{"id":14613,"date":"2012-08-10T03:00:06","date_gmt":"2012-08-10T07:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/?p=14613"},"modified":"2012-08-10T16:31:15","modified_gmt":"2012-08-10T20:31:15","slug":"mls-rankings-week-22-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/?p=14613","title":{"rendered":"MLS Rankings: Week 22"},"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\u2019Connell and Sean Donahue contributed rankings. Comments are followed by the ranker\u2019s name and the rank they gave that team.<\/em><\/p>\n

1. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES <\/strong>(13-5-5, 44 points)
\nAfter Swansea City provided some bye week entertainment, they\u2019ll have to face a Seattle side surely smarting over their USOC final loss come Saturday. Get the popcorn ready for this one. (Brian \u2013 1) \u2026 While San Jose\u2019s Western Conference rivals are kept busy with CONCACAF Champions League and the US Open Cup Final, the \u2018Quakes get some extra rest for the home stretch. That could help the Quakes grab a big win over Seattle this week that helps secure their spot at the top. (Sean \u2013 1)<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong> HOUSTON DYNAMO <\/strong>(11-5-7, 40 points)
\nIn a game that could swing the power inside the Eastern Conference, the Dynamo make a statement by beating the Red Bulls 2-0. But NY won\u2019t have to wait long for the rematch \u2013 which takes place on Friday. (Brian) \u2026 Look who is back on top of the East. Who? Houston Dynamo, and with the team riding a five game winning run and Ricardo Clark back, maybe it\u2019s time to start prepping for another rally with Mike Jones<\/a><\/span>. (Sean \u2013 2)<\/p>\n

3.<\/strong> (-1) REAL SALT LAKE<\/strong> (13-8-3, 42 points)
\nFrom Real Salt Lake to Really, Salt Lake? Just when you think they\u2019ve shaken their demons, they go ahead and drop a 1-0 loss to a Colorado team that hadn\u2019t won since June. And a loss in their opening CCL game to Herediano only confirms that the future holds more sleepless nights for Jason Kreis. (Brian \u2013 3) \u2026 It\u2019s really hard to keep Salt Lake this high after their loss to struggling Colorado, but it\u2019s even harder to find someone else to place above them after the top four. Big game in Vancouver coming up as Salt Lake need to worry about keeping the second seed in the West. (Sean \u2013 4)<\/p>\n

4.<\/strong> (+1) D.C. UNITED<\/strong> (11-7-3, 36 points)
\nEdge the Crew 1-0 thanks to the game-winner from Chris Pontius, who\u2019s reached double-digits in the goal department. Another tough test awaits this weekend with newly-crownd USOC champion Sporting K.C. on tap. (Brian \u2013 4) \u2026 Important three points against the Crew means United \u2013 who have the second best record (6-4-0) in the East over the last ten games) \u2013 are keeping the pace with the East\u2019s leaders and hold their own destiny with two games in hand on the Dynamo. (Sean \u2013 5)<\/p>\n

5.<\/strong> (+1) SEATTLE SOUNDERS<\/strong> (10-5-7, 37 points)
\nAbsolutely obliterated the Galaxy to the tune of 4-0 at CenteryLink Field on national TV. Though they fell short of the USOC 4-peat, they\u2019ll surely use the bitter taste of that defeat to steer their focus on the Supporter\u2019s Shield. (Brian \u2013 7) \u2026 Tough loss in the Open Cup final, but with a huge win 4-0 over the Galaxy and a six run unbeaten streak in MLS, as well as a 3-1 win to start Champions League play, things are looking good for the Sounders. (Sean \u2013 3)<\/p>\n

T6.<\/strong> (-2) NEW YORK RED BULLS<\/strong> (11-7-5, 38 points)
\nTim Cahill\u2019s debut gets spoiled by the Dynamo, but they won\u2019t have to wait long for a chance at revenge on Friday. More good news: Dax McCarty returns from suspension. (Brian \u2013 6) \u2026 Two losses in a row, though with Houston\u2019s home form, can you blame them? With a rematch with the Dynamo at home on Friday and the talent the Red Bulls have on their squad, a repeat of the same result will raise a lot of questions about NY\u2019s title credentials. (Sean \u2013 6)<\/p>\n

