Only 4 (or 5 if you’re an Earthquake or a Dynamo) games remaining, and the major shake-up in the playoff race is that for the first time in recorded history, if play ended today, both conferences would have four teams in the playoffs! How is this possible? Well, probably obviously, this is the result of Western Conference teams (Chivas USA, Colorado, Real Salt Lake a little) stepping up and Eastern Conference teams (DC United and Kansas City mainly) falling off. Columbus remains the only team to have clinched a playoff spot, and they can clinch the Supporter’s Shield this weekend, believe it or not. It’s an exciting time to root for a yellow soccer team.
1. Columbus Crew (LW = 1) (PS = 7.90)
Columbus did what they needed to do against New England, winning a wet, sloppy game against New England in the rain. It wasn’t pretty, except at the back, where Chad Marshall keeps making a case for Defender of the Year or national team consideration.
2. Chivas USA (4) (6.23)
Chivas has won four out of its last five, and a team that was a bottom-dweller along with LA just a few scant weeks ago is looking like the closest thing to a second playoff lock in the West. But, like everyone else in that Conference, they could be on the outside looking in if they don’t keep putting points up.
3. Colorado (8) (5.79)
Colorado has been left for dead more often than a horror movie villain. (“Don’t worry, we killed him this time.”) And now that you mention it Conor Casey kind of looks the part. Anyway, they’ve turned it on as of late and managed to win that surprisingly shoot-out in NY.
4. Houston (2) (5.75)
Toronto may stink — okay, they do stink — but it’s still an accomplishment to go into BMO Field and get a point, even if it is on a Toronto own-goal. Houston has a playoff spot in its grasp. Don’t expect them to relinquish home-field advantage in the West.
5. Chicago (7) (5.65)
Chicago found its offensive rhythm against the Los Angeles Pylons, I mean, Galaxy.
6. FC Dallas (10) (5.39)
I’m tired of coming up with ways to say that a Western Conference team once appeared dead and now isn’t.
7. New England (3) (5.23)
What is going on with New England. I know they’re a little banged up, but the worst part about their game against Columbus is that they never looked like getting back into it, even after going up a man.
8. Real Salt Lake (13) (4.61)
Real Salt Lake finally won away from home! And Alecko Eskendarian did more than run around a little and look pissed off. Could they too be turning things around?
9. Kansas City (6) (4.54)
KC looks like Columbus last year. They’ll string their fans along until the last week before finally bowing out of playoff contention.
10. San Jose (5) (4.46)
Is this the end of the Cinderella resurgence?
11. New York (9) (3.88)
Giving up five goals at home to the Rapids is not cool, not cool at all.
12. Los Angeles (11) (3.87)
Things are desperate for the Galaxy, and a trip to Columbus isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time this season. Let’s hope that the Crew learned from Chicago the value of putting pressure on LA at the back to prevent their skill players from getting the ball in good positions.
13. DC United (12) (3.18)
DC just can’t get it together, and they’re out of the playoffs… for now.
14. Toronto (14) (2.95)
Toronto, on the other hand, can’t get it together and are out of the playoffs… until next season at least.
Tags: MLS, Power Ranking, PowerScore
October 14, 2008 at 12:04 pm
[...] MLS PowerScore ™ Rankings — Week 27 [...]