MLS Power Rankings: Week 1
The MLS season was finally back this past weekend and it definitely did not lack in the entertainment department.
On Friday night, the MLS Champions picked up where they left off and disposed of the Chicago Fire after a banner raising ceremony. A Canadian battle that saw Toronto FC get the best of Vancouver stole the show on Saturday, with an American and Italian playing deciding roles in the Canadian-based side’s 3-1 win. Finally, Sunday’s triple-header was quite the treat for MLS fans. The battle of expansion franchises started the day with some heroics from Mix Diskerud and Kaka. The nightcap saw a dominating display from last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners, Seattle Sounders FC.
At Playing for 90, we will have a weekly edition of MLS power rankings. These tend to be a large source of debate between fans. Inevitably, one or more fan bases will call the author an idiot. This may very well be true.
Before jumping to those conclusions, it is important to keep the following thoughts in mind:
1.) The rankings are a reflection of how a team has performed over the course of the season given the circumstances they were under (home/away, injuries, etc).
2.) These power rankings do not reflect where a team is projected to finish.
3.) For this first week, last season’s end-of-season form is taken into account since there is such a small sample size.
4.) Enjoy the rankings.
1
Los Angeles Galaxy (1-0-0, 3 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
The champions put together a dominating performance in front of the home crowd in Carson. Robbie Keane was in mid-season form and Stefan Ishizaki caused all sorts of fits for Chicago’s defense. Until this team stumbles, the champs give us no reason to keep them out of first in the power rankings.
2
Seattle Sounders FC (1-0-0, 3 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
The Sounders put together the best performance of the week. If there were a 1B position, they would take it. Marco Pappa, Obafemi Martins, and Clint Dempsey combined for possibly the most beautiful goal of the week. The Sounders have kept most of their team in tact which will help for continuity this season. It doesn’t hurt that DeAndre Yedlin’s replacement, Tyrone Mears, has 10 years of EPL experience and is a viable replacement. He showed that with a sensational cross and assist on Martins’ header.
3
Toronto FC (1-0-0, 3 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
Toronto FC are still looking for their first ever playoff birth. Sebastian Giovinco is the quiet assassin on the side. His passes, espeically the through ball that led to Altidore’s first goal, were fantastic. A confident Jozy Altidore is essential for this side’s success. Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves though. TFC did win their opener at Seattle last season and we saw how that ended. Still, a great start from a side expected to do well.
4
D.C. United (1-0-0, 3 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
There wasn’t anything flashy about United’s performance on Saturday, but the Black-and-Red displayed a stout defense. It was that very defense that played a large factor in going from worst to first in the East last season. Jairo Arrieta looked positive in his first match with the squad and his lone goal was the difference.
5
Orlando City SC (0-0-1, 1 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
This ranking is one that will likely be highly criticized. This is a bit high for an expansion team, but the way Orlando City moved the ball in the first half with quick one-two passing mesmerized NYCFC. Kaka showed that he still has enough left in the tank to make a powerful impact on the side. After being pushed on by the fans for a good chunk of the match, the intensity dropped from the side after 65 minutes and Collin’s red card did not help as the Lions only could muster a draw. Look out for them, though. Their midfield has great balance and chemistry already.
6
FC Dallas (1-0-0, 3 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
In a bit of a shock, it took a late Blas Perez winner for FC Dallas to get a home win against San Jose. Tesho Akindele did not show any signs of a sophomore slump. He and Fabian Castillo has some great build ups that could have ended in more goals had the finishing product been there. Zach Lloyd and Matt Hedges will make it difficult for opponents to generate anything from the middle and the center d pairing did well of thwarting any San Jose chances.
7
Sporting Kansas City (0-0-1, 1 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
There is no question that the fans brought energy as they always do. Even after Besler picked up a red card, Dom Dwyer was given a few chances to win the match for Sporting KC. Unfortunately for them, the danger man couldn’t find the back of the net. Besler will be suspended for the next match, which could give an opportunity to the youngster, Erik Palmer-Brown. This team is still very dangerous, though life will be a little more difficult in the west.
8
Houston Dynamo (1-0-0, 3 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
The Dynamo are high on the list considering they were outplayed at home against Columbus. That said, they can thank goalkeeper Tyler Deric for making some David De Gea like saves. His 6 saves in the second half earned him Man of the Match. Oscar Boniek Garcia continues to be the side’s best player as he switched positions and took multiple roles in a jack-of-all-trades performance. Giles Barnes scored the match’s only goal on a nice one-timer.
9
New York Red Bulls (0-0-1, 1 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
If the Sounders take team goal of the week, Lloyd Sam takes the honors for individual goal of the week. He absolutely saved NYRB. That is an interesting statement considering the Red Bulls played the final 20 minutes a man up. They looked more like the the team that was shorthanded as they yielded more chances than they took. Still, a road draw at Kansas City is not the worst way to start after a tumultuous off-season.
10
Columbus Crew SC (0-1-0, 0 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
Kei Kamara had a positive first outing for his new side. If it weren’t for the aforementioned Deric robbing him twice, Kamara would have opened up his Columbus account. Instead, the Crew are left wondering what could have been as Steindorsson was robbed by Deric in the 65th minute and Higuain was robbed by the crossbar minutes after Giles Barnes opened the scoring for Houston. There are positives to take away from the road performance for Columbus as they are the highest ranked team here that lost.
