2007 MLS Week 28 Power Ratings

The penultimate week is over and it has left us looking at teams in a different way. Is there a slide happening at the top or is it just a rest? Will some sad saps sneak into the playoffs or will late charges carry a few teams through till the end? All we be told soon. Onward to the ratings:

1. DC United (Last week - 1) - I wonder how many of the United faithful are having at least a little 'oh no, don't let this be 2006 again' fear floating around this week. For two games in a row, the team has looked out of step. Is this just a minor relaxation before the playoffs or is doom making another post-season stop in the nation's capitol?

2. Chivas USA (2) - They got beat at home by a 10-man Rapids side that was playing horrible in the midfield. With Ante Razov out for many weeks to come, could it be that the goats just don't have the backbone to steady their own trip? Interestingly, much like DC, their goalkeeper (Brad Guzan) is keeping them looking like a top rate side.

3. Houston Dynamo (3) - Houston finally won in Utah but they had some scary moments early. Still, they recovered and started playing their own style. However, will the lack of a proved center back keep them from beating Chivas and taking the West on Saturday night?

4. New England Revolution (4) - The Revs are slow walking their way to the playoffs. They seem happy to take it easy and let the hard work begin against New York. One interesting thing, Matt Reis seems a bit off his game of late.

5. Chicago Fire (5) - I think the Fire like to sweat because they do make it hard on themselves. Their goal scoring problems have resurfaced as Blanco doesn't have many targets to serve the ball to. They are doing better at not letting in late equalizers, but this is a team without a finisher.

6. Los Angeles Galaxy (8) - The Galaxy have won five in a row, yet they still have not had a really great game. Even against a 10-man Toronto, they didn't dominate but they are still getting the points and keeping MLS's front office dreams alive, so they do deserve credit. Cobi, Klein and Donovan are provide a good center for the team and that might just be enough to punch their way into post season.

7. New York Red Bull (7) - The Bulls are starting to put together a side that, even without Reyna, can compete, but their are still hurt from ball control. If they have a healthy lineup, they got something, if not, they will, at best, just hold on.

8. FC Dallas (6) - That Thursday game against Chivas was so very bad. There was nothing coming out of the middle and very little use of the wings. I don't know what has happened to FCD but they are a team a drift. Still, wonderful to see Kenny Cooper back in the starting lineup, now if he can learn to muscle in the box, he might end his side's first round nightmares.

9. Columbus Crew (11) - Are the Crew the Cubs of MLS? They finally return to some good form only to see that it is too little, too late? Even if Sigi Schmid is out after this weekend's game, the team has many good players to build around.

10. Kansas City Wizards (9) - Will I win the beat I made 2 months ago that KC will not make the playoffs? At the time, it seemed stupid, but KC is great at giving it up down the stretch. There is no flow to this team so the talent at the top goes waiting. However, they might get lucky and steal a full three points from a shrinking FCD on Saturday.

11. Real Salt Lake (10) - Real is still not a good team, but they are finding pieces. I wonder who will have more trades during the off-season, Real or Toronto?

12. Colorado Rapids (12) - The Rapids pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season this weekend, but it had nothing to do with their skill on the pitch. Okay, a little harsh, but the team just lives by holding on and hoping for a quick counter.

13. Toronto FC (13) - TFC tried to ruin the fun by killing off LA, but they just could not get it down. Injuries and first season equal pain, but they are still fun to watch.

And now week 28 steps aside.

2007 MLS Week 27 Power Ratings

Another week of the year over and done. Sadly, I didn't do a full post on the weekend's games, so I will rap all that into these ratings. One thing I must bring up though, isn't it interesting how many favorable calls LA got during the Houston match? When you combine that with all the red cards their opposition has got in the previous few weeks, one has to wonder why luck is smiling so much on the Galaxy. And no, I'm not suggesting a conspiracy but it is interesting how often the refs have played a big role in LA's recent streak.

But enough of such talk, it looks like Chivas has the West, DC has the East and Chicago is just about a lock for the playoffs. So what excitement is left over the next two weeks? Can the Goats take the Supporters' Shield and will KC stumble their way out of the playoffs?

Anyway, here are the regular league numbers 181 games into the season:

	Season	Week 27
Attendance**	2,954,027	127,689
Att per game	16,503	18,241
Beckham Att (5*)	195,847	0
Beckham Avg Att	39,169	0
Goals	488	21
Goals per game	2.696	3.00
Inter-conference	East 28-27-25	West 2-0-0
Visitors	47-89-45	3-3-1
Ties	45 (24.9%)	1 (14.3%)

* Number of MLS matches with Beckham in attendance
** I cannot locate the attendance numbers for Colorado-Columbus (2 Sept) or LA-Columbus (30 Sept) so the season average is for only 172 games.

