MLS Dogpile | Prepare the Electric Truncheons!

What a glorious tangle we've got, eh MLS HQ gargoyles? At this point, would you put it past any of the teams still in playoff contention (oh hell, let's throw in everybody but the Red Bulls) to beat any of the others? The Parity Police are slapping their electric truncheons in their gloved hands with cruel smiles as they wait for what should be an almighty scramble across the finish line and a wide-open playoff field. With that unpredictability and finely poised balance of power in mind, let's hit the Dogpile, shall we?

The Crew got stung by a desperate DC this week, but managed to control most of the game despite a monsoon and some missing pieces to their starting puzzle. Their recent form is slipping, but they're also getting a chance to rest and recuperate their big guns before the playoffs arrive. If there is one side that looks a favorite in the playoffs, it's got to be the defending champs.

In behind them is the trio chasing the Western crown. Chivas don't seem to be beating anybody difficult and don't look terribly impressive on paper, but they aren't losing games either. This, more than anything else, is what gives them the edge over their rivals on the Pile. The Galaxy seem to be hitting a bit of a roller-coaster at the moment, which is always dangerous heading into a two-game playoff series, but I think the Bruce will have them focused. Likewise for the Dynamo, who are backing into the post-season somewhat, but it looks to me like Kinnear might be able to crank it up a gear when push comes to shove.

Seattle are an interesting package. They're the only other team outside the top four that has booked their passage, are the second hottest team (in terms of results) in the league, and even have an outside chance at nipping the Western crown in the last week. And they're an expansion side to boot! Full credit to Sigi, who has not only nursed them past a bout of Expansion Fever, but seems to have figured out how to start getting points on the road, something they'll need when the playoffs hit.

And now the snarl.

FC Dallas are the hottest team in the league and by rights should probably be grabbing a playoff spot, where nobody will be happy about facing them. Sadly, their early season was so poor that they may come up just short in the end. Chicago, on the other hand, have the opposite problem. After a relatively strong start, they seem to be coasting on fumes and have forgotten how to win, but will probably limp over the line. TFC are putting up a game battle for their first-ever post-season bid and have their destiny in their hands. The good news? They play the Red Bulls to clinch. The bad news? They're on the road.

DC United found life in their slow, aging bones with a huge win over a Columbus side with one eye on the Champions' League and the other on keeping everybody healthy and rested going into the post-season. Were it not for the three home losses that preceded the win, they'd be sitting in a comfortable playoff spot at the moment. And the Revs? They've likewise spoiled a massive opportunity by failing to take advantage of games in hand, leaving them with the very real chance that they could already be eliminated by the time they take the field at Crew Stadium on Sunday.

RSL are the only remaining team alive in the hunt, but their chances hinge (if I'm wrapping my mind around the byzantine MLS tie-breaker rules correctly) on (1) beating Colorado by multiple goals (three would do the trick, two might) and (2) having most everybody else still in contention manage to lose. Like I said, alive, but only just.

KC lead the pack of also-rans, having been eliminated from the playoffs before they even kicked a ball last weekend. San Jose have long known that their number is up, but could scrape their way to third from the bottom with a win and a KC loss on the final weekend. And the Red Bulls? They've been looking forward to 2010 for months already.

MLS Dogpile | Hot or Not?

With only four games on the docket this international week, you wouldn't expect much movement on the Pile. But it's an indication of just how tight things are that even four games, two involving the going-nowhere Quakes, would prompt some significant movement. Let's take a quick dash through how things are shaping up as we sidle up to the post-season bar.

After a momentary setback against the Sounders in a game they really should have gotten something from, the Crew are back in the saddle with the field arrayed beneath them. The Galaxy maintain their lofty status despite Chivas, the second-hottest team in the league, making a late push to get back to the top (imagine what might have been for the Goats if not for that mid-season implosion). The question now becomes: have Chivas just been beating up on lightweights?

The Dynamo are still in a good position, but their recent return hasn't been impressive. That said, they have every opportunity for the last laugh in the West as they finish against their two LA-based rivals for the conference crown. Sigi seems to have put the Sounders' recent bout of Expansion Fever behind him, and the new boys look destined for the post-season. The Fire will probably also back their way in despite being winless in their last five.

Hot or not? Dallas get the jump on the seven-team pack struggling to grab the final two spots in the Playoff Pack by virtue of the simple fact that they're winning games. Compare their last three results with the other six. Dallas has won all three. The other six teams? Nary a win to be found. Did I just blow your mind? Six teams in a playoff dogfight, and not one has won one of their last three games. Un-freakin-believable!

The Rapids will probably tiptoe across the line given their current edge on points and the craptastitude of the competition (as illustrated by the aforementioned "wins in the last three" stat), but can the Revs hold on to their #8 slot? Toronto seems to be sliding towards inevitable failure (again), while the Wizards seem to have left their "push" until too late. It's pretty sad that winning two of their last five games would even qualify as a push, isn't it?

DC United? Between the mounting injuries, a lame duck head coach, and the growing sense that the team's days in the DC metro area may be numbered, it's hard not to be a pessimist at this point. RSL? I suppose they still have a chance, but when push comes to shove, they've generally tripped over their own feet, had their bums scorched by the Fire Swamp, fallen into quicksand, and been gnawed on by Rodents Of Unusual Size.

And, of course, we all know that the Quakes and Red Bulls have been relegation-fodder for most of the year. The only question was who would finish bottom, with the Bulls' recent results all but ensuring that they can claim that ignominious position.

MLS Dogpile | An Ugly Mistress Indeed

Man, doesn't that image look awful? Have no fear, dear reader, the technical glitches with the Dogpile are high on the off-season agenda. And by the looks of it, I won't be the only one looking to do a little re-tooling in the winter. Would you look at some of the crap these teams in a playoff "dogfight" are putting forth as "effort" in their last five outings?

• Chicago Fire - no wins, three draws for 3 points
  
• Colorado Rapids - no wins, four draws for 4 points
  
• DC United - one win, one draw for 4 points
• Toronto FC - one win, two draws for 5 points

True, you might want to lump Houston in there seeing as how they're netting the same return as Toronto, but then, they're pretty much home and dry and fighting on two fronts. Maybe the Revs with a win and three draws for 6 points? Except that you'd be ignoring the horrible injury blight that's hitting Nicol's team sheet, making it remarkable that he's still clinging to a playoff spot in the first place.

So how to read the Pile? Shouldn't things be so much more settled by now? How can six of the fifteen teams move by three or more places this week? Parity is an ugly mistress sometimes, isn't she?

The Big Guns

Columbus hang on to the top spot, but just barely. It's tempting to give a nod to Arena's men, but LA just aren't as complete a team as Columbus. Add in that the Crew were damned unlucky not to find the net against Seattle, and we can suffer them another week at the top. Houston? They probably should be dropping more than one spot, but I don't see any of the next tier presenting a realistic case for bypassing them.

