GREEN ARMY’S MLS POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 3
A record breaking weekend of MLS action in the books. There were a total of eight matches played on Saturday, the most in MLS history. The biggest winners of the weekend were the New England Revolution and the Philadelphia Union. The Revs came back from a 1-0 deficit to smash Toronto 4-1, thanks to a hat trick by rookie Schilawski. The Union recorded their first home victory in franchise history in front of 34,000 fans. The Union defeated DC United 3-2 thanks to a hat trick by Sebastian LeToux.
The LA Galaxy take the top spot in the rankings this week. They are undefeated in three matches and have yet to concede a goal. Kansas moved to 2nd after posting another win at home against the Colorado Rapids. Kansas travels to Seattle next week and hosts LA the week after, so we’ll see how long they can hold on to that 2nd spot. NY drops a spot after their frustrating 2-0 loss to Chivas.
Chivas stays in 12th despite their first win of the season. Similarly, the Rapids hold on to the 8th spot after dropping a tough match at Kansas. They’ll plummet down the rankings if they get anything but a victory when they host Toronto next week. Columbus stays 4th after a 2-2 draw at Dallas. Toronto and DC United remain at the bottom of the pack. The good news is that United finally scored some goals and Toronto . . . didn’t lose by 5.
The big movers are the Philadelphia Union, San Jose Earthquakes, and the New England Revolution. All posted big wins this weekend. Struggling champs, Real Salt Lake, drop a few notches despite earning a tie at Seattle. Seattle, Dallas, and Houston both drop a few spots after struggling at home this weekend. Finally, the Chicago Fire, now winless in 3 matches, drop to 14th.
MLS Power Rankings after Week 3:
1. ↑ (5) Los Angeles Galaxy: Buddle 5, opposing teams 0.
2. ↑ (3) Kansas City: Home field advantage gets KC another W.
3. ↓ (2) New York Red Bulls: Unlucky, and can’t connect up top.
4. – (4) Columbus Crew: 2nd half surge and almost had a road win.
5. ↓ (1) RSL: Champs fought back to earn a tie at Seattle.
6. ↑ (11) NE Revolution: Rookie hat trick, Nicol is the Superdraft king.
7. ↓ (7) Seattle: Home woes continue, at least Zakuani scored.
8. - (8) Colorado Rapids: Attack is MIA.
9. ↓ (6) Houston: No Ching and now no Landin, not looking good.
10. ↑ (13) San Jose: Alvarez and Opara punished the Fire.
11. ↑ (14) Philadelphia Union: LeToux hat-trick, 34,000 in the stands.
12. - (12) Chivas USA: First win with a little help from NY’s keeper.
13. ↓ (10) FC Dallas: Squeak out tie at home thanks to Avila.
14. ↓ (9) Chicago: Pappa with a blast but not enough, still winless.
15. – (15) Toronto FC: Preki is feeling the heat, 4-1 loss to Revs.
16. – (16) DC United: Moreno up top + Castillo on the bench = goals, but not Win.
April 12th, 2010 at 9:34 am
Is it just me, or is the foot quality of defenders absolutly horrific? I think I counted 5, maybe 6 goals that were result of a terrible pass by a defender in or near the penalty area.
April 12th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Yeah it wasn’t a good weekend for defenders. But i think goalkeepers had an even tougher day on Saturday.
Seitz bites on Moreno’s fake and gives up the tieing goal, Bouna scores an own goal, Pickens caught in no man’s land for Kamara’s goal, Perkins’ positioning on LeToux’s free kick, and Pat Onstad got beat by Buddle near post from an angle he should have covered.
Season is still early, players are probably still getting some of the rust off.