New York Red Bulls climbing up Major League Soccer power rankings
By Zac Wassink
Could 2014 be the year that the New York Red Bulls — yes, the Red Bulls — hoist a trophy, this time a cup, for the second consecutive season?
The Red Bulls are playing their best soccer during the pivotal stretch of the campaign. They have posted a 3-1-1 record across all competitions since the start of September. New York have notched wins over Sporting Kansas City, rivals DC United and the Seattle Sounders during the team’s current run. The man who would win Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player if votes were counted today features up top for RBNY.
New York are playing as well as any on the Eastern Conference side as the fall season begins.
2014 Week 29 Major League Soccer power rankings
19. Chivas USA (6-17-6): Chivas USA getting “relegated” to USL Pro, if it actually happens, would be the most Chivas thing ever. That team needs more than a demotion. It needs a rebrand that involves moving to another city.
Sep 21, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Daneil Lovitz (35) battles for a ball with Chivas USA midfielder Marvin Chavez (18) during the first half in a game at BMO Field. Toronto FC won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
18. San Jose Earthquakes (6-12-10): San Jose did well to hang around for 80 minutes at Montreal, but they then surrendered two goals that sealed their fate. That about sums up what has been a lousy season for the Earthquakes, who will need to address the team’s back line this coming winter.
17. Montreal Impact (6-17-6): Montreal are, at the very worst, giving fans reasons to pay attention to the club in the final two months of a forgettable campaign. They held serve at home versus the Red Bulls in CONCACAF Champions League play during the midweek, and the Impact then beat San Jose on Saturday.
16. Colorado Rapids (8-14-7): If the Rapids stopped the bleeding with a draw the week before, then they suffered a deep laceration in losing 5-1 to Real Salt Lake on Friday night. Once in the top-three of the Western Conference table, Colorado are now eight points off of a playoff spot. Only Chivas (17) has lost more regular season games than have Colorado (14).
15. Chicago Fire (5-7-16): When does a draw feel like a loss and then a win ? When you go up 2-0 at home against the best team in the conference (DC United), concede three goals, and then strike for an equalizer.
14. Vancouver Whitecaps (8-8-13): Saturday’s Vancouver at Portland Timbers game had a “playoff atmosphere.” Somebody forgot to inject life into the Whitecaps, who were thoroughly dominated to the tune of a 3-0 loss. They would be on the outside looking in as it pertains to the playoffs if the postseason began today.
13. Houston Dynamo (9-13-6): A draw on the road is usually an acceptable result. That is not the case for the Dynamo, though, who keep falling down the table and down MLS power rankings.
12. Toronto FC (10-11-7): Sorry, Toronto fans, but your team can’t host Chivas every weekend. Word is that Jermain Defoe is back in Canada, but he is not expected to play on Saturday. That saga continues.
11.Philadelphia Union (9-9-11): Days after resting starters to keep them fresh for the US Open Cup Final, Philadelphia lost that home match to Seattle. They dropped two points at home this past weekend, and they currently don’t hold a playoff spot. That’s a rough week.
10. Portland Timbers (9-8-12): I will one day learn to stop writing the Timbers off until a season is over. It is looking like the final playoff spot out of the West will come down to Portland and Vancouver, and that 3-0 win over the Whitecaps has put the Timbers ahead in the table.
9. New England Revolution (13-13-3): New England’s hot run had to end at some point. Lee Nguyen remains a MLS MVP candidate, and the Revs will be a tough out for whatever opponent gets them in the playoffs.
8. FC Dallas (13-10-6): Dallas joined a long list of teams that have lost when away to the Galaxy. Blas Perez is healthy and playing well, and he has the goods to carry the team to an impressive playoff run.
Sep 18, 2014; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting KC defender Aurelien Collin (78) signals to the fans after the match against Deportivo Saprissa at Sporting Park. Sporting KC won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
7. Sporting Kansas City (13-10-6): CONCACAF Champions League is all KC have to worry about until September 26. Kansas City will host the Revolution on that night, and that will be a massive game for both clubs.
6. Columbus Crew (10-9-10): Columbus goalkeeper Steve Clark played the hero role when he sprawled out to keep a late Charlie Davies attempt from hitting the back of his net. Beating New England 1-0 is the biggest win of the season to date for the Crew.
5. New York Red Bulls (10-8-11): Bradley Wright-Phillips: He scores when he wants. BWP will have five games to net four goals and make himself the all-time MLS scorer for a season.
4. DC United (14-9-6): When does a draw feel like a win and then a loss? When you go down two goals on the road before rallying back and taking a 3-2 lead, only to eventually lose that advantage.
3. Real Salt Lake (13-6-10): RSL struck rivals Colorado for five goals in what was a romp at home. Salt Lake have five games to make up a five-point deficit in the Supporters’ Shield race. They will be away to Vancouver next Saturday.
2. Seattle Sounders (17-8-3): Seattle earned a hard-fought victory in an away US Open Cup Final, but that win could be costly. The Sounders were downed by New York over the weekend, and their hold of the top spot in the overall standings has disappeared.
1. LA Galaxy (15-5-9): Seattle have a game in-hand over LA, but the Sounders also have company at the top of the table. Sunday’s Galaxy vs. Red Bulls game (8:30 pm ET on ESPN2) could be a fun one for those of you not interested in watching the New Orleans Saints take on the Dallas Cowboys.
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