Middle of the Road

Seattle and Chivas are the big climbers in the Playoff Pack, with their road wins making once-questionable playoff places seem more secure. While neither can claim more than two victories in the last five matches, neither has lost more than one either. The Revs are a draw machine at the moment, but they're doing so while beset by a rash of injuries and some moderate fixture congestion. Will they have enough able bodies to last the course?

The Border War

Chicago and the Rapids both plummet after seeing the wins dry up over the last month. But they also look strangely comfortable in their playoff spots despite the terrible spells both are suffering, enough so that I can't see dropping them from the Playoff Pack altogether...yet. FC Dallas and the Wizards are sniffing around the margins with respectable recent points hauls, but I can't see either sneaking a playoff bid, thus their exclusion from the top 8.

Les Invalides

Toronto FC and DC United are stumbling along in the pursuit of an elusive post-season berth, but each is being dragged down by gaping wounds: TFC by its defense and United by its defense and lack of team speed. RSL looked like they were on the verge of scrambling their way in a few weeks ago, but consecutive losses and horrible road form make it increasingly likely that they'll miss out again.

No Hopers

Surely the Quakes should be reeling in at least one of those previous three sides given their back-to-back victories and four-game unbeaten streak? Not quite. They still have that pesky points gap to overcome, and victories over the only team beneath you on both table and Dogpile don't do too much for the Pile position, do they? Lastly, the Richie Williams mini-spark (no pun intended...well, maybe a little--damn, did it again ;-) seems to have fizzled as the Red Bulls are back to their losing ways.

Thoughts?

MLS Dogpile | Conspiracy of Losers

Does no one want to win this thing? No one? Oh, shut up and put your hands down, Columbus. Take a look, if you will, at who's hot as we plow through this critical stretch of the season. We'll use the last five results as a measure of en fuego-ness. So, on 10 points from the last 15 on offer, we have the league-leading Crew and...the 'Zards? The 12th place, we-haven't-a-post-season-prayer 'Zards? 8 points? How about the two worst teams in the league in bottom of the table San Jose and New York? 7 points? Well, the Galaxy will make the playoffs, but for United, RSL, and Dallas, the playoff chances are slim, slimmer, and Kate Moss.

So it's little surprise that the Crew remain atop the Pile this week. Houston get to stay at number two by virtue of having all of their close rivals lose or draw. Chicago remains stalled at three on the back of three consecutive draws, and the Galaxy's shocking run towards the top appears to have fizzled. And such is the woeful state of the playoff battle that Colorado rise on the back of two draws against non-playoff sides this week, while the Revs' win boosts them a hearty three spots. Seattle sink, but not past Chivas, who Kljestan-ed away a massively important three points at home to the Red Bulls.

DC United continued to shoot themselves in an foot that's hanging by mere tendons now, while KC saw whatever playoff hope remained sail off into the sunset over the left field wall in the little ballpark. Toronto nearly managed to grab a road victory against Chicago, but their defense continues to bite them in their collective Canuck-ian bum, eh? Dallas posted another multi-goal victory, but is there anything more pointless than Dallas multi-goal victories? RSL continue to implode when the big questions are asked, while the Quakes and Red Bulls each only have one loss in their last five, but can't seriously be considered for moves up the Pile by virtue of those woeful total point hauls and their positions at the foot of their respective conferences.

Thoughts?

MLS Dogpile | Night of the Living 'Zards?

Quick, name the three hottest teams in MLS! Well, sure, there's the Crew, netting ten points from the last fifteen on offer. Predictable, right? Somewhat more unbelievably, but borne out by their current league standing, the Galaxy are matching the Hard Hats step for step. But what about those Kansas City Wizards? They've taken nine points from their last five games and have mounted an unlikely charge at the exposed derrière of the playoff scrum. So how do they fare on the Pile?

So the Crew didn't win this weekend, while the Dynamo and Galaxy saw off a couple of playoff wanna-be's, but they're still the undisputed top team in the league. Why not the Dynamo? How about the fact that this win comes on the back of two draws and two losses while they're trying to claim the Supporters' Shield? And while the Fire did technically only draw at home to the Alpha Dogs, they were ably abetted by the officials. That performance, combined with the lingering taste of LA's home shellacking by the Hoops just one week ago, conspires to keep the Galaxy in fourth.

Seattle couldn't quite manage to send the faithful home happy, but at least they seem to have recovered from their wobble to shore up their post-season credentials. Colorado looked in jeopardy of having their own chances dealt a major blow, but a last-gasp PK let them out of jail and kept them steady on the Pile. Chivas can thank Zach Thornton's "superkeeper" routine for keeping them in the Playoff Pack, and DC United didn't kick a ball in anger this weekend, but benefit from RSL's continued inconsistency.

Outside the playoff pack, the Revs continue to creep along at a miserable point-per-game pace, negating the advantage their games in hand should be providing. But that's still enough to boost them past RSL. Why drop RSL so far, you ask? They were playing a man down on the road and only succumbed to late heroics from Brad Davis after fighting their way back from an early two-goal deficit, right? A stirring performance no doubt, but the problems were there for all to see--reckless defense, inconsistency, and more misery away from home.

Those worries will have them looking over their shoulders at the charging Wizards, who are mounting an unlikely bid for post-season play that vaults them past the two lamest sides in MLS over the last five weeks: the newly DP-ed but defenseless Canucks of Toronto FC and Hyndman's shambolic FC Dallas. Down at the bottom, the Quakes dropped a near thing to the Rapids, which should have given them a boost, but I can't ignore their points total (though Dallas' current run may soon make that irrelevant). And the Red Bulls salvaged a home draw but are victims of that same glaring fault, with only the Quakes likely in their sights as potential victims to overtake.

Thoughts?

MLS Dogpile | Back to Basics

Now that's the MLS we all know and love, right? Questionable officiating, the playoff race somehow getting even tighter, the Galaxy shipping six goals while scoring three...the Red Bulls losing. What's a poor blogger to do when the Parity Police dictates that only one of last week's top six on the Pile (the Alpha Dogs in Columbus) can manage a win and most of the Bum-Sniffing Omega Mutts (save the inactive Quakes and hapless Red Bulls) can? To the Pile, my friends...

The Crew's perch at the top hasn't been in dispute for weeks (months?) now. Remember that torrid start to the season? Not so much, eh? Not only are they atop the Pile, but they're atop the league and have taken three more points than anybody else over the past five games. And they've done it largely without the help of the reigning league MVP.

The aforementioned failings at the top end of the Playoff Pack guarantee movement, but not always in predictable ways. Sure, the Fire only managed a draw, but that was better than the rest of the losers in the top six. And Houston? Well, they're only averaging a point a game over the last five matches (worst in the league, if you can believe that!), but narrowly lost to the Alpha Dogs and still lead the West.

Seattle make a big climb as they drop a second consecutive 2-1 on sputtering United, while the Galaxy plummet after getting hammered at home by the lowly Hoops. Colorado drops a spot, but I'm not quite ready to believe in Preki's Chivas Revival Show. RSL grab a draw to stay in the hunt, but as of now, they're on the outside looking in at a playoff spot.

