Post by officergroyman on Sept 18, 2009 16:50:04 GMT -1
1. Columbus Crew
The Crew's last-gasp victory over Houston may not have been deserved but it once again showcased this team's ability to battle for points when they are not at their best. Robert Warzycha saw the late winner as luck finally shining on his side after they dropped points earlier in the season to Los Angeles after a similar late goal. Luck may have played a part in their latest victory, but it is hard work mixed with some flashes of brilliance from Schelotto and co. that has this side back on top of the rankings.
2. Chicago Fire
Visiting RSL is a difficult proposition for any team, and that is one of the reasons Chicago should be very content with the road point they picked up at Rio Tinto last weekend. Chris Rolfe scored a spectacular goal for the Fire to once again showcase his undoubted talent, but it is still a mystery as to why he doesn't perform that well on a more consistent basis. CJ Brown looks like a new player and his form has meant that the Fire have not missed the departed Bakary Soumare.
3. Los Angeles Galaxy
The Galaxy's recent run of fine form ended rather surprisingly last weekend as Schellas Hyndman's FC Dallas routed the home side 6-3. Anybody who has watched the Galaxy this season will know that their defense lacks pace and that was brutally exposed in this game by Jeff Cunningham and co. To their credit, the Galaxy did fight back from an early deficit to get back into the game, but once they found themselves behind late they were always going to be left exposed at the back as they chased the game. I'm sure Bruce Arena will analyze this game thoroughly as he tries to ready his team for the playoffs.
4. Seattle Sounders ;D
Seattle followed up their U.S. Open cup victory over D.C. with another victory at RFK that sees Sigi Schmid's side climb to third place in the west. The Sounders are now only three points out of first place, and with Houston and L.A. both struggling, this team will again fancy their chances of winning the conference and continuing their fairytale first year in MLS. Steve Zakuani is hitting top form, while Fredy Montero may well be the best finisher in this league.
5. Colorado Rapids
The Rapids missed a real opportunity to capitalize on Houston's defeat at Columbus as they lost in a real battle with Toronto at BMO field. The Rapids got back into the game with Conor Casey's goal just after half time but struggled defensively after that and really didn't look like getting anything from this game. The Rapids now face San Jose twice over the next couple of weeks and must take advantage of these fixtures if they are to stay in the playoff mix.
6. Houston Dynamo
The Dynamo may be top of the Western Conference right now, but if current form is anything to go by, then they won't be there for very much longer. The Dynamo has now won just twice in their last 10 games and the loss at Columbus again highlighted their recent woes in front of goal. Houston will make the postseason, but if they don't figure out their best lineup soon they won't go very far in the playoffs.
7. Chivas USA
Chivas USA produced one of their best performances of the season as they swept aside the Revs to pull within four points of Houston at the top of the Western Conference. The only real worry from the matchup with New England was Chivas' inability to kill the game off after going ahead early in the match. The Goats have never been the most prolific team in front of goal and that problem will ultimately cost them their chance of going very far in the playoffs.
8. Real Salt Lake
RSL really need to win their home games to keep pace with the top sides in the Western Conference, so last week's draw at home to Chicago has to be considered two points dropped. Defender Tony Beltran claimed that this results means it is now "do or die on the road" for this team, and I have to agree with him. The only problem is that recent history shows that when RSL plays away from home, there is very little 'do' and way too much 'die.'
9. DC United
D.C.'s first home loss in MLS play this season was a costly one as United missed out on the chance to draw level with Chicago in second place in the east. D.C. actually had the majority of the play late on against Seattle, but their defensive inefficiencies again cost them in an important match. The good news for United is that they do play three of their final four matches at home, although they will need to shore up at the back to ensure their playoff spot.
10. Toronto FC
Toronto showed plenty of fight as they battled to what was a must-win game against Colorado last weekend. Nana Attakora scored what proved to be the match winner as Toronto again highlighted just how many talented youngsters they have in their squad. O'Brian White made an instant impact off the bench and the youngster must surely now be given a decent run in the side. The signing of Julian De Guzman was the icing on what was a very good week for Toronto FC.
11. FC Dallas
Dallas once again showed why they are one of the most entertaining sides in the league as they trounced the L.A. Galaxy 6-3 at the HDC last weekend. This side has improved dramatically over the last few months and has become one of the most attack-minded teams in the league. Dallas will not make the playoffs this year but at least their fans can feel optimistic about the future over the next few years.
12. New England Revolution
The Revs delivered one of their poorest displays of the season as they lost to Chivas USA in Los Angeles last Sunday. Steve Nicol admitted his side were poor in possession as they allowed Chivas to dictate the pace of this game right from the off. Nicol now finds his team out of the playoff picture and, on the basis of this performance, it is hard to see a way back in for them. With seven games to go though, I'm not ready to rule them out just yet.
13. Kansas City Wizards
It was a mixed week for the Wizards as they lost at home to D.C. but managed to bounce back and end the week on a high with victory in New York. Josh Wolff is beginning to look like the player that started the season off so well, but it is too little too late for this struggling franchise. Any positive results from now until the end of the season should mask the fact that this squad needs a major overhaul in the offseason.
14. New York Red Bulls
The Red Bulls became the first team officially eliminated from postseason contention after their disappointing loss to K.C. I'm not sure why the Red Bulls website felt it necessary to point this out to their fans after the result because I'm pretty sure New York fans gave up on this team a long time ago. This squad is poor and needs to be torn apart at the end of the season.
15. San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose returns from their bye week knowing that they have no chance of making it to the postseason. Frank Yallop was supposed to have built a squad capable of challenging the top teams in the west but injuries and a lack of real quality has cost this side dear. Darren Huckerby is now done for the season so it is up to the rest of the squad to improve their performances and help save Frank Yallop's job.
