MLS PowerScore ™ Ranking — Week 20

Alright, so I’ve been a little out-of-touch with MLS this past weekend, because of the Olympics and the fact that the Crew was idle.  Fortunately, the actual PowerScore rankings have nothing to do with my personal opinions, but with results.  The only thing that will be lacking will be the insight that I normally provide in the narrative section.  Get that?  That’s sarcarsm!  Anyway, there’s definitely been a shake-up at the top of the rankings, as Chicago continues to come on strong and New England tried unsuccessfully to shake off some rust.  And L.A.’s continued residency at the bottom of the rankings seems to justify the firing of Lalas and Gullit.  Hopefully, the U.S. men’s team will still be in action this coming weekend, which would mean less time devoted to MLS, but since the Crew is at home, I’ll at least be paying attention to that match.

Anyway, on with the rankings:

1.  Chicago Fire (LW = 2) (PS = 7.01)

Well, it seems only fair that if you’re ranked second, travel to the top-ranked team’s stadium, and knock them off that you get the top spot.  And the PowerScore rankings are nothing if not fair.

2.  New England Revolution (1) (6.47)

The converse of the above also is true.  However, don’t cry for Gillette Stadium yet; they don’t have to play Chicago every week, and you can be sure that they’ll gladly take back the top spot if given half a chance.

3.  Houston (4) (5.78 )

How to Succeed in PowerScore Rankings without Trying: Exhibit A is Houston, which was idle but moved past DC United.  Regardless, Houston is shaping up to be a bit of a scary force for the playoffs again, as Nate Jaqua still looks dangerous.

4.  FC Dallas (5) (5.35)

The Crew, meet FC Dallas; FC Dallas, meet the Crew.  You’ll be seeing a lot of each other over the next few weeks in showdowns that should tell us which one or both of you are for real heading into the playoffs.  Also, what do you think the odds are that Kenny Cooper gets called up to the National team for the game agaisnt Guatamala?  Bradley isn’t such a smart coach if he isn’t.

5.  Columbus (6) (5.24)

Columbus pulls a Houston and skips past DC United, too.  While Columbus won’t be back to full-strength until after the Olympics, the return of Hejduk from suspension, the good health of Gino Padula, and the arrival of Pat Noonan will make them a lot more dangerous than the shell that played against Houston two weeks ago.

6.  DC United (3) (5.10)

Wow — what a letdown against the Red Bulls.  Not to mention that in light of Toronto’s suprising road win (more on that in a second), DC United now is in a tie with RSL for the worst road record.  Remember that when the playoffs roll around.

7.  Kansas City (9) (5.09)

The Wizards are the team that refuse to die.  Given up for dead earlier in the season, they came slowly walking back (roaring is too strong a word for them) and remain in the hunt in a four-way tie for fourth in the East.

8.  Real Salt Lake (8) (4.84)

To quote myself from last week, “if [RSL] lead the West, why are they way down here in the rankings?  Two reasons: they can’t win on the road, and they just can’t seem to build up much momentum.  Still, if there’s a team that’s underranked, it’s this one.”

9.  New York (12) (4.30)

Nothing like a beating from Barcelona to get the blood pumping and the ball going into the back of the net.  It’s hard to imagine the Red Bulls making much noise in the playoffs (if they get there), but if Angel is back in form, they have a chance.

10.  Chivas USA (7) (4.03)

They’re not in as bad a shape as the Galaxy, but LA’s other team isn’t looking so hot right now, either.  Losing to KC on the road is nothing to be too embarrassed about, but even so, they need to get back on track now that the Texas teams are getting hot.

11.  Toronto FC (14) (3.90)

Toronto finally gets one monkey off their back by winning on the road.  Speaking of monkeys on back, Chad Barrett sheds one of his own by actually putting the ball in the net.  Could the Barrett-McBride trade be one of those that actually benefits both teams?

12.  San Jose (11) (3.85)

Unlike the Crew, who needed a week off, San Jose really didn’t.  They’re coming off their best stretch of games of the season, and they need to keep that momentum going if they’re going to nip a playoff spot in the West.  It’s hard not to pull for them…

13.  Colorado (10) (3.68 )

Well, if Toronto was going to beat a team on the road, Colorado was a good candidate.  The Rapids continue to hang out in the lower-half of the weaker conference, and don’t seem to have much life in them.

14.  Los Angeles (13) (3.33)

How the mighty have fallen.  Gullit and Lalas deserved to go, as the former has failed to get as much from his talent as he should have and the latter has failed to construct an actual team, as opposed to a bunch of non-meshing parts.  That being said, all the talent that LA gives them a fighting chance to turn this season around.

Tags: MLS, Power Ranking, PowerScore