The Major League Soccer regular season is finished and the playoffs are starting this week. It was an interesting regular season which included new franchise Seattle making the playoffs and leading the league in home attendance. Other clubs such as the New York Red Bulls struggled all year and were the worst team in the league. The San Jose Earthquakes also struggled and couldn’t find their form in time to make a run at a playoff spot.
Toronto FC, another team with great fan support, just missed out on their first playoff spot. They were too inconsistent and losing 0-5 at NY was an embarassment. Other notable storylines for the resurgence of the Los Angeles Galaxy, who with Beckham and Donovan, were the top team in the Western Conference. With the end of the regular season, this is the final list of power rankings for Major League Soccer.
- Los Angeles Galaxy – They have a well balanced club that are one of the favorites to win the MLS Cup. Donovan is in terrific form and if he can deliver in the playoffs it could be time for him to follow teammate David Beckham and transfer to Europe.
- Columbus Crew – A meaningless loss on Sunday against New England as Columbus had the Supporter’s Shield already clinched. The Crew are the favorites to reach the MLS Cup Final in a weaker Eastern Conference.
- Houston Dynamo – A talented team who is tied for the fewest goals conceded with only 29 through 30 matches. They should reach the Western Conference Finals but will need Brian Ching and Stuart Holden to have good performances.
- Seattle Sounders FC – They may be in their first year as a franchise but the Sounders are as dangerous as anyone. Freddie Ljungberg as adjusted well to the league and Kasey Keller has been a wall in goal.
- Chivas USA – The team has been up and down after a terrific start. Sacha Kljestan appears to have found his form and the club will need it against the Galaxy.
- Chicago Fire – The Fire limped into the playoffs as the second placed team in the Eastern Conference. With Blanco and McBride they can win any match but the defense is the real question mark.
- New England Revolution – Another club that didn’t finish strong and had to get a result in the last weekend to make the playoffs. They are the only team to make the playoffs with a negative goal differential.
- Real Salt Lake – They just made the playoffs and note likely to advance very far in the playoffs. The key will be improving their form on the road.
- DC United – Their busy schedule with the US Open Cup, Champions League, and MLS schedule caught up to them in the final part of the season. They were always within reach of a playoff spot but couldn’t get the result in the final weeks. The defense is the focus in the offseason as they conceded 44 goals in 30 matches.
- Colorado Rapids – The Rapids were in position to qualify in the final few weeks but couldn’t get the results when they needed them. A team that is close to being a contender but needs some help in the midfield and defense.
- FC Dallas – They made a late run and almost came out of nowhere to make the playoffs. They were one of the better teams in the last few months and Jeff Cunningham was the MLS leading scorer with 17 goals.
- Toronto FC – The lack of defense was their achilles heel as Toronto once again failed to make the playoffs. They need to make moves in the transfer market.
- San Jose Earthquakes – San Jose had talent but never really got going until the final month or so of the season.
- Kansas City Wizards – The Wizards were never considered one of the top teams and struggled in July, August, and September.
- New York Red Bulls – A 5-0 win against Toronto does little for the Red Bulls who were simply horrible this season. Next season they have a new arena and rumors are that Thierry Henry will be transferring after the World Cup. It should provide a much needed boost to the franchise and specifically their attendance.
