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Goal.com MLS Rankings: Fire Stoked as Dynamo Falls
Chicago moves up two spots after a 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake as Houston finally falls from the number two spot after losing 2-1 to top dogs Columbus at Crew Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Sep 14, 2009 2:13:52 PM
1. Columbus – Who would have though the Crew would have the inside track to the Supporters' Shield after a dismal start? It's a real testament to the job Robert Warzycha has done this season. (1)
2. Chicago – Brian McBride's healthy return in Saturday night's 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake is just what the doctor ordered as the Fire heads towards the playoffs. (4)
3. Houston – The signs aren't particularly encouraging in Houston these days. Is the Dynamo heading for a 2008 repeat? (2)
4. Los Angeles – Give the Galaxy a mulligan for its 6-3 home defeat to FC Dallas, but Bruce Arena has to figure out a way for his slow central defenders to mitigate speedy forwards. (3)
5. Seattle – Is that second win in D.C. in ten days a season changer for the recently sputtering Sounders FC? (7)
6. Colorado – A game effort in Toronto went unrewarded, but the Rapids look like increasingly sure bets to find a way to make their way into the postseason given the form of the teams surrounding them. (5)
7. New England – The Revs' record without Shalrie Joseph in the lineup this season: 0-2-1, one point, zero goals. (6)
8. Chivas USA – Justin Braun looked like he could add a healthy dose of pace to the Goats' playoff chase in his first appearance since June 6. (10)
9. Toronto FC – Dwayne De Rosario made sure a must-win at home to Colorado ended with a victory. (11)
10. D.C. United – Fred and Christian Gomez need to start influencing games if United wants to return to the playoffs. (8)
11. Real Salt Lake – Normally, there wouldn't be much a problem if an undermanned and outplayed RSL drew at home with Chicago, but Jason Kreis' side can't afford home draws if they want to harbor realistic playoff hopes. (9)
12. FC Dallas – The Hoops are just the type of spoiler a neutral wants to see: all offense, no defense. (12)
13. Kansas City – Six points from three road games in eight days represents a nice haul for Peter Vermes' men. (13)
14. San Jose – Darren Huckerby's season-ending surgery won't impact the Quakes' faint playoff hopes. (14)
15. New York – With that 1-0 loss to Kansas City on Saturday night, the Red Bulls are finally eliminated from the playoff chase. The only question: why, oh why, did it take this long for the math to catch up to common perception? (15)
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. Chicago – Brian McBride's healthy return in Saturday night's 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake is just what the doctor ordered as the Fire heads towards the playoffs. (4)
3. Houston – The signs aren't particularly encouraging in Houston these days. Is the Dynamo heading for a 2008 repeat? (2)
4. Los Angeles – Give the Galaxy a mulligan for its 6-3 home defeat to FC Dallas, but Bruce Arena has to figure out a way for his slow central defenders to mitigate speedy forwards. (3)
5. Seattle – Is that second win in D.C. in ten days a season changer for the recently sputtering Sounders FC? (7)
6. Colorado – A game effort in Toronto went unrewarded, but the Rapids look like increasingly sure bets to find a way to make their way into the postseason given the form of the teams surrounding them. (5)
7. New England – The Revs' record without Shalrie Joseph in the lineup this season: 0-2-1, one point, zero goals. (6)
8. Chivas USA – Justin Braun looked like he could add a healthy dose of pace to the Goats' playoff chase in his first appearance since June 6. (10)
9. Toronto FC – Dwayne De Rosario made sure a must-win at home to Colorado ended with a victory. (11)
10. D.C. United – Fred and Christian Gomez need to start influencing games if United wants to return to the playoffs. (8)
11. Real Salt Lake – Normally, there wouldn't be much a problem if an undermanned and outplayed RSL drew at home with Chicago, but Jason Kreis' side can't afford home draws if they want to harbor realistic playoff hopes. (9)
12. FC Dallas – The Hoops are just the type of spoiler a neutral wants to see: all offense, no defense. (12)
13. Kansas City – Six points from three road games in eight days represents a nice haul for Peter Vermes' men. (13)
14. San Jose – Darren Huckerby's season-ending surgery won't impact the Quakes' faint playoff hopes. (14)
15. New York – With that 1-0 loss to Kansas City on Saturday night, the Red Bulls are finally eliminated from the playoff chase. The only question: why, oh why, did it take this long for the math to catch up to common perception? (15)
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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