The Western Conference roundup will be in the same format as the Eastern Conference. The west is stronger conference top to bottom and expect the last playoff spots to be highly contested. This was originally written and ready to go up Wednesday, but I decided to hold off a day to incorporate the mid week games
| # | Club | PTS | GP | PPG | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | HG | HGD | RG | RGD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FC Dallas | 21 | 10 | 2.1 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 6 | -1 |
| 2 | Real Salt Lake | 17 | 11 | 1.55 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 5 | -1 |
| 3 | Portland Timbers | 15 | 10 | 1.5 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 1 |
| 4 | LA Galaxy | 14 | 8 | 1.75 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| 5 | San Jose Earthquakes | 14 | 11 | 1.27 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 14 | -2 | 9 | 1 | 3 | -3 |
| 6 | Colorado Rapids | 12 | 10 | 1.2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | -1 |
| 7 | Chivas USA | 11 | 9 | 1.22 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 15 | -3 | 7 | -1 | 5 | -2 |
| 8 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 9 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 13 | -4 | 6 | 2 | 3 | -6 |
| 9 | Seattle Sounders FC | 9 | 8 | 1.13 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 1 | -1 | 5 | 0 |
FC DALLAS 2.1 PPG
FC Dalllas has surprised many, including myself, in their red hot start. From the beginning of the year on this team boasted tremendous firepower there many question was in playing well together and maintaining a good shape. With George John playing great has anchored a solid back row. More importantly the moving Michel from outside back to defensive midfielder (he did play there towards the end of last season) has really solidified the teams shape and added defensive bite. So far Dallas has scored 15 goals, with no production from Kenny Cooper (though he is second on the team with 20 shots) and Eric Hassli. This could lead to and even more explosive offense later in the season or problems in the dressing room. I don't see Dallas maintaining the top spot all season but they seem to have enough to make the playoffs. Expect them to finish third.
LA Galazy 1.75 PPG
LA is already firing on all cylinders and don't have Landon Donovan up to form. Especially impressive was two weeks ago when LA went to Salt Lake and put on an impressive 2-0 win, without Donovan or Keane. The early goals were well taken, although against a lackluster RSL defense. More impressive was the defensive performance in the second half when RSL tried everything but LA played an impressive 451, then a 541 and although forgoing possession kept RSL from scoring. Expect a major Designated Player signing this summer and for LA to have the best record in the west.
Real Salt Lake 1.55 PPG
Real Salt Lake retooled this past year jettisoning Olave, Espindola and Johnson, and picking up Plata, Stephenson and promising youngster Olmes Garcia. So far the gamble seems to have paid off. The team is competing in the west and seems to have a good shot in the playoffs. RSL's biggest weakness is their inability to score enough goals, and a defense that can shut off from time to time. If RSL can figure out how to turn their possession into more potent attack and beat LA they can challenge for another MLS Cup. Expect them to end up second in the west.
Portland Timbers 1.5 PPG
Caleb Porters men have given the Timbers Army plenty to cheer for this season. Boasting of off season signings, In Ryan Johnson, Will Johnson and Diego Valeri. Will Johnson especially has revitalized the team, anchoring the midfield and adding bite and fire to the team. (It is early but it looks like he could be to Portland what Kyle Beckerman has been to Johnson's former team, Salt Lake.) This team is still inconsistent but should still make the playoffs. Expect the team to end up fourth.
San Jose Earthquakes 1.27 PPG
San Jose has still retained its knack for furious late comebacks, but this year it is for ties rather wins. San Jose still has a solid core but is starting to draw suspensions, for its thuggish reputation, both on the field and in the stands. Expect San Jose to finish fifth if playing the same. This team can score and does not give up but still gives up lots of chances on the other end. I am not sure their wide open physical style will give them the same result this year. Though I could seem them challenging for second or third if they go on a run an tighten up the ship Expect them to finish fifth with the last playoff spot.
Chivas USA 1.22 PPG
Chivas has been one of the great surprises of the season. El Chelis has a group that is determined and plays open soccer. Chivas main weakness is also their strength. They are unpredictable, playing with formations rarely if ever employed in MLS with a squad where most of the players are unknown quantities, makes Chivas difficult to prepare for. Especially the first time. Chivas will make life difficult for opponents and will be in a fight for the last playoff spot. Expect them to push for the last playoff spot with about SJ, Seattle and Vancouver but finish eighth, though fifth is there for the taking.
Colorado Rapids 1.2 PPG
The Rapids have had impressive season thus far. The team many predicted to be near the bottom of the western conference standings has gotten off to a decent start. Led by Rookies Dillon Powers and DerShon Brown as well as the best story in MLS Clint Irwin. This team is playing well and bound to fight for a playoff spot. Unfortunately the West is too stacked for a so many inexperienced players to drag the team into the playoffs. Expect them to drop to the ninth spot in the west but I could seem them finish as high as sixth if some of the more veteran teams do not get their act together.
Seattle Sounders FC 1.13 PPG
If some of the earlier teams where surprising successes to start the season than these last two teams are definite disappointments. Seattle boasting one the highest payrolls in the league was built to challenge for trophies. This team however is challenging to score more than one goal a game. To be honest for all Seattle has done right since entering the league, and there are lots of things, they have not done the greatest job with evaluating players, and it is beginning to catch up with them. I think it is arguable that they have done a worse job in recruiting DP's and other signings than Red Bull, although Seattle has done better on the field. In contrast to LA which seems to never make a bad signing. I think that Seattle has the talent to get them in the playoffs. Especially if Martins can get healthy and playing well with Eddie Johnson and Steve Zakuani. However I do not think that they will need to get a midfielder who can contribute to the offense to play alongside Osvaldo Alonso, and figure out how to get runners like Johnson, Zakuani, Martins, and even Martinez to be able to play with Mauro Rosales something that has not happened yet this year if the team is really going to challenge for the Cup. This team is still good enough to make waves this year and get in the playoffs and just getting a draw in KC, before the late game winner, was an improvement. Expect them to challenge for the playoffs I just don't know if they can get there as presently constituted so I place them sixth just being edged out by San Jose. However with some retooling they will be right back in contention and wreck my predictions.
Vancouver Whitecaps 1 PPG
Vancouver has been battling their Cascadia Rival to the south for most disappointing start to the season. This is a team that should be in playoff contention. Unlike Seattle Vancouver is really not built for the expectations of winning the cup, but the team is more balanced than Seattle and has a good mix of midfielders forwards and defensive depth. The Whitecaps biggest problem is a lack of consistency in lineup and formations. Squad rotation is not bad, but when the formation and playing style rotate as much as the players, it is hard for the team to have any continuity or identity. Many of the playing time decisions are confusing. Darren Mattocks, the star from last year is hardly playing. The team brought in two quality veteran midfielders, but the defensive Nigel Reo Cooker seems to have more say on the offense than the technical creative Daigo Kobayashi. Vancouver should be on course to make the playoffs. On paper they have a better team just as good or better than Portland or Dallas. However this team does not look to be going anywhere and with out some dramatic improvements and maybe some changes expect them to finish 7th in a push for the last spot in.
