Week 16 SBNhanced MLS Power Rankings

by Martin Shatzer on Jul 21, 2010 10:40 PM EDT

Team	Total vote count	First Tier votes	Last week's Tier
Tier 1 - Teams Contending For Cups
LA Galaxy	21	7	1
Real Salt Lake	21	7	1
Columbus Crew	21	7	1
Tier 2 - Teams Likely in the Playoffs
FC Dallas	17	4	2
NY Red Bulls	14	1	2
Colorado Rapids	14	0	2
Toronto FC	13	0	2
SJ Earthquakes	12	0	2
Tier 3 - Teams On the Outside Looking In
Chicago Fire	8	0	3
Houston Dynamo	7	0	3
Seattle Sounders	6	0	3
NE Revolution	4	0	3
Tier 4 - Teams Competing for #3 Draft Pick
KC Wizards	2	0	4
Philadelphia Union	2	0	4
Chivas USA	0	0	4
DC United	0	0	4

Not a single bit of movement in the rankings this week, despite a couple of fairly surprising results in league play.

Week 16 witnessed losses from two of the members of our top tier, as Real Salt Lake fell to FC Dallas and the Columbus Crew were shocked by the Kansas City Wizards. Dallas moved up within the second tier of our rankings, and could be poised to crack their way into the top with a couple more positive results.

The New England Revolution also look set to make a move if they can continue their streak of victories in Superliga action into MLS play.

And finally, we shouldn't be shocked to see D.C. United fall back down to the bottom of the fourth tier. Two home losses will do that to you.

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Comments

Why are we competeing for the #3 pick?

Are there really two expansion teams coming in next year? I really hope MLS isn’t over doing it in that department.

by ccrun1800 on Jul 22, 2010 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

Portland & Vancouver.

Montreal comes in for 2012, and nobody knows if/when there will be a Team20.

by The AMT on Jul 22, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Strong Northwest

I think Portland and Vancouver will both be strong franchises and will create a Pacific Northwest stronghold for soccer. Different than other sports strongholds perhaps but still quite buzz-worthy. Think talent dilution is always a concern but I also think we’re going to be seeing a wave of better US talent. Kids who were 10 in 2002 are 18 now. Kids who grew up with MLS and with knowledge of the Euro leagues. Think this will help to fill out the teams. Plus smart foreign signings. If MLS goes beyond 20 teams I’d get concerned. Plus at this point the only team with a real stadium problem is DCU. (The Revs situation sucks but it is stable) Attendance at the stadiums is another matter— will talent dilution hurt the attendance? (can it be any more hurt at Dallas?)

by Irrlicht on Jul 22, 2010 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Academies are Crucial

IMO the academy paradigm will greatly enhance the talent coming into MLS. The college draft won’t ever disappear, but will become less and less important in 5-10 years.

by dc army on Jul 22, 2010 4:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions