2007 MLS Week 9 Power Ratings
Week nine finds MLS make in the mud, as a bunch of teams in the middle get muddy while two of the top five are in semi-slumps. The East continues to stand tall as they own all of the top four spots for the first time this year.
1. New York Red Bull (Last week - 1) - They were run over playing a man down against KC, but they still made the most of their offensive chances. If they can continue to make something of their chances, their defense will have a lot of room for mistakes.
2. Kansas City Wizards (3) - They owned the Red Bull match and Eddie Johnson is back, but sadly, Johnson is about to leave for national duty and they only beat the Bulls by one. Their lack of offense from anyone else is alarming. Hopefully they will find someone else or Bob Bradley might have to scratch EJ from his Copa roster.
3. New England Revolution (2) - The Revs, for the first time this season, suffered from a lack of finishing. They still look good on the ball and have some of the best skill in the league, so it is not panic time, but they still find themselves in a minor slump.
4. DC United (5) - United had another game of slow progress as they are learning to expand their attack, but their anti-counter effort needs some work as does their midfield.
5. FC Dallas (4) - For the second week in a row, FCD owned the first half and then fell on their face in the second. Their lack of cohesion in the middle means few feeds up top and their defense is starting to make costly mistakes again.
6. Toronto FC (7) - Is Toronto a none stop force? They control their field at home and are forcing the issue on the road. That said, they cannot hope for 20 chances every game. They need to finish the openings they get or they could fall to Chivas status.
7. Colorado Rapids (6) - The Rapids might just be the luckiest team in the league as they are consistently out played yet often get points. They are sloppy with their passes and lack an attack, but always seem to be close to making something happen. They might not be that great, but they still manage to be a threat.
8. Chicago Fire (8) - Even in a win the Fire look a mess. The lack of flow of this team is scary. It is great to see them actually get a few goals, but I didn't see anything thing that would point to it becoming a common event.
9. Houston Dynamo (9) - Why can't Houston play in the first 45-minutes? The good news is that they played well in the second and found those illusive goals they have been looking for. This club has a lot of talent, but they need to play a full 90 and continue to finish chances if they want any chance of moving up.
10. Chivas USA (10) - Chivas had the week off, but it took them five days to realize it.
11. Columbus Crew (12) - What to say about the Crew? They manage to always have a couple great moments in a match but those moments are often forgotten by the 'oh no way' events that soon unfold. Their offense is looking stronger but they are still quick to give teams chances to beat them.
12. Los Angeles Galaxy (11) - LA came out strong, but quickly showed their age/lack of players on Saturday night. If your game plan counts on a full 90-minutes from Cobi Jones, you have a problem, yet somehow they manage to keep their net free from balls. If they can ever figure out any sort of offense they will rebound well.
13. Real Salt Lake (13) - Their point against New England was pure luck because Real didn't really show anything good on the pitch. The attack that seemed to be coming together earlier in the year is nowhere to be found and they are giving up more balls the ever. The good news is Nick Rimando is looking stronger in goal.
And now we have another week done.
1. New York Red Bull (Last week - 1) - They were run over playing a man down against KC, but they still made the most of their offensive chances. If they can continue to make something of their chances, their defense will have a lot of room for mistakes.
2. Kansas City Wizards (3) - They owned the Red Bull match and Eddie Johnson is back, but sadly, Johnson is about to leave for national duty and they only beat the Bulls by one. Their lack of offense from anyone else is alarming. Hopefully they will find someone else or Bob Bradley might have to scratch EJ from his Copa roster.
3. New England Revolution (2) - The Revs, for the first time this season, suffered from a lack of finishing. They still look good on the ball and have some of the best skill in the league, so it is not panic time, but they still find themselves in a minor slump.
4. DC United (5) - United had another game of slow progress as they are learning to expand their attack, but their anti-counter effort needs some work as does their midfield.
5. FC Dallas (4) - For the second week in a row, FCD owned the first half and then fell on their face in the second. Their lack of cohesion in the middle means few feeds up top and their defense is starting to make costly mistakes again.
6. Toronto FC (7) - Is Toronto a none stop force? They control their field at home and are forcing the issue on the road. That said, they cannot hope for 20 chances every game. They need to finish the openings they get or they could fall to Chivas status.
7. Colorado Rapids (6) - The Rapids might just be the luckiest team in the league as they are consistently out played yet often get points. They are sloppy with their passes and lack an attack, but always seem to be close to making something happen. They might not be that great, but they still manage to be a threat.
8. Chicago Fire (8) - Even in a win the Fire look a mess. The lack of flow of this team is scary. It is great to see them actually get a few goals, but I didn't see anything thing that would point to it becoming a common event.
9. Houston Dynamo (9) - Why can't Houston play in the first 45-minutes? The good news is that they played well in the second and found those illusive goals they have been looking for. This club has a lot of talent, but they need to play a full 90 and continue to finish chances if they want any chance of moving up.
10. Chivas USA (10) - Chivas had the week off, but it took them five days to realize it.
11. Columbus Crew (12) - What to say about the Crew? They manage to always have a couple great moments in a match but those moments are often forgotten by the 'oh no way' events that soon unfold. Their offense is looking stronger but they are still quick to give teams chances to beat them.
12. Los Angeles Galaxy (11) - LA came out strong, but quickly showed their age/lack of players on Saturday night. If your game plan counts on a full 90-minutes from Cobi Jones, you have a problem, yet somehow they manage to keep their net free from balls. If they can ever figure out any sort of offense they will rebound well.
13. Real Salt Lake (13) - Their point against New England was pure luck because Real didn't really show anything good on the pitch. The attack that seemed to be coming together earlier in the year is nowhere to be found and they are giving up more balls the ever. The good news is Nick Rimando is looking stronger in goal.And now we have another week done.
Labels: 2007 MLS Power Ratings, MLS
posted by Mike H at 10:45 AM
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