The playoff race is starting to become clearer as its just past the halfway mark in the 2009 Major League Soccer season. DC United and Chicago remained tied for the lead in the Eastern Conference while Houston is on top in the Western Conference. Overall most teams have played at least 15 games while a few have still have to make up matches because of the SuperLiga. Here are the latest MLS Power Rankings through Monday July 6, 2009.
- Houston Dynamo – Another road win for Houston who continue to get results every week. A disciplined team that has rarely conceded goals and has to be the clear favorite to come out of the Western Conference.
- Chicago Fire – A nice win at Colorado for the Fire who are tied with DC United at 24 points atop the Eastern Conference. One of the rare teams in MLS that is better on the road than at home.
- Chivas USA – A bye week for Chivas who have 27 points and 4 back of Houston in the West. Preki remains one of the most underrated coaches in MLS.
- Columbus Crew – Columbus is coming on strong and should take the lead in the Eastern Conference by the end of July.
- Seattle Sounders FC – The Sounders also had a bye week as they continue to be very successful in their first season. Ljungberg has definitely been of the better designated player signings in MLS.
- DC United – After taking the Eastern Conference lead, DC has not shown much consistency. A draw at Columbus is a solid result that could get DC on a winning streak.
- Toronto FC – A bye week for TFC who remain only 2 points behind Eastern Conference leaders DC United.
- Los Angeles Galaxy – Some momentum for the Galaxy who won at home and now are only 4 points back of 3rd place Seattle in the Western Conference. If they can find a way to continue their level with David Beckham in the line-up, there’s potential for a playoff run.
- Colorado Rapids – A disappointing loss at home against the Fire as they had Conor Casey return to the lineup. Right now they are in the middle of the league and their 22 goals for and 20 goals against is proof.
- New England Revolution – They only have 16 points but are 2-3 games behind most other teams so they have plenty of time to move up the standings. Will their success in the SuperLiga hurt their MLS chances?
- Kansas City Wizards – Playing in the SuperLiga took a toll on the Wizards who looked flat against the Dynamon at home on Saturday. With Jimmy Conrad and Davy Arnaud gone with the National Team for the Gold Cup, they will have to find other players to step up.
- Real Salt Lake – A late own goal salvaged a draw for RSL who nearly lost to San Jose. A plus 11 goal differential at home and minus 6 on the road.
- FC Dallas – A win for Dallas who are only 4 points back of 4th place in the West after a terrible start. Also, it’s nice to see attendance at close to 15,000 and not 8,000.
- San Jose Earthquakes – Almost a great win for San Jose but a late own goal is an example of why this team is not ready for the playoffs.
- New York Red Bulls – What can you say about the Red Bulls that hasn’t already been said? They are still not out of a playoff spot but have to get something going in the next month. Is Juan Pablo Angel ready to play in the All-Star game with midfielders like Ljungberg and Joseph?
