Wednesday, 16 April 08, 08:29 PM
After 3 weeks of intense MLS action, it becomes clear who is on top of their game so far. So lets start off the the 7 top teams of the MLS.
1. Chicago Fire 2-0-1
In week one the full squad was trying to get comfortable with eachother's ability on the field against Real Salt Lake. The second week saw a strong group of fowards and midfield putting the ball in play perfectly for a scoring chance. They finished with 4 goals against a tough but injured New England Revelution. With key addition F Tomaz Frankowski and M/F Blanco playing a whole season, not to mention a healthy F/M Chris Rolfe and M Justin Mapp; The Fire should be putting away lots of goals. Unlike last season. The lead scorer for the men in red, F Chad Barret had only 9 goals in 2007. The unsung hero in the defence is the fearless D Gonzalo Segares, who has shown no matter who he plays against he will rough you up. D Wilman Conde needs to stay in Chicago if they want any chance of winning a cup.
2. New England Revolution 2-2-0
The Rev's are the league's biggest enigma so far. They always find a way back on top and within reach of the MLS Cup. Without F Taylor Twellman and Steve Ralston the rev's will need some offence off the bench. D Chris Albright the former Galaxy helps the defence with lots of expierience in the back. despite the 2-2-0 record and 1-0 loss to Colorado they still can play without their star players with a good bench including F Sainey Nyassi. The kid has great speed and can finish if given the opportunity. I dont see the momentum of the rev's slowing down at all they can dominate with and without the ball. This saturday they will have to deal with The New York Red Bulls but i believe they can win with whoever is on the field.
3. Kansas City Wizards 2-1-1
Winless week raises serious questions about the Wizard's attack. In week two they took on the Rapids at home and secured their second win of the season with a 3-2 victory. Stellar defence kept the Wizard's alive for a point against the defending champions the Houston Dynamo in a 0-0 draw. G Kevin Hartman has proven to be one of the top goalkeepers posting his MLS best 69th shutout. Key addition F Claudio Lopez, former America of the Mexican League has shown he too can play in the MLS. D Chance Myers is a good playmaker with the ball next to his feet and has D Jimmy Conrad to lead the way. F Ivan Trujillo off the bench provides a spark to the offence when needed up front. The next game against the men in red will be difficult this comming sunday. But, if they show their colors the Wizard's can prove to be the top Eastern Conference team.
4. Colorado Rapids 2-1-0
This is no fluke. Fernando Clavjo's unsung cast has got it going on. The Rapids are out there playing with the best in MLS and seems to have everything under control to this point. They did a great job picking up F Christian Gomez former DC United Striker. But even without him in the lineup the Rapids remain solid pushing for goal opportunties. Credit the defence for remaining focus versus New England in the last game. The 3-2 loss to Kansas was something they wanted to forget. They lacked the defensive skills to stop the attack and i believe they wont be lucky when the rev's have Twellman and Ralston back in the lineup. The Rapids sit atop of The Western Conference and is tied with Chivas for the highest scoring team in the league, with 7 goals.
5. Chivas USA 1-1-1
What is there to be said about this great franchise team that sees only their forth MLS season. They rely heavily on The Goalkeeper of the Year Brad Guzan, who is having a nightmare so far. There is a chance of Guzan leaving for a european team but if he stays in California we might possibly see a MLS Cup hoisted up in Carson. Columbus scored 4 goals to take a 3-4 victory in which goals were scored by M Jesse Marsh, M Sacha Kljestan and M Paulo Nagamura. These players will need to put the ball in play and give the fowards chances. New member D Jim Curtain needs to step up his playing skills on defence or Chivas will see more goals against then goals for. F Ante Razov is injured once again but the team has to get the youngster out there now just in case it happens again come playoff time. The expectations are high for this team.
6. FC Dallas Hoops 1-0-2
M Arturo Alvarez had a masterful performance that made Dallas fans say championship. They did lose F Carlos Ruiz but he got injured in the second game of LA's season and will be out for sometime. M Juan Toja and M Pablo Riccheti are the ones that need to help create scoring chances with the smarts they posses. F Kenny Cooper has returned to help the Hoops win some games, he will be needed no doubt. Against the Red Bulls, Cooper scored a goal to help his team take a 2-0 vctory at home. D Alex Yi decides to retire at the age of 26 due to injuries in his left hamstring. So D Duilio Davino brought in to help out the back needs to have a solid year if they want to have a chance to win it all. The Hoops have a great goalkeeper in G Dario Sala who has played 3 years with the team. Each year proving to be one of the best in the MLS, he plays to win. This team had lots of up and downs years but this year looks to be like a winner should they make it to the Western Conference Finals.
7. Columbus Crew 2-1-0
Two early wins at home will go far in keeping Sigi Schmid employed. He needs to keep his team motivated and hope that this for real. Everything starts with one man and that man is M Guillermo Barros Schelotto. After and impressive 4-3 win against the Chivas this past week was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week scoring one goal and tallied 2 assist. The attack is strong with F Alejandro Moreno and F Nicolas Hernandez up front leading the charge. Other talents include 21 year old M-F Eddie Gaven and M Robbie Rogers who can move the ball well and open up the defence. M Brian Carrol was brought in from DC United to help out the defence that continue to struggle at times. Much is to be said about the other players helping out the team but only time will tell. If they make another move for an international star they could very well become a great franchise in the years to come.
yes if you read about Dallas you will know why. they did beat a good New York team...
ohhh yeah I read already if because of the injuries!! I know ALvarez is a great Player and good scorer.... but yeah Hopefully Dallas for Champion what do you think Emmy?
well Carlos Ruis plays for LA now not Dallas. If Cooper can stay healthy to play when it counts the most come playoff time, yea i would think they have a chance. I realy like Davino comming in from mexico following so many others. Sala plays like he would take a bullet for a team mate.
I would have said yes if Matt Pickens didnt leave for a european team. But everything is new in Chicago. Coach Dennis, assistant Armas who just retired last year, also President and GM John Guppy was asked to leave Chicago. This is a start of a new era for this team and so far so good :D
UHHH I WISH CHIVAS USA WAS IN A BETTA SPOT THAN 5TH DEY NEED 2 BE IN LIKE 3 O 2ND LOL!!!BUT O WELLZ DA GOOD TING IS CHICAGO FIRE IS DOIN GOOD!!!YEA...
next week i will Ronaldo5 and about Chivas USA they have a great chance to take first place in the Western Conference at the end of the season. Will Brad stay with them?
well yea i knw dey do but i dnt knw wats up wit dem dey need 2 step dey game up lol!!
uhhhh idk he betta lol jk!!!
chicago fire!!! nice although i'm with my good friend chivas06 I wish chivas USA was in a better spot...right behind chicago fire it would be something uhhh...
Является настолько симпатичным ваш ( its pretty baby?
i really like it! =]
i cant even believe u wrote.
and im not surprised to where chicago fire is at.
thank you cataline and everyone eles for your thoughts. I did my research before i ranked the teams and i wont be suprised if the power ranking changes around a bit.
wow emmy..nice blog..though I'm not exactly into MLS but at least this made me somewhat acquainted with American soccer!!lol. Keep up d gud work!!
Great post Emmanuel...
I've been trying to update my US Soccer blog but I messed it up. I honestly believe that now that they are out of the CONCACAF Champions League Houston might start playing better. And the suck-ass Galaxy might be the first victim... It's wait and see...
COOL!!! lol.. so u did this all by urelf?? its nice and chicago rocks!! lol.. arriba el cuah!!
i really liked it! I can tell that you did a lot of research. I found it funny that the galaxy aren't one of the top 7 teams, and am kind of glad, as I have no liking for Landon Donovan.
Nice blog! It's great that you touched on many teams. Anyways, you don't sound like the Chivas fan that you are when you talk about them. But, I guess it's good because you don't want to be biased and have people only support Chivas. Overall, good job :)
I agree about Houston mano. They are the defending champs and they still have the same roster. The same could be said about DC. I feel sorry for Galaxy because Chivas are taking over LA. Oh and Ani my #1 team are on top. Safe and sound for now.
The Revs are playing intellegent and they are getting the results that they want. I glad to see that Castro(16), is doing a decent job in the middle of the field, so I read in a Honduran Website!! Amado Guevara is back, but this time he will play in Toronto FC, the Honduran is a veteran that can lead the Canadians to the Play-Offs!!! The Wizards are doing well so far, and I glad that Roger Espinoza is having some playing time, so I read in a Honduran paper. San Jose, is having the typical season of a begginer!!!
OMG!!! Emmy this blog is cool and have had alot of sucess!!!! I can't wait for the second part!!! well DC United is one of my favorites besides Fc Dallas.. I wish we were in a better spot then the six!!! but I was reading adn its that the order that they supposed to be?
lempira ill be sure to mention that when i talk about the remaining 7 teams. Which are still good teams. This is the order based on the teams they played, and how well they did against them. From the end of last year to now.
good work man, how many teams are there, and who should i be looking out for?
Nice blog! I can learn from you! Im a Red Bulls girl but i have a soft spot for Chicago. Hope for a Red Bulls win saturday against New England!
there are 14 teams as of now and soon to be 15 with phili joining in on the fun. More teams mean that more players will want to come play in the US. New England and Houston have made the MLS finals together 2 years in a row with Houston winning 2 years in a row. Those are the teams to be looking out for Eltorro.
am, chairmad of brudge wich is new in our football in uganda sensetizing fans and soccer players byt l wnt to work together
You are an idiot, which is not surprising since you are a F!re fan.
"Nicolas Hernandez up front leading the charge".. Oh really? Get your facts straight, you dumpster-digging Sh!tcago fan.
30 Comments
well im not really a mls fan but im glad tat chivas usa is in da top 7!!!!!
what??? FC Dallas are on the 6th place? they need to step up! lol.