United hang steady after grabbing an undeserved win over KC and dropping a close affair to Seattle, while the Revs come crashing back to earth after their recent rise into the Playoff Pack. That said, I'm not ready to drop them below TFC yet, given their games in hand and TFC's inconsistency.

FC Dallas would have been moving up after they thrashed the high-flying Galaxy were it not for their league position, and KC's win plus undeserved loss pushes them above the Quakes. At this point, we've even got something like a relegation battle at the bottom, as bets are placed on whether the Quakes will tank hard enough to spare the Red Bulls the indignity of finishing at the foot of the table.

MLS Dogpile | Red Bull Win-Streak? Chaos Abounds!

Welcome back to the Dogpile, my friends. The kennel is in chaos with the top dogs from last week all sitting on the wrong side of 1-0 results, the majority of those engaged in the mad playoff scramble holding serve, and, of course, the Red Bulls posting their second consecutive victory. Can any mortal man make sense of this madness?

I'll try.

The Crew suffer their first setback in seemingly ages, but they remain the hottest team in the league over the last five matches and sit just one point off the top with two games in hand. Yes, yes, they lost to the Red Bulls, but they lost on the bouncy stuff in the Swamp, and that's not really a test of their abilities as a soccer team, is it? They've got a new contender to deal with at the top, however, as the Galaxy ride their current hot streak to within two points of the top. Are you kidding me? Guess Bruce knows what he's doing, eh?

Dropping down to make way for the Gals are the suddenly chilly Fire and Dynamo, who have managed just six and five points respectively from the last fifteen on offer. They may be a couple of games clear of the chasing pack, but with form like that, you've got to wonder if the pack might be scenting blood. The Rapids and Revs are among those trailers and crucially, both have games in hand on most of their opposition in the scramble for post-season placement.

And while both of those clubs have managed three wins in their last five outings, the Sounders are looking increasingly like a side that is slowly succumbing to Expansion Fever. One win and averaging just a point a game over the last five has seen Seattle's once comfortable lead erode. Sigi better find an answer fast, because RSL are suddenly starting to live up to pre-season expectations, just in time for a post-season run. It'll take more than the one victory to get DC United experiencing a similar renaissance, but two consecutive shutouts are a promising sign for one of the league's most scored-upon sides.

You wouldn't ordinarily think that a road draw in one of the tougher places to get a result (Seattle) would be a bad thing. But when most of those on the table around you secured three-point hauls, it gets to be a problem. Witness TFC dropping out of the playoff places and looking increasingly desperate. But not quite as desperate as Chivas, where those two wins to halt the long slide are quickly forgotten in the wake of a 4-0 spanking by RSL and a Superclasico power failure against the Gals. They may be level on points at the bottom of the playoff picture, but they need a crash cart, and they need it quick. Paging Dr. Preki!

Of course, all the woes of United, TFC, and Chivas pale by comparison with those looking at a ten point gap between themselves and the post-season. The Quakes mini-revival looks to have stalled as they come up short in New England, while FC Dallas sat idle and unloved, wondering how they could possibly alienate their fans more. And I struggled mightily about what to do at the bottom of the Pile. The Red Bulls still have a ways to go until they catch anybody on the table, and the sides they could potentially catch all have games in hand. But two consecutive victories, combined with four consecutive losses for the Wizards (this last one particularly egregious as they were at home and up a man for over half the match) are enough to temporarily earn them a reprieve from their near season-long residency at the foot of the Dogpile.

MLS Dogpile | Power Failure

The Crew remain masters of all they survey despite sitting out the week atop that pile of recent victories and the assorted skulls and captured standards of the rest of MLS. Sadly, neither of their closest challengers could mount anything resembling a serious challenge, with the Fire needing comeback heroics to avoid a second home defeat this week, and Houston offering a tepid second half they were lucky to escape from with a point. In all honesty, I was tempted to boost the Galaxy into the top three, but couldn't shake the feeling that they may be organized, but they rely to much on the counter. What happens when an opponent decides to wait them out?

The Rapids climb a touch despite losing because they give me the impression of a team that can cause headaches for just about anybody, though sadly, "anybody" includes themselves, which may morph into a real problem if they can't start closing games out. But the real reason they climbed was that I couldn't justify boosting the Revs four spots despite winning twice this week. They looked dead and buried a short while ago, but siphoning the red stuff from boulders is Nicol's stock in trade. With three wins in their last five and just one loss, plus a couple of games in hand, I can see some nervous looks being cast over the shoulders of the likes of TFC, Seattle, and Colorado.

The Sounders remain in the playoff pack only by virtue of their high (but fading) league position. Four points from the last fifteen on offer (third-worst form in the league at the moment) is no way to sew up a playoff spot that's been theirs for the taking all season. And don't look now, but Chivas have just busted their way back from oblivion with Kljestan starting to regain his mojo.

That leaves us with a trio sniffing around the edges of the Playoff Pack and a sorry quartet already making vacation plans. Toronto FC may currently hold a playoff spot, but until they figure out how to protect Frei, they're a post-season non-starter, no matter how many offensive weapons they possess. DC United looked a good bet for the playoffs a month ago, but age and a brutal late-summer schedule sees things starting to slip from their grasp. And the pre-season darlings, RSL, can't seem to make up their mind about whether they're actually going to challenge for anything this year.

Which brings us to the would-be relegation battle. The Quakes have managed to grab a few results of late, while FC Dallas have ever-so-predictably decided to implode just when it looked like they may have been putting together a late run at the post-season. As opposed to say, the Wizards, who were in the hunt a month ago but seem to have suffered blowouts on all four tires simultaneously. Of course, they'll also need to slam into a tree, cartwheel over the bank, and plunge a half mile into the rocky surf before they mount a serious challenge to the Red Bulls for that bottom slot. Though, to be fair, we should give the Bulls credit for finally posting a win despite Kung-Fu Fighting Kevin Goldthwaite, shouldn't we?

MLS Dogpile | Captain Obvious Says Columbus

As if they needed further confirmation, the Crew clambered atop the table this week (viva los tie-breakers!) to confirm their status as the MLS Alpha Dogs. More support for said claim arrives via the five game win streak that has seen them take all 15 of the last 15 points on offer, while the next best performers in MLS (the Fire and Galaxy) have only managed a paltry 10.

The Fire's league form combines with their table position to boost them over the league co-leaders, Houston, who have only managed to claim just under half of the points available to them over the last five games. The Sounders temporarily climb above the Galaxy, though the recent form of both sides might see them swap the spots right back if such results resume. Assuming, that is, that what we saw last weekend wasn't the first stumble in the horrible collapse that one might be forgiven for expecting the Galaxy to predictably fall into.

The idle Rapids stand pat on the back of their 4-0 demolition of Chivas a couple of weeks ago, while TFC and DC United swap places after the former won 2-0 over the latter this weekend. I'm tempted to drop DC out of the Playoff Pack altogether, but I'll give them, as well as the chasing Revs and RSL, another week to see if anybody can make a convincing case for such a status.

