We are about a third of the way into the MLS season so a good time to look at the table and see where teams stand, and compare that to where we think they will end up. Since the playoffs are deemed more important than the Supporters Shield. (regardless of how you or anyone feels, the league has designed the the Shield to be a trophy of lesser importance to that of the MLS Cup) I will only focus conference standing and playoff position.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Eastern Conference
| # | Club | PTS | GP | PPG | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | HG | HGD | RG | RGD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York Red Bulls | 17 | 11 | 1.55 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 0 |
| 2 | Sporting Kansas City | 17 | 10 | 1.7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| 3 | Houston Dynamo | 17 | 9 | 1.89 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 6 | 4 | -2 |
| 4 | Montreal Impact | 17 | 8 | 2.13 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| 5 | Columbus Crew | 12 | 9 | 1.33 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 2 |
| 6 | Philadelphia Union | 12 | 9 | 1.33 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 14 | -2 | 5 | -1 | 7 | -1 |
| 7 | New England Revolution | 9 | 8 | 1.13 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | -3 |
| 8 | Chicago Fire | 7 | 8 | 0.88 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 14 | -8 | 5 | -1 | 1 | -7 |
| 9 | Toronto FC | 7 | 9 | 0.78 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 8 | 0 | 2 | -3 |
| 10 | D.C. United | 4 | 8 | 0.5 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 13 | -9 | 4 | -3 | 0 | -6 |
As can be seen at the chart (copied from MLS.com) there is a four way tie with 17 points at the top of the Eastern Conference with a two way tie on 12 points for 5th place and the last playoff spot. For some reason the MLS website as decided to list the standings with the team having played the most games first. This seems absurd to me because teams that have games in hand have more opportunity for further point accumulation and will more than likely end the year with a higher standing. It would be better to judge teams when all teams have played 10 games, but we can't. So I think it is best to then judge teams but their points per game. This would have the standings as such
Montreal Impact 2.13 PPG
They have been the best team in the East so far in the season. They started out like gang busters going on the road and wining in Seattle and Portland before wining their home opener. They have cooled down but as long as they are able to keep healthy they should be near the top of the standings. I predict that they will end up fourth. They can go higher if they can keep their aging crop of stars healthy and productive through a full MLS summer, or if some of the back ups, like Collen Warner can step up and be productive.
Houston Dynamo 1.89 PPG
Houston is always a strong force in the league. They do not play pretty and they have an absurd home field advantage, with the narrow field and Houston heat in the summer. Hopefully the league finally steps up and makes Houston play on a wider field.Houston is the safe bet to represent the Eastern Conference in the finals but I would assume they would come in around second or even third in the standings. Houston is not going to push for the supporter shield and will instead just want to have a solid year and get in the playoffs.
Sporting Kansas City 1.7 PPG
KC is still trying to sort out there play, after revamping over the summer. Out are Kamara, although he is coming back at least in the short term, and Espinoza. The team looks more dynamic and varied with a new midfield look with Feilhaber and Nagmoura featuring, and Zusi playing higher up as a wide forward in the 433. Expect SKC to have the best record in the east although they will not be as direct this year as last they have the quality to still be the best team in the East. That is until the lose to Houston in the playoffs the one team they can never seem to beat.
New York Red Bull 1.5 PPG
Started off in typical Metro fashion with poor start and dysfunction Have come on strong late with goals from Cahill and some great play from Henry and you are starting to see this team gel. NY has lots of talent but along history of dysfunction. I think they put it together this year and earn second right above Houston.
Tie-- Columbus Crew 1.33 PPG
Columbus has a good nucleus of players but lacks depth. They have a decent defense when Chad Marshall is playing well but struggle with out him or when he is struggling. As for Marshall he is a very good defender and is starting to get back to his form a few years ago after some struggles the last few years. I think he will continue to be a quality MLS centerback for years to come and do not think he should be in a USMNT jersey again. He lacks quality on the ball and his last caps seemed to destroyed his club form as well. Expect the crew to have enough veteran leadership to hold on to the 5th spot in the east.
Tie-- Philadelphia Union 1.33 PPG
A good young team that has some exciting players, and will be fun to watch this season. If they are able to sort out there roster issues and get Kleberson to be a DP worthy contributor they could force their way into the playoffs. I don't expect that to happen unfortunately, this team seems to be plagued with some head scratching player decisions.
New England Revolution 1.13 PPG
On paper New England should be better than they are. Juan Toja has been underwhelming on his return to the league. Does not seem to be the same player who made such an impression at Dallas. Jeremy Bengston and Nguyen also seem to not have enough to carry this team. If New England can score goals, 4 in the first 9 games, they can challenge in the east. The rev's seemed to be lost and I would not expect them to do much in this year.
New England Revolution 1.13 PPG
On paper New England should be better than they are. Juan Toja has been underwhelming on his return to the league. Does not seem to be the same player who made such an impression at Dallas. Jeremy Bengston and Nguyen also seem to not have enough to carry this team. If New England can score goals, 4 in the first 9 games, they can challenge in the east. The rev's seemed to be lost and I would not expect them to do much in this year.
Chicago Fire .88 PPG
Like the other two teams on the bottom of this list their roster is a mess. They should have enough fire power to make a run but I don't expect much out of Chicago this year. expect them to be 7th.
Toronto FC .78 PPG
Toronto made some good signings in the offseason but not sure there roster has enough quality to compete in the league. For every time they seem to turn a corner as a team they go to Montreal and lose 6-0. Expect them to be at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
DC United .5 PPG
DC has a few quality pieces and its share of signings that are not working out. If DC can strengthen there squad with some good offensive aquistions this summer, and those signing gel well with the squad expect another late playoff push. This team still has DeRosario and Pontious. However if they same people making the signings are the ones who keep bringing in players who struggle to adapt to MLS DC will have to fight to stay above Toronto on the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Well that is it for the East. Look for Tomorrow and the Western Conference.
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