Fredy Montero and Eddie Johnson clicking, a brand new Designated Player and nearly 61,000 fans cheering in unison. It's easy being green these days in MLS, as the Sounders vault back into the top three in the polls. Will a US Open Cup title follow this week?
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Only MLS regular-season games reflected on schedule. All times are Eastern.
<strong>Rank</strong> |
<strong>Trending</strong> |
<strong>Last </strong> |
<strong>Club</strong> |
<strong>Comment</strong> |
<strong>1</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>1</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sanjose_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>The vote was close, but San Jose aren't going to lose the top spot during a bye week. With Steven Lenhart finally healthy, no more three-game weeks coming up and the league's weakest schedule from here on out, they're solid favorites for the Supporters' Shield.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>T-W-W-L-T</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Seattle (10:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank"><strong>MLS Live</strong></a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>2</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" width="40"> |
<strong>3</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>Houston are playing the league's best soccer right now, and they absolutely dismantled New York last Friday. No team in MLS history has adapted to the 4-3-3 as quickly as Dominic Kinnear's men – it's like they've been playing it for years.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Defeated New York, 2-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/03/highlights-hou-vs-ny" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-03-hou-v-ny/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday at New York (8 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul> |
<strong>3</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" width="40"> |
<strong>5</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/seattle_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>The Sounders absolutely ripped LA to shreds on Sunday, attacking from all angles in their 4-0 win. They finally look like they're all together on the same page, even new addition Christian Tiffert. This is what we expected to see from Week 1.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Defeated LA, 4-0</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/05/highlights-sea-vs-la" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS </strong></a></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-05-sea-v-la/recap" target="_blank"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-D-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at San Jose (10:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank"><strong>MLS Live</strong></a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>4</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" width="40"> |
<strong>2</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>RSL are second in the standings, but were absolutely lethargic against Colorado in a rivalry game. We don't ever expect to see that from Jason Kreis' men. Most worrisome is that goals from anyone but Álvaro Saborío have been nearly impossible to come by.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at Colorado, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/04/highlights-col-vs-rsl" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-04-col-v-rsl/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Vancouver (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank"><strong>MLS Live</strong></a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>5</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>6</strong> |
<img alt="" height="58" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sportingkc_logo.png" width="50"> |
<p>Sporting have one way to win right now: Button up the midfield and hit on a counter. It's not pretty, and they've dropped points for it, but they're still second in the East and playing for a Cup this week. It's clear, though, that they'll go only as far as their defense takes them.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Won at New England, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/04/highlights-ne-vs-skc" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-04-ne-v-skc/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-D-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs D.C. United (8:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank"><strong>MLS Live</strong></a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>6</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" width="40"> |
<strong>4</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newyork_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>Well, they have another Designated Player, but that didn't get the job done in a big, big game against Houston. They'll have another crack at the Dynamo on Friday, and the hope will be that they don't allow so much time and space in the midfield.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at Houston, 2-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/03/highlights-hou-vs-ny" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-03-hou-v-ny/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday vs. Houston (8 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul> |
<strong>7</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>7</strong> |
<img alt="" height="62" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dc_150.png" width="62"> |
<p>Chris Pontius is one of the league's dark horse MVP candidates, as he's simply found a way to poach game-winning goals all season long. They'll need that desperately with a slew of six-pointers coming up as the dog days of summer wear on.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Defeated Columbus, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/04/highlights-dc-vs-clb" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-04-dc-v-clb/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Sporting Kansas City (8:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank"><strong>MLS Live</strong></a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>8</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>10</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chicago_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>Frank Klopas took a risk with his midseason overhaul, and so far the returns have been mixed. Regardless, the Fire showed enough in their 2-1 comeback win over TFC that we've chosen to bump them up a couple of notches. Talent's there, but cohesion is still a question.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Defeated Toronto FC, 2-1</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/04/highlights-chi-vs-tor" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-04-chi-v-tor/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER </a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> L-W-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Philadelphia (7 pm, Galavision)</li></ul> |
<strong>9</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>9</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/vancouver_150.png" style="width: 40px; height: 58px;"> |
<p>The bye week gave Vancouver the chance to make two more acquisitions, and maybe do some more scouting as well. It seems like they're aiming to totally rebuild the roster mid-playoff race. That rarely works in MLS, but they have some cushion before the drop.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-T-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Real Salt Lake (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank"><strong>MLS Live</strong></a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>10</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>8</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>Oof. Lost to Real Madrid and Seattle by a combined 9-1 last week, which they'll probably take a bit personally. This Galaxy team has already shown they can bounce back from adversity this season, which is exactly what they'll have to do with a huge game against Chivas on Sunday.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at Seattle, 4-0</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/05/highlights-sea-vs-la" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS </strong></a></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-05-sea-v-la/recap" target="_blank"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Chivas USA (11 pm, ESPN2)</li></ul> |
