2011 MLS Power Rankings: Week 8

Week 8 of the 2011 Major League Soccer season was, to say the least, a disappointing one. Little production and plenty of draws to go around.

That's doesn't mean that there aren't some movers and shakers in this week's MLS Power Rankings. Toronto FC make a jump, while Real Salt Lake—get this—are back at the top. Again. The resurrection is complete.

Didn't take them long, did it? Anyway, as the church bells ring in Sandy, here we go again with this week's MLS Power Rankings.

Whenever the wheels fall off, they will take some time to put back. Dominick Kinnear's Houston Dynamo are an example of that.

On Wednesday, Houston dropped a 2-1 defeat to the Colorado Rapids at Robertson Stadium. A 71st minute goal from Colin Clark was squandered late.

“It’s disappointing to go one up and be ahead, and then make a couple of mistakes and come out with nothing,” Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear told MLSSoccer.com's Darrell Lovell.

“I made a colossal error and the team paid for it," goalkeeper Tally Hall said. "Unfortunately it happens, and it happened today. [Smith] serves a good ball in. I’m trying to be big and I misread it from the beginning and I was punished for it.”

The inept goalkeeping continued when the Dynamo visited Toronto FC. The result: another 2-1 defeat. Lovel Palmer scored for the Dynamo in the 87th minute of play.

“I’m disappointed,” Kinnear told reporters after the match. “I think it’s a team that if we showed the same urgency for the whole game that we showed in the last 20 minutes, I think it’s a team we could’ve beat.”

“We had a lot of chances but couldn’t find a way to score,” said midfielder Brad Davis. “Every chance right now teams are getting, they’re scoring, and we go down and can’t score at all. I don’t know how many balls we sent into the box, but we can’t finish.”

Can Houston get the mojo back? They get their chance to when they take on Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m. CT/9:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Deportes.

Frank Yallop's San Jose Earthquakes were off from league play this week. They did beat the Portland Timbers in a U.S. Open Cup play-in game on Wednesday, 1-0. Ike Opara scored the game winner in the 120th minute.

So what does this victory mean for the Quakes' fortunes?

“It definitely means a lot,” Quakes star Chris Wondolowski told MLSSoccer.com's Geoff Lepper. “I think it’s just good for the morale for the locker room. Portland’s a really tough place to play, the atmosphere’s unreal and Portland’s a good team. It’s a good one that we can really build on.”

The Earthquakes will next be in action on Wednesday, May 11, when they take on the Vancouver Whitecaps at Empire Field in Vancouver, B.C. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PT/11:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by Comcast SportsNet.

Teitur Thordarsson's Vancouver Whitecaps didn't have the finest of weeks, but they didn't drop any matches, either.

On May 4, Vancouver drew 1-1 with the Montreal Impact to advance to the final of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship with Toronto FC. Mouloud Akloul scored for Vancouver in the 113rd minute, and some unlucky shooting from Montreal's Ali Gerba preserved the victory.

“We were a bit lucky in extra time, but I definitely would have felt it hard if we wouldn’t have gone through because I felt we deserved it,” Whitecaps FC head coach Teitur Thordarson told MLSSoccer.com's Brandon Timko. “I’m just delighted that we’ve gone through, and now we get the opportunity to play two good games against Toronto."

After their 1-1 draw, they had another draw, this time with the Chicago Fire on Saturday. The match went scoreless.

"Chicago dominated us a little bit in the first half, but I felt we came out strong and dominated after the break," Thordarsson told WhitecapsFC.com's Simon Fudge. "We knew that the Fire were dangerous on the right flank, and they caused us some problems in that area of the pitch before the break.

"We managed to correct these things at halftime and I felt we were able to take over proceedings in the second half. We managed to open them up, but we were unable to score the winner."

A couple of matches await the Caps this week. On Wednesday, May 11, they take on the San Jose Earthquakes at Empire Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PT/11:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by Rogers SportsNet One.

On Saturday, May 14, the Caps will travel to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., to take on the New England Revolution. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Rogers SportsNet Pacific.

Robin Fraser's Chivas USA check in at 15th in this week's Power Rankings after dropping a 1-0 decision to Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

Chivas had to play with 10 men after Marcos Mondaini laid a rough tackle on RSL's Javier Morales in the 38th minute.

“We had a pretty good start and were able to put them under some pressure," Fraser told reporters, "which is a pretty hard thing to do here. After the first red card the tone of the game changed a bit, and after the second red card the tone changed greatly.”

Up next for the Goats is a date with the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, May 15. Kickoff at Red Bull Arena is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. PT/7:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Sports Prime Ticket and Galavision.

Peter Vermes's Sporting Kansas City were off this week. Up next for Sporting in their continuing road to LiveStrong is a match with the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by KSMO-TV.

