MLS Power Rankings: Vancouver Whitecaps and LA Galaxy Rise After Week 22
There were a record 40 goals scored in MLS this past weekend with 10 scored in one game alone.
D.C. United and Real Salt Lake battled in one of the highest-scoring matches in MLS history, and there was plenty more drama on Saturday.
The Vancouver Whitecaps handed the Seattle Sounders their seventh loss in their last eight games, and Orlando City SC also picked up a massive victory against the Columbus Crew.
With all of these results in mind, here are the latest MLS power rankings after Week 22.
20. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 20)
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The Philadelphia Union are now in last place in MLS after a 3-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night.
The Union outshot the Red Bulls 17-9, per the official MLS website, but debutant Tranquillo Barnetta fouled fellow newcomer Shaun Wright-Phillips in the box. Sacha Kljestan converted the penalty to make it 1-0.
Sebastien Le Toux responded seven minutes later, but sloppy defending allowed the Wright-Phillips brothers to connect for New York's second goal of the night.
Due to those individual mistakes, the Union remain at No. 20 this week.
19. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 16)
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Marcelo Sarvas gave the Colorado Rapids a dream start against the LA Galaxy. The Brazilian scored the opening goal against his former team on Saturday, but the Rapids capitulated in the second half and lost 3-1.
Colorado entered this match on a three-game winning streak, and the Rapids managed to contain the Galaxy attack in the first half.
In the second half, Rapids defenders were caught out of position, which allowed Sebastian Lletget to score the equalizer. Steven Gerrard attacked the left flank again to force a rebound out of Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin, which led to Alan Gordon's strike.
As Colorado pushed for the tying goal, the Galaxy struck in second-half stoppage time to seal the match. Two mental errors were the difference, and against a team as lethal as LA, that cannot happen.
The Rapids still have two games in hand over the sixth-placed Seattle Sounders, who only lead by eight points. However, this gut-wrenching defeat drops Colorado to No. 19.
18. San Jose Earthquakes (Previous: 18)
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The San Jose Earthquakes escaped Avaya Stadium with a 0-0 draw against the Portland Timbers on Sunday.
Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri missed a penalty, which would have likely clinched all three points for Portland. Other than the spot kick, the game was uneventful.
Quincy Amarikwa looked lively again but struggled to finish, just like the rest of the attackers. Chris Wondolowski was invisible for the second week in a row, which also didn't help the Earthquakes.
San Jose is now winless in five straight games. Despite picking up a draw, the lifeless performance keeps the team at No. 18.
17. Chicago Fire (Previous: 19)
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The Chicago Fire snapped their three-game winless streak by defeating the red-hot FC Dallas 2-0 on Sunday.
David Accam opened the scoring after just four minutes but struggled to create another noteworthy chance for most of the match.
It appeared as if Dallas was going to steal a point late in game when Fire midfielder Matt Watson was sent off. However, referee Jair Marrufo awarded a penalty to Chicago, which Shaun Maloney converted to clinch the victory.
Chicago performed valiantly to contain Dallas' fast attack, limiting the Hoops to just three shots on target, per the official MLS website. For that reason, the Fire move up to No. 17 this week.
16. New York City FC (Previous: 15)
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Frank Lampard made his debut for New York City FC on Saturday afternoon, but it was in a losing effort as the Montreal Impact won 3-2.
It was the same old story for NYCFC. The back line couldn't deal with long balls, which is how Dominic Oduro and Ignacio Piatti scored Montreal's first two goals.
Considering how small the Yankee Stadium pitch is, it's a wonder why NYCFC's defense has such a hard time stopping long passes from reaching the opposing forwards.
Center back Jefferson Mena struggled mightily against the Impact, committing basic defensive mistakes. He was forced to start due to Chris Wingert's calf injury, but this is no excuse.
An underwhelming loss coupled with lapses in concentration at the back move NYCFC down to No. 16. The attack is clicking thanks to David Villa, but the back line is still a huge liability.
15. Real Salt Lake (Previous: 12)
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Real Salt Lake had a 2-0 lead on the road against D.C. United on Saturday. The 2009 MLS Cup champions ended up conceding six goals in a 6-4 defeat at RFK Stadium.
RSL's road performances have been worrying this season. The Claret and Cobalt have won just twice in 11 games away from Rio Tinto Stadium.
RSL has also conceded 22 goals on the road. Only Toronto FC and the New England Revolution (27) have allowed more.
