MLS Examiner Week 8 Power Ranking

May 13, 5:06 PMChicago Fire ExaminerRoman Kashuba

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Chicago Fire Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Here comes Houston (AP)

If you're one of those Fire fans with low self-esteem that needs to be constantly validated by power rankings this was not a good week for you.  Pre-season rankings had the Fire at or near the top, but with the Fire working on their sixth draw in a row the club has been easing itself down the rankings as well as the single table.  Now the question has become how far can you drop the last undefeated team in MLS?  (Answer: #7)

1)  Chivas USA - At this point Chivas could take a couple weeks off and still retain their place at the top of the MLS table.

2)  Seattle Sounders FC - A draw at home against the Galaxy exposed two weaknesses: the back line and Tim Weyland.

3)  D.C. United - Salvaging a point with a late penalty doesn't instill confidence, but soundly outplaying TFC in the first half does. Now if D.C had heard of this De Rosario guy before the match they could have kept an eye on him.

4)  Toronto FC - With two wins and two draws in their last four games, TFC is finally gaining a little momentum. If they can knock the "last undefeated team" title off the Fire, TFC will cement its status as a force in the East.

5)  Chicago Fire - The Fire have yet to play a full 90 minutes. Stretches of dominance have been undone by moments of lost concentration. Getting Segares back should ignite Pappa again, but if they don't play smart soccer from whistle to whistle the Fire will slowly descend the table and this Power Ranking.

6)  Houston Dynamo - Beating Dallas at home 1-0 is nothing to be proud of, but with 3 wins in a row, the Dynamo are out of the gate at last. New York and San Jose should give the Dynamo two more wins and 17 points in 9 games, equaling Seattle's top possible point total and positioning Houston as a contender in the West.

7)  Real Salt Lake - Three losses and a draw in the last four has tarnished the memory of the 6-0 thrashing of New England. With Kansas City and D.C. ahead the Royals need to stop the bleeding quickly.

8)  Colorado Rapids - A week off keeps the Rapids stable, but as the East is looking stronger it will be harder to keep Colorado and RSL this high in the rankings. Beating New England at home will help their cause

9)  New England Revolution - Stealing a point in Chicago would be impressive it it wasn't so common. New England played a disciplined game, what Nicol was looking for, but the talent still doesn't match up favorably with some of the better teams in this league.

10) Columbus Crew - Scoring three goals for the first time this year delivered the Crew their first victory. The return of Hejduk energized the attack and smothered some otherwise clear chances. This team looks as dangerous as last year's version and in the coming weeks (@LA Galaxy, v. San Jose) that danger will translate into points.

11) Kansas City Wizards - The Wizards have been able to find late goals to make games interesting, but still haven't figured out how to command a game. That has a lot to do with the turmoil in the midfield and the lack of a true leader in the attack.

12) LA Galaxy - They played Seattle to a draw in the first half, but sat back playing for the tie despite being up a man for 30 minutes. On the plus side, they scored a goal without the direct involvement of Landon Donovan.

13) FC Dallas - They're only losing by one goal now. See, every cloud . . .

14) New York Red Bulls - Thoroughly beating San Jose bumps New York from the bottom of the table. It's now obvious that Angel can't score goals on his own, so the play of Kandji will remain crucial for the Red Bulls and for the future employment of Osorio.

15) San Jose Earthquakes - Getting shellacked by the previously hapless Red Bulls makes this the new team at the bottom of the Power Rankings.

Think I'm wrong about the Fire? Should they go lower still?  Think Ives is being a bit hard on the Fire?  Don't understand my disrespect for the Rapids?  Let me here it.  Comment below.

RELATED ARTICLES:

Fire hold on to 3rd in week 8 Examiner Power Rankings
Fire stumble in Week 7 Power Rankings
Fire 3rd in inaugural Examiner Power Rankings