Carlos De Los Cobos's Chicago Fire had it rough against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill., and had to settle for a scoreless draw.

The Fire will continue their Canadian two-step when they take on Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday, May 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by Comcast SportsNet.

Steve Nicol's New England Revolution also had problems finding the net, as they settled for a scoreless draw with the Colorado Rapids on Saturday.

"We didn’t create enough with the bit of ball we had in their final third," Nicol told reporters after the match. "That’s disappointing. We have to do better. We’re not going to win games unless we do better with the ball in the final third.

"We did have three real good chances that we made that we probably should have done better with. But at the same time, we should have created more than we did. That’s the biggest disappointment tonight."

"It’s always difficult to step in without playing consistently," defender Chris Tierney said. "I had to work out the kinks a little bit, but I think I’m capable of slotting in and doing a job here and there wherever Stevie (Nicol) needs me.

"I played left back and we kept a clean sheet so I’m pretty happy about that, but of course we would have liked to win."

"There just has to be improvement of the quality all over the field," midfielder Shalrie Joseph concluded. "I think that once our level goes up a little bit, once we start pushing each other a little more in practice, and having the 11 on the field week in week out and training together I think we’ll be better.

"It’s all about our quality, our technique and once we get it we’re going to be a better team."

On Saturday, May 14, the Revs take on the Vancouver Whitecaps at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Comcast SportsNet.

Aron Winter's Toronto FC are making strides once again after a relatively good week.

On Wednesday, Toronto pasted FC Edmonton 1-0 in the second leg of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship semifinals to win 4-0 on aggregate and secure a berth in the final against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Alan Gordon scored in the 21st minute for the Reds.

Toronto built on that win on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo at BMo Field.
Joao Plata opened the scoring in the 50th minute for TFC and was instrumental in Maicon Santos's game winner in the 81st minute.

"I think it is every player’s job, to be a captain in the position that they are in," said midfielder Julian de Guzman to TorontoFC.ca's Asif Hossain. "I mean if at right back you kind of have to help out the right winger, or even the centre back.  

"It is important that everybody is vocal on the pitch.  Bob (De Klerk) makes it clear that after the game everyone should have a sore throat because of a lot of yelling for 90 minutes. That’s another thing that has changed around this team, guys are vocal."

Next up for TFC are a couple of matches. On Wednesday, May 11, Toronto take on FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by GOLTV Canada.

On Saturday, May 14, TFC take on the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by GOLTV Canada.

Gary Smith's Colorado Rapids are coming to terms with the fact that their MLS Cup title defense is a tough nut to crack, as seen in their last couple of matches this week.

On Wednesday, Colorado defeated the Houston Dynamo 2-1. Down 1-0 after 71 minutes, goals from Jamie Smith in the 74th minute and Scott Palguta in the 84th minute highlighted the comeback victory.

“A very sound, professional performance," Smith told reporters after the match. "The first half was extremely tight, few opportunities either way. The game really came to life in the last 20 minutes when Colin [Clark] scored. Our goal was a little freaky, but at the moment we will take them anyway they come. 

"The winning goal I thought was a decent one. Scott Palguta, who has had limited opportunities, had a terrific game, all night long. I think it's great for the individual that he's won the game for us. All in all, very pleased with a really solid display.”

It wasn't as solid for Colorado on Saturday against the New England Revolution, as they settled for a scoreless draw.

"I think a draw is probably a fair result," midfielder Jeff Larentowicz told reporters after the match. "I think the play happened mostly in the midfield and it was just a battle in there. They probably had the best chances hitting the crossbar.

"We would have liked to have won, but you can’t walk away from a game hoping that you won without developing enough chances, and I don’t think we did."

Next Saturday, May 14, Colorado clashes with D.C. United at RFK Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Altitude. 

Peter Nowak's Philadelphia Union were hoping to capitalize on the San Jose Earthquakes's breakthrough victory over the Portland Timbers at Jeld-Wen Field on Friday.

They failed, losing 1-0. Of course, having Danny Califf and Jordan Harvey out due to illness and suspension didn't help matters...

“We brought Danny in on Wednesday to check out the situation, and the travel and the weather were not going to help him get back to where he was a week ago,” Nowak said about Califf’s absence, according to MLSSoccer.com's Dave Zeitlin. “Especially with the games we have coming up, we need to be up and running. We don’t need any setbacks.”

Califf will look to be healthy when the Union aim for a doop-sized payback against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday, May 11 at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Comcast SportsNet.

On Saturday, May 14, the Union take on FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT/8:30 p.m. ET.

Sigi Schmid's Seattle Sounders check in at No. 8 this week, after a disappointing couple of matches.
On Wednesday, Seattle lost 2-1 to D.C. United. Brad Evans scored the only goal for the Sounders in the 71st minute of play.

