Power Rankings - Week 4

So it's only taken me three weeks to realize RSL is a joke and Chivas is for real. I'm still not giving up on Real Salt Lake, but geez... what a lackluster performance on Saturday. We also have a new team on top of the power rankings.

1. (3) Red Bull New York
They are for real. Altidore could end up being an MVP finalist this year at this rate. Many experts (of which I am not one) are placing them as an early favorite to go all the way. Solid team from back to front.

2. (1) Colorado Rapids
The Rapids attack looked very weak against FC Dallas. Maybe Conor Casey's arrival can change things up top, but this team may have already peaked.

3. (6) Chivas USA
Ante Razov hit the 100-goal milestone on Saturday night in Chivas USA's 4-0 romp over RSL. Maykel Galindo and Panchito Mendoza looked especially potent in the attack. Brad Guzan is the best goalkeeper in MLS right now, hands down.

4. (2) Los Angeles Galaxy
Maybe a week off will be a good thing for the Galaxy. Several key players have sustained injuries in the first few weeks of the season, leaving the G's with just one point heading into the first Superclasico of the year. Against their rival, I expect them to come out firing, unlike last week's game against FC Dallas.

5. (5) Houston Dynamo
A loss to Red Bull New York on the road is nothing to panic about. Pat Onstad allowed his first goal of the season, but he should bounce back on Sunday against Chicago.

6. (4) D.C. United
Blame the poor start to this season mostly on their defense. They travel to Columbus this week, a Crew team that is severely underestimated. Could it be three losses in a row to start the season? It might happen...

7. (9) Chicago Fire
Another win for the Men in Red. They're making believers out of me and I can't wait to see Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Justin Mapp on the same pitch together. Still, I don't see this team quite making it to the MLS Cup.

8. (11) FC Dallas
Wins against two of the better teams in the West (L.A. & Colorado) in their first three games has me believing that this team could contend. Their defense/goalkeeping situation is shaky at best, but Dario Sala will be back soon, his suspension is half-over.

9. (10) Columbus Crew
Three ties to start the year off, what better time to get a win than this weekend at home against D.C. United? Saturday's game should be the last for the Crew before Guillermo Barros Schelotto arrives from Argentina. Ngwenya, Kamara and Grabavoy have this team ready to succeed this year.

10. (12) New England Revolution
Taylor Twellman continues to find ways to score. Sunday's game on the road in Dallas will be a good test as to how far this team can go in 2007. I'm still bearish on this team.

11. (8) Kansas City Wizards
K.C.'s slid downward this week is more a result of other teams moving up, not bad play by the Wizards. Eddie Johnson has cooled for the moment and will need to get hot again if this team intends to make the playoffs. Going on the road to Toronto could be dangerous for K.C. - I believe TFC will put all the pieces together for the first time this year, especially if Ronnie O'Brien is healthy enough to play.

12. (13) Toronto FC
They've had time to lick their wounds from New England's 4-0 beating, made some personnel changes and are ready to open BMO Field with their first home game. Alecko Eskandarian will finally wake up and find the back of the net for the first time this season against Kansas City and Toronto will be undefeated at home after one game.

13. (7) Real Salt Lake
If I could move them into 15th place on this list, I would. There is such promise for this team, but it all comes down to goalkeeping. Nick Rimando is horrible, absolutely horrible. Chris Seitz should see a lot of playing time this year, starting with Monday's home game against Colorado. Their showing against Chivas lacked any heart whatsoever. I still feel that this team has potential and can snap out of whatever slump they are in, but for now, they are bringing up the rear in my Power Rankings.

Power Rankings - Week 2

Here is the second weekly edition of The MLS Zone Power Rankings. Last week's ranking is in parenthesis.

1. (1) D.C. United
Despite their sub-par performance against Colorado, D.C. is still the team to beat in the league. Getting off the road should help rejuvenate this club and get them back to their winning ways.

2. (2) L.A. Galaxy
Holding the defending MLS champs to a scoreless tie on the road is a decent result to begin the year. Head coach Frank Yallop rolled out a bit of an unexpected lineup for the game, but Thursday's upcoming home game against FC Dallas should result in the first win of '07 for the G's.

3. (5) Colorado Rapids
I thought they would be strong on Saturday - they dominated the first half and then held on late. Bouna Coundoul has the atleticism and instincts to be one of the top keepers in the league over the next few years. Herculez Gomez showed a lot of fire - with his skills in midfield and with his mouth - and will be a solid performer all year.

4. (4) Real Salt Lake
Jeff Cunningham has picked up right where he left off last season, scoring both of RSL's goals against FC Dallas. If Freddy Adu can catch fire with Cunningham this year, RSL may not be able to be stopped in '07.

5. (3) Red Bull New York
Not a bad effort against Columbus in less-than-perfect weather, but not getting on the scoreboard highlights their need for a true striker up front. John Wolyniec will not cut it all season - expect RBNY to bring in their DP striker this summer.

6. (7) Chivas USA
Impressive 2-0 win, albeit against an expansion team. The offense looks very good, especially young star Sacha Kljestan and soon-to-be-star Maykel Galindo. Keeper Brad Guzan may just be the best keeper in MLS and showed on Saturday why he was recently called into camp with the USMNT. This weekend's trip to Houston will be a good early test for Preki's team.

