An old familiar face sits atop the MLS power rankings in the second week of September.
“Destiny” is a powerful word in the sports world. Athletes and players use it to fuel their aspirations and to keep hope alive when all appears lost. As United States Soccer icon Landon Donovan continues his ride toward the sunset of his playing days, he and the LA Galaxy are laying waste to all who come before them.
Is it Donovan’s destiny to hoist the MLS Cup one final time?
2014 Week 27 MLS power rankings
Jul 26, 2014; Bridgeview, IL, USA; Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Aaron Lennon (center) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the Chicago Fire during a friendly at Toyota Park. Tottenham Hotspur won the match 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
19. Chivas USA (24 points, 6-15-6): I will freely admit that I have taken part in my fair share of “Chivas LOL” Twitter banter. The truth of the matter is that there has been little funny about this team for a long time. At least the Goats managed to break what was an embarrassing 596-minute scoreless streak despite losing to Seattle 4-2 last Wednesday.
18. Montreal Impact (26 points, 5-16-5): Some analysts have lauded what they see to be a rejuvenated Montreal attack. The Impact remain responsible for the worst goal difference and lowest goal total in the MLS East.
17. San Jose Earthquakes (27 points, 6-10-9): Chris Wondolowski was stunned after SJ failed to hold 2-0 and 3-2 leads at Portland. “I don’t know what to say,” he told media members after the 3-3 draw. “I’m a bit speechless. To a man in the locker room, we know that it’s just not good enough right now. It hasn’t been good enough all season. We keep finding ourselves shooting ourselves in the foot. It hurts.”
16. Colorado Rapids (30 points, 8-13-6): Colorado last won on July 25, and their regular season has hardly been a holiday since. The Rapids are now losers of seven straight contests, and, while they are still only five points off of a playoff spot, Colorado look more like a lost side than one headed to the postseason.
15. Toronto FC (33 points, 9-11-6): “‘Arry? Yeah, it’s me. You’ve got to get me out of here, boss. It’s awful. And to think that I could have stayed at Tottenham and enjoyed those Thursday night romps to…where is FK Partizan, again?” – Jermain Defoe. Maybe. Probably.
14. Chicago Fire (29 points, 5-7-14): 16. That is the MLS record for draws in a campaign. Chicago have under two months to make history. That pursuit is, unfortunately for those who support the Fire, all that the club has going for it as fall approaches.
13. Vancouver Whitecaps (34 points, 7-6-13): The story has been the same for the ‘Caps since springtime. Vancouver have been far too wasteful in the final third, especially when playing in front of a home audience. No legitimate playoff contender in the MLS West has scored fewer goals than have Vancouver (33).
12. Houston Dynamo (31 points, 9-13-4): September is a magical time of year. Leaves are changing colors. Kids have returned to school. American football has returned. The Dynamo are beginning a run that sees them ultimately back into the playoffs before they cruise toa Eastern Conference Finalsberth.
Sep 6, 2014; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry (14) reacts during the second half against Sporting KC at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
11. New York Red Bulls (34 points, 8-8-10): Every now and again, living legend Thierry Henry offers a reminder that he is probably the most-gifted footballer to ever play in MLS. Whispers that Henry will call time on his playing days in December continue to swirl about. NY/NJ soccer fans had better enjoy watching the RBNY captain while they still can.
10. Portland Timbers (35 points, 8-8-11): Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Portland dropped points at home. The Timbers would, in future matches, do well to put a man on Chris Wondolowski when he is inside of the six-yard box.
9. Columbus Crew (39 points, 9-9-9): That 2-0 loss at Montreal back on August 30 was a blip on the radio. Columbus have notched victories in three of their past four games, and each of those were three-goal wins. A trip to Houston followed by a home game against New England will test the Crew.
8. Sporting Kansas City (42 points, 12-10-6): KC’s free-scoring ways were bound to slow down. Take away the August 16 4-1 victory over shipwrecked Toronto, and Kansas City haven’t notched a win since July 26; when they won 2-1 at Toronto. Ugh.
7. Philadelphia Union (36 points, 9-9-9): Jim Curtin could be running away with the 2014 MLS Coach of the Year Award. The Union are 11-2-3 in all competitions since Curtin became the head honcho in Philly. Veterans Sebastian Le Toux and Conor Casey have been players reborn during the Union’s current run.
6. New England Revolution (39 points, 12-12-3): New England have been boom-or-bust all season long. That’s bad news for the rest of the teams in the league considering that the Revs are winners of four straight. Lee Nguyen is a true MLS MVP candidate.
5. FC Dallas (42 points, 12-9-6) Dallas remain a team in limbo when compared with the top sides in the MLS West. They safely possess a postseason spot, but nobody is expecting FCD to finish in the top-two of the conference standings.
4. Real Salt Lake (46 points, 12-5-10): RSL were able to bring Luis Gil and Alvaro Saborio off the bench in their victory over Dallas. That’s not fair. Saborio netted the match-winner almost immediately after he was subbed into the game. With Sabo fresh and fully fit, Salt Lake could still have a say in the Supporters’ Shield race.
3. DC United (47 points, 14-8-5): Not every match is a gem. DC escaped Vancouver with a point after what was largely a dull and missable affair. United will be away to hated rivals the Red Bulls on September 10.
2. Seattle Sounders (51 points, 16-7-3): They may no longer be the hottest team in MLS, but do not sleep on the Sounders. Seattle is atop the overall league table, and they continue to average more points earned per game (1.96) than any other side. The Supporters’ Shield is theirs to lose.
1. LA Galaxy (49 points, 14-5-7): My preseason pick to win it all cannot be stopped during this current stretch. The Galaxy are winners of five straight. LA have outscored opponents 19-4 over that time. They scored a touchdown but failed to convert the extra point against Colorado last Saturday. Good luck to Montreal, who will host LA on Wednesday.