Unfortunately for the Royals, there is the grudge match against Columbus to worry about this weekend.

Last week: 4th (-2)

7. New England Revolution

San Jose controlled the game in coming up with a 2-0 victory, as the Revs were missing Shalrie Joseph once again with issues related to a bum hip flexor. It's difficult to know if the two wins New England does have amount to all that much, given that D.C. and Toronto have one win combined thus far. But the two road losses come on the West Coast, and one was against the early favorite to win the MLS Cup. The test this coming week will be to see if New England can control Connor Casey and Omar Cummings as Colorado comes to town.

Last week: 5th (-2)

8. Colorado Rapids

The Rapids are playing good soccer, with their only loss coming in a hard-fought contest against Kansas City last week. Connor Casey would enjoy putting away penalty kicks for the rest of the season. But at some point, he and Omar Cummings will be connecting in the run of play. And that will mean a more dangerous attack that was assembled in the off-season will have finally come together.

Last week: 10th (+2)

9. Houston Dynamo

Well, well, well Lovell Palmer. Welcome to the league. Keep shooting like that, and people will be forgetting about Luis Landin. Oh wait, they already are. Is it possible that the fact that Mr. He Ate All the Pies wasn't available for Saturday's game (and thus, slowing down the offense's free-flowing tempo) sparked a scoring output for the Dynamo? Nah...

Last week: 11th (+2)

10. San Jose Earthquakes

Ike Opara's goals in consecutive weeks are a great sign, but even better is the fact that backup Chris Wondolowski was able to find the net. The ability of the bench to contribute will have a lot to say about how far this team can go. And it is very early on in the young season. But two wins in two games can't hurt the confidence of a young team who believes they can be better than last year's losing record indicated.

Last week: 12th (+2)

11. Chicago Fire

Brian McBride added instant offense to the Fire this week, getting a clever assist and goal to seal the deal for Chicago's 2-0 win over D.C. United, their first of the season. Collins John and Patrick Nyarko continue to look dangerous in combination, though John keeps having trouble redirecting into the net from close range. But the most consistent player for the Fire in the last two games? Marco Pappa. His play has added sparks to what was looking like a lackluster attack.

Last Week: 13th (+2)

12. Chivas USA

So, that win last week? Looks more like an aberration at this point. While the Goats of America have had some trouble winning in Houston, you would think they would have put up a little more fight given the momentum-building win over a good New York team. Guess not.

Last week: 8th (-4)

13. FC Dallas

If the referee calls a handball last weekend, FC Dallas would be 0-2-1. They are lucky to be this high. Jeff Cunningham missed some gorgeous opportunities that could have changed the game this weekend. But he didn't connect, and that's what power rankings are all about: singling out the bad performances and overemphasizing them. Right?

Last week: 9th (-4)

14. Toronto F.C.

Some new faces helped TFC to a win in the home opener (as did Danny Califf and Chris Seitz for Philadelphia). But a bonehead play from Julian De Guzman on Sunday kept them from getting points in two straight games. Stefan Frei has to be one of the most underrated goalies in the league. If we was on a team with a defense, he might have 4 shutouts right now. Still, beating Philadelphia at least helped with one thing...

Last week: 16th (+2)

15. Philadelphia

See? I can now definitively say that TFC is better than Philadelphia. At least until next week...

I wonder if making a lazy backpass to your goalkeeper then elbow-dropping an oncoming attacker is "how the men play"?

Last week: 14th (-1)

16. D.C. United

The other easiest decision of these power rankings.

Last week: 15th (-1)

This week's games:

Thursday:

Seattle Sounders FC at FC Dallas 8pm EDT ESPN2/Deportes

Saturday:

Philadelphia Union at New York Red Bull 4pm EDT Telefutura

Colorado Rapids at New England Revolution 7:30pm EDT MLS Direct Kick

Real Salt Lake at Columbus Crew 7:30pm EDT MLS Direct Kick

Los Angeles Galaxy at Kansas City Wizards 8:30pm EDT MLS Direct Kick

Houston Dynamo at Chicago Fire 8:30pm EDT Direct Kick

San Jose Earthquakes at Chivas USA 10:30pm EDT FSC/FSE

Sunday:

Seattle Sounders at Toronto FC 2pm EDT, MLS Direct Kick

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