The LA Galaxy flexed their muscle with an impressive win over the Columbus Crew, and that was more than good enough to edge the Seattle Sounders in the latest poll. But while Sporting Kansas City and Colorado inched closer to the top five, the New York Red Bulls took a plunge to No. 9, their lowest spot this season.
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All match times for this week's games are ET; only MLS regular-season games reflected on schedule.
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>1</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>1</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.png" width="55"> |
The Galaxy ended their trip through the WFC on the right note, getting a <em>golazo</em> from Mike Magee and valuable contributions from reserves like Daniel Keat, Adam Cristman and Jack McBean. That, and a solid 1-0 win over Columbus midweek, bodes well for a team with a busy schedule and continental aspirations.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Beat Columbus, 1-0 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17258">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Vancouver (7:30 pm, Fox Soccer, TSN)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>WTTWW</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>2</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>2</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="62" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/seattle_150.png" width="62"> |
We at the Power Rankings Committee care less about the drubbing Seattle’s reserves took in the second half against Manchester United and more about the quality display (except for finishing) the starters produced in the first 45. They’ve won four of five and start Champions League play this week looking to be in fine form.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Houston (8:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>WWTWW</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>3</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>3</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dallas_150.png" width="55"> |
Sometimes you give points away, and sometimes they’re stolen from you. This past weekend, Thierry Henry stole two points from FCD with a brilliant individual goal, and if you’re a Dallas fan, player or coach all you can do is tip your hat and move along. A four-point road week is nothing to fret about, regardless.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Beat Toronto FC, 1-0 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17200" target="_blank">HIGHLIGHTS</a>), Tied New York, 2-2 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17366">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Chivas USA (7 pm, Galavisión)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>WWWLT</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>4</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" width="40"></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>5</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/philadelphia_150.png" width="55"> |
The Union looked the part of a contender in a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid, frustrating Cristiano Ronaldo in his 45-minute run and getting a <em>golazo</em> from Michael Farfan to cap off a superlative display. The Union seem to be getting better and closer as a unit each week, and have gotten results with starters and subs both.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday vs. Colorado (7:30 pm, Fox Soccer)</li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> TWTTW</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>5</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" width="40"></strong></span></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>4</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" width="55"> |
RSL have won three of four after the 4-0 pummeling they put on San Jose this weekend, and have four games in hand on LA, Dallas and Seattle — the only teams ahead of them in the West. They can still struggle to produce offensively, but if Álvaro Saborío is diving into form, that’s a problem that could disappear quickly.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Beat San Jose, 4-0 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17435"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">HIGHLIGHTS</span></a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Columbus (9 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>TWTWW</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>6</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>6</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/columbus_150.png" width="55"> |
A hard-fought 1-0 loss at LA midweek, followed by a hard-fought 1-0 win over Portland on the weekend. The Crew are getting the results they should get, and have potential for more as guys like Emilio Rentería, Rich Balchan, Dilly Duka and Tony Tchani get healthy in the coming weeks. They’re a legit contender in the East, as the standings show.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at LA, 1-0 <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17002">(</a><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17258">HIGHLIGHTS</a>), Beat Portland, 1-0 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17397">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Real Salt Lake (9 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>LWTLW</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>7</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" width="40"></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>8</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="58" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sportingkc_logo.png" width="58"> |
Offensively, they did what you’d expect a good team to do against a side as disorganized as Toronto. They found space, got around the flanks and punished defensive miscues. Defensively, however, Sporting were a notch or three below the lockdown side we’d seen throughout most of June and July.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Beat Toronto, 4-2 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17411">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. New England (8:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>WTTTW</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>8</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" width="40"></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>9</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="64" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/colorado_150.png" width="64"> |
They gave points away in the 2-2 draw against New England on Saturday, failing to punish a team playing at altitude with 10 men. That’s balanced by the hurting they put on RBNY midweek, a comprehensive 4-1 victory. The Rapids are still finding out who they are without Conor Casey, but the results are promising thus far.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Beat New York, 4-1 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17228"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">HIGHLIGHTS</span></a>), Tied New England 2-2 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17421">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday at Philadelphia (7:30 pm, Fox Soccer)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>TWLWT</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>9</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" width="40"></strong></span></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>7</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newyork_150.png" width="55"> |
“What’s wrong with RBNY?” is everyone’s favorite question these days, and justifiably so. They have too much talent to get pounded 4-1 at Colorado, yet that’s just what happened. Then they squandered a home lead against Dallas, in the end having to rely on a wonder-goal from Henry to snatch a point. Ugly stuff.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at Colorado, 4-1 (<a href="javascript:void(0)/*359*/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">HIGHLIGHTS</span></a>), Tied FC Dallas, 2-2 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17366">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Bye <strong>Next Week: </strong>Aug. 6 at Real Salt Lake (9 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=In%2BStories&utm_campaign=11MDL">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>WLTLT</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>10</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" width="40"></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>12</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chivas_150.png" width="55"> |
