WEEK 19 MLS POWER RANKINGS

in MLS by Itai — August 2, 2010 at 2:27 pm | 2 comments

#1 – Los Angeles Galaxy – (40 points) – The Galaxy currently top Major League Soccer in points with a whopping 40.  After some time away at World Cup 2010 in South Africa, both Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle have been back for a month or so.  Despite yesterday’s loss to the Chicago Fire at home, we are still placing Donovan & Co. at the top of the power poll rankings.  Quite frankly, they are just too good in nearly every position not to.  Buddle leads the league in both goals and game-winning goals, while Donovan is league-leading in assists, and game-winning assists. From top to bottom, LA is solid and we don’t see too many weak spots.

#2 – Real Salt Lake – (34 points) – Last year at this time, RSL found themselves somewhere in the middle of the power rankings pack.  RSL is coming off of MLS Cup win last season, and proving to all of the nay sayers that it was not a fluke win.  This team is for real.  With team captain Kyle Beckerman back from injury, look for RSL to continue in their winning ways as they push to repeat.  Also, striker Robbie Findley’s contract is up at the end of this season, so you can bet the speedy 24 year-old forward is looking to score goals and boost his value.  Also, there is no better home team than RSL.  They currently have not been beaten at home in their past 20 games.

#3 – New York Red Bulls – (27 points) – As you all should know by now, the ‘Big Apple’ acquired one of the world’s best strikers, Thierry Henry.  Adding Henry to the mix in New York has done nothing but make an already solid squad now frightening to opposing defenses.  Oh yeah, and it looks as though this week, they will be announcing another Barcelona player making their way to the Red Bulls.  Mexico national team defender/holding midfielder Rafael Marquez is set to join Henry in New York.  This team that struggled through much of the 2009 season is now climbing their way straight to the top of the power rankings.

#4 – Columbus Crew – (34 points) – Despite a disappointing 3-1 loss this weekend to Chivas USA, we still have to put the Crew in the 4th slot.  Emilio Renteria has been hot lately, tallying four goals in his last five starts.  The Crew will look to add another three points to their season total this Thursday when they take on the Philadelphia Union on the road.  You can bet that the Crew still have a bad taste in their mouths after being knocked out of the playoffs much earlier than expected last season.  With Guillermo Barros Schelotto as their team anchor, you can bet the Crew will push for another Supporters Shield the second half of this season.

#5 – FC Dallas – (27 points) – Prior to the start of the 2010 MLS season, no one saw FC Dallas sitting where they are in the standings.  The beginning of the season only confirmed people’s expectations of the squad, but as of late, Dallas has done a 180 and started racking up the points.  Last season, striker Jeff Cunningham was their savior.  This year, Cunningham is having less of an impact, and the team is still doing well.  After a 1-1 draw on the road in Colorado this weekend, Dallas will look to bounce back with three points at home against the Union.

#6 – Chicago Fire – (20 points) – Yesterday, the Fire stunned the LA Galaxy on the road with a 3-2 victory.  Marco Pappa & Co. went up 3-0 on the Galaxy early, and despite more late-game Landon Donovan heroics, the Fire were able to squeak out the victory.  However, with the addition of Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, the Fire are looking to be returning to their ways of old as they have started the second half of their season.

#7 – Seattle Sounders FC – (25 points) – Well, the Sounders’ lack of success this season is definitely not due to a drop-off in fan support.  The Sounders have nearly doubled the next highest league attendance this season, which is held by Toronto FC.  Just this past week, midfielder star Freddie Ljungberg was traded to the Chicago Fire.  The loss of the 33 year-old Swede may prove to be a bit rough on Seattle.  Despite his age, Ljungberg is one of the league’s best midfielders with great vision and phenomenal touch on the ball and Sea-town fans will indeed miss his presence on the pitch.

#8 – Toronto FC – (23 points) – Without the leadership and production of Dwayne De Rosario, Toronto FC would be quite a bit further down the list.  De Rosario is outstanding and every bit deserving of being called up for the 2010 MLS All-Star game.  He is consistent, but is his team?  We shall see this second half of the MLS season.  But our hats go off to the fan base up there in Toronto.  They pack the house every game and bring such a high-energy atmosphere to the game.

#9 – Colorado Rapids – (24 points) – The Rapids have been a middle-of-the-pack team all season long.  We here at Soccer Jones do expect Colorado to turn on the jets come playoff crunch time, however.  They are one of those teams who will always be in the running to try and keep playoff hopes alive as they tip-toe on the idea of an MLS Cup.  Our money says they find a way to squeak on in, but in order to do so, Omar Cummings and Conor Casey will need to lead the team by example.  Last season, Casey was a bruiser and netted goals almost every game.  He needs to find his old form, as does Cummings.

#10 – Kansas City Wizards – (19 points) – Well, things have settled after a phenomenal start in Kansas City.  Get this though… manager Peter Vermes is petitioning the league to get their win over Manchester United to count in the standings.  Granted, it was a big-time win for the struggling Wizards, it was simply a friendly match that in no way should count toward the regular season standings… even if it is Man U.

#11 – Houston Dynamo – (20 points) – We’re not sure what has happened to last year’s Dynamo, but this is a team that could turn around their season in a heartbeat.  They play in tough weather conditions that plague opposing squads game-in and game-out.  Not to mention, striker Brian Ching who was out for part of the season has made a return and will continue to score goals for Houston.  Last week, Ching netted a sensational goal during the 2010 MLS All-Star game off of a header.  Watch for the Dynamo to have a turn-around here pretty quick if they want to keep their playoff expectations alive.

#12 – San Jose Earthquakes – (23 points) – San Jose has been hit and miss all season long.  You never really know which squad is going to show up.  They have talented players but we at Soccer Jones see the Quakes ending this season somewhere in the middle of the pack.  They will show flashes of brilliance on the field, but have weaknesses that will prevent them from making the playoffs.

#13 – Philadelphia Union – (15 points) – After a shaky start, things have started to settle in out east in ‘City of Brotherly Love.’  Goalkeeper Chris Seitz started a bit off, but is showing great promise and Sebastian Le Toux having a breakout season doesn’t hurt either.  At this rate, young Danny Mwanga will also find his way on the field and this franchise will only continue to improve over time.

#14 – D.C. United – (15 points) – They’re struggling, but are a better team than their record shows.  Let us tell you now that young 17 year-old Andy Najar is outstanding.  He is a boy playing in a man’s league, but is an offensive-minded winger who has no problem tracking back to play defense.  D.C. needs to hold onto this youngster as long as possible.  He is clearly destined for big things.  Keep your eye on young Najar.

#15 – New England Revolution – (15 points) – Hopefully, the return of star midfielder Shalrie Joseph will help rejuvenate the struggling Revolution.  Joseph, who was out much of the season with ‘personal issues,’ is the heart and soul of this squad.  The return of the big and strong 6’3″ midfielder to the lineup is a good thing for the Revs… a very, very good thing.  While we don’t see the Revs making the playoffs this season, there is still time to turn it around and at least end better than they started.

#16 – Chivas USA – (18 points) – Well, where do we start with Chivas USA?  First with the bad… the loss of Sacha Kljestan has proved to be a lot for the goats to handle.  However, striker Justin Braun has emerged as one of the league’s best goal scorers, adding another this weekend off of a header.  Braun, who was recently discovered by Preki, has a bright future and will soon emerge as one of the most feared attackers in Major League Soccer.

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