{"id":11217,"date":"2012-04-18T22:06:20","date_gmt":"2012-04-19T02:06:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/?p=11217"},"modified":"2012-04-19T14:39:30","modified_gmt":"2012-04-19T18:39:30","slug":"mls-rankings-week-6-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/?p=11217","title":{"rendered":"MLS Rankings: Week 6"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every week the New England Soccer Today crew will look beyond the standings to rank each of the 19 Major League Soccer (MLS) teams. This week Brian O’Connell, Sean Donahue and Ryan Lanigan contributed rankings. Comments are followed by the ranker\u2019s name and the rank they gave that team.<\/em><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0 SPORTING KANSAS CITY<\/strong> (6-0-0, 18 points)
\nCome out on top in an early-season clash of the titans, thanks to Aurelien Collin\u2019s header at a rainy LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on Saturday. And the juggernaut continues to stay perfect on the season. (Brian \u2013 1) \u2026 Proved once again their record is no fluke with a win over the West\u2019s best, Salt Lake. (Sean \u2013 1) \u2026 After a big 1-0 win over RSL, KC will now have to worry about the defensively sound Vancouver Whitecaps, who will be trying to stop their undefeated campaign. (Ryan \u2013 1)<\/strong><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0 REAL SALT LAKE<\/strong> (5-2-0, 15 points)
\nNick Rimando makes a tremendous save on a Kei Kamara in the second half, but Salt Lake\u2019s attack betrays him with its only shot on goal against K.C. coming in stoppage time. Another tough test awaits this weekend against a resurgent San Jose. (Brian \u2013 2) \u2026 Not RSL\u2019s finest game, but it was never going to be easy in Kansas City. You have to wonder though, how different would the game have been with a healthy Javier Morales? (Sean \u2013 2) \u2026 Things don\u2019t get easier for the RSL defense now as they travel to take on Chris Wondolowski and the San Jose Earthquakes. (Ryan \u2013 2)<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0 SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES<\/strong> (4-1-1, 13 points)
\nA spirited draw in New York earns the \u2018Quakes a valuable road point and, in the process, pull them within a pair of points of the top of the conference. (Brian \u2013 3) \u2026 Hard fought draw in New York and might have been a bit unlucky not to grab the full three points. Have a tough game on tap with RSL coming to town. (Sean \u2013 3) \u2026 San Jose did well to get a tie against a red hot New York team. (Ryan \u2013 3)<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0 SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC<\/strong> (3-1-1, 10 points)
\nBack in the win column thanks to Zack Scott\u2019s clever header, which proves to be the game-winner. Meanwhile the Hunt for Fredy Montero\u2019s first goal of the season continues. (Brian \u2013 4) \u2026 Important three points against Colorado helps Seattle gain ground on the leaders in the West. (Sean \u2013 4) \u2026 A good win over a Colorado team that has shown they can play. (Ryan \u2013 5)<\/p>\n

5.<\/strong>\u00a0 (-1) NEW YORK RED BULLS<\/strong> (3-2-1, 10 points)
\nRemain unbeaten in their last four with Saturday\u2019s 2-2 draw against a flying San Jose side. Still, it was the Red Bulls that appeared on their back hooves in the second half. (Brian \u2013 5) \u2026 Stumbled a bit in their draw against the \u2018Quakes. Rafa Marquez is a red card waiting to happen these days and New York were lucky to finish with 11 men and a draw. (Sean \u2013 5) \u2026 Another game, and more goals from their top two guy. It would be been nice if they could have held on though. (Ryan \u2013 4)<\/p>\n

6.<\/strong> (-2) HOUSTON DYNAMO<\/strong> (2-1-1, 7 points)
\nThe Dynamo strike first from the foot of Will Bruin, but Logan Pause puts his back into Pavel Pardo\u2019s free kick to level it before lightning brought a halt to the game in the 66th minute. (Brian \u2013 8 ) \u2026 Grabbed a draw in tough conditions on the road despite missing three midfield starters. (Sean \u2013 6) \u2026 They could really use a big win to solidify them as a top team in the East. (Ryan \u2013 6)<\/p>\n

7.<\/strong>\u00a0 (+1) VANCOUVER WHITECAPS<\/strong> (2-1-2, 8 points)
\nWell-rested in time for a pair of games against Sporting K.C. and Dallas, which will visit BC Place on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively. (Brian \u2013 6)\u2026 Face a pair of tough opponents this week \u2013 can they finally beat a good team? (Sean \u2013 7) \u2026 \u00a0A week off to help recover from surrendering their first goals of the season. (Ryan \u2013 8 )<\/p>\n

8.<\/strong> (+2) FC DALLAS<\/strong> (3-2-1, 10 points)
\nBrek Shea saves the day in Frisco to give the Hoops its second-straight win in the waning stages \u2013 this time against Montreal. (Brian \u2013 7) \u2026 Expected win against Montreal, but Dallas is continuing to get result without key players. (Sean \u2013 8 ) \u2026 Another late goal to pull out the win. Neither have been overly impressive, but they are finding ways to win games. (Ryan \u2013 9)<\/p>\n

9.\u00a0 D.C. UNITED<\/strong> (2-2-2, 8 points)
\nScore a pair of unanswered goals on the road as Ben Olsen\u2019s Boys suck the Shalrie Joseph-less Revs into a disheveled match that ended in a 2-1 D.C. win. Another week, another rung up the conference ladder. (Brian \u2013 9) \u2026 Road win in New England as D.C. continues to trend in the right direction. (Sean \u2013 9) \u2026 \u00a0United has now gone unbeaten in its last four games. (Ryan \u2013 7)<\/p>\n

10.<\/strong> (-3) COLORADO RAPIDS<\/strong> (3-3-0, 9 points)
\nSensational performance by Matt Pickens, but he couldn\u2019t stop them all in Seattle as the Rapids drop their second straight conference loss. (Brian \u2013 10) \u2026 Back to back tough road games from Colorado. Big match against the Galaxy as they return home. (Sean \u2013 11) \u2026 \u00a0Continue to be a very streaky team, highlighted by their two halves against Seattle. (Ryan \u2013 12)<\/p>\n

11.\u00a0\u00a0 CHICAGO FIRE<\/strong> (1-1-2, 5 points)
\nLucky to get a goal from a Pavel Pardo free kick that ricochets off of an unassuming Logan Pause, but it still equals a point at the end – which came prematurely just after the hour due to lightning. (Brian \u2013 11) \u2026 Friedrich gets his first start in a rain shortened draw. Still hard to tell where this team will be after just four games. (Sean \u2013 12) \u2026 They only have one win in their first four games, but certain players looked better than others. (Ryan -11)<\/p>\n

12.<\/strong> (-1) CHIVAS USA<\/strong> (3-3-0, 9 points)
\nDon\u2019t look now but the Goats have won three of their last four, with their most recent win coming against the Reds on the road. Oswaldo Minda gets the game-winner while Dan Kennedy came up big in the waning minutes. (Brian \u2013 12) \u2026 Chivas USA have now won two in a row and are a perfect 3-0-0 on the road. It\u2019s time to start getting results at home and with Philly up next, there\u2019s no excuse not to. (Sean \u2013 10) \u2026 Another game, another win for the Goats. It might have been over lowly Toronto, but those are the games you have to win. (Ryan \u2013 14)<\/p>\n

13.<\/strong> (+1) LOS ANGELES GALAXY<\/strong> (2-3-0, 6 points)
\nFinally get its first win since Mar. 18 with a 3-1 victory over a reeling Timbers\u2019 team. But it won\u2019t get any easier when they head to Colorado to face an improving Rapids squad at altitude. (Brian \u2013 15) \u2026 Looks like the Galaxy offense may have finally awakened. Can they bring that momentum to Colorado. (Sean \u2013 13) \u2026 David Beckham showed he still has it with a great strike. (Ryan \u2013 10)<\/p>\n