T6<\/strong>. (+2) SPORTING KANSAS CITY<\/strong> (12-7-4, 40 points)
\nAfter hoisting the Lamar Hunt Trophy on Wednesday, it\u2019s short rest for the weary with D.C United up next. The attack may not be at its sharpest, but the midfield has done well to fluster its opponents in recent weeks. (Brian \u2013 5) \u2026 An Open Cup is great and three points is three points, but the SKC will need to play a lot better than they did against the Revs if they are to keep the pace at the top of the East. Huge home game against D.C. United coming up. (Sean \u2013 7)<\/p>\n

8.<\/strong> (+1) CHICAGO FIRE<\/strong> (10-7-5, 35 points)
\nSnapped its two-game skid with a 2-1 win over the cellar-dwelling Toronto FC. A trip to PPL Park may give some indication as to how badly it wants to stay inside the playoff picture. (Brian \u2013 8) \u2026 Comeback win over Toronto has the Fire sitting pretty in the fifth and final playoff spot in the East with a nice cushion over their rivals. The Fire aren\u2019t blowing anyone out, but their racking up points. (Sean \u2013 8)<\/p>\n

9.<\/strong> (-3) LOS ANGELES GALAXY<\/strong> (10-11-3, 33 points)
\nGals crash and burn in Seattle thanks to a 4-0 artificial grass whuppin\u2019. You know it\u2019s bad when Bruce Arena isn\u2019t the only one blaming the refs for the wretched result. (Brian \u2013 9) \u2026 Crushing loss to the Seattle Sounders ends the Galaxy\u2019s impressive run. Suddenly this weekend\u2019s match against Chivas USA is looking crucial to the Galaxy\u2019s hopes of holding onto the fifth spot in the West. (Sean \u2013 9)<\/p>\n

10.<\/strong> (+ 1) VANCOUVER WHITECAPS<\/strong> (9-7-7, 34 points)
\nCome off the bye week with Kenny Miller in tow to face a Salt Lake side coming off of stunning league and CCL defeats. Will this be the game where Vancouver finally convinces us that its postseason worthy? (Brian \u2013 10) \u2026 Bye week for the Caps as they continue to shuffle their roster. Form has been poor, but the Crew\u2019s loss moves them up a spot. (Sean \u2013 10)<\/p>\n

11.<\/strong> (-1) COLUMBUS CREW <\/strong>(8-8-4, 28 points)
\nThe 1-0 loss was nothing compared the tragic news of Kirk Urso\u2019s passing early Sunday morning. Although the Crew will enter Saturday\u2019s match against TFC with a heavy heart, they\u2019ll have to retain their focus to start collecting points down the stretch. (Brian \u2013 11) \u2026 With two games in hand the Crew still have the best (realistically, the only) shot at catching the Fire. Still, a 1-0 loss to D.C. put a significant dent in their hopes and Saturday\u2019s match vs. Toronto is pretty close to a must win. (Sean – 11) *(Note<\/strong>: the Toronto match has been postponed to August 22nd)<\/p>\n

12.<\/strong> (+2) MONTREAL IMPACT<\/strong> (9-13-3, 30 points)
\nIt was the headbutt heard \u2018round MLS: Nelson Rivas taking down Antoine Hoppenot with his forehead. Even so, the Impact grab the 2-0 win, but Rivas faces a three-game ban \u2013 which takes effect against a reeling Revolution side on Sunday. (Brian \u2013 12) \u2026 The Impact seems to have finally found their form. Unfortunately for them, they\u2019ve played more games than everyone else and would need to come close to winning out the season to make the playoffs. (Sean \u2013 12)<\/p>\n