11
Real Salt Lake (0-0-1, 1 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
Nick Rimando did what Nick Rimando does best; and that is steal points for Real Salt Lake. The American international had to be on top of his game as Salt Lake was unable to mount any sort of attack against Portland. The Royals will need to show something in the attack at home against Philadelphia, otherwise it may be time to start panicking.
12
Vancouver Whitecaps (0-1-0, 0 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
It was a tale of two halves for the hosts at BC Place against fellow Canadian side Toronto FC. After missing an absolute sitter, likely the miss of the week and what could possibly be the miss of the season, Octavio Rivero composed himself enough to finish his next chance and give the home side the lead. Vancouver looked fluid and dangerous in the first half. Unfortunately for them, soccer is 90 minutes, and their defending was in complete shambles leading to their demise in the second half.
13
Portland Timbers (0-0-1, 1 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
Let’s start with some positives. Acquiring Nat Borchers and placing him alongside Liam Ridgewell looks good so far. Portland’s defense leaked 52 goals last season and a clean sheet is a great way to start the season for a side that struggled to earn them last season. Frustratingly, Portland were not able to find the quality to create enough chances. Diego Valeri’s absence loomed large in this one, but Darlington Nagbe once again showed flashes of his potential.
14
New England Revs (0-1-0, 0 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
The Revolution are lucky they were so good last season, otherwise they may be at the bottom of the rankings. The side were absolutely torn apart in Seattle on Sunday night. To be fair, and what is playing a big role in keeping them this high in the power rankings, New England were without Jermaine Jones and Lee Nguyen. The Revs are currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table, but don’t count on them to be there for long or make any more appearances there this season.
15
New York City FC (0-0-1, 1 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
The first half was a struggle for NYCFC on Sunday. With Mix occupying the back of the diamond and staying disciplined with oncoming waves of Orlando attack, the three in front of him could not provide any sort of link up play to the forwards. David Villa barely saw the ball. When he was given the ball, he was immediately surrounded. This means others will need to step up for New York City if teams are going to employ that strategy against them. Shelton may be a better option up front than the horrendous Nemec (at least he was terrible in Sunday’s match). The side looked better when Mix pushed up to inject life into a stagnant offense.
16
Philadelphia Union (0-0-1, 1 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
The Union showed improvement over last season’s team. They out shot Colorado 16-2, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Philadelphia held about 60 percent of the possession in the match, but due to the start-stop nature of the match with all the fouls, they were not able to continue momentum towards a build up. While it was a better display in front of the PPL Park faithful, the draw at home to that level of opposition felt like two points dropped.
17
Montreal Impact (0-1-0, 0 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
The Impact carried some momentum from their CONCACAF Champions League exploits in midweek to the early stages in D.C. After stunning Pachuca on Tuesday, the Impact started positively. Unfortunately, for them, United scored and it was difficult to mount a comeback against a staunch defense. Even worse, Justin Mapp suffered a horrific elbow dislocation and will be out for 4 months. It will be interesting to see who makes up for all the goals Marco Di Vaio scored. I’m not sure Dominic Oduro is the answer.
18
Colorado Rapids (0-0-1, 1 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
The Rapids can hang their heads on a decent defensive performance. Axel Sjoberg, Colorado’s first round pick, was composed for a rookie starting in his first ever MLS match. As a matter of fact, the Rapids posses the tallest CB combo with Sjoberg and Bobby Burling. Burling had a Colorado debut to forget, though, as he was sent off for a reckless challenge no player with a yellow card should attempt. The Rapids were lucky not to concede a man down. It will be interesting to see how Mastroeni plays his strikers. Dominique Badji, the fourth round pick from this season’s draft, was given the surprise start over Deshorn Brown.
19
San Jose Earthquakes (0-1-0, 0 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
San Jose did well defending against a good FC Dallas attack, and they were on the verge of earning a point on the road. Unfortunately for them, Blas Perez was in the right place at the right time in the 92nd minute. Going forward, San Jose struggled to create many chances as would be expected from a team with many new additions. Chris Wondolowski had a chance early in the second half, but missed a one-timer that he should have finished.
20
Chicago Fire (0-1-0, 0 Pts)
Last week: 0-0-0 record
Last rank: -
The Fire had a rough outing in LA on opening night. The defense played outstanding for 65 minutes, but then it all unraveled. A critical error by Jeff Larentowicz led to the first LA goal. The Fire midfield was horrendous. Outside of Harry Shipp, passing and maintaining possession was abysmal from the midfielders. The team added 3 DPs and are dealing with a few injuries to first-teamers. There is no doubt this team will get better as the season goes on. They will have a chance to turn the tide this Saturday at Toyota Park, where Fire fans are hopeful to see David Accam’s regular season debut.
Comment below on teams that have been over or under ranked and let us know why. Let the banter commence!
More from Playing for 90
- Leon edges scrappy FC Juarez to secure spot in playoffs
- Megan Rapinoe’s career defined by more than farewell match injury
- Lewandowski scores twice as Barcelona come back to beat Alaves 2-1
- León chasing play-in spot; Puebla aims for higher seeding
- Carlos Rodríguez emerges with clean sheet vs league leaders
