As we dive into the month of April, a nearly full slate of MLS matches awaited fans eager to get back into league action. There was some wild weather in some cities, while others had picture perfect atmosphere for their fans. However, despite there being some action in many of the matches, one thing was missing: goals. Only 16 were scored in Week 5, with 5 of them coming in the last match of the weekend. Only two matches were matches that didn't end with a result equaling some binary sequence (1 or 0). There were four 1-0 results, a couple 1-1 draws and a scoreless draw. Orlando and RSL were the lone teams on the weekend to score more than 1 goal.
Now, we're early into the season, Week 5 of 34. These results signal that a lot of teams may be missing pieces, haven't fully gelled as a unit or otherwise aren't operating at max capacity at this point. As a result, the parity leaves a lot of questions for the teams to answer: who really is the cream of the crop? Who are the teams that are going to be the bottom feeders? Who are the mid-table teams that will struggle to stay in the middle? All these questions will hopefully start to gain answers over the next few weeks as teams start to separate into the good, the bad and the mediocre.
Now, these Power Rankings are still fluid but we are approaching the stabilization point. It's time for you to spit that hot fire. Which teams are ranked too high? What teams are we underestimating? Is the Black-and-Red (sitting at #18 this week) where they are supposed to be? Let your voice be heard in the comments below!
|
Rank
|
Team
|
LW
|
Points
|
GP
|
Comment
|
|
1
|
|
2
|
7
|
4
|
Drew Vancouver but losses by other teams put LA in the driver’s seat. For now.
|
|
2
|
|
4
|
10
|
5
|
Could they be the best in MLS so far? Time will tell.
|
|
3
|
|
1
|
9
|
4
|
Lost to RSL at home.
|
|
4
|
|
7
|
8
|
4
|
Beat Sporting on the road. Maybe they’re better than advertised.
|
|
5
|
|
10
|
8
|
4
|
They put a stomping on the defending champs.
|
|
6
|
|
5
|
7
|
4
|
Should have lost, but capitalized on a late defensive lapse to draw DC.
|
|
7
|
|
11
|
7
|
5
|
Tough draw against the Galaxy.
|
|
8
|
|
3
|
6
|
4
|
Lost on the road at Seattle.
|
|
9
|
9
|
4
|
4
|
Idle.
|
|
|
10
|
|
13
|
6
|
5
|
Got the W at home against the Red Bulls. Nothing controversial here!
|
|
11
|
|
6
|
4
|
4
|
They played tired against Colorado and it showed.
|
|
12
|
|
12
|
5
|
4
|
Idle.
|
|
13
|
|
15
|
7
|
4
|
They’re starting to play a lot better. Are they ready to include Jermaine Jones in the mix?
|
|
14
|
|
8
|
4
|
4
|
They got absolutely thumped.
|
|
15
|
|
14
|
6
|
4
|
They had issues against Chicago in the winter elements.
|
|
16
|
|
18
|
5
|
4
|
They get the victory against Philly in awful conditions.
|
|
17
|
|
20
|
3
|
4
|
Finally put points in the win column against Montreal.
|
|
18
|
|
17
|
3
|
5
|
Should have won, but gave up a late goal at San Jose to get a draw.
|
|
19
|
16
|
3
|
4
|
Sorry, goal wasn’t controversial from these eyes, and they go down to the Revs.
|
|
|
20
|
|
19
|
2
|
4
|
One of two teams left without a win and fewest points in the league so far.
|