Chivas finally nabbed a win, but do wins against the Red Bulls really count any more? With just those three points to show over the last five games, I'll need to see more from the Goats before they start climbing back up the Pile. And Dallas will need to rediscover their mojo after getting sunk by the Crew, though there's little shame in that these days.

The song remains the same at the bottom with the Quakes claiming the the #13 spot by virtue of the fact that they're the only one of the bottom three to post a victory in the last five weeks of action. The Wiz are trailing the Quakes, but will have to continue to get spanked for a few weeks yet before they come anywhere near challenging the Red Bulls for the bottom rung on the Dogpile ladder.

Thoughts?

MLS Dogpile | Pardon the Mess

I'm experimenting with the Dogpile this week, hoping to make it leaner and meaner, so pardon the mess (I've still got to get the kinks worked out where the graphic is concerned). Here's hoping the new format consumes less of my time (and yours!) while providing a more entertaining and informative read. Let me know what you think in the comments. Without further ado, to the Pile, my friends...

The Crew did nothing to dispel the rumors of their impending conquest of MLS, tossing aside the Quakes to the tune of 3-0 on the road, thus maintaining their lofty status as Alpha Dogs of MLS. And while Houston dropped one to lowly Dallas before beating up on fellow pack-mates, Chicago, those two continue to be the only sides I can see challenging the Crew for the Supporters' Shield.

The Galaxy continue their shockingly good run with a 2-1 road win in New England, and I'm tempted to put them even higher than #4. But then I look at that defense and wonder. And then I think about the fragile team chemistry, the Beckham circus, and Bruce's juggling act. It's just a matter of time before the whole house of cards comes down, isn't it?

Speaking of houses of cards, looks like the expansion Sounders are starting to wobble. I'm not dropping them yet, because their home form keeps bailing them out, but they'd better learn to win on the road or their playoff stay will be short lived. The Rapids climb two spots on the back of a 4-0 thumping of Chivas, but then, everybody's thumping Chivas these days, so no big deal, right? DC United and TFC both took a week off to get manhandled by Real Madrid and stuff the coffers with the loose change of their respective metro areas, but both cling to the final Playoff Pack positions in lieu of a significant challenge from the pursuit.

The Revs keep threatening to make a run at the vulnerable underbelly of the playoff spots, but they always seem to fall short. Likewise for RSL, though their runs are staggering, drunken affairs that result in unfortunate stumbles and skinned knees. A 1-0 home win over the Sounders is a step in the right direction, but Kreis has the whole "two steps forward, one step back" dance pretty much down now.

Speaking of steps forward, when the hell did FC Dallas start looking like a tough team to beat? The Coop-less Hoops find the next rung up the Pile, but the hole they started from still makes the playoffs an outside shot at best. Still, if Cunningham can keep banging them in, and the defense continues to hold firm, who knows?

But what about giant steps backward? Hello, Chivas USA! It's about time you showed your true colors. I was beginning to think I was insane for picking them to finish as low as I did in the pre-season, but a five-loss streak has dropped the Goats from the heady heights of the league table to the mire of the playoff battle. If Preki can't engineer a recovery quickly, the playoff spot that seemed pretty much guaranteed a month ago is going to fade into the MLS sunset.

And down in the relegation places this week, we find that the Quakes still haven't fixed what was broke (namely a shoddy defense and a lack of finishing firepower), the Wiz had the week off to think more about last week's 6-0 hammering, and the Red Bulls continue to establish new lows in futility, having bowed out of the Champions' League, not with a bang, but a whimper...

MLS Dogpile | Don't Bury Me Yet!

Dallas and San Jose looked dead and buried a week ago, but courtesy of a couple of lopsided home shutouts, the also-rans of the West are looking to make late season bids for respectability and maybe even a shot at the post-season. And while the majority of the other games were the usual 1-1 and 1-0 MLS affairs, DC United and the Dynamo played out a seven-goal rollercoaster in the stifling heat of Houston. So how's the Pile faring this week..?

The Alpha Dog

1. Columbus Crew (DDWWW)
And the Crew roll on. Still missing Schelotto, they nevertheless manage to get it done on set pieces with Chad Marshall, of all people, popping up to nail a laser from deep. This is starting to look suspiciously like last year when the Crew weren't exactly dominating games, but were managing results nonetheless. The question becomes: are they peaking too early or is this just the start of the kind of push that saw them pull clear in the Supporters' Shield race last year?
Next: Quakes (Away)


The Playoff Pack

2. +1 Houston Dynamo (WLDLW)
So which Houston do we believe in? The one that piled in three goals in a first half flurry to seemingly put the game beyond doubt, or the defensive juggernaut that somehow managed to stumble and ship three second half goals at home to bring a sure-fire result into question? I thought we'd have more questions answered with Ching and Holden back in the fold, but they still linger. At least Clark seems to be staying for 2009, which clears up one potential pitfall. But now they face two games in four days...
Next: FC Dallas (Away), Fire (Home)

3. +1 Chicago Fire (LWDWW)
Tim Ward has been looking a completely different player this year, and not only because of the newly shaven noggin. Considering his absolute meltdown in the last U-20 World Cup, his play this year has been nothing short of shockingly good--confident and strong going forward, a trend highlighted by his pinpoint cross to Nyarko for the winner. Anybody else think he's a favorite for the January USMNT camp? Fullbacks are at a premium...
Next: Dynamo (Away)

4. +2 Los Angeles Galaxy (WWWWD)
A respectable outing against Barcelona that saw Becks demonstrate his dead ball prowess does little for their league standing, but should be a confidence builder. Could it be possible that Bruce Almighty might steer this thing between Scylla and Charybdis and pilot the Galaxy to the promised land of the post-season for the first time in the Beckham era? If he does so, would it be a more impressive accomplishment than 2002?
Next: Revs (Away)

5. -3 Seattle Sounders (DWWDL)
So much for the unbeaten run. 4-0? To the Quakes? Ouch. Guess that All-Star game took a lot out of the Sounders, who now find themselves slipping back towards the not-so-comfortable region where playoff spots are not guaranteed. Might a late-arriving case of Expansion Fever be in the offing? Rio Tinto next weekend after a mid-week (and bound to be emotional) date with Barcelona would seem to be a well rotted banana peel in Sigi's path.
Next: RSL (Away)

6. -1 DC United (LDWDL)
Hmmm. So the first leg of the MLS road trip saw DC score two first half goals in Colorado, only to be pegged back to a draw. This second leg saw them collapse in the first half to ship three, but recover to score three of their own against the strongest defensive side in the league. Anybody else think the Jekyll-Hyde stuff can be laid at the feet of the coaching staff? No answers next week as it's time for the mandatory MLS money-grab match against Real Madrid.
Next: bye

7. +1 Toronto FC (LWDLD)
Dominated the early going to such an extent that it didn't even look like they needed a defense against the Revs, just Frei racing out to sweep up the messes. But chances came after Barrett's sending off, and TFC missed a golden chance to solidify themselves as the prime candidate for #4 in the East. Question: just how many goals will Real Madrid's new constellation of galacticos manage to bag against that ever-so-fragile TFC defense on Friday?
Next: bye

