Week 6 had a lot of late-match heroics and some dominating performances. Some teams snatched a draw from the grasp of defeat and some went out and took all 3 points home with authority. More importantly, about a month and a half into the season, we're starting to get a better sense of the teams that are for real. There are also some teams that, despite their star power, occupy the basement with a long term lease (hey there, Columbus Crew SC and New York Red Bulls).
Fans of the teams in the lead always want their team to jump out to the hot start and maintain, but it's a long season. Not every team going to hit their stride from Week 1 and carry that for 33 more. Still, this is where you start to get a sense of the teams that aren't just having a hot start but rather possess the chemistry and the tools to say that they're for real. A few teams are attempting to make that case through 6 weeks of MLS action: Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake. Other teams, like the Philadelphia Union, are wild surprises so far and are knocking at the door. Time will tell which teams really are the teams to fear this season in MLS.
So, now let's hear from you. Which teams are for real in your mind? Which are just pretenders so far? Are the Black-and-Red, fresh off the first victory of the year, ready to strike and make the move up? Who are your surprises thus far, both good and bad? Hit the comments...do it.
|
Rank
|
Team
|
LW
|
Points
|
GP
|
Comment
|
|
1
|
Sporting Kansas City |
3
|
12
|
5
|
They’re clicking and are probably the best through the first month and a half.
|
|
2
|
|
1
|
8
|
5
|
Tough game and got the home draw against Portland…Nigel De Jong better sit for multiple games.
|
|
3
|
FC Dallas |
2
|
11
|
6
|
Exciting game against San Jose…should be happy with a draw.
|
|
4
|
Real Salt Lake |
4
|
11
|
5
|
Got a goal and beat the Rapids at home.
|
|
5
|
|
6
|
8
|
5
|
They can be really good if they can play defense when they need to.
|
|
6
|
|
5
|
8
|
5
|
Should have got the draw but catch the L in Philly.
|
|
7
|
|
8
|
9
|
5
|
They just bodied Columbus.
|
|
8
|
|
9
|
5
|
5
|
Should have won, but a blunder leaves them with a draw.
|
|
9
|
|
10
|
7
|
6
|
Got the draw at home to keep pace early.
|
|
10
|
Philadelphia Union |
15
|
9
|
5
|
Philly may be for real, but let's see what happens.
|
|
11
|
|
7
|
7
|
6
|
They got stomped all the way out.
|
|
12
|
|
11
|
5
|
5
|
They need to find a way to engineer goals, but draws on this long road trip are okay.
|
|
13
|
|
12
|
6
|
5
|
Listless draw at home.
|
|
14
|
|
18
|
6
|
6
|
Hey! There’s the offense!
|
|
15
|
|
13
|
7
|
5
|
Had a good opportunity to show they were for real, but couldn’t get it done.
|
|
16
|
|
16
|
6
|
5
|
Chicago was present in the Bronx, but they left with a scoreless draw.
|
|
17
|
|
14
|
5
|
5
|
They’re not clicking yet. Hopefully Darlington Nagbe is okay.
|
|
18
|
|
17
|
4
|
5
|
They were really lucky to escape with a point.
|
|
19
|
New York Red Bulls |
19
|
3
|
5
|
They can’t finish at the net and that’s the main reason of many that their start is slow.
|
|
20
|
Columbus Crew SC |
20
|
2
|
5
|
Something is NOT clicking with them. Still the last winless team in MLS.
|