The good news for RSL is the team's position in the Western Conference. The Royals are just three points behind the Seattle Sounders for the sixth and final playoff spot. However, after another woeful trip, RSL falls to No. 15.
14. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 14)
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The Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City battled to a scrappy 1-1 draw. However, a few questionable refereeing decisions affected the outcome of the match.
Dynamo midfielder Nathan Sturgis was sent off for this tackle, which appeared to be a bookable offense. However, Tyler Deric probably should've seen red for striking SKC's Dom Dwyer.
With the match level at 1-1, referee Jorge Gonzalez did not call a penalty for what seemed to be a handball in second-half stoppage time.
The Dynamo equalized the game thanks to Ricardo Clark's header off a free kick, but Houston struggled to create opportunities from open play.
The continued attacking woes keep the Dynamo at No. 14, but had it not recorded a point, Houston would've moved down this week.
13. Orlando City SC (Previous: 17)
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Orlando City SC recovered from its loss to New York City FC by defeating the Columbus Crew 5-2 on Saturday night.
Cyle Larin completed a brace to tie the MLS rookie scoring record with 11 goals. The Canadian was coming off a hat trick against NYCFC in the previous game, and the No. 1 pick from this year's MLS SuperDraft is clearly hitting form at the right time.
The most impressive feat about Orlando's win were the five unanswered goals. Columbus took a 1-0 lead, but Larin, Darwin Ceren, Aurelien Collin and Cristian Higuita recovered in the best way possible.
Another impressive attacking display moves Orlando up to No. 13 this week.
12. Columbus Crew (Previous: 10)
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The Columbus Crew's 5-2 defeat to Orlando City SC didn't hurt them in the standings, but it reminded Columbus how poor its defense has performed recently.
Center backs Tyson Wahl and Michael Parkhurst were all over the place on Saturday. Cyle Larin was left open far too many times, and the rookie took advantage with almost every opportunity.
The Crew have now conceded 38 goals this season. Only the last-placed Philadelphia Union (40) have allowed more. If Columbus hopes to finish high in the standings, the defense has to be more stable.
Columbus falls to No. 12 but stays above Orlando due to its higher standing in the Eastern Conference at the moment.
11. Seattle Sounders (Previous: 9)
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The Seattle Sounders' 3-0 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps was the club's sixth loss in seven games. Despite Clint Dempsey's return to the lineup, the Sounders' attack failed to score for the fourth match in a row.
Seattle was likely hard done by when Pa-Modou Kah appeared to handle the ball in the box in the first half. Had a penalty been called and converted, the Sounders would've been tied 1-1.
However, they obviously didn't get the penalty and could not find a goal. Obafemi Martins is nearing a return, but with the Sounders teetering in sixth place in the Western Conference, they must improve up front immediately.
The defense is still awful, with the Sounders allowing Kah to score twice. The center back was given time and space to execute a side volley and a backheel for both of his strikes. While they were well-taken, Seattle can't allow that to occur.
Until the Sounders regain their early-season form, they will stay out of the top 10.
10. Montreal Impact (Previous: 13)
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The Montreal Impact earned their third win in their last four games after a 3-2 triumph over New York City FC on Saturday afternoon.
Dominic Oduro and Ignacio Piatti were causing fits for the NYCFC defense all day. The long balls over the back line led to several scoring chances, which suited Montreal's speedy attack.
Apart from the penalty and a late Thomas McNamara consolation, the defense was able to contain David Villa and the potent NYCFC attack.
With Didier Drogba and Costa Rican winger Johan Venegas, who was signed by the Impact on Monday, Montreal's front four will be even more lethal. For now, the Impact move up to No. 10 after another impressive showing on both of the sides of the pitch.
9. Toronto FC (Previous: 7)
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Toronto FC's winless skid on the road extended to four games after a demoralizing 3-1 loss to the New England Revolution on Saturday.
Toronto head coach Greg Vanney gave Moroccan defender Ahmed Kantari his debut beside Damien Perquis at center back. Both players struggled to restrict Lee Nguyen and Charlie Davies.
Davies scored the opening goal and wasn't tracked by either center back when he made his run. The penalty Perquis conceded came after a mindless challenge on Kelyn Rowe. It was a rough start to their partnership.
To make matters worse, Jozy Altidore was sent off for lashing out at Jose Goncalves. Sebastian Giovinco was recovering from a heel injury, so with him fully fit, TFC is still a force. That's why the Reds only move down to No. 9.