8. -1 Colorado Rapids (LWLWL)
The chances were there, but the Rapids just weren't as lethal with them as the Crew were, leaving them looking nervously over their shoulder at RSL and (gasp!) maybe even Dallas. Colorado is a strange beast. They look like they have all the tools to be a solid playoff team, but, even if their play is consistently dangerous, they can't seem to find consistent results. And that's why they find themselves on the outside looking in at the playoff sides this week.
Next: Crew (Home)

Bum-Sniffing Omega Mutts

9. New England Revolution (LDWWD)
So much for the recovery of form that was going to see them use their games in hand to leapfrog their way into a playoff position. The Revs were impotent at home for most of the match and had to watch TFC attack in waves. Still, Nicol's men managed to grab the equalizer with a man advantage to keep their mini-unbeaten streak alive.
Next: LA Galaxy (Home)

10. Chivas USA (WLLLL)
Down, down, down they go as four losses on the trot and a couple of weeks of no league action puts once-mighty Chivas on the cusp of falling out of the playoff spots altogether. Can Preki right the rocking boat in Colorado?
Next: Rapids (Away)

11. Real Salt Lake (WDLWL)
Return of the roller-coaster--up and down they go. Beckerman's return is important, but not enough for RSL to grab a result on the road against Chicago. Still, they are looking a more potent team than the one that seemed to have fallen completely away from playoff contention. Do they have enough time to fight their way back into the mix and fulfill some of that pre-season promise?
Next: Sounders (Home)

12. +1 FC Dallas (DWLLW)
Too little, too late. So the Hoops don't miss Coop one iota as they paste KC 6-0, but it's a long road back into the playoff picture, and I'm just not seeing it. Still, there are a lot of interesting young prospects making their way into the team, so this stretch run should provide seasoning for the young core of a pretty decent team in 2010. It'll be interesting to see what they leave on the table for the expansion draft. I'm thinking they might look to clear some age and cap space.
Next: Dynamo (Home)

13. +1 San Jose Earthquakes (DLLDW)
Last week I pronounced the Quakes dead for this season and officially in "fighting for 201o roster spots" mode. Looks like a lot of current Quakes want to figure in Yallop's future plans, eh? The pasting of the high-flying Sounders may not prompt another fantastic run like the one that almost netted a playoff spot last year, but it was encouraging.
Next: Crew (Home)

14. -2 Kansas City Wizards (WLDDL)
What was it that I wrote last week about KC? "A victory against Dallas next week is a necessity if they want to keep pace." Yeah, about that...stick a fork in KC, they're well and truly done. It's going to take some major mojo for KC to pick themselves off the mat and get back into the playoff fray even if they're just six points out of a spot, but frankly, I don't see that they have the horses to do so. And this is a really tough result to have to brood on for an extra week.
Next: bye

15. New York Red Bulls (LLLLL)
Looks like the MLS scheduling homunculi are providing the Bulls every opportunity to take advantage of their one remaining prize to play for as they get another week off to focus on their Champions' League qualifier.
Next: bye

MLS Dogpile | Meet the New Boss

Wow. Just wait till you see the state of the single table when MLS Table Talk goes live later this week. Suffice it to say, it's congested. But what else can you expect when many of the sides chasing playoff spots grabbed wins while most of those in the top half of the table drew or lost? Having suffered the roster vampirism of the Gold Cup and having been through our latest round of key long-term injuries, it's now time for the playoff fight to begin in earnest. New signings are aboard, adjustments are being made to compensate for lost starters, and the top nine sides in the league are within 6 points (2 wins) of each other. So let's take a scenic visit to the top of the Pile...

The Alpha Dog

1. +3 Columbus Crew (WDDWW)
Let's all welcome the new top dogs. Sure it took them till the last gasp, but they managed to win without the heart of their defense (Marshall) and missing huge chunks of their attack (Rogers, Schelotto, Moreno). You see, here's the difference between a team with a killer instinct and the rest of the chasing pack that all failed to move closer to Houston by virtue of their assorted draws.
Next: Rapids (Away)


The Playoff Pack

2. Seattle Sounders (DDWWD)
Still not losing matches, but the Sounders miss a golden chance to catch the floundering Dynamo before Ching and Holden get back in the saddle. The draw with Chicago was further marred by Ljungberg's red card. And what about those rumors of Montero heading for London? Worrying times for Sigi, but the picture is much rosier than other expansion sides have had of late.
Next: Quakes (Away)

3. -2 Houston Dynamo (LWLDL)
Well, there went the last straw, Houston. A 1-0 home loss to a non-playoff (at the moment) side gets you finally toppled from the top of the Pile despite most of last weeks' top challengers getting draws this week. Of course, Houston will now get Ching and Holden back from Gold Cup duty, but you have to wonder if they might return just in time to wave bye-bye to Rico Clark. Trouble's brewing in Orange-land. Fortunately, DC United is coming to town, and they've looked pretty lame on the road recently.
Next: DC United (Home)

4. +1 Chicago Fire (LLWDW)
A credible point on the road sees the Fire continuing to hang out near the top of the standings. But how long until they start missing McBride's presence? And will they be able to hold onto Soumare through the transfer window?
Next: RSL (Home)

5. -2 DC United (DLDWD)
Ouch. After going up 2-0, United only finish with a point against the worst team in the West. Sure, United were in control for half an hour, but that next hour saw them look decidedly second best. Not the best way to start a long road tour. Next stop? Houston.
Next: Dynamo (Away)

6. +1 Los Angeles Galaxy (WWWWD)
Back to reality with a tough road draw, though Donovan looks like a man possessed. Does anybody else get the feeling that he knows he's gone after this season and has made a commitment to stamp his mark all over the league before he goes? Another question. How did they manage to fit Becks' ego in that little ballpark? No matter, a little friendly with some side called Barcelona next week will give him a chance to preen.
Next: bye

7. +1 Colorado Rapids (LLWLW)
Nothin' like a little home cooking at altitude with the Red Bulls coming into town to boost the old goal difference, eh? Despite having fallen to fifth in the conference, the Rapids have grabbed ahold of the final playoff spot for the time being. Can they hold onto it with the cardiac Crew coming to town?
Next: Crew (Home)

8. -2 Toronto FC (WLWDL)
So, so close. TFC were well on track to beat Columbus on the road, but in the end, the defensive frailties that have haunted them all season got the better of them. Gerba marked his debut with a goal in a promising development for TFC, but all the offense in the world isn't going to help if they continue to ship goals at a rate that challenges the bottom three in the league.
Next: Revolution (Away)

Bum-Sniffing Omega Mutts

9. +2 New England Revolution (LLDWW)
The Revs thrust one decaying claw out of the grave with a big road win against the top team in the league. Could there be life in Nicol's battered beast yet? Next weekends' scrap with TFC could go a long way toward determining who the #4 side in the East will be, an all important distinction as it looks like the East will probably have four playoff sides at the most.
Next: TFC (Home)