14.<\/strong> (-3) NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION<\/strong>\u00a0(2-4-0, 6 points)
\nThe effort was never in question, but without their skipper, the Revs leave the pitch without points thanks to another late-game goal. But with a bye week on the agenda, the Jay Heaps hopes it\u2019ll afford his squad the opportunity to fine tune its form. (Brian \u2013 14) \u2026 Clearly missed Shalrie Joseph this past weekend and defense still needs work. Will Lozano be back in the XI after a needed bye week? (Sean \u2013 14) \u2026 The defense is starting to sink like it did last year. It\u2019s time to put a rock in the back line. (Ryan \u2013 13)<\/p>\n

15.\u00a0 COLUMBUS CREW<\/strong> (2-3-0, 6 points)
\nSuccumbed to a Union side that needed a penalty to earn three points, but even so, the Crew look like a team that\u2019s still searching for its identity. (Brian – 13) \u2026 Lost to Philly thanks to a PK. The Crew have would could be a defining game against Houston this week. (Sean \u2013 15) \u2026Tough loss to Philly, but the road doesn\u2019t get any easier with Houston on the docket. (Ryan \u2013 16)<\/p>\n

16.<\/strong> (+2) PHILADELPHIA UNION<\/strong> (1-3-1, 4 points)
\nGabriel Gomez scores \u2013 albeit from the spot – while the Union\u2019s stingy defense suffocates Columbus to earn its first win of the season. But there\u2019s still a lot of work to do before Philly can even dream of climbing up the standings. (Brian \u2013 16) \u2026 Grab an unconvincing win over the Crew. Union have yet to show they can contend for a playoff spot. (Sean \u2013 17) \u2026 After a tie last week, Novak\u2019s guys picked up their first win on the season. (Ryan \u2013 15)<\/p>\n

17.<\/strong> (-1) PORTLAND TIMBERS<\/strong> (1-4-1, 6 points)
\nAfter a promising start to the season, the Timbers are now winless in its last five with Saturday\u2019s disheartening 3-1 loss to the struggling Galaxy. (Brian \u2013 17) \u2026 After a promising start in Los Angeles, the Timbers fell apart late. Too talented to be doing this poorly. (Sean \u2013 16) \u2026 Just bizarre to see how this team has performed in the middle and the defensive third. (Ryan \u2013 18)<\/p>\n

18.<\/strong> (-1) MONTREAL IMPACT<\/strong> (1-5-1, 4 points)
\nSuffer a fate similar to that of the Revs two weeks ago when Dallas finds the game-winner before the closing bell. No one said it\u2019d be easy for the Impact this season, as evidenced by its fifth loss of the season. (Brian \u2013 18) \u2026 Fought valiantly in Dallas, but couldn\u2019t hold on late. (Sean \u2013 18) \u2026 A late goal costs them their second win. (Ryan \u2013 17)<\/p>\n

19.<\/strong> (-1) TORONTO FC<\/strong> (0-5-0, 0 points)
\nToronto \u2013 According to Aron Winter \u2013 and I quote \u2013 \u201c”If you see all the games, we are the better team. Only difference is that (we) don’t have points.” In related news, pigs were seen flying around BMO Field. (Brian \u2013 19) \u2026 Ok, Champions League grace period is over. Toronto\u2019s the worst team so far this season. (Sean \u2013 19) \u2026 Even a tie would be good for them at this point. (Ryan \u2013 19)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The top three remain the same, but there’s more movement below.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10871,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nesoccertoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/sportingkclogo.jpg?fit=490%2C240&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11217"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11217"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11217\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11225,"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11217\/revisions\/11225"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11217"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11217"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11217"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}