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Goal.com MLS Rankings: A Titanic Collision Awaits
With week twelve now in the books, Houston climbs to second spot ahead of a visit by top dog Chivas USA on Wednesday as New York plunges into the basement.
Jun 8, 2009 9:07:18 AM
1. Chivas USA – Another three points after another gritty but unimpressive performance against Seattle. They'll have to do better in Houston on Wednesday in order to leave with points. (1)
2. Houston – Winners of six of its last seven and unbeaten in its last eight, the Dynamo is on a tear. With a win on Wednesday, Houston could close to within three points of top spot in the West with two games in hand. (3)
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3. Chicago – The enigmatic Fire need to win more home games (1-2-3). Maintaining that impressive away form in D.C. next weekend would continue to paper over those deficienies by extending the lead atop the East to five points. (2)
4. Colorado – The Rapids haven't lost in six after a 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake and will play nine of their next 12 matches in the rarefied air of Commerce City. Don't sleep on the Rapids. (6)
5. D.C. United – Job done against New York on Thursday night, but United will peek warily behind them with Columbus and New England three points back with games in hand and Chicago visiting next weekend. (5)
6. Seattle – Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid wasn't happy about his side's indiscipline and chattiness in its 1-0 loss to Chivas USA. He shouldn't be. The dangerous, referee-inspired combo threatens to sidetrack Seattle's promising campaign. (4)
7. Columbus – A smash and grab raid – fueled by Guillermo Barros Schelotto's two goals and a fine performance from Overland Park product Andy Gruenebaum – at CommunityAmerica Ballpark extended the Crew's unbeaten streak to eight matches and lifted the champs into third place in the East. (9)
8. New England – It's not rocket science. Having a player who has scored 101 goals in league play makes your team considerably better, even if he can only come off the bench in the second half. (10)
9. Los Angeles – Impressive victory in Toronto extended the Galaxy's unbeaten streak to ten matches with two winnable matches (v. Real Salt Lake, @ San Jose) ahead. (12)
10. Kansas City – A decent attacking performance blunted by less than predatory finishing and less than stellar communication at the back. The latter issue – a recurring theme despite the Wizards' position as the best defensive team in the East – will worry K.C. boss Curt Onalfo. (7)
11. Toronto FC – The Reds have 11 points from eight home games. If that form (and the wasteful finishing) continues in the second half of the home slate, TFC will once again end up watching the playoffs from home. (8)
12. Real Salt Lake – With two road matches ahead and the two sides below them improving (and only two and three points behind them, respectively), RSL is closer to the Western Conference basement than the playoffs right now. (11)
13. FC Dallas – Kenny Cooper (two goals) and Jeff Cunningham (one goal, one assist) have come alive in the past two matches. Not surprisingly, the Hoops have four points in those two games. (14)
14. San Jose – “Obviously, before the game, to think of getting points on the road is always a positive but being 2-1 up with five minutes left, it feels like we lost,” coach Frank Yallop said after Sunday's 2-2 draw in Frisco. (15)
15. New York – Seven points out of the playoffs and facing five of the next seven on the road, the Red Bulls face a major shakeup if their woeful road form (0-6-1) doesn't improve quickly. (13)
Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. He also covers the New England Revolution for the Boston Herald and MLSnet.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kyle.mccarthy@goal.com and follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com’s MLS page.
2. Houston – Winners of six of its last seven and unbeaten in its last eight, the Dynamo is on a tear. With a win on Wednesday, Houston could close to within three points of top spot in the West with two games in hand. (3)
c
3. Chicago – The enigmatic Fire need to win more home games (1-2-3). Maintaining that impressive away form in D.C. next weekend would continue to paper over those deficienies by extending the lead atop the East to five points. (2)
4. Colorado – The Rapids haven't lost in six after a 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake and will play nine of their next 12 matches in the rarefied air of Commerce City. Don't sleep on the Rapids. (6)
5. D.C. United – Job done against New York on Thursday night, but United will peek warily behind them with Columbus and New England three points back with games in hand and Chicago visiting next weekend. (5)
6. Seattle – Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid wasn't happy about his side's indiscipline and chattiness in its 1-0 loss to Chivas USA. He shouldn't be. The dangerous, referee-inspired combo threatens to sidetrack Seattle's promising campaign. (4)
7. Columbus – A smash and grab raid – fueled by Guillermo Barros Schelotto's two goals and a fine performance from Overland Park product Andy Gruenebaum – at CommunityAmerica Ballpark extended the Crew's unbeaten streak to eight matches and lifted the champs into third place in the East. (9)
8. New England – It's not rocket science. Having a player who has scored 101 goals in league play makes your team considerably better, even if he can only come off the bench in the second half. (10)
9. Los Angeles – Impressive victory in Toronto extended the Galaxy's unbeaten streak to ten matches with two winnable matches (v. Real Salt Lake, @ San Jose) ahead. (12)
10. Kansas City – A decent attacking performance blunted by less than predatory finishing and less than stellar communication at the back. The latter issue – a recurring theme despite the Wizards' position as the best defensive team in the East – will worry K.C. boss Curt Onalfo. (7)
11. Toronto FC – The Reds have 11 points from eight home games. If that form (and the wasteful finishing) continues in the second half of the home slate, TFC will once again end up watching the playoffs from home. (8)
12. Real Salt Lake – With two road matches ahead and the two sides below them improving (and only two and three points behind them, respectively), RSL is closer to the Western Conference basement than the playoffs right now. (11)
13. FC Dallas – Kenny Cooper (two goals) and Jeff Cunningham (one goal, one assist) have come alive in the past two matches. Not surprisingly, the Hoops have four points in those two games. (14)
14. San Jose – “Obviously, before the game, to think of getting points on the road is always a positive but being 2-1 up with five minutes left, it feels like we lost,” coach Frank Yallop said after Sunday's 2-2 draw in Frisco. (15)
15. New York – Seven points out of the playoffs and facing five of the next seven on the road, the Red Bulls face a major shakeup if their woeful road form (0-6-1) doesn't improve quickly. (13)
Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. He also covers the New England Revolution for the Boston Herald and MLSnet.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kyle.mccarthy@goal.com and follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com’s MLS page.
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