10. -1 Chivas USA (WLLLL)
Poor Chivas. Idle this week. Idle the next. By the time they get back into league action, they'll probably have completed their precipitous fall from the top and be on the outside of the playoffs looking in.
Next: bye

11. +1 Real Salt Lake (DWDLW)
Talk about last gasp! Despite going into the break down 0-2, RSL claw their way back and add some insurance as well to grab a 4-2 victory that keeps them hovering right at the fringes of the playoff battle. Having gotten Johnson back from Gold Cup duty, an even more key midfield cog will be returning in the form of Beckerman next week. And RSL will need all the help they can get against the Fire.
Next: Fire (Away)

12. -2 Kansas City Wizards (LWLDD)
Claudio Lopez dials in a certain goal of the week with a half-field blast that Becks, famed for such a feat himself, might have appreciated from a few yards away. Still, the Wiz couldn't manage to grab all three points at home and are threatening to lose touch with the playoff contenders. A victory against Dallas next week is a necessity if they want to keep pace.
Next: FC Dallas (Away)

13. FC Dallas (WDWLL)
Can we upgrade the status on the Hyndman death watch yet? Dallas were just a half away from confirming that they might still have a shot at the post season. But 45 minutes and 4 goals later, they're left making vacation plans. 10 points out with 12 games to go? Do you believe in miracles? Well, maybe...but not in Dallas.
Next: KC Wizards (Home)

14. San Jose Earthquakes (WDLLD)
A spirited fight-back nets the Quakes a point. Sadly, that only takes them to 14 from 18 games and leaves them well shy of playoff qualification, 13 points adrift with 12 games to go. Who wants a roster spot next year? Better keep fighting.
Next: Sounders (Home)

15. New York Red Bulls (LLLLL)
Just when things just can't seem to get any worse for the Red Bulls, they do, to the tune of 4-0. An astonishing 15 losses in 21 games and a woeful -21 goal difference really begs the question: how does Osorio still have a job? Anybody think they qualify for the Champions' League proper over the next couple of weeks? They'd better, cause they have precious little else to play for this season.
Next: bye

MLS Dogpile | The East Is A Ferocious Snarling Mess

So if there was any over-riding picture to take home from this weekends' action, it has to be that the East is a ferocious snarling mess, and the West will be thankful for it. Why? Consider that all those Eastern sides that were busy spanking their Western brethren will also be taking big, bloody chunks out of each others' hides as we close on the playoffs. That could have a double benefit for the West. First, a super-tight East opens the door for any middle tier side in the West to grab a fourth, or perhaps even fifth, playoff spot for the conference. This leads to the second benefit for the West in that their top tier teams don't have to face a dangerous "Eastern Import" in the first round of the playoffs. So lets have a gander at that Pile...

The Alpha Dog

1. Houston Dynamo (DLWLD)
The highlights seemed to skew in TFC's direction, but Houston continues to be a hard side to beat, even missing a handful of key players. One win in their last five seems to be for them to be toppled from the Alpha Dog pedestal, but who are you going to give the top spot too? Seattle? Let's see how things look next week after a home date with the Revs, shall we?
Next: Revolution (Home)


The Playoff Pack

2. Seattle Sounders (WDDWW)
Given their recent form and Houston's struggles, I'd be quite tempted to push Seattle to the top spot...if they had been in action this week and grabbed a win. The pause for the money grab may have padded the bank accounts, but it doesn't do much for the Sounders' Pile position.
Next: Fire (Home)

3. DC United (WDLDW)
The veterans show the much-heralded kids how it's done, and Gomez sticks the dagger in his former side and twists with a vengeance as United respond to their 3-0 loss against the Rapids just a few weeks ago. Three-point hauls, particularly at home, are going to be invaluable in the ever-so-tight East, and United's response to going down a goal showed their renewed confidence in the wake of Gallardo-gate.
Next: Quakes (Away)

4. Columbus Crew (LWDDW)
An impressive result for a severely undermanned Crew as they trounce RSL 3-1. That said, there were pretty frightening gaps at the back that RSL just couldn't seem to punish. Still, what's most important for the Crew is that they won without their talisman and did it in some style to hold serve in the Eastern Conference battle royale.
Next: Toronto FC (Home)

5. Chicago Fire (LLWDW)
Blanco makes it happen off the bench for a Fire side rocked by the news of a long layoff for the ever-present McBride. The win helps Chicago keep their noses just in front in the tightly contested East, but will they be able to cope with the loss of McBride and the likelihood of Blanco getting called back to the Mexican national team later this summer?
Next: Sounders (Away)

6. +1 Toronto FC (WWLWD)
Tough luck for TFC as they seemed to create enough chances to bag a home win against a tough opponent, but just couldn't seal the deal. Regardless, they've been more solid of late and seem to need just a little more defensive steel to have the makings of a playoff dark horse.
Next: Crew (Away)

7. +2 Los Angeles Galaxy (LWWWW)
Alright, I suppose four wins on the trot pretty much does away with the "Drawlaxy" moniker. How about the LA Volleymeisters? They sure put away three beauts, though Esky's had Goal of the Week written all over it. So the good ship Beckham has put into port at long last, and the Gals didn't miss a beat. Is all forgiven, or does the bad blood just need time to simmer before boiling over and horribly scaring all involved? Scenes from the Milan friendly seem to indicate the later might be a-cookin'.
Next: KC Wizards (Away)

8. -2 Colorado Rapids (DLLWL)
United raised the stakes in the Veteran Wars and Mastro, Gibbs, Casey, and friends couldn't find a proper response. Still, the reunited duo of Casey and Cummings did look threatening on the break (where Colorado seem to spend the entirety of their attack), which they'll need to be as the playoff run-in heats up. Lucky for them, an at-altitude home date with the most dysfunctional team in MLS promises a rapid (pun intended) recovery.
Next: Red Bulls (Home)

Bum-Sniffing Omega Mutts

9. -1 Chivas USA (WLLLL)
Perhaps now, at long last, the rest of the MLS punditry will be awakened to the fact that Chivas' early blitz of results wasn't indicative of the true quality of the product? Even at the height of their early-season dominance I kept sounding notes of disbelief and caution, and it seems I had some justification for doing so. Of course, we shouldn't ignore that Chivas had the field tilted in their favor in the early going, but that control slowly ebbed away, as is their high league will continue to do unless Preki can find a quick fix.
Next: bye

10. +1 Kansas City Wizards (DLWLD)
Not a good week for the Wiz, who had to sit idle while most of their competition for playoff spots in the East grabbed three points. Also, the images of a bloody and woozy Conrad, busy with the national team will have been a worry. Still, RSL's suffering is to their gain.
Next: LA Galaxy (Home)

11. +2 New England Revolution (WLLDW)
So am I now properly chastised and willing to retract my statement that the Revs are a spent force? Nope. The victory was a good one for the Revs at home, but highlighted that they really need Joseph on the field to make things happen. In the early going, they were fortunate not to go down to a Chivas side that consistently tested them. The fact that they pulled out the result in the end after increasing pressure speaks well of their chances to grab a post-season spot with all those games in hand, but the fight will be long and hard in the East, and their depth is suspect.
Next: Dynamo (Away)