13.<\/strong> (-1) CHIVAS USA<\/strong> (7-8-5, 26 points)
\nWith Shalrie Joseph on board, the Goats will look to repeat the success they grabbed last time they faced the Galaxy, who come into Saturday\u2019s game looking to rebound from last weekend\u2019s humiliation. (Brian \u2013 13) \u2026 Had a bye week to get ready for their biggest match of the season. Upset the Galaxy and Chivas all of a sudden have a great shot at the postseason with all their games in hand. (Sean \u2013 13)<\/p>\n

14.<\/strong> (+4) COLORADO RAPIDS<\/strong> (8-14-1, 25 points)
\nJoseph Nane’s first MLS goal snaps the Rapids six-game losing streak against rival Real Salt Lake. And \u2013 what\u2019s this \u2013 perhaps a chance to make it two in a row against Dallas this weekend? (Brian \u2013 14) \u2026 Shock upset win over Real Salt Lake ends their six losing streak and keeps their extremely slim playoff hopes still alive. (Sean \u2013 15)<\/p>\n

T15.<\/strong> (-3) PHILADELPHIA UNION<\/strong> (7-11-2, 23 points)
\nJack McInerney gets sent to the showers in a 2-0 loss to the Impact. Even though they still have games in hand, the season\u2019s not getting any longer, and three points is a must against the Fire on Saturday. (Brian \u2013 17) \u2026 Tough loss to Montreal essentially ends any realistic playoff hopes for the Union. Still, they\u2019re far better off than where they were before Peter Nowak\u2019s departure. (Sean \u2013 14)<\/p>\n

T15.<\/strong> (-1) NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION<\/strong> (6-11-5, 23 points)
\nLooks like the well\u2019s gone dry in New England, as the Revolution\u2019s slide continues with a 1-0 loss to a chippy Sporting K.C. With Montreal in town on Sunday, they\u2019ll have to find a way to get maximum points. (Brian \u2013 15) \u2026 The worst team in the East over the last 10 games kept their form intact with a loss to Sporting Kansas City in which the team looked lost with captain Shalrie Joseph now on permanently the west coast. Jerry Bengtson\u2019s return could help a lot, but even a 2002-esque run wouldn\u2019t be enough to get this team to the playoffs with the improved East. It\u2019s all about building for 2013 at this point. (Sean \u2013 16)<\/p>\n

17. FC DALLAS<\/strong> (5-11-8, 23 points)
\nFit to be tied against the equally abysmal Portland Timbers. Granted Brek Shea and Kevin Hartman looked their usual selves, but even with both in form, it\u2019s too little, too late. (Brian \u2013 16) \u2026 Another red card forces Dallas to settle for a point even with their stars returning to health and form. A team with this talent should\u2019ve still been in the hunt at this point, which makes Dallas\u2019 awful season even more of a disappointment. (Sean \u2013 17)<\/p>\n

18.<\/strong> (-2) TORONTO FC<\/strong> (5-13-4, 19 points)
\nThe Reds resume to what they do best \u2013 blowing what few leads they earn \u2013 in Sunday\u2019s go from in front 2-1 loss to the Fire. Another tough game against an emotionally-charged Crew doesn\u2019t look promising. (Brian \u2013 18) \u2026 Back-to-back losses means Toronto can officially put their focus on the Champions League \u2013 and picking up as high a draft pick as possible. (Sean \u2013 18)<\/p>\n

19. PORTLAND TIMBERS <\/strong>(5-12-5, 20 points)
\nAt least they didn\u2019t lose. A 1-1 draw with Dallas finally gives the Timbers something to celebrate, but you have to wonder what the trade for Donovan Ricketts will do for the attack, which has been terrible this season. (Brian \u2013 19) \u2026 Rarely threatened against Dallas until going up a man, so it\u2019s hard to give them much credit for the draw that ended their losing skid. (Sean \u2013 19)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

San Jose remains on top and the Dynamo affirm their spot at the top of the East.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":12002,"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\/05\/earthquakesfeature.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\/14613"}],"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\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14613"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14613\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14620,"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14613\/revisions\/14620"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12002"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14613"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14613"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14613"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}