We’ve already dropped knowledge and quasi-science on Parts II and III; here are your top money-makers and heart-breakers (Nos 1-6) in our weekly MLS Rankings countdown, following Round 6:
6. Seattle Sounders – Brian Mullan’s first trip into Seattle since the incident came and went without any drama, and ended just fine in Seattle fan minds in a 1-0 win over Colorado. Speaking of all that incident, on Monday hopeful news drifted out of Seattle that Steve Zakuani may finally get into a reserve match. We’ve had Lucy pull the football away from us on this one before, so we’ll see. Right back Zach Scott was impressive in Saturday’s win. I liked him a lot, and so did Seattle Times writer Joshua Mayers.
5. New York Red Bulls – Is there any reason to expect that more games won’t play out the way Saturday’s did inside Red Bull Arena, with goals raining like spring showers over Manhattan? Kenny Cooper and Thierry Henry keep hooking up beautifully on the attacking end, but that defense is all thumbs. Hans Backe scratches at the bottom line when he says it’s all about ball watching, but it’s truly worse than that. Guys are running into each other back there! The Red Bull’s 10 goals allowed is second-worst in the East, behind only expansion Montreal. And Rafa Marquez is being a naughty, naughty boy. Again.
4. San Jose Earthquakes – Nobody claims a playoff spot in April, of course. On the other hand, heading into late April at the top of the Western Conference standings would be a splendid place for the Earthquakes to find themselves. A victory over conference toppers Real Salt Lake this Saturday would put Frank Yallop’s team there. With a game in hand, no less. Rafael Baca was especially impressive, but the entire San Jose midfield was on top of things in last week’s 2-2 draw with New York. This injury to Shea Salinas is a concern, and the disciplinary committee could have something to say later this week that could further deplete San Jose’s roster.
3. Houston Dynamo – With seven points already from this difficult seven-game road swing to open the season, the Orange may already have done enough to keep things happily afloat ahead of the May 12 downtown stadium debut. Just three games to go after Sunday’s soggy 1-1 draw in Chicago. This week’s trip is into Columbus, where the depleted Dynamo midfield will get one player back, at least, as Adam Moffat returns from his one-game suspension.
2. Real Salt Lake – They didn’t give up a ton of chances in last week’s big meeting with Sporting Kansas City, but they didn’t direct a whole lot toward opposition goal, either. No time to rehash that one, thought; RSL retains its spot atop the Western Conference standings, but the chief threat of the moment is up next. Things get no easier this week as Jason Kreis takes his team into Buck Shaw Stadium to meet confident San Jose. Real has prevailed in its last two matches at San Jose, so recent history sides with the gang from Utah.
1. Sporting Kansas City – The league’s best side has its work cut out this week, traveling for a mid-week match Wednesday (Vancouver) and then navigating a quick turn-around before Saturday’s match down the coast (Portland). Will one of these be the match that trips up Peter Vermes’ high fliers? By the way, one media frequent flier on the Sporting KC scene suggests nobody what happens this week, this is already the best start in MLS history.