A formation switch proved vital in their 3-0 romp over Houston. With Nick LaBrocca and Blair Gavin in the center of the 4-1-4-1 Robin Fraser trotted out, Justin Braun was free to run rampant, getting behind the static Dynamo back line and beating Tally Hall with ease. If they put a run together, they’re very much playoff contenders.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Beat Houston, 3-0 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17440" target="_blank">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Sunday at FC Dallas (7 pm, Galavision)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>TTTWT</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>11</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" width="40"></strong></span></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>10</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dc_150.png" width="55"> |
It turns out that this team simply isn't that good at home. They’re 2-3-5 at RFK Stadium in 2011 after dropping a 1-0 decision to the Revs midweek. It took a vintage performance from Matt Reis to stifle the United attack, and the DC defense still looks solid, but this team may need more time to jell than the season will allow.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong> Lost to New England, 1-0 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17192"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">HIGHLIGHTS</span></a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at San Jose (10:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>TTWTL</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>12</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" width="40"></strong></span></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>11</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_150.png" width="55"> |
Geoff Cameron swears it’s not Dom Kinnear’s fault, but it’s Kinnear who hasn’t made the obvious change: slide Cameron back into central defense, where he played so well for the 2009 Dynamo team that came within a whisker of the Supporters’ Shield. Playing your best players in their best spots is Rule No. 1 for winning soccer.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost to Chivas USA, 3-0 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17440">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Seattle(8:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>TTWTL</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>13</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>13</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sanjose_150.png" width="55"> |
The 4-0 loss at Real Salt Lake is either going to be a rallying point to turn the season around, or it’s the “put a fork in ‘em” moment of 2011 for the Quakes. It can’t really fall anywhere else in the spectrum. Right now, it looks much more like the latter than the former, especially with the injury crisis in defense.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Tied Vancouver, 2-2 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17264">HIGHLIGHTS</a>), Lost at Real Salt Lake, 4-0 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17435"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">HIGHLIGHTS</span></a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. D.C. United (10:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>LTTTL</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>14</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>14</strong></span> |
<img alt="" height="50" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" width="50"> |
The 1-0 loss to Columbus on the weekend isn’t going to build momentum for a team that still doesn’t know how to score goals, but there’s no denying the defense has solidified now that John Spencer’s moved away from the 4-4-2. It’s a positive step for a team that was hemorrhaging bad goals a month ago.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at Columbus, 1-0 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17397">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Toronto (11 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> LLLWL</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>15</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" width="40"></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>18</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newengland_150.png" width="55"> |
If they can stop getting red cards they might be respectable. It seems like Steve Nicol has hit on something with his hybrid 4-3-3, and the Revs put together a four-point road week in the process thanks to some solid work on set-pieces. They’re not totally out of the playoff hunt yet, but they need to keep the results coming.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Beat D.C. United, 1-0 <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-07-09-los-angeles-galaxy-vs-chicago-fire/recap">(</a><a href="javascript:void(0)/*697*/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">HIGHLIGHTS</span></a>), Tied Colorado, 2-2 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17421">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Sporting KC (8:30 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>LTLWT</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>16</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" width="40"></strong></span></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>15</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chicago_150.png" width="55"> |
Their first half against Manchester United can be filed under “moral victory.” As Sir Alex Ferguson said, Chicago were in many ways the better team, and Cory Gibbs showed some of that old 2005 form on the day. A productive 28-minute run from Sebastián Grazzini is promising, but this is still a team with just two wins on the year.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Bye <strong>Next: </strong>Aug. 3 vs. Philadelphia (9 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>TTTLL</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>17</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>17</strong></span> |
<img alt="" height="58" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/vancouver_150.png" width="40"> |
They battled for a 2-2 draw midweek thanks to a pair of goals from Eric Hassli, who took advantage of the space created by new running mate Mustapha Jarju. With just 15 points from 21 games, their year is trouble; maybe now it's about finding out which pieces to keep and build with for 2012.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Tied San Jose, 2-2, (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17264">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. LA (7:30 pm, Fox Soccer)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>LLLLT</li></ul> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>18</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" width="40"></strong></span></strong></span></strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>16</strong></span> |
<img alt="" border="1" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/toronto_150.png" width="55"> |
It was an inauspicious start for the newly constituted roster. All the old problems — dislocation between midfield and defense, acres of space on the wing, poor marking on set-pieces — reared their heads in the 4-2 loss at Sporting KC. They’ll need fixing quickly, as TFC begin their CCL run on Wednesday night.
<ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>lost to FC Dallas, 1-0 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17200" target="_blank">HIGHLIGHTS</a>), Lost to Sporting KC, 4-2 (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=17411">HIGHLIGHTS</a>)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Portland (11 pm, <a href="https://mdl.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/secure/registerform" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a>)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>WLLLL</li></ul> |
