MLS Week 6 Power Rankings

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

It’s going to be a busy week in MLS, as all 16 teams are in action at some point, and many of them have two games, as there are four games on Wednesday night. Makes sense because this is going to be a busy week for NSR too. We are making some behind the scenes changes that we feel will really help the show, and of course, have a big announcement to make on the podcast that will be posted tomorrow.

Since this week is off to an early start, the predictions for the week are posted below as well.
Power Rankings :

1. Los Angeles Galaxy - Getting all the points they can right now is critical, since they will most likely be losing Donovan AND Buddle for a significant portion of the early summer. And yes, that means I think Buddle will be going to South Africa. How could you not, at this point?
Last week: 1st
 
2.  New York Red Bulls – Another win puts them back in the top two. I know it was against D.C., and although United have been nothing more than a black and red doormat this season, you have to figure at some point they are going to break through. Kudos to the Drinks for not letting it happen on their watch.
Last week: 3rd (+1)

3. Seattle Sounders FC - They had the better run of play against Columbus, but the scoring touch eluded them for the majority of the game. It is troubling that they weren’t able to find a winner despite having been up a goal 3 minutes into the game and had Columbus down to 10 men for the final minutes. But that midfield is looking to be firing on all cylinders.
Last week: 4th (+1)
 
4. Columbus Crew – Bunker and defend took on new meaning after having Danny O’Rourke was sent off, but give the Crew credit for finding their way into the match on the head of Steven Lenhart. Two points in two road games and six from two home games is exactly what you are supposed to do, so give them credit for taking care of business, albeit in a highly methodic and trudging way, in their first 4 games.
Last week: 5th (+1)

5. Real Salt Lake – Did what they needed to against a Toronto side that held off some of it’s best players until the second half. It sure seems like it felt nice to be home.
Last week: 7th (+2)

6. Kansas City Wizards – On paper, they are one of the best teams in the league. But they looked abysmal after losing Davy Arnoud to a red card, and weren’t much better before that incident in going down 3-0 to Houston. I can’t keep them in the top 5 in good conscience since they haven’t scored a goal in 3 games.
Last week: 2nd (-4)

7. Colorado Rapids- Falls to a wonder strike from Chris Wondolowski and a standing-on-his-head performance from keeper Joe Cannon at San Jose, who aren’t as bad as everyone expected (and believe me, that’s high praise considering how bad they were expected to be). The Rapids will find out how real they are when they take on the Galaxy tonight.
Last week: 6th (-1)
 
8.  Houston – Luis Landin and Samuel Appiah getting on the board are great signs for an offense that needs to find help. The team seem to have rallied themselves around the loss of their stars Cameron and Ching. Good signs for all involved.
Last week: 10th (+2)

9. New England Revolution – managed to get a point despite losing two players to red card. No easy task for them when they travel to Columbus after taking on Chivas for 2 games in 4 days.
Last week: 9th

10. Chicago Fire – They need to take all points at home, lest those rowdy Section 8 fans grow restless.
Last week: 8th

11. San Jose Earthquakes – Pitched a shutout to one of the highest scoring offenses in MLS so far this season. Defense was an issue last year, but so far, the mix of talent in San Jose seems to be starting to come together. Still, just like Jack Bauer, I need more time before I’m sold on this Quakes team being legit.
Last week: 12th (+1)

12. Chivas USA -  The point in Chicago  is definitely a good sign. Michael Lahoud getting suspended by MLS for two games for his viscious tackle on Justin Mapp, however,  was not so good.
Last week: 11th  (- 1)

13. FC Dallas – Dominated New England on the road, but could not find the winning goal, despite only having 9 men defending their 11. Schellas Hyndman needs to teach his men to find the, ahem…testicular fortitude to nut up and get a winning goal already.
(And yes, I’m looking for every excuse possible to use that video for the rest of the season.)
Last week: 14th (+1)

14. Philadelphia Union – looked flat against the best team in MLS, on the road, without their leading scorer. Not what one would call a surprising result. At least they didn’t have to run. Or get tasered…
Last week: 15th (+1)

15. Toronto – Preki didn’t want to talk to the media earlier this year, perhaps becaus ehe doesn’t want to have to explain his odd decisions, such as not starting Dwayne DeRosario and Julian De Guzman? Toronto has been outscored 11-2 on the road this season, which I’m guessing isn’t something that has made the TFC boss happy. Still, what’s the point in grounding two of your best players, especially one (De Rosario) who has been one of the hotter scorers in the early season?
Preki’s logic makes this seem almost explainable by comparison.
Last week: 14th (-1)

16. D.C. United – Guess who doesn’t have an alibi? D.C. United is ugly as sin right now. Is this the week they finally get a win? Or even a  point?  No team should go this long into any season and have it still be pointless. Haha, actually, maybe that’s the best way to describe Curt Onalfo’s strategies…

Last week: What do you think?

MLS Preview: winners are in bold, ties are in italics.

Wednesday:
KC at DC – ESPN2 7:00PM
Chivas at New England – 7:30PM Direct Kick
Dallas at Houston -  9:00PM Direct Kick
LA at Colorado – 9:30PM Direct Kick

Saturday
LA at Seattle - 4:00PM Telemundo
Chicago at Toronto – 4:00PM Direct Kick
Philadelphia at RSL - 4:00PM Direct Kick
New England at Columbus- 7:00PM Fox Soccer Channel
DC United at FC Dallas- 9:00PM Direct Kick
New York at San Jose- 10:00PM Direct Kick
Houston at Chivas- 10:30PM Direct Kick

Last Week: 4-4
Year to Date: 21-23

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