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Can anybody stop the Seattle Sounders?
After handily beating two teams at home, the Sounders went to BMO Field for what was supposed to be their toughest test to date.
So much for that.
The Sounders posted another multi-goal shutout, beating TFC 2-0 to take over the top spot in the SBI MLS Power Rankings.
As surprisingly good as Seattle has been, there are also some MLS teams that have been surprisingly bad. The Columbus Crew heads that list after two more losses to start the season 0-2-2. The Houston Dynamo also fall into that category as it too has failed to record a win.
Here are this week's SBI MLS Power Rankings:
SBI MLS Power Rankings (Week 3)
1. Seattle Sounders (3-0)
Last Week: Beat Toronto FC, 2-0, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. Kansas City Wizards on Saturday (Direct Kick).
Outlook: No Fredy Montero? No problem. Sounders went on the road and continued their dominant form. Freddie Ljungberg looks poised for a big year and Steve Zakuani is starting to have a Rookie of the Year look to him.
2. Chicago Fire (2-0-1)
Last Week: Beat New York Red Bulls, 1-0, on Sunday.
This Week: at San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Outlook: Showed great depth, heart and determination in beating New York despite being down a man for most of the match. Here is the real question: Who will sit when Cuauhtemoc Blanco is ready to start? John Thorrington's red card means Denis Hamlett should have another week before having a real tough decision to make.
3. New England Revolution (2-0-1)
Last Week: Beat FC Dallas, 2-1, on Saturday.
This Week: Bye
Outlook: The Sounders get the headlines, but the results New England has been able to put up in the first three weeks of the season despite missing several key players has been just as impressive. The bye week should bring the Revs closer to being full strength.
4. Chivas USA (3-0)
Last Week: Beat Columbus Crew, 2-1, on Sunday.
This Week: at Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday (ESPN2, 10:30pm)
Outlook: Preki's newcomers continue to impress as Eduardo Lillingston scores for the second straight week and the Goats stay unbeaten.
5. Toronto FC (1-1-1)
Last Week: Lost to Seattle, 2-0, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. FC Dallas on Saturday (4pm, Direct Kick)
Outlook: Surprisingly outclassed by Seattle, TFC has the perfect remedy for a rebound in a visit from FC Dallas.
6. Real Salt Lake (1-1)
Last Week: Beat Columbus, 4-1, on Thursday.
This Week: vs. D.C. United on Saturday (6pm, Direct Kick)
Outlook: Now that is the RSL team we thought we would see this season. If Robbie Findley is going to finish chances with any regularity then RSL is going to be the team to challenge Seattle in the West.
7. Colorado Rapids (2-1)
Last Week: Beat Los Angeles, 3-2, on Sunday.
This Week: at Columbus Crew on Saturday (7:30pm, Direct Kick)
Outlook: Conor Casey picks up where he left off last season as the Rapids post a rare road win.
8. D.C. United (1-0-2)
Last Week: Beat Houston, 1-0, on Saturday.
This Week: at Real Salt Lake on Saturday (6pm, Direct Kick)
Outlook: Is D.C. United's defense going to be better than we thought? If so, D.C. could be in for a bounceback season.
9. Kansas City Wizards (1-2)
Last Week: Beat San Jose Earthquakes, 2-0, on Sunday.
This Week: at Seattle Sounders on Saturday (10:30pm, Direct Kick).
Outlook: Wizards finally found their attack and the defense finally stopped the bleeding. Unfortunately for KC, its next stop is the suddenly scary trip to Seattle, where a sold-out Qwest Field and the unbeaten Sounders await.
10. Columbus Crew (0-2-2)
Last Week: Lost to Real Salt Lake, 4-1, on Thursday; lost to Chivas USA, 2-1, on Sunday.
This Week: vs. Colorado Rapids on Saturday.
Outlook: The two-game, four-day trip to the West Coast was always going to be tough, but the Crew just have not looked sharp all season. A return to Crew Stadium might do the trick.
11. San Jose Earthquakes (1-2)
Last Week: Lost to Kansas City, 2-0, on Sunday.
This Week: vs. Chicago Fire on Saturday (4pm, Telefutura)
Outlook: How do you go from dynamic attack that scores three in a half, to scuffling bunch that can manage just one shot on goal in an entire match?
12. Houston Dynamo (0-2-1)
Last Week: Lost to D.C. United, 1-0, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. New York Red Bulls on Saturday (8:30pm, FSC)
Outlook: While surrendering just one goal might be a decent performance for the defense, the Dynamo attack still looks off and we shouldn't assume that the arrival of Ade Akinbiyi is going to fix that.
13. Los Angeles Galaxy (0-1-1)
Last Week: Lost to Colorado, 3-2, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. Chivas USA on Saturday (10:30pm, ESPN2)
Outlook: The good news? Omar Gonzalez scored his first career goal. The bad news? The defense is still bad.
14. New York Red Bulls (0-2-1)
Last Week: Lost to Chicago Fire, 1-0, on Sunday.
This Week: at Houston Dynamo on Saturday (8:30pm, FSC).
Outlook: Red Bulls looked just plain awful in losing to a Fire team that played most of the match a man down. Albert Celades, Seth Stammler, Alfredo Pacheco and Jon Conway can't get into this lineup soon enough.
15. FC Dallas (0-3)
Last Week: Lost to New England, 2-1, on Saturday.
This Week: at Toronto FC on Saturday (4pm, Direct Kick)
Outlook: Schellas Hyndman's squad just isn't playing effective soccer and looks like a shell of the team you would expect with their roster. A road trip to Toronto isn't exactly the cure for a slump, especially not when TFC is coming off a home loss.
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Not much to explain this week, but here are some notes to consider:
Why didn't the Crew fall lower after a two-loss week? They have had a brutal schedule and I think they will turn things around soon enough.
I suppose you could swap the Red Bulls and Galaxy, but let's face it, both teams have problems so why nitpick about where they are when it's low either way.
That's all for now. Please feel free to share your thoughts on this week's SBI MLS Power Rankings in the comments section below.
