2014 MLS Power Rankings: Week 12
May 24, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Revolution fans spell out “five in a row” following a game against DC United at Gillette Stadium. New England Revolution defeated DC United 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Happy Memorial Day, from your friends here at the MLS Multiplex, part of the world-famous FanSided Network. In this special edition of the MLS Power Rankings, the New England Revolution remain red-hot to stay at the top. Meanwhile, after returning home to the confines of the StubHub Center, the Los Angeles Galaxy shoot up the ladder after a couple of big wins.
As we salute those brave Americans who died valiantly on the battlefields of [insert random foreign battleground(s) in world history here], we similarly honor the heroes of the weekend in this week’s MLS Power Rankings. Let’s take a look.
1. New England Revolution
Jay Heaps’s New England Revolution remain the cat’s pajamas after a 2-1 win over D.C. United at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Patrick Mullins (55′) and Diego Fagundez (77′) were on goal for the Revs in this one.
“There are going to be games where you’ve got to find a way,” Heaps told Jeff Lemieux of revolutionsoccer.net. “Fortunately for us, those last two games, things went our way and bounces went our way. But tonight it just felt like we were going to have to make it happen.
“We knew we weren’t going to be given anything – we had to go take it. I think that’s what I’m taking away from the game is that we went out and found a way, and that’s what I’m most proud about.”
Up next for the Revs is a match with the Montreal Impact on May 31 at Stade Saputo in Montreal, Que. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE, TSN2 and RDS.
May 24, 2014; Harrison, NJ, USA; Portland Timbers forward Maximiliano Urruti (37) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring his second goal of the game in the second half against New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
2. Portland Timbers
Caleb Porter’s Portland Timbers rallied back to prevail, 2-1, over the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. Maximiliano Urruti was the hero with a brace in the 45th and 74th minutes of play.
“We really needed those three points, we have been looking for them for a couple of games and we were fortunate enough to get them tonight,” Urruti told reporters following the match. “Now we just have to keep it going and it will lead to important things for the club.”
Portland are back in action on May 28 when they travel to StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. to face Chivas USA. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE. On June 1, the Timbers host the Vancouver Whitecaps at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE and TSN2.
May 24, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Seattle Sounders midfielder Gonzalo Pineda (8) reacts to scoring on a penalty kick against Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted (1) (not pictured) during the second half at BC Place. The Vancouver Whitecaps tied 2-2 against the Seattle Sounders. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
3. Seattle Sounders
Chad Barrett (36′) and Gonzalo Pineda (82′) scored for Sigi Schmid’s Seattle Sounders in their 2-2 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, B.C.
“I thought the guys battled hard,” Seattle’s Brad Evans told SoundersFC.com’s Matt Gaschk. “Maybe if we eliminate one or two mistakes, we might come out of here with three points, but happy with the boys with the 2-2.”
Seattle face their sternest test to date on May 31: a match with Real Salt Lake at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE.
May 24, 2014; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake midfielder Cole Grossman (12) controls the ball during the second half against FC Dallas at Rio Tinto Stadium. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
4. Real Salt Lake
All Jeff Cassar’s Real Salt Lake could muster up against FC Dallas at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah was…a scoreless draw. Really, Cassar?
“I don’t think it’s been a distraction at all,” Cassar told MLSSoccer.com’s Scott Pierce. “We had a goal to get three points at home, as we always do. We came a little bit short. Our soccer wasn’t particularly great tonight. And if we’re getting results when our soccer isn’t particularly great, I think that’s huge.”
Real Salt Lake will have to do without Nick Rimando, Kyle Beckerman and Alvaro Saborio for the next several weeks. Their next match is on May 31 against the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MT/4 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE.
May 25, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan (10) gets a hug from forward Robbie Keane (7) after scoring his record breaking 135th MLS goal in the second half of the game against the Philadelphia Union at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
5. Los Angeles Galaxy
That didn’t take long. Bruce Arena’s Galaxy kicked their way out of the cellar and shot up to fifth in our Power Rankings after a big week at home. Robbie Keane (24′) and Gyasi Zardes (44′) were instrumental in the Galaxy’s 2-1 win over FC Dallas on Wednesday at StubHub Center. Landon Donovan’s World Cup snub was the last thing the Philadelphia Union wanted, as Donovan took his frustrations out with a brace in the 49th and 81st minutes to give LA a 4-1 rout of the Union at the Hub. Other goalscorers include Leonardo (2′) and Keane (64′).
“It’s incredible,” said Donovan to reporters on the record. “You have no idea how many messages I’ve received–literally, thousands of messages from people around the country, around the world. People who’ve said, I’m a diehard Sounders fan, I’m a diehard D.C. United fan—I’ve hated you all my life on the field. I’m so happy for you. I respect what you’ve done and all those things. The support has been overwhelming.
“It’s funny the way things work out. I’ve said this many times in my life. I try to stay present. It’s been hard. All day today my mind was wandering on where else I could be today. I kept coming back to being present. Staying present, enjoy this game and do your best. I’m glad I was able to do that.”
Every goal that Landon Donovan makes will be a new record. Could he get on a hotstreak and be the first to 150? Stay tuned. The Galaxy are back in action on June 1 against the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE.