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Goal.com MLS Rankings: Week 17
Jul 28, 2010 1:18:00 AM
By Zac Lee Rigg
Editor's note: With usual MLS ranker Kyle McCarthy preparing for the bar exam, Zac Lee Rigg steps in to inadequately fill his shoes this week. Normal service resumes next week.
1. Los Angeles – Despite the midweek MLS draw and heavy CONCACAF Champions League weekend loss, the Galaxy could probably lose its remaining games and still qualify for the playoffs. (1)
2. Columbus – A goalkeeper blunder and red card helped, but you don't whip Houston 3-0 without doing something right. (3)
3. Salt Lake – One point in the past two games isn't great, but Jason Kreis won't start worrying just yet. If not for some generous finishing and Nick Rimando's gift of a goal, Chivas USA wouldn't have escaped Utah with a point. (2)
4. FC Dallas – The Hoops probably didn't deserve a point in Toronto, but success often comes down to nabbing points precisely when you don't deserve them. (4)
5. San Jose – A team of false promises since expansion in 2008, this Earthquakes roster might actually deliver post-season ball if it can hold onto the gutsy attitude it showed against Los Angeles in the California Clasico. (6)
6. New York – Some plucky performances against high-caliber English Premier League opposition won't help in the playoff race, unfortunately. That said, the signing of Thierry Henry just might; the Frenchman looks graceful and comfortable in a Red Bulls uniform already. (5)
7. Toronto FC – The signings of Maicon Santos and Mista give TFC different, better options up top. Now it's a matter of finishing ruthlessly so that the Canadians emerge with comfortable wins instead of tying with Dallas or only winning by one over Motagua. (7)
8. Seattle – Frankly, the post-Ljungberg Sounders look more crisp and energetic than the version that included the Swede. (10)
9. Colorado – The good: the Rapids' fightback after each goal conceded to Seattle. The bad: a quieter second half when points were still on offer. The ugly: Conor Casey bleeding heavily from his bald dome well after the match during post-game interviews. (8)
10. Houston – Dominic Kinnear will need to make sure the midweek All-Star festivities don't distract his players from correcting a rather bad performance in Columbus. (9)
11. New England – In past years the Revolution has proven woeful at transferring positive SuperLiga form into MLS play. Steve Nicol gets another crack at correcting that this year. (12)
12. Chicago – A trip to Los Angeles probably isn't how the Fire wanted to come back from a three-week break for SuperLiga. (11)
13. Chivas USA – Some of the squad players like Justin Braun and Jesus Padilla are proving valuable even as the team adds Latin experience in attacking roles. (15)
14. Kansas City – Jimmy Conrad's tweets about his red card against Manchester United were probably better than the win itself. (13)
15. Philadelphia – Justin Mapp and Eduardo Caudet add experience to a fairly green Union midfield. (14)
16. D.C. United – Thrashing Portsmouth counts for nothing until D.C. budges from its hole at the bottom of the league standings. (16)
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
1. Los Angeles – Despite the midweek MLS draw and heavy CONCACAF Champions League weekend loss, the Galaxy could probably lose its remaining games and still qualify for the playoffs. (1)
2. Columbus – A goalkeeper blunder and red card helped, but you don't whip Houston 3-0 without doing something right. (3)
3. Salt Lake – One point in the past two games isn't great, but Jason Kreis won't start worrying just yet. If not for some generous finishing and Nick Rimando's gift of a goal, Chivas USA wouldn't have escaped Utah with a point. (2)
4. FC Dallas – The Hoops probably didn't deserve a point in Toronto, but success often comes down to nabbing points precisely when you don't deserve them. (4)
5. San Jose – A team of false promises since expansion in 2008, this Earthquakes roster might actually deliver post-season ball if it can hold onto the gutsy attitude it showed against Los Angeles in the California Clasico. (6)
6. New York – Some plucky performances against high-caliber English Premier League opposition won't help in the playoff race, unfortunately. That said, the signing of Thierry Henry just might; the Frenchman looks graceful and comfortable in a Red Bulls uniform already. (5)
7. Toronto FC – The signings of Maicon Santos and Mista give TFC different, better options up top. Now it's a matter of finishing ruthlessly so that the Canadians emerge with comfortable wins instead of tying with Dallas or only winning by one over Motagua. (7)
8. Seattle – Frankly, the post-Ljungberg Sounders look more crisp and energetic than the version that included the Swede. (10)
9. Colorado – The good: the Rapids' fightback after each goal conceded to Seattle. The bad: a quieter second half when points were still on offer. The ugly: Conor Casey bleeding heavily from his bald dome well after the match during post-game interviews. (8)
10. Houston – Dominic Kinnear will need to make sure the midweek All-Star festivities don't distract his players from correcting a rather bad performance in Columbus. (9)
11. New England – In past years the Revolution has proven woeful at transferring positive SuperLiga form into MLS play. Steve Nicol gets another crack at correcting that this year. (12)
12. Chicago – A trip to Los Angeles probably isn't how the Fire wanted to come back from a three-week break for SuperLiga. (11)
13. Chivas USA – Some of the squad players like Justin Braun and Jesus Padilla are proving valuable even as the team adds Latin experience in attacking roles. (15)
14. Kansas City – Jimmy Conrad's tweets about his red card against Manchester United were probably better than the win itself. (13)
15. Philadelphia – Justin Mapp and Eduardo Caudet add experience to a fairly green Union midfield. (14)
16. D.C. United – Thrashing Portsmouth counts for nothing until D.C. budges from its hole at the bottom of the league standings. (16)
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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