7. (6) Columbus Crew
I still pick Columbus to be the surprise of the year - most people have them picked as last or second-to-last in the East. Rumor has it that Boca Juniors winger Guillermo Barros Schelotto is on the verge of joining the team. He should help Columbus score a few goals - something they were unable to do on Saturday. Maybe using their DP to bring Kasey Keller over from Germany would have been more productive?

8. (9) Houston Dynamo
Solid start to the season for Houston. Pat Onstad looked lost on a few plays and looked spectacular on others. That kind of inconsistency doesn't bode well for the defending champs, who are looking to Brian Ching for offense. Am I the only one who thinks Dwayne De Rosario isn't the same guy we saw even last year?

9. (12) Chicago Fire
Originally had them pegged much lower than they should have been. They are the biggest jumpers this week, up three spots, but I want to see if Chris Rolfe and Justin Mapp are the real thing before saying they are a playoff team.

10. (8) Toronto FC
Not the team I had expected to show up. TFC really could have used a healthy Ronnie O'Brien against Chivas. Still, if not for Brad Guzan's spectacular saves, TFC could've stolen a point in this one. Look for this team to get going once their season-opening road trip is over.

11. (11) Kansas City Wizards
The extra week of preparation probably won't be enough to stop what D.C. is going to throw at them on Saturday. Still, K.C.'s defense is probably the team's strongest feature and maybe has a chance to pick up a point??

12. (13) FC Dallas
It was a toss-up between FC Dallas and the Revs for the last two spots. I gave FCD the edge as they actually picked up a point and NE didn't. Still not playoff material.

13. (10) New England Revolution
Too many injuries. This team needs to be completely overhauled.

Power Rankings

Here are my power rankings, which will be updated after each week of play. Feel free to debate them in the 'comments' section. You might even change my mind.

1. (-) D.C. United
Despite being knocked out of the CCC, DCU still has all of the tools to dismantle most teams in the MLS. The forecast for Saturday's game is SNOW showers, which I'm sure the Brazilians (Emilio and Fred) will love.

2. (-) L.A. Galaxy
Even with the loss of Alan Gordon for two months, the Galaxy have assembled a strong (and healthy) squad while they await David Beckham's historic arrival. I might be giving the G's too much credit this early on, but Landon Donovan has been on fire for the national team and he will be eager to maintain that form in Houston on Sunday.

3. (-) New York Red Bulls
Bruce Arena seems to be relying on aging stars (Reyna, Mathis) to bring out the best in his club's youth, but there is more than enough talent present to push this team to the top half of the table. An opening week trip to surging Columbus should be a good early test for RBNY.

4. (-) Real Salt Lake
Freddy Adu finally gets to assert his *cough* leadership on a team and I expect good things all season from his club. Luis Tejada and Jeff Cunningham have the potential to be the best duo of forwards in MLS, but RSL's season will likely hinge on how well (or not) the defense plays.

5. (-) Colorado Rapids
Opening their new stadium in the snow isn't quite Plan A, but the new-look Rapids could surprise in a Western Conference full of parity. They've cracked the top five, but the play of Zach Thornton will decide if they stay there for long.

6. (-) Columbus Crew
A blistering pre-season has shed light on Joseph Ngwenya's talent - he could be a leading scorer in '07 - and Columbus will surprise a few people with the positive results they'll score on pitch.

7. (-) Chivas USA
U.S. international defender Jonathan Bornstein hasn't fully recovered from his knee injury yet, but may be back for The Goats' second game. They will get stronger as the season goes on under first-year head coach Preki, and should sneak into the playoffs.

8. (-) Toronto FC
Sure, Ronnie O'Brien is out. But Mo Johnston has a few more weapons in his arsenal to make Canada proud. Injuries are the only thing that can slow this team down, but when they're at full strength, they will be a force in the East.

9. (-) Houston Dynamo
Five goals allowed against Pachuca? Not exactly the way you want to back into the season opener vs. a rejuvenated Galaxy. The reigning MLS champs will be regretting turning AEG's blank check down. Could you imagine Blanco in Houston instead? Just holding your ground isn't good enough when everyone else around you has improved.

10. (-) New England Revolution
New England was the hardest team for me to place in this first power ranking. The team has been plunged into turmoil amidst a flurry of injuries, off-the-field problems, and Shalrie Joseph's one-man soap opera. Still, could Matt Reis and Taylor Twellman carry this team to the MLS Cup for a third straight year? Not happening. Aim low... the playoffs are still within reach.

11. (-) Kansas City Wizards
On the bright side, Eddie Johnson may have played his way out of the national team picture for at least one of this summer's tournaments. But on the negative side, Eddie Johnson remains the best scoring threat for the stagnant KC side, and Kevin Hartman can't stop EVERY shot he sees.

12. (-) Chicago Fire
Blanco can't arrive earlier than July 1st? Really?? It's gonna be a long spring in Chi-town. I'm not saying they won't turn things around after Blanco's arrival, but for now, the East cellar will be their home.

13. (-) FC Dallas
Will not be competitive. Steve Morrow will be pulling the remaining hair from his scalp by May. Positive note: Pizza Hut Park is lovely. I'm betting they'll go from first to worst in the West?


Look for the next edition of the power rankings sometime next week.