12. -2 Real Salt Lake (WDWDL)
Just when you thought RSL had finally picked themselves off the mat, dusted themselves off, and waded back into the fray, they get pummeled on the road. Still, the chances were there to be taken for a side missing major midfield bite to Gold Cup duty. Sadly, they just didn't seem to be able to take said chances against a weakened Crew side.
Next: FC Dallas (Home)

13. -1 FC Dallas (LWDWL)
With the middle tier of the West generally suffering this week, Dallas can consider themselves either (1) fortunate to still be within striking distance of a playoff spot or (2) unlucky to be idle, and thus unable to take advantage of their rivals' slip-ups.
Next: RSL (Away)

14. San Jose Earthquakes (LWDLL)
They held out for a long while with a patched together defense, but in the end there was no answer when Blanco started asking questions. I suppose the only thing the Quakes have to be thankful for is the Red Bulls, who keep their miserable points tally and league position from looking quite so bad.
Next: DC United (Home)

15. New York Red Bulls (DLLLL)
Ooof! Still think keeping Osorio et al on board was the right plan of action? What more is there to say except this house is in decay, and it's just a matter of figuring out if there are any bricks worth saving when they blow the sorry thing to kingdom come.
Next: Rapids (Away)

MLS Dogpile | Change Sandwich

Once again, MLS plodded on with the Gold Cup sucking away players (and, quite probably, dozens of fans as well). And the Alpha Dogs really could have used the likes of Ching and Holden (and, quite probably, some video replay equipment) as they got upended in Seattle. Still, Houston hold a three point lead in the standings, and while both sides may have been shorthanded, I want to see a full-strength Seattle beat a full-strength Dynamo before I give them the nod atop the Pile. So, how exactly do things stand? Well, it's sort of a "change sandwich," with all the movement happening in the middle...

The Alpha Dog

1. Houston Dynamo (WDLWL)
Tough luck in the battle of the gelded Western Conference contenders, as a lineman's flag makes the difference in a tight match. Only two wins in the last five matches would seem to call for a drop from the top for the Dynamo, but I'm really not sure anybody has the chops to claim their crown yet. Now, if they lose in Toronto next weekend..?
Next: Toronto FC (Away)


The Playoff Pack

2. Seattle Sounders (WDDWW)
Five unbeaten and a win over the current league-leaders. Looks like the fat man has sailed his nauseating green vessel past the troubled early-summer waters. So much for Expansion Fever! Barring a spectacular collapse or rash of injuries, Seattle are in with a chance for three pieces of silverware in their first MLS season--the Open Cup, MLS Cup, and Supporters' Shield. Now they take a break to square off with the Premiership bore-mongers of Chelsea.
Next: bye

3. DC United (WWDLD)
So how exactly do I justify keeping DC United this high on the Dogpile? Simple. Nobody who could have dislodged them did anything remotely interesting from a results perspective, and they were idle. Is this position perhaps somewhat flattering? Sure, but the East is a mess, and nobody seems to want to plant their spear and grab the prize. So we're left with head-scratching, unconvincing claims for the high ground, and more questions than answers. Would a revenge win against the Rapids next weekend make the #3 more believable? Absolutely.
Next: Colorado (Home)

4. Columbus Crew (WLWDD)
The Crew looked better and more dangerous than they did last week at home, but in the end the result remained the same as the Crew spurned the chance to grab a slender lead in the rough-and-tumble East. Can they find a three-point haul at home to RSL next week?
Next: RSL (Home)

5. Chicago Fire (LLLWD)
Chicago edge towards the front of the East, but nobody seems to want to make a grab for the crown and the Fire only take one point from the three on offer. Will they fare better against the dregs of the West..?
Next: Quakes (Home)

6. Colorado Rapids (WDLLW)
I suggested that a home date with the Coop-less SuperHoops was just what the doctor ordered for a Rapids side that's gone off the boil of late...and so it proved, though it took a good while for the result to be ensured. So the Rapids are back in the saddle, but the als0-rans of the West have caught up. Can they repeat the 3-0 victory over DC United of a month ago?
Next: DC United (Away)

7. +2 Toronto FC (LWWLW)
With the Revs and KC struggling, I said last week that now was the time for TFC to make a firm grab for one of those top four spots in the East. And, duly, they delivered with a 3-1 road win over the admittedly struggling Quakes. The win pushes TFC into a tie for first in the East with Chicago, but this dogfight is a long way from over. Next week brings a tougher test at home to Houston.
Next: Houston (Home)

8. -1 Chivas USA (LWLLL)
It's still a mystery to me how others keep rating Chivas so highly. Yes, they had an explosive start to the season, winning tight matches when others settled for draws. Yes, they might have more about them than I thought they would in pre-season. But I've never been convinced that this is a really good team, and they proved it once again this weekend in a snorefest with the Gals. So can they beat up on the wounded Revs next week? They'd better if they expect to stay in the race for the West.
Next: Revolution (Away)


Bum-Sniffing Omega Mutts

9. +2 Los Angeles Galaxy (LLWWW)
A boring performance, but the right result as Arena's charges continue a charge that can only end in a spectacularly comedic collision with the brick wall that is the return of Becks. Who knows, maybe Arena will prove those man-management chops that are his claim to fame. Do I think he will? Unlikely, but strange things do happen in La-La Land.
Next: Red Bulls (Away)

10. -2 Real Salt Lake (DWDWD)
Tough luck for RSL as their inactivity gets them punished pretty harshly. Sure, their recent form should put them amongst the Playoff Pack, but the fact that they're four points off a playoff spot really puts that run into perspective. Can they prove they deserve to be higher away to the Crew?
Next: Crew (Away)

11. -1 Kansas City Wizards (DLWLD)
Tough luck for the Wiz, who probably did enough to bag a road victory against one of their rivals in the middle of the Eastern Conference knife-fight. It always seems to come back to finishing for the Wiz. And the double whammy comes in the form of a bye week where the Wiz get to watch the rest of the East attempt to pad their playoff nests.
Next: bye

12. FC Dallas (LWDWL)
Ah, there's the Dallas we know and love. And they were so close to actually sniffing around the fringes of the playoff fight. If Dallas can take anything from this match, it's that they only gave up one goal and held out until late in the match, something we wouldn't have been able to claim they could do (with a straight face anyway) early in the season. Too bad they have to endure an extra week of pain as they get a "friendly week" bye with assorted MLS clubs going for the money-grab next weekend.
Next: bye

13. New England Revolution (WWLLD)
I suppose you could lead with, "hell, at least they didn't lose," right? I didn't see much in the stats or highlights to indicate that the Revs deserved anything from this match--being outshot by a fairly sizable margin, and at home to boot, doesn't read as particularly encouraging. The Revs have their precious games in hand with which to differentiate themselves from the playoff fringe-fighters (like the Wiz), but this looks like a spent force to me. Let's see if that statement comes back to bite me a few months, shall we? I suspect it won't.
Next: Chivas (Home)

14. San Jose Earthquakes (DLWDL)
Ouch. Let's all wince along with Pitchkolan, shall we? The Quakes mini-climb off the bottom comes to a shuddering halt. Look for Yallop to continue making roster changes as he searches for another miracle second half of the season run. Will it be too late? Probably. And Chicago's a tough place to try and start such a run.
Next: Chicago (Away)

15. New York Red Bulls (LDLLL)
Well, at least they didn't lose this week. I suppose that's the best you can say for the Bulls. Of course, they didn't play either, but we'll ignore that for a moment. So the question for Thursday night is: which is worse? The morale hit that the return of Becks will bring to the Galaxy or the New York Red Bulls? Tough call.
Next: LA Galaxy (Home)

MLS Dogpile | If a SuperLiga Falls In the Woods...