“We took the lead early and we were hoping that we could hold on from that, but tired legs got the best of us in the second half,” Schmid told SoundersFC.com's Matt Gaschk after the match.  “We had to hang on there a little bit at the end.”

The misery continued for Seattle as they settled for a 1-1 draw with the Columbus Crew. Fredy Montero gave the Sounders an early 1-0 lead in the seventh minute, but Seattle were unable to hold on to the lead at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

“It’s a tough one to swallow, especially after a good win the other night,” forward Nate Jaqua said.  “We just weren’t as sharp as we needed to be.  It wasn’t up to our performance and we paid for it.”

Next up for the Sounders is a renewal of an old classic: a Cascadia Cup clash with the Portland Timbers on Saturday, May 14.

Kickoff at Qwest Field in Seattle, Wash., is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. PT/11:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

Robert Warzycha's Columbus Crew battled the Seattle Sounders to a 1-1 draw at Crew Stadium. Emilio Renteria equalized in the 67th minute off a penalty for Columbus.

“We started the game pretty well. We had good balance,” Warzycha told MLSSoccer.com's Craig Merz. “The second half it was a different game. We pushed for the goal. We got one and almost had another one. We didn’t get lucky."

“I really felt like we killed them in the second half,” midfielder Robbie Rogers added. “I even thought at the end of the first half we did well. I was happy with the way we played.”

Columbus will next take on the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, May 14 at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET.

Ben Olsen's D.C. United had a good, if modest, outing last week.

On Wednesday, D.C. defeated the Seattle Sounders 2-1 at RFK Stadium. Josh Wolff opened the scoring in the 31st minute while league-leading goal scorer Charlie Davies tallied his sixth of the season in the 52nd minute of play.

"I thought we had a response [from the Houston loss]," Olsen told reporters after the match. "I thought we were pretty charged up, and we knew what was at stake.

"It wasn’t dire that we had these three strikes, but it was pretty important for where we have been at mentally this week. We challenged each other all week, and I am glad that the guys got rewarded for a pretty good effort.

"Overall, it was a good night, but we need to forget about it very quickly and make sure that we continue with that type of effort for the weekend."

Unfortunately for Olsen, it would not happen, as D.C. were forced into a scoreless deadlock with FC Dallas.

"I thought it was a good game for us," said defender Perry Kitchen to reporters. "We were tight as a group, and a shutout is a team effort. It’s a team defensive effort, and everyone did their part. We hoped for the three points, but at least we got something out of it."

Up next for D.C. United is a match with the Colorado Rapids. Kickoff at RFK Stadium is scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Comcast SportsNet.

Schellas Hyndman's D.C. United were hoping to build on their breakthrough 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy. 

Not so fast, Schellas. 

The Hoops were unable to find the back of the net and were forced into a scoreless draw with D.C. United.

"I thought it was kind of a sloppy game from both parts," Hyndman told reporters following the contest. "There really wasn’t a lot of quality possession and not enough scoring opportunities for either team. I think it was just one of those games that on our part we were unable to connect a lot of our passes."

"I thought it was a game that went back-and-forth," said defender Ugo Ihemelu. "Not very organized – scrappy – just one of those game that you have to battle and I think we battled well. D.C. created some good chances. We had a few [chances]. 

"D.C. was very motivated for this game, so that said we’ll take the result. One point on the road isn’t horrible. We would have wanted three points, but we’ll take this for now."

A couple of contests are on the way for FC Dallas this week.

On Wednesday, May 11 the Hoops take on Toronto FC at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. CT/9:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Sports Southwest.

On Saturday, May 14, FC Dallas will take on the Philadelphia Union. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT/8:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Sports SouthWest.

It was a hit-and-miss week for John Spencer's Portland Timbers, who remain fourth in this week's Power Rankings.

On Wednesday, the inability to finish cost them a chance at making the U.S. Open Cup third round proper in their 1-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes.

So much for Jeld-Wen Field becoming the New Fortress, so to speak.

“We don’t have a first team and a reserve team," Spencer admitted. "We have a squad of players that we feel are good enough to be here. It wasn’t like we were shoving a lot of young guys out there. I think a lot of them have experience; they’ve played in these games before.

"Just disappointed we gave the goal up so late in the game and not to get to penalties because if you’re taking penalties in front of the Timbers Army you’ve always got a chance.”

No extra time was needed in Portland's match with the Philadelphia Union on Friday. Actually, since this was a league contest, there wouldn't be any extra time to begin with.

A goal from Mamadou "Futty" Danso in the 72nd minute gave the Timbers a 1-0 victory at Jeld-Wen.