And now for the ratings:

1. DC United (Last week - 1) - Even a tired United finds ways to open up space. Boswell is playing smart in the back and Ben Olsen is just shining. Ever week makes it harder to see a way in which this club does not end up in the MLS Cup.

2. Chivas USA (2) - This team never looks rattled. Even when they are getting exposed, they don't shrink. They have let off the pedal a little bit in the last couple weeks, but they are still a fantastic side. By the way, Brad Guzan is fun to watch.

3. Houston Dynamo (3) - Even though there were a number of calls that didn't go their way on Sunday, they still could have taken this game if they would have finished some of the wide open opportunities. With no Clark to guide and if Ching is hurt, this team can beat themselves. Still, they controlled well and passed wonderfully, but no finishing is not a way to win. Also, where was their defense on the two goals?

4. New England Revolution (4) - New England is a contender but not a champion. They have some good skill on the ball and can make the tempo their own, but they cannot respond to change. Knock them a bit off their stride and they find it hard to recover.

5. Chicago Fire (6) - Could it be that the Fire are starting to fully come together? They are starting to make runs together with force and don't sink when they go down a goal. Chicago is the best 'worst' team in MLS right now and I'm guessing Chivas would rather face Colorado or Columbus in the first round.

6. FC Dallas (7) - Carlos Ruiz bashers got some more ammunition over the weekend as his club had their best game in weeks while he setup due to cards. Heck, Denilson was even producing and showing what he can actually do in a game. Yes, it was only against the Crew, and they still have a wet paper bag backline, but with Ray Burse looking tops, they might be able to make something out of this year.

7. New York Red Bull (5) - The Bulls have the skill and even the style, but they don't have the depth to make the final run. Renya is king when he is healthy and delivering balls, but his injury woes equal NY's woes.

8. Los Angeles Galaxy (10) - Yes, LA has a big four-game streak going, but they are playing only average ball. They were tanking all over the field against Houston, but got the win because the Dynamo could not make much of their chances. The passing is still bad and they spend most of their time chasing the ball, but however they are doing it, it doesn't matter because the points are still coming their way.

9. Kansas City Wizards (8) - What to say about the Wizards? They just don't sustain pressure ever, which gives teams lots of time to beat them. They don't have the attacking skill to make much out of a few opportunities and they don't have the midfield to create more opportunities. Problem?

10. Real Salt Lake (9) - Watching a Real game is no longer a painful experience, but it has yet to reach the 'joyful' side of things either. It is obvious that they are building the foundation at the moment, which is more then they were doing most of the year.

11. Columbus Crew (11) - Yet again, they got an early goal and relaxed. This team doesn't seem to have a full half, much less full game within them.

12. Colorado Rapids (12) - Alright, they showed some determination against the worst road team in the league, but their own stupid fouling almost cost them the game. With the way this team plays, it would be in insult if they made the playoffs. Still, good job holding the game even when down a man for most of it.

13. Toronto FC (13) - They showed their fight at home but can't seem to adjust on the road. Their offense opens teams up, but they don't have a closer.

Here are the first round playoff matchups if the season ended today:
East
DC United - KC Wizards
NE Revolution - NY Red Bulls

West
Chivas - Chicago Fire
Houston - FC Dallas

And with that, week 27 says 'good day.'

2007 MLS Week 26 Power Ratings

The league continues to have tiers, but I'm not sure exactly what is the top tier. Can you have a tier of just one? I ask because Chivas is showing some signs of faltering while DC continues to cover everything in black and red.

There is a lot of movement this week, but most of it is 'also rans' showing some late season resolve.

Anyway, here are the ratings:

1. DC United (Last week - 1) - Fred, Fred, Fred. Oh, wait, there is so much more. United are making it look too easy. They have not lost in league play since July 22 and have out scored their opposition 27 to 8. When everything comes together, this is what it looks like.

2. Chivas USA (2) - A bit of the calm that has over taken this team in the last two months fell away this week as Chicago and Blanco were able to disrupt the goats game. There passing wasn't as tight and their skill was lacking. Are these things only temporary or is something bigger happening out in LA?

3. Houston Dynamo (4) - Houston capped off a great September by finally looking like the Dynamo of last season. They were breaking up attacks, controlling out of the midfield and looking dangerous up top, but they still need to get Ching more involved in games. Injuries are still an issue, but things are starting to shine in South Texas.

4. New England Revolution (3) - New England continued their run of good defense with just enough offense to get by. They will always compete but I just haven't seen that little extra something they need to make the final push into the champion’s circle.

5. New York Red Bull (5) - The Bulls know how to recover but so much of what they do focuses on Reyna. Doe continues to impress and Angel excites, but they don't have the depth in the middle to make it to the end.