8. Portland Timbers (Previous: 8)
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The Portland Timbers were a Diego Valeri penalty away from earning a road win against the San Jose Earthquakes. They had to settle for a 0-0 draw on Sunday after Valeri struck the crossbar from 12 yards out.
Portland was the better side but couldn't finish all afternoon. Valeri missed a couple of chances, and Fanendo Adi failed to convert a shot inside the penalty area.
The Timbers played well defensively, which was a positive sign. That keeps them at No. 8 for this week.
7. New England Revolution (Previous: 11)
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The New England Revolution picked up their second win in their last three games by defeating Toronto FC 2-0 on Saturday night.
New England has earned seven points since snapping its five-match winless skid. Charlie Davies is also scoring again, which is massive for the team. His last goal came on June 21 against D.C. United before his brace versus TFC.
The Revs have won five times and have lost just once when Davies scores. It's vital that he gets service, which he received on Saturday from Kelyn Rowe and Chris Tierney.
The Revolution's win was easier to attain thanks to Sebastian Giovinco's heel injury. However, the defense nullified him and Jozy Altidore before the American was sent off. If New England can replicate that performance, it will finish high in the Eastern Conference standings.
6. D.C. United (Previous: 5)
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D.C. United managed to score six goals on Saturday but almost conceded the same number in the team's 6-4 win over Real Salt Lake.
D.C. was trailing 2-0 before Chris Rolfe struck just before halftime. The real entertainment began in the second half with seven goals scored in just over 30 minutes.
This isn't the first time the team has trailed early in a game. These comebacks are admirable, but D.C. may not get away with this in the playoffs.
Due to the New York Red Bulls' victory, United's sluggish starts and poor defensive performance, it falls to No. 6.
5. New York Red Bulls (Previous: 6)
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Shaun Wright-Phillips made history in his debut with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. He set up a goal for his brother Bradley in New York's 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union.
It marked the first time in MLS history that brothers combined for a goal, per Big Apple Soccer. Shaun also won the penalty that led to the Red Bulls' first strike of the night.
The Red Bulls earned their third straight win and the fifth victory in their last six matches. That moves New York into the top five.
4. FC Dallas (Previous: 1)
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FC Dallas came out flat against the hapless Chicago Fire in a 2-0 loss on on Sunday night.
Dallas' four attackers failed to run at the Fire defenders and test goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Fabian Castillo, Michael Barrios, Mauro Diaz and David Texeira attempted just three shots combined. None of them even tested Johnson.
It will take more than one poor match to move the Hoops out of the top five. However, due to Sporting Kansas City, the LA Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps picking up results, Dallas has been demoted to No. 4.
3. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 3)
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Sporting Kansas City should've defeated the Houston Dynamo on Saturday. However, Sporting ended up drawing 1-1 after a couple of questionable decisions from the referee.
Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric should've been sent off for hitting Dom Dwyer. No matter how much Dwyer embellished it, a player cannot punch an opponent.
The non-call for this apparent handball in the box also cost SKC a late victory.
Although there were some odd calls and non-calls made, SKC did not perform well in the final third. The hosts generated just eight shots (three on target), per the official MLS website.
However, Sporting KC is still five points behind the Western Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps with three games in hand. For that reason, SKC stays at No. 3.
2. LA Galaxy (Previous: 4)
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The LA Galaxy experienced a rocky first half against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night. However, the champions recovered to claim a 3-1 victory, the team's first road win of the year.
An excellent pass from Juninho to Sebastian Lletget led to the Galaxy's first goal. Then Steven Gerrard and Alan Gordon combined for the second strike of the evening. LA managed to expose the left flank on both occasions as it took advantage of lackadaisical Rapids defending.
The Galaxy are in third place in the Western Conference and will only improve once Giovani dos Santos enters the fray.
1. Vancouver Whitecaps (Previous: 2)
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The Vancouver Whitecaps delivered one of their most impressive road performances of the season on Saturday. They defeated the slumping Seattle Sounders 3-0 thanks in large part to a brace from center back Pa-Modou Kah.
Kah had never recorded multiple goals in a game before that night. They were wonderful strikes as well. The first was side-volleyed off a free kick followed by a coolly executed backheel of all things.
Pedro Morales added the third goal off a direct free kick, but Kah was the star of the night on both sides of the pitch. The defense restricted the Sounders attack, and the Whitecaps forwards continued to generate chances from open play throughout the game.
The Whitecaps also move into first place in the Western Conference and look dangerous with the final weeks of the season approaching.
