2012 MLS Power Rankings
David Estrada leads the MLS with 4 goals at this point. This list will start at #19 and work its way up to #1 overall. Since the 2012 MLS Playoffs will feature 5 Eastern Conference teams and 5 Western Conference teams I will list 5 teams from each conference in my top 10 overall.
19. Toronto FC 0-2-0 0 points Toronto FC was my preseason pick to make the MLS Cup only to lose to the Seattle Sounders. Toronto FC has been a major disappointment so far. Only 1 goal scored and 6 goals allowed in 2 games is completely unacceptable.
18. Philadelphia Union 0-3-0 0 points The Union have also been a joke so far. Ironically enough, I had them losing to Toronto FC in my preseason conference finals. The Union have tons of depth on offense at forward. The Union have scored 2 goals, but have allowed 6.
17. DC United 0-2-1 1 point The DC United got their only point of the year by playing the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 0-0 draw. DC United has only scored one goal all season. DC United has been a huge letdown so far in 2012.
16. Montreal Impact 0-2-1 1 point The Montreal Impact may have tons of potential at midfield and defense long term. The decision to pass on Darren Mattocks looks sort of foolish at this point since the team has no blue chip striker.
15. Chivas USA 1-2-0 3 points Chivas USA was a team that I thought would be terrible in the preseason. I thought that Chivas USA would finish with the leagues worst record this season. I will list Chivas USA 15th in my power rankings.
14. Columbus Crew 1-1-0 3 points The Columbus Crew seem like a team that will regress significantly in 2012. I will rank the Crew here at 14 for the time being and see what happens as the season progresses.
13. FC Dallas 1-1-1 4 points Some believe FC Dallas is an elite team. I am not buying the hype at this point. Besides Brek Shea where is the identity of this team?
12. Colorado Rapids 2-1-0 6 points Colorado has a new head coach plus I’m skeptical about their defense. I realize the Rapids should be ranked higher. I am not buying the Rapids as an MLS player at this point.
11. Portland Timbers 1-1-1 4 points David Horst is injured until midseason at center back plus Andrew Jean Baptiste is an upgrade at center back over the scrub that got a yellow card in Saturday’s 1 to 0 loss to New England. Portland could catch fire in the 2nd half of the season. Right now the Timbers rank outside of my top 10.
10. New York Red Bulls 1-2-0 3 points The New York Red Bulls can be really inconsistent on defense. Also the Red Bulls have a rookie 2nd round pick as their starting goaltender.
9. Chicago Fire 1-0-1 4 points I feel like Chicago still has some work left to accomplish despite their improvements.
8. New England Revolution 1-2-0 3 points The New England Revolution have great depth on defense and a tremendous keeper with Matt Reis. The Revolution have some average midfielders with above average potential along with a project midfielder with huge upside in Kelyn Rowe at left wing. I cannot put the Revolution higher than 8th because I am not sold on New England’s ability to score at striker.
7. San Jose Earthquakes 2-1-0 6 points San Jose is talented enough to get to the playoffs. I feel like their missing a piece or two to contend for the Cup at this point.
6. Los Angeles Galaxy 1-1-0 3 points My two favorite teams when I first started watching MLS were the Kansas City Wizards and the LA Galaxy. I liked the Wizards because they were the hometown team. I liked Cobi Jones because he was my favorite player in the league at the time. The Galaxy have the pieces to repeat if Tommy Meyer can step up for Omar Gonzalez. Right now the Galaxy have started sluggish and have not earned the right to be ranked higher than the next team. Plus if I put the Galaxy in the top 5 it makes me look sort of bias towards my team. The #5 team on my power rankings has earned a top 5 spot for the time being.
5. Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0-1 7 points I said the Whitecaps had no defensive identity heading into the season. Right now the Whitecaps are the only MLS team to not allow a goal which is why they belong in the top 5 at this point.
4. Houston Dynamo 2-1-0 6 points Houston Dynamo have all the pieces to get back to the 2012 MLS Cup. The Dynamo deserve a spot in the top 4.
3. Real Salt Lake 2-1-0 6 points Real Salt Lake made some great moves in the offseason to remain competitive. Real Salt Lake enters 3rd in my power rankings.
2. Sporting Kansas City 3-0-0 9 points Sporting Kansas City has the leagues best record at 3-0-0 so far. My problem with putting them at #1 is they could use one more center back plus a goaltender would not hurt. I could see them getting to the MLS Cup to lose with all of their MLS talent on offense.
1. Seattle Sounders 2-0-0 6 points The Seattle Sounders have the most complete team in the MLS. Forwards, midfielders, defense, and goaltending all checks out in Seattle. Seattle also has the 12th man at Qwest Field with a passionate crowd that enjoys soccer. Seattle has to be the team to beat at this point.
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