6. Chicago Fire (8) - Tie after tie after tie. The Fire don't know how to put teams away as all three of their most recent ties were due to goals allowed after the 80'. Combine that with their continued lack of scoring threats and you've got a frustrating situation. Still, they are competing for every ball and not giving up crap goals early.

7. FC Dallas (6) - This team is gutter balling. They changed things up for Denilson, but it wrecked what they had. There is nothing happening in the center of the field for them so all their scoring talent is left empty handed (or footed). It is sad to see such a quality team go to mud so fast.

8. Kansas City Wizards (7) - KC continues to limp their way to the playoffs as they cannot find space anymore. And when they do manage to open things up, they usually send shots ridiculously off target. With no consistent scoring options, KC is doomed.

9. Real Salt Lake (11) - They still don't have what it takes to get wins, but they are actually able to play for a full 90-minutes. Their skills are getting better and the goals are starting to come. Should be a very interesting off-season for the club from Utah.

10. Los Angeles Galaxy (13) - LA doesn't just need red cards to win games, who knew. The Crew game was a turning point for my image of LA. Just a month ago, an early goal would have resulted in about 2 more, but now the Galaxy actually play like a team that thinks winning is a possibility. They are still weak on the wings and any free kick taken by Donovan, yet they find ways of hitting hard.

11. Columbus Crew (9) - Where has their midfield gone and how can a team fighting for the final playoff spot relax so much in the first 10-minutes? With the schedule they men in yellow have (FCD, @ NE, @DC), I think they have washed themselves right out of playoff contention.

12. Colorado Rapids (10) - At least the Crew relaxed because they scored a goal, the Rapids didn't even seem to show up for their match. Some of the least enthused play in the league, yet they still could make the playoffs.

13. Toronto FC (12) - Three months without a victory while being outscored 24 to 5 is not a good thing, but at least they play every moment. They can't get goals, stop build ups or prevent shots, but they never stop. Toronto has energy, they just don't have the talent (due in part to injuries).

And like summer itself, week 26 is now a fading memory.

2007 MLS Week 25 Power Ratings

Another week and things are all pretty equal. First tier is still DC and Chivas while the rest sort themselves out. No big surprise that these ratings match the standings very closely.

Anyway, here are the ratings:

1. DC United (Last week - 1) - The team continues to roll on. Even when they get outplayed, they find ways of making things work. You need to play perfect to top United and at this point no one is doing that.

2. Chivas USA (2) - The calmest team in the whole league. Go up a goal on them and they don't fall apart, instead they push their way into position and create. What a different side this is from the Chivas of July.

3. New England Revolution (3) - Reis is back and Twellman is looking strong but they still offer the opposition a few too many chances. If the Revs want to top DC, they need to close teams down in the midfield not at the goal line.

4. Houston Dynamo (4) - The Dynamo had their last week off till their season ends. Can their defense keep the season from ending till Nov. 18?

5. New York Red Bull (6) - With Reyna, Doe, Angel and Altidore, they have all the basics they need to push, but they always seem to make things harder for themselves then they need to be. If they can stay healthy and if Waterreus stays strong in front of net, they could be the shock of the playoffs, but that is a lot of ifs.

6. FC Dallas (5) - Who would have thought that a week that had the team at home against Chicago and on the road against LA, that they would only get one point. This team is just not clicking. They play an odd messy style where they just happen to win the ball a bit more then they lose it. Add that to poor outbursts by players and really nothing being added by the DP Denilson and you have a bad situation. Still, few teams can come back late like Dallas can.

7. Kansas City Wizards (7) - The Wizards like to flip-flop between great defense and nothing up top and wonderful attacking with nothing in the back. If they can get the right mix, they will surprise, but I don't think it is going to happen.

8. Chicago Fire (8) - So many points gone late. They had FCD where they wanted them but couldn't kill off the game. They had DC United where they wanted them but made a little error that cost them. If they had got those points, they would be challenging KC for the seventh spot instead of Columbus for the eighth.

9. Columbus Crew (10) - The skill level of the Crew is much improved as they can go more then two passes without losing the ball but they are still a little weak with their final bite. Fix that and they could wink past a slumping Chicago.

10. Colorado Rapids (9) - Is there passion in this team? If so, why can't they ever show it on the pitch. What a sad turn for a club that could offer so much.

11. Real Salt Lake (11) - Unlike Colorado, Real has shown some passion of late. Is it the new management, the new talent or the fear of no job next year? Who cares as whatever the reason, it is finally causing the team to pressure.

12. Toronto FC (13) - They finally get a goal but their defense deprives them of any points. I still think that unlike LA, they actual stand a chance of beating any team on any given day, so that's why they are above the Galaxy.

13. Los Angeles Galaxy (12) - Alright, they got a win; their second of September, but I don't think it would have happened without FCD going down a man. There is no flow to this team and their defense is still the punch line of the league.

And with that, week 25 exists the stage.