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Yohan
05-03-2009, 05:54 PM
3 May 09 (Week 7)

1. Chivas USA (last week: 1st)
*Last week: 1-0 win at San Jose
**This week: home vs Real Salt Lake
-San Jose put up a better fight than expected, but Preki's machine rolls along, picking up a 1-0 win away.
Depending on which Real Salt Lake team shows up, this Sat's game at HDC may be the game of the week.

2. Chicago Fire (last week: 2nd)
*Last week: 2-1 friendly loss vs Club America, 1-1 draw at home vs Seattle
**This week: at home vs New England
-Blanco showed everyone why he is still one of the most dominant player in MLS, assisting on lone Chicago goal. The game was a feisty affair, and Chicago will feel hard done not to pick up 3 pts, esp playing with a man advantage after Montero got red carded for Seattle.
Still unbeaten, but 5 draws. This should change when the Revs visit

3. Houston Dynamo (last week: 6th)
*Last week: 2-0 win away at New England
**This week: home to Dallas
-Dynamo attack went into full gear, generally dominating a hapless Revs squad and picking up an away win.
Derby game vs Dallas this Sat, but considering how terrible Dallas defence is, Houston should pick up a win.

4. DC United (last week: 8th)
*Last week: 2-1 win vs FC Dallas
**This week: away vs Kansas City, home vs Toronto
-I think the real DC United show up last game, generally controlling the game vs Dallas. Fluid attacking football. Jaime Moreno is still a dangerous striker, coming back from injury and bagging a brace.
Should be an interesting mid week test vs Kansas City, and back home vs Toronto. If DC is to make a run to separate themselves from rest of the Eastern Conference foes, this week is the time to do it.

5. Seattle Sounders (last week: 4th)
*Last week: 4-1 US Open Cup win vs Real Salt Lake, 1-1 draw at Chicago
**This week: vs Los Angeles
-Kasey Keller finally got beaten, and Montero picks up a red card, but Seattle still manages to scrape a point vs Chicago. Sigi's team is still well organized, and not having Montero for next game may even get the team to be more concentrated, as Le Toux and Zakuani gets the chance to step up even more.
The Galaxy's visit to Qwest Field may just be the ingredient the Sounders need to get back to winning ways.

6. Colorado Rapids (last week: 10th)
*Last week: 2-0 win vs Real Salt Lake
*This week: bye
-The Rapids are quietly making themselves to be contenders for a playoff spot, taking out Real Salt Lake in resounding fashion. 2 goals from unexpected midfield sources (LaBrocca and Kimura) is a bonus.

7. Toronto FC (last week: 5th)
*Last week: 1-1 draw vs Columbus
**This week: vs Vancouver (Nutrilite Canadian Championship), away at DC
-TFC fell flat, getting outplayed by Columbus at home and lucky to get a point.
Still unbeaten in 3 games, but that will be put to test at DC United. Player fitness will be a concern, as TFC has 4 games in next 2 weeks and Coach Cummins needs to make a decision whether to put in reserve players to rest some of the starters, or just go for it. None of the games are going to be easy, however.

8. Real Salt Lake (last week: 3rd)
*Last week: 4-1 US Open Cup loss at Seattle, 2-0 loss away at Colorado
**This week: US Cup game away at Seattle, away at Colorado
-RSL proved to be a terrible road team, falling flat vs Colorado away.
Kreis will be disappointed with the result, and hope that home game vs Los Angeles will get the team back on track, before testing their mettle vs Chivas away.

9. Kansas City Wizards (last week: 9th)
*Last week: bye
*This week: vs DC United, away at Columbus
-After 10 days of rest, the Wizards have a busy week hosting DC United and away to Columbus. The Wizards are more than capable of taking 3 pts in both games, but only if their offence kicks into full potential that they are capable of.

10. Columbus Crew (last week: 11th)
*Last week: 1-1 draw away at Toronto
**This week: vs Kansas City
-Another credible draw away at Toronto, which is a pretty tough place to pick up points in. Better showing as each game goes by, but still no points.
The Crew will be hoping that they finally play to their potential and score a win at home vs Kansas City. They will be welcoming back defender Padula from suspension, as well hoping some of their injured players return to full fitness.

11. New England Revolution (last week: 7th)
*Last week: 2-0 loss vs Houston
**This week: away vs Chicago
-The wheels may have come loose for the Revs. A 2-0 spanking at home vs Dynamo is not a good sign. At least Taylor Twellman made the bench.
It doesn't get easy for the Revs, being away at Chicago this week.

12. Los Angeles Galaxy (last week: 14th)
*Last week: 1-0 win vs New York
**This week: away at Real Salt Lake, away at Seattle
-Landon Donovan proves to be the Galaxy's saviour again, scoring a vital penalty in otherwise rugged win vs New York, for their first win of the season.
The Galaxy faces two tough tests away at Real Salt Lake and Seattle. However, if the defence stays solid, the Galaxy just might pick up some points.

13. New York Red Bulls (last week: 13th)
*Last week: 2-1 US Open Cup win away at San Jose, 1-0 loss away at Los Angeles
**This Week: vs San Jose
-The Red Bulls win their US Open Cup game vs San Jose, but a lackluster performance vs the Galaxy means no points this week.
The Red Bulls will try to win vs San Jose at home, barring another last minute collapse.

14. San Jose Earthquake (last week: 12th)
*Last week: 2-1 US Open Cup loss to New York, 1-0 loss vs Chivas
**This week: away at New York
-San Jose offence fell flat again. Yallop really needs Huckerby back in offence.
A road trip to New York will be tough for San Jose team lacking offensive spark.

15. FC Dallas (last week: 15th)
*Last week: 2-1 loss away at DC
*This week: away to Houston
-Dallas put up a better fight at DC, but still fell 2-1. The defence again has proven to be suspect.
Huge game vs Houston, but dont expect Dallas to pick up points vs Dynamo surge

ensco
05-03-2009, 06:27 PM
Pretty thoughtful ranking. I would have Seattle higher, probably third, and SJ around 10th, but that's just me.

Yohan
05-03-2009, 06:32 PM
Pretty thoughtful ranking. I would have Seattle higher, probably third, and SJ around 10th, but that's just me.
I could have easily flipped Houston, DC and Seattle rankings around, but Chicago pretty much dominated most of their game vs Seattle. DC on other hand, should have demolished Dallas 4-1.

San Jose tries hard, just dont have anything to show for it. Hence my low ranking. I really wanted to put New York down on the bottom, but if NY fails to win vs SJ this week, you can be sure the rankings will reflect that. lol

ensco
05-03-2009, 06:41 PM
I could have easily flipped Houston, DC and Seattle rankings around, but Chicago pretty much dominated most of their game vs Seattle. DC on other hand, should have demolished Dallas 4-1.

San Jose tries hard, just dont have anything to show for it. Hence my low ranking. I really wanted to put New York down on the bottom, but if NY fails to win vs SJ this week, you can be sure the rankings will reflect that. lol

It's hard to get a read on teams like SJ and Columbus. They've both looked a lot better than their record, but their record is what it is.

Yohan
05-03-2009, 06:54 PM
It's hard to get a read on teams like SJ and Columbus. They've both looked a lot better than their record, but their record is what it is.
I've watched couple of SJ and Columbus games, and SJ really is inconsistent to be rated higher. Defence which was solid last year is shaky, now that Ryan Cochrane is also injured. Huckerby still is not seen yet. So hard to tell whether SJ can turn it around, without new signings to bolster their squad.
Gotta give it to Yallop or their GM. Alvarez is doing nicely settling into RW. O'Brien who?

Columbus lacks depth up front and in attacking midfielder. Injury bug did hit them pretty hard so far. But I suspect Robert W isn't getting the team on the right page and we'll see if the Crew can turn it around.

Yohan
05-12-2009, 01:25 PM
12 May 09 (Week 8)

1. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/chivas.jpg
Chivas USA (last week: 1st)
*Last week: 1-0 win vs Real Salt Lake
**This week: home vs DC United
-Chivas held Real Salt Lake at home and controlled the game overall. Preki must be feeding his boys something good, because Chivas have been just on a row.
Personally, I think Chivas is a bit overachieving, but with players coming back from injury, Chivas now has depth too, which can be a deadly combination.
DC will be hard pressed to get points at HDC.

2. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/houston.jpg
Houston Dynamo (last week: 3rd)
*Last week: 1-0 win vs FC Dallas
**This week: away at New York Red Bulls
-Dynamo controlled the game, shutting down Dallas at home. Not that beating Dallas is hard to do, but 4 clean sheets in a row is impressive. If Houston gets a bit more offensive firepower going, Houston may be going to MLS Cup final again.
Houston has a chance to increase their 3 game win streak against New York, which Houston should be able to do.

3. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/DC.jpg
DC United (last week: 4th)
*Last week: 1-1 tie away at Kansas City, 3-3 tie at home vs Toronto
**This week: away at Chivas USA
-Decent week for DC, but DC will find it a bit tough only drawing vs Toronto at home, and letting 3 goals in. DC's defence and goalkeeping needs to be consistent if United is going to make a run at the MLS Cup. However, the offence is very potent, and the emergence of Wallace and Pontius as legit squad players is good for DC.
Tough test this week away at Chivas, however. This should be the match of the week.

4. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/seattle.jpg
Seattle Sounders (last week: 5th)
*Last week: 1-1 draw at home vs Los Angeles
**This week: away at FC Dallas
-Kasey Keller let in another goal, and Seattle played a man down for a lot of 2nd half, but still came away with a draw. That's 3 red cards so far for Seattle, making you wonder if there is some disciplinary problem in Sigi's squad.
Seattle is getting Montero back, and has enough utility players for defence to cover loss of Riley for the game vs Dallas. Which should be an easy win for the Sounders.

5. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/chicago.jpg
Chicago Fire (last week: 2nd)
*Last week: 1-1 draw at home vs New England
**This week: away at Toronto
-Chicago should be upset that they only managed to draw against New England. Still unbeaten, but if the Fire don't start posting wins soon, things won't be so rosy at Toyota Park.
Chicago will be facing a hard test vs Toronto at BMO Field, not the best place to pick up an away win.

6. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/tfc1.jpg
Toronto FC (last week: 7th)
*Last week: 3-3 draw away at DC United
**This week: vs Montreal (Nutrilite Canadian Championship), home vs Chicago
-TFC had a good week, beating Vancouver at home 1-0 for Voyageurs Cup and earning a credible draw away at DC. Will be a bit peeved to let in 2 goals in final 7 mins vs DC, but things are starting to come together for TFC. If the strikers start to find their form, TFC will be another dangerous team in the East.
Match fitness will be an issue as the grueling schedule starts to take its toll. Coach Cummins may rest some starters vs Montreal, in hopes to have fully fit and best team out vs Chicago.

7. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/colorado.jpg
Colorado Rapids (last week: 6th)
*Last week: bye week
*This week: at New England
-The Rapids enjoyed a week off and will seek to take 3 points at Gilette Stadium. It will be a close match though. I'm not convinced this Rapids team is for real, and New England will have something to prove.

8. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/columbus.jpg
Columbus Crew (last week: 10th)
*Last week: 3-2 win vs Kansas City
**This week: at Los Angeles
-The Crew finally got in the win column, beating Kansas City at home, with the key offensive players contributing to the win.
With players coming off the injury list, esp captain Hejduk, the Crew will need defensive help to contain Donovan away at HDC. However, the game vs Galaxy is one that the Crew can easily win.

9. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/KC.jpg
Kansas City Wizards (last week: 9th)
*Last week: 1-1 draw at home vs DC United, 3-2 loss away at Columbus
*This week: away at Chivas USA
-The inconsistency of the Wizards showed this week, earning a credible draw vs DC, but losing to the Crew away. The defence especially is shaky, which was considered one of the most solid defence core in MLS. The Wizards will take to heart the emergence of striker Josh Wolff, because the Wizards still don't have a true number 1 striker yet.
Interesting test for the Wizards away at Real Salt Lake. If the Wizards play their game and be consistent, there is no reason why the Wizards can't take 3 points at RSL.

10. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/rsl.jpg
Real Salt Lake (last week: 8th)
*Last week: 2-2 draw vs Los Angeles, 1-0 loss at Chivas USA
**This week: at home vs Seattle
-A bit of tough luck drawing vs the Galaxy on Wed in a wild shootout late in the game, and carried over their terrible form vs Chivas on the road, hardly testing Chivas at all.
Consistency is the key to RSL, and Kreis's men will hope to get back to winning form at home vs Seattle. RSL's home form is good however.

11. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/newengland.jpg
New England Revolution (last week: 11th)
*Last week: 1-1 draw away at Chicago
**This week: at home vs Colorado
-The Revs hung in tough to earn a draw away at Chicago, but still not up to what is normally expected of New England.
The Revs will need to do a gut check against Colorado but with Mansally and Ralston most likely be fit for Sat, the Revs should do better.

12. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/NYRB.jpg
New York Red Bulls (last week: 13th)
*Last week: 4-1 win vs San Jose
**This Week: vs Houston
-The Red Bulls confidence will be boosted by an emphatic win vs San Jose at home. While San Jose isn't the strongest team in MLS, the fact that the Red Bulls can score 4 is good news for them.
They will need that boost in confidence when they take on Houston and its stingy defence at home.

13. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/LAG.jpg
Los Angeles Galaxy (last week: 12th)
*Last week: 2-2 draw away at Real Salt Lake, 1-1 draw away at Seattle
**This week: at home vs Columbus
-The Galaxy showed a lot of guts drawing both of their away games last week, especially against Real Salt Lake and Seattle who have been very good at home. However, the Galaxy will feel a bit peeved not being able to take advantage of Seattle when Riley got red carded.
This week at home vs Columbus will be another good test for the Galaxy.

14.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/SJ.jpg
San Jose Earthquake (last week: 12th)
*Last week: 4-1 loss away at New York
**This week: bye week
-San Jose last year could be trusted to put up a fight defensively last year, but a woeful result vs New York sends San Jose further into a losing streak. San Jose really needs more depth, because waiting for key players to return isn't going to cut it.
A bye week hopefully will give Yallop time to regroup his team.

15. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/EvilTree/FCD.jpg
FC Dallas (last week: 15th)
*Last week: 1-0 loss away to Houston
*This week: home vs Seattle
-Another loss for Dallas vs Houston. Something is clearly disfunctional in Dallas, and even Cooper is not scoring goals.
Seattle is not going to an easy team to win against, even at home.

Yohan's predictions
-Chicago at Toronto: 1-1
-Houston at New York: 2-1
-Colorado at New England: 1-1
-Seattle at Dallas: 2-0
-Kansas City at Real Salt Lake: 1-2
-DC at Chivas USA: 2-2
-Columbus at Los Angels: 1-1

spezz44
05-12-2009, 01:29 PM
colorado has TFC's pic but well done well thought out