“It was a good goal," Danso said to reporters after the match. "Jack (Jewsbury) hit a good cross and I happened to get on the end of it. In previous games I’ve been close. The last two weeks, the coaches have been working with me and I’ve just been trying to put the ball on target.”

Next up for the Timbers is one of the most-anticipated showdowns of the year: a match with the Seattle Sounders.

Kickoff at Qwest Field is scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m. PT and will be televised by ESPN2.

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy were stripped of a virtual victory by match referee Edvin Jurisevic on Saturday against the New York Red Bulls.

Landon Donovan scored in the 41st minute off the delivery from David Beckham to give the Galaxy an otherwise hard-fought 1-1 draw. It could have been 2-1 in the 44th minute, but what looked like a second goal for Donovan was ruled cleared by New York's Tim Ream.

“I just had a brief look at it," Donovan said of the would-be goal to reporters. "it looks like it was in. I think we are learning this year that if we want to score a goal we really need to score two goals. Or, if we need to score two goals, we really need to score three or four.

"It’s unfortunate, you would hope at some we would get the benefit of the doubt, but that’s not happened yet.”'

“My take is it should have been a goal," Arena said. "Whether it went over the line, obviously, Landon made a heck of a play timing his run and getting the ball around the goalkeeper. He just didn’t finish it off.

"Give [Tim] Ream a lot of credit. He stayed in on that play. It was pretty close. Part of that ball was over the line for sure. Whether all of it was, I sure can’t tell from where I am, but it was a heck of a play by Landon and Ream.”

The match rekindled the old rivalry between David Beckham and Thierry Henry.

“There are always those moments when you play against players you have played in the past," Beckham said. "Thierry is such a great talent and to have him in this league and to have him showing people the skills that he has is a great thing for the game. It was nice to see him tonight. It is always nice to see Thierry.”

Next up are a couple of contests for the Galaxy. On Wednesday, May 11, the Galaxy travel to Chester's PPL Park to take on the Philadelphia Union. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Sports West.

On Saturday, May 14, the G's clash with Sporting Kansas City in the hopes of gaining some payback from an otherwise disappointing effort against them last season. Kickoff at Victoria Street is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Sports West.

Hans Backe's New York Red Bulls drop to second in this week's MLS Power Rankings after settling for a 1-1 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Thierry Henry opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a backheel goal that fooled LA goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts. However, the visitors were unable to hold on to the lead late in the first half, and could not build on the Henry goal.

Backe admitted that poor finishing stripped the fans of what could have been an electrifying match in terms of production.

“It probably should have ended up 3-3," Backe told reporters. "With all of the chances, from both sides, it was a very intense game. It was a very good game. It was a good level on the game today. Probably the best you can see in MLS at the moment. 

"It was very entertaining. Two teams that wanted to attack for 90 minutes and go for the winning goal. It was only the last three or four minutes where we said we had to sit back and get some possession, and get away with one point.”'

Henry felt the casual fans got their just desserts.

“Tonight, for the neutrals it must have been a good game," Henry said. "They saw some great football. The Galaxy played very well in the first half. We should have been ahead at half time, without Tim Ream they could have been 2-1 up. 

"Saying that, we had some chances of our own in the first half. I think it was pretty even. In the second half I think we kind of played better we hit the post another went wide. Overall I think it was a fair result, 1-1, but at the end of the day, for the neutral it was a good game.”

A couple of matches are on the way for New York. First, there is a match with future MLS side Montreal Impact. Kickoff at Stade Saputo is scheduled for Wednesday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

On Sunday, May 15, the Red Bulls face Chivas USA at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by MSG Plus and Galavision.

Welcome back to the top, Jason Kreis.

Kreis's Real Salt Lake regain the top spot in this week's MLS Power Rankings after their 1-0 victory over Chivas USA.

Will Johnson scored the game winner in the 87th minute for RSL.

The victory didn't come without a price. Javier Morales was stretchered off the field after a tackle by Chivas's Marcos Mondaini in the 38th minute.

In spite of the win, Kreis wasn't convinced that they awoke from the nightmare that was Monterrey.

“We need to come out of this funk," Kreis told reporters following the match, "and I don’t think that performance showed that we’re out of this funk.  It's (a lack of) confidence and willingness of players to take some risks, play a little quicker, and trust that their teammate is going to take a good touch if they play it to them under a little bit of pressure.  Right now, it’s like we’re seeing options and we’re hesitating.”

“That second half was really frustrating to be honest," added defender Nat Borchers. "I don’t think that we put together the right passes. I don’t think we were all on the same page. I don’t think we were all working for each other and that’s unfortunate. I think that a lot of guys were spooked by that tackle (on Morales).”

Next up for RSL is a match with the Houston Dynamo at Rio Tinto Stadium. How they will cope with the loss of Morales remains to be seen.

Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. MT/9:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.