<strong>11</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>12</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imapact-logo-3.png" width="55"> |
<p>That Nesta kid can play a little ball, can't he? The Italian legend immediately looked like one of the league's best central defenders (duh), and if he stays healthy, he'll make Donovan Ricketts' life quite a bit easier. With only nine games left, though, it may not be enough for a playoff spot.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Defeated Philadelphia, 2-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/04/highlights-mtl-vs-phi" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-04-mtl-v-phi/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-L-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at New England (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank"><strong>MLS Live</strong></a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>12</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>11</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/columbus_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>Kirk Urso's tragic death is much, much bigger and more important than anything that happened on the field last weekend. The season will go on, though, and how the Crew deal with his loss will tell part of the tale for the next three months.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at D.C. United, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/04/highlights-dc-vs-clb" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-04-dc-v-clb/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Toronto FC (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank"><strong>MLS Live</strong></a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>13</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>13</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chivas_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>It's probably a "win or it's over" derby against the Galaxy this Sunday. If the Goats do manage to take full honors, they'll be four points back with three games in hand. Anything else and their playoff chances drop precipitously.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>T-T-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Sunday vs. LA Galaxy (11 pm, ESPN2)</li></ul> |
<strong>14</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>14</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/philadelphia_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>Philly still have young team issues (like not retaliating after Nelson Rivas' stupidity last weekend) and goal-scoring issues. They really do run hot and cold in front of net, which is one of the biggest reasons why they're not a playoff team. Two losses in three doesn't help, either.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at Montreal, 2-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/04/highlights-mtl-vs-phi" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-04-mtl-v-phi/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Sunday vs. Chicago (7 pm, Galavision)</li></ul> |
<strong>15</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>18</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/colorado_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>A brutal losing streak came to a happy end with that 1-0 win over RSL last weekend. The best parts were that Omar Cummings looked like his old self, terrorizing RSL for 90 minutes, and Jeff Larentowicz had maybe his best game of the season with Joseph Nane to share the heavy lifting.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Defeated Real Salt Lake, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/04/highlights-col-vs-rsl" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-04-col-v-rsl/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at FC Dallas (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank"><strong>MLS Live</strong></a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>16</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>15</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newengland_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>A month ago, the Revs were well in the playoff hunt. Now, the Power Rankings Politburo have officially declared their 2012 season to be moot. The best they can hope for now is that, with Jerry Bengtson's return, they go on a 2011 Fire-like run down the stretch.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost to Sporting Kansas City, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/04/highlights-ne-vs-skc" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-04-ne-v-skc/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Sunday vs. Montreal (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank"><strong>MLS Live</strong></a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>17</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px; "> |
<strong>16</strong> |
<img alt="" height="64" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dallas_150.png" width="64"> |
<p>Seeing a healthy David Ferreira and a motivated Brek Shea combining once again had to bring a smile to the face of Dallas fans, but it's too little, too late for 2012. They also might want to think about finishing a few more games with 11 men instead of 10.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Tied at Portland, 1-1</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/05/highlights-por-vs-dal" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS </strong></a></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-05-por-v-dal/recap" target="_blank"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday vs. Colorado (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank"><strong>MLS Live</strong></a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>18</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" width="40"> |
<strong>17</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/toronto_150.png" style="width: 52px; height: 60px;"> |
<p>They'll take the gut-churning 2-1 loss to the Fire in exchange for the whupping they put on CD Águila in midweek CCL action. The continental competition is where it's at for Paul Mariner's men for the rest of the season, and they have the pieces to make trouble, even for Santos Laguna.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at Chicago, 2-1</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/04/highlights-chi-vs-tor" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-04-chi-v-tor/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER </a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-L-L </li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Bye</li></ul> |
<strong>19</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>19</strong> |
<img alt="" height="50" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" width="50"> |
<p>Well, they ended the losing streak, but there's no painting over the fact that they looked impotent against FCD when it was 11-vs.-11. Things picked up in the second half, and Bright Dike's performance – he carved out space for himself and for teammates all over the final third – argues for a larger role for the big forward.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Tied FC Dallas, 1-1</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/08/05/highlights-por-vs-dal" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS </strong></a></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-05-por-v-dal/recap" target="_blank"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Bye</li></ul> |