So here I am at long last, back from the (walking) dead to try and squeeze in the Dogpile before we get to the midweek Open Cup action. SuperLiga, the Gold Cup, and the Open Cup are wreaking their particular havoc with MLS rosters and schedules alike, but the show goes (sadly) on. Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, may I present the Pile..?

The Alpha Dog

1. Houston Dynamo (WWDLW)
Not the prettiest win you'll see, but then again, they all count the same, don't they? Besides, what else do you expect when the Gold Cup pilfers the quality from MLS rosters, and you stage the contest on a ball field? Houston desperately needed a result after hitting some speed bumps in the last few weeks, and their depth, as usual, provided. Now can they handle a road trip to surprising Seattle?
Next: Sounders (Away)


The Playoff Pack

2. +1 Seattle Sounders (LWDDW)
With most of their nearest Pile competitors failing to impress, the idle Sounders rise by default with the slightest of nods to their Open Cup success. Now the real test comes in the form of a league visit from the top dogs.
Next: Houston (Home)

3. +2 DC United (WWDLD)
Holy crap was that disappointing from a DC fan's perspective! Missing Moreno, Quaranta, and Emilio, three starters in attack, and we still managed to outshoot the Crew 22 to 9 (11 to 3 on frame) on the road? What did Tommy feed these boys, and is there more in the equipment manager's bag? While the performance demonstrated which of these teams really wants to lay claim to the Eastern crown, the Crew's equalizer demonstrated which has the nerve to do so--at least for now.
Next: bye

4. -2 Columbus Crew (WWLWD)
The Crew laid a stinker at home but got away with it. Sure they were missing Rogers and Marshall to USMNT duty, but United were down Quaranta (USMNT) and the starting front line of Moreno and Emilio, both injured. Despite a lack of finishing firepower, DC managed to control much of the game, only failing to put the Crew away when the chances were there. The Crew, being the Crew, found a way to grab a point. But finding a way to grab points might not be enough to make another run to an MLS Cup final.
Next: Fire (Away)

5.+2 Chicago Fire (WLLLW)
Back to league play after SuperLiga absences and with an impressive away win to boot. All still doesn't seem to be right with the pre-season darlings, but they are starting to round into form. What impact might fixture congestion and the loss of Soumare in the summer transfer window have on their fortunes?
Next: Crew (Home)

6. -2 Colorado Rapids (DWDLL)
Back to back losses as the Rapids come up short against the Fire. The promise is still there, but I think they're a couple of players shy of being a real contender this year. Will the Rapids FO get busy in the summer window, or will they make the usual trades of late-round draft picks for journeymen and fizzle come October...again? Home against Dallas next weekend would seem to offer a boost to their fading form.
Next: FC Dallas (Home)

7. -1 Chivas USA (DLWLL)
Bounced from SuperLiga. Bounced from the Open Cup. Riding a string of bad league results. Not exactly a banner month for Chivas. But getting dumped from other competitions frees them up to focus their meager resources on the league, and given their early success, they return to league action from a position of strength. Can they make it tell?
Next: LA Galaxy (Home)

8. +1 Real Salt Lake (DWDWD)
Well, that's five games unbeaten, but I have a question. Is grabbing a stoppage time equalizer at home to the bottom side in your conference really a morale-builder? Despite the disappointment of only grabbing a point, RSL seem to be on more solid footing now then when Kreis faced the vote of confidence. That makes it five unbeaten, but next week brings a bye, giving RSL an extra week to think about what might have been.
Next: bye


Bum-Sniffing Omega Mutts

9. +1 Toronto FC (LLWWL)
Mad Mo is looking to bring in a midfield DP to try and find that elusive post-season place, but the issues at the back would seem to be more pressing. With KC and the Revs stumbling, now is the time for TFC to press their case as the odds-on favorite for #4 in the East, if not higher.
Next: Quakes (Away)

10. -2 Kansas City Wizards (DDLWL)
And here comes the yo-yo again, as the KC drop all three at home to visiting Houston. Of course, you'd have to note that even though both sides were hampered by missing players to the Gold Cup, it hurts a team like the Wiz more than Houston because of Houston's quality depth and KC's lack thereof. Will a trip to New England provide the typical bounce-back?
Next: Revolution (Away)

11. +2 Los Angeles Galaxy (WLLWW)
Hot damn! Back to back wins. Donovan due back in uniform. The playoffs beckoning. And...Beckham's coming back. Ah well, Galaxy fans. At least you had this little run before normal service resumes with the circus coming back to town. I suppose the LA classico gives you one last chance to revel before the wheels come off in spectacular (and hilarious...for the rest of us) fashion.
Next: Chivas (Away)

12. FC Dallas (DLWDW)
Slowly, steadily, FC Dallas are climbing to within striking distance of the playoff sides. But we've all seen this story before, and we know the tragedy with which it ends--bloody bodies on the stage, tears by the liter, and thousands of empty seats at Pizza Hut Park to bear witness...or not, as the case may be. Question: do wins against the Red Bulls even count anymore on the Pile?
Next: Rapids (Away)

13. -2 New England Revolution (LWWLL)
Well...at least they lost in the Open Cup, so that clears at least one fixture from their inbox, right? With not enough healthy bodies and too many matches on the schedule, the Revs are struggling to keep in touch with the playoff scrum, the latest blow coming via a loss to the Galaxy, another side limping along in roughly the same table position. Home to KC next week gives them a big chance to maintain a playoff challenge by offing a potential rival, but will they be able to field a team capable of doing so?
Next: KC Wizards (Home)

14. San Jose Earthquakes (WDLWD)
So, so, so close. But you can't give up stoppage time equalizers to a side down a man and expect to be anything but also-rans, even on the road. Still, one loss in the last five outings is a positive for Yallop, even if he doesn't close on the distant playoff dogfight this week. Can they do better at home to TFC next weekend?
Next: Toronto FC (Home)

15. New York Red Bulls (LDLLL)
Stick a fork in the Bulls for this year. Time to make the swap at the top, try to figure out who is worth keeping, and start prepping for 2010 and who they're going to grab with the second pick in the draft (Damn expansion! One more reason for NY to hate Philly all over again...). A question: is having a weekend off better for the Bulls in that they don't need to suffer another loss, or would it be better to have a chance to wipe away the bad feelings from the previous weekends' loss?
Next: bye