2014 MLS Power Rankings: Week 12
May 24, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Gershon Koffie (28) is congratulated by midfielder Pedro Morales (77) after scoring against Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) (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
6. Vancouver Whitecaps
Carl Robinson’s Vancouver Whitecaps got goals from Erik Hurtado (39′) and Gershon Koffie (66′), but a late penalty consigned the caps to a 2-2 draw with the Seattle Sounders at BC Place Stadium. According to captain Jay DeMerit, the home side were hard done by, and understandably so.
“It’s devastating,” DeMerit told MLSSoccer.com’s Michael McColl. “Not only for myself, but to see guys put in the type of performance that they did. Guys put themselves on the line for 90 minutes and for that to be taken away from us is disappointing.
“As players, all we can do is play hard and play committed and work hard for our teammates, and I thought all of us did that tonight. There needs to be communication from some people, obviously that’s not going to be me right now, but there needs to be an open communication to make sure that this continues to get better.”
The schedule will not get any easier for Vancouver, as they have to put up with the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on June 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE and TSN2.
May 25, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Khari Stephenson (9) celebrates with defender Shaun Francis (20), defender/midfielder Jordan Stewart (3) and defender Ty Harden (2) after scoring a goal against the Houston Dynamo during the second half at Buck Shaw Stadium. The San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Houston Dynamo 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
7. San Jose Earthquakes
Also making a big jump are Mark Watson’s San Jose Earthquakes, who laid the hammer down on the Houston Dynamo without the help of Chris Wondolowski, 3-0, at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Khari Stephenson scored a brace in the 38th and 58th minutes and Atiba Harris added a third in the 70th minute of play. Up next for the Quakes is a match with FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Tex. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT and will be televised by MLS LIVE and Univieision Deportes.
May 24, 2014; Commerce City, CO, USA; A general view of the pitch in the second half of the match between the Montreal Impact and the Colorado Rapids at Dick
8. Colorado Rapids
Making a big leap up the rankings this week are Pablo Mastroeni’s Colorado Rapids, who took the Montreal Impact to the cleaners, 4-1, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. Dillon Powers led the way with a brace in the fifth and 84th minutes. Other goalscorers include Kamani Hill (54′) and Shane O’Neill (58′).
“We’re all in this together,” Mastroeni told reporters. “We’re all trying to figure this out. We’re all trying to get this team hitting on all cylinders starting now, preferably. The football that we played in the second half and the ability to create chances and really get after them I think is really optimistic for us looking forward. Now shoring up the defense and making that a little tighter with that late goal.
“You want everything to be perfect and it’s never going to be perfect. So you take what you can from the games and you improve on those aspects that didn’t go well. I think today is about the response, and that is all those guys in the locker room. I had nothing to do with that. Those guys want to win more than I do, and I think tonight they showed that.”
Up next for the Rapids is a match with the Houston Dynamo at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT/8 p.m. ET and will be televised by Univision Deportes.
May 24, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew midfielder Wil Trapp (20) dribbles the ball away from Chicago Fire midfielder Logan Pause (12) in the second half of the game at Crew Stadium. The Columbus Crew beats the Chicago Fire by the score of 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
9. Columbus Crew
Moving on up this week are Gregg Berhalter’s Columbus Crew, who scored a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Fire at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Ethan Finlay (10′) and Jairo Arrieta (25′) scored for the Crew.
“It was just a mentality thing. It was a team-comprehensive performance,” said the Crew’s Wil Trapp to thecrew.com’s Ryan Schwepfinger. “Our fans were awesome tonight; their energy really fueled us. If we continue to do that, we’re going to be very, very difficult to beat here.”
However, Columbus need to also know how to win away from home and they get a big chance to do just that against Toronto FC on May 31 at BMO Field in Toronto, Ont. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE and TSN.
May 17, 2014; Frisco, TX, USA; Chivas USA midfielder Carlos Alvarez (20) controls the ball against FC Dallas midfielder Victor Ulloa (28) in the second half at Toyota Stadium. FC Dallas and Chivas tied 1-1. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
10. Chivas USA
Wilmer Cabrera’s Chivas USA were off this past week. On May 28, they host the Portland Timbers at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE. On May 31, they will clash with the Philadelphia Union at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE.