at least by the standards of our MLS experts -- we find ourselves at the same place we were when the 2008 MLS regular season came to an end.
The Houston Dynamo and Columbus Crew stand as the league's top two squads.
What have we learned from the first half of MLS league play? Several things. For one, success can come along very quickly. Look at Seattle Sounders FC, who've blown away previous notions of what an expansion club should be by staying in the thick of the Western Conference standings, thriving off the passion of one of the league's most ravenous fan bases (which turned its wrath on the MLSnet.com Power Rankings a week ago).
We've also seen that success can quickly flutter away. Look at the New York Red Bulls, who after a magical run to MLS Cup 2008 have struggled mightily in 2009, tumbling to the bottom of the MLS standings and Power Rankings.
Still, the race for the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs seems wide open as we enter the dog days of summer. So, with that in mind, this edition of the Power Rankings focuses on the key questions, issues and players for each MLS club as they enter the second half.
Here's a look at the latest MLSnet.com Power Rankings. As always, these rankings do not reflect any official stance of Major League Soccer.
Note: Power Ranking points are compiled from ballots submitted by a panel of MLS experts. First-place votes are in parentheses.
MLSnet.com Power Rankings archive
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 16
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 15
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 14
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 13
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 12
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 11
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 10
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 9
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 8
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 7
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 6
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 5
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 4
Rank |
Last |
Team |
Breakdown |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
<font size="5"><b>1</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>1</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/hou_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Dynamo's depth will be put to the test in the second half. As Brian Ching, Ricardo Clark, Stuart Holden and Andrew Hainault all continue to miss action for national team duty, and Eddie Robinson, Wade Barrett and Craig Waibel battle injuries, will Houston's reserves hold the fort? |
89 (5) |
<font size="5"><b>2</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>7</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/clb_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Crew continue to look more and more like the MLS Cup-winning team of a year ago, but they have several position battles to sort out. Does William Hesmer reclaim the No. 1 spot in goal from Andy Gruenebaum? How long can Alejandro Moreno hold off Steven Lenhart and Jason Garey up front? |
73 (1) |
<font size="5"><b>3</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>6</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/sea_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
By all accounts, Sounders FC had a tremendous first half for an expansion club. They will have to show a bit more consistency week-to-week in the second half, however. They started the season hot and are now hot again, but in between came a six-match winless streak. |
72 |
<font size="5"><b>4</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>3</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/cdc_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
For a team that seemed near unbeatable over the season's first 10 weeks, Chivas USA suddenly look very average. Their second-half key? Sacha Kljestan. The 23-year-old U.S. international is one of the league's most talented players, but has not looked the part thus far in 2009. |
71 |
<font size="5"><b>5</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>4</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/chi_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
In an encouraging sign, the Fire look to have gotten a bit of their swagger back in SuperLiga play. Their second-half key is all about home-field advantage. With the majority of their remaining games coming at Toyota Park, the Fire must improve on their 1-2-3 home record. |
68 |
<font size="5"><b>6</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>5</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/dcu_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
For D.C. United, the second half comes down to defense, defense and more defense. United lead MLS in goals scored, but they're also among the leaders in goals allowed. The three-man unit of Bryan Namoff, Dejan Jakovic and Marc Burch has improved, but the defense regressed in recent weeks. |
67 |
<font size="5"><b>7</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>2</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/cor_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
After looking very dangerous for many weeks, the Rapids came apart at the seams in Seattle, the wind coming out of their sails after Omar Cummings' missed PK. Depth in attack will be the Rapids' second-half test, as Cummings and Conor Casey spend time with their national teams. |
56 |
<font size="5"><b>8</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>10</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/rsl_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
If the past four weeks were any indication, then Real Salt Lake's second-half key is keeping Nick Rimando from suffering any more hand lacerations. The unheralded 'keeper has been a stabilizing force for RSL, sparking the club's current four-match unbeaten streak. |
50 |
<font size="5"><b>9</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>8</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/tfc_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Much like Seattle is in need of more consistency, Toronto also needs to show up with their high level of play on a weekly basis. The Reds have as much talent and explosiveness as any MLS club, yet you never know whether they'll rout or be routed by an opponent in a given week. |
41 |
<font size="5"><b>10</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>11</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/ner_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Revolution's big second-half question is about -- what else -- health. They're put up a good showing in SuperLiga with a shorthanded squad, but they can only keep it up so long with Taylor Twellman, Steve Ralston, Shalrie Joseph, Chris Albright and Kevin Alston on the shelf. |
35 |
<font size="5"><b>11</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>9</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/kcw_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
It's been a well-kept secret, but the Wizards have allowed the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference. That means their second-half key is getting more production in attack. Josh Wolff and Davy Arnaud must rediscover the goal-scoring touch they showed early in the season. |
34 |
<font size="5"><b>12</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>14</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/lag_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Galaxy's upset of the Dynamo was just the spark they needed going into the second half as they prepare for the return of David Beckham. Their key, of course, will be how well -- and how quickly -- they incorporate the famed English playmaker back into Bruce Arena's lineup. |
27 |
<font size="5"><b>13</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>12</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/fcd_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
FC Dallas continue to round a corner with their play. Their second-half fortunes, though, will lay largely in the hands of Kenny Cooper. As always, Cooper will likely have several European suitors this summer. His decision on his future will have a big impact on FCD's hopes. |
18 |
<font size="5"><b>14</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>13</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/sje_logo_new_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
It would take a great run to get San Jose into playoff position in the second half. If they're going to make it happen, they'll need a boost from Joe Cannon. A poor defense hasn't helped, but a 1.93 GAA is not what we've come to expect of the two-time Goalkeeper of the Year. |
13 |
<font size="5"><b>15</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>15</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/rbn_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Red Bulls have allowed the league' most goals and scored the fewest, and are not showing signs of progress. So, their second half should be about a youth movement. Give Nick Zimmerman, Jeremy Hall, Danleigh Borman and Mac Kandji every chance to show what they can do. |
6 |