The Crew's last-gasp victory over Houston may not have been deserved but it once again showcased this team's ability to battle for points when they are not at their best. Robert Warzycha saw the late winner as luck finally shining on his side after they dropped points earlier in the season to Los Angeles after a similar late goal. Luck may have played a part in their latest victory, but it is hard work mixed with some flashes of brilliance from Schelotto and co. that has this side back on top of the rankings.
2. Chicago Fire
Visiting RSL is a difficult proposition for any team, and that is one of the reasons Chicago should be very content with the road point they picked up at Rio Tinto last weekend. Chris Rolfe scored a spectacular goal for the Fire to once again showcase his undoubted talent, but it is still a mystery as to why he doesn't perform that well on a more consistent basis. CJ Brown looks like a new player and his form has meant that the Fire have not missed the departed Bakary Soumare.
3. Los Angeles Galaxy
The Galaxy's recent run of fine form ended rather surprisingly last weekend as Schellas Hyndman's FC Dallas routed the home side 6-3. Anybody who has watched the Galaxy this season will know that their defense lacks pace and that was brutally exposed in this game by Jeff Cunningham and co. To their credit, the Galaxy did fight back from an early deficit to get back into the game, but once they found themselves behind late they were always going to be left exposed at the back as they chased the game. I'm sure Bruce Arena will analyze this game thoroughly as he tries to ready his team for the playoffs.
4. Seattle Sounders ;D
Seattle followed up their U.S. Open cup victory over D.C. with another victory at RFK that sees Sigi Schmid's side climb to third place in the west. The Sounders are now only three points out of first place, and with Houston and L.A. both struggling, this team will again fancy their chances of winning the conference and continuing their fairytale first year in MLS. Steve Zakuani is hitting top form, while Fredy Montero may well be the best finisher in this league.
5. Colorado Rapids
The Rapids missed a real opportunity to capitalize on Houston's defeat at Columbus as they lost in a real battle with Toronto at BMO field. The Rapids got back into the game with Conor Casey's goal just after half time but struggled defensively after that and really didn't look like getting anything from this game. The Rapids now face San Jose twice over the next couple of weeks and must take advantage of these fixtures if they are to stay in the playoff mix.
6. Houston Dynamo
The Dynamo may be top of the Western Conference right now, but if current form is anything to go by, then they won't be there for very much longer. The Dynamo has now won just twice in their last 10 games and the loss at Columbus again highlighted their recent woes in front of goal. Houston will make the postseason, but if they don't figure out their best lineup soon they won't go very far in the playoffs.
7. Chivas USA
Chivas USA produced one of their best performances of the season as they swept aside the Revs to pull within four points of Houston at the top of the Western Conference. The only real worry from the matchup with New England was Chivas' inability to kill the game off after going ahead early in the match. The Goats have never been the most prolific team in front of goal and that problem will ultimately cost them their chance of going very far in the playoffs.
8. Real Salt Lake
RSL really need to win their home games to keep pace with the top sides in the Western Conference, so last week's draw at home to Chicago has to be considered two points dropped. Defender Tony Beltran claimed that this results means it is now "do or die on the road" for this team, and I have to agree with him. The only problem is that recent history shows that when RSL plays away from home, there is very little 'do' and way too much 'die.'
9. DC United
D.C.'s first home loss in MLS play this season was a costly one as United missed out on the chance to draw level with Chicago in second place in the east. D.C. actually had the majority of the play late on against Seattle, but their defensive inefficiencies again cost them in an important match. The good news for United is that they do play three of their final four matches at home, although they will need to shore up at the back to ensure their playoff spot.
10. Toronto FC
Toronto showed plenty of fight as they battled to what was a must-win game against Colorado last weekend. Nana Attakora scored what proved to be the match winner as Toronto again highlighted just how many talented youngsters they have in their squad. O'Brian White made an instant impact off the bench and the youngster must surely now be given a decent run in the side. The signing of Julian De Guzman was the icing on what was a very good week for Toronto FC.
11. FC Dallas
Dallas once again showed why they are one of the most entertaining sides in the league as they trounced the L.A. Galaxy 6-3 at the HDC last weekend. This side has improved dramatically over the last few months and has become one of the most attack-minded teams in the league. Dallas will not make the playoffs this year but at least their fans can feel optimistic about the future over the next few years.
12. New England Revolution
The Revs delivered one of their poorest displays of the season as they lost to Chivas USA in Los Angeles last Sunday. Steve Nicol admitted his side were poor in possession as they allowed Chivas to dictate the pace of this game right from the off. Nicol now finds his team out of the playoff picture and, on the basis of this performance, it is hard to see a way back in for them. With seven games to go though, I'm not ready to rule them out just yet.
13. Kansas City Wizards
It was a mixed week for the Wizards as they lost at home to D.C. but managed to bounce back and end the week on a high with victory in New York. Josh Wolff is beginning to look like the player that started the season off so well, but it is too little too late for this struggling franchise. Any positive results from now until the end of the season should mask the fact that this squad needs a major overhaul in the offseason.
14. New York Red Bulls
The Red Bulls became the first team officially eliminated from postseason contention after their disappointing loss to K.C. I'm not sure why the Red Bulls website felt it necessary to point this out to their fans after the result because I'm pretty sure New York fans gave up on this team a long time ago. This squad is poor and needs to be torn apart at the end of the season.
15. San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose returns from their bye week knowing that they have no chance of making it to the postseason. Frank Yallop was supposed to have built a squad capable of challenging the top teams in the west but injuries and a lack of real quality has cost this side dear. Darren Huckerby is now done for the season so it is up to the rest of the squad to improve their performances and help save Frank Yallop's job.