Power Rankings

So I bet all y'all are wondering why I don't do any updates on the games . . . I assume you all saw them, or were at them, or can read about them elsewhere. That suffices. However, opinions on the game from my perspective:

1) Adam Cristman is good. I feel like he got noticed a lot more this week for what I thought I saw last week. He's stroooooong. He needs to work on his shot and crossing, but his physical ability is impressive and there seems to be a loooot of potential there.

2) Maybe Taylor's back? It wasn't like his goals were toooooooo difficult, but the 2nd one was definitely classy and textbook. He finished, which is definitely an upgrade from the week before. Let's just hope it continues.

3) People are evil. The entire row in front of me was filled with Khano lovers/ Noonan bashers. People. Don't so quickly forget what Noonan has done for this team. Just because he has been injured for a while doesn't give you the right to forget that every time he plays he does well and creates. We're a better team with him. Don't forget that. In addition, probably deserving of it's own number, Khano was oustanding. While this will make that row happy, I will say this: It's probably the first time. Probably the best game of his career, but I still am waiting (and hoping) to see if it continues. He looked so much more versatile and agile. He could be really good, but let's stop it with the unwarranted Khano praising.

4) The defense? I remember having 3 guys playing D, but I don't remember them actually playing. There was really no need for them, but when they were called upon they answered very well. Toronto's threats were blocked or cut off and that was beautiful. Avery John played quite well, and I think it went relatively unnoticed. Major props to a James Riley led backline. Let's see it against Columbus . . .

5) Toronto stinks. They need Ronnie O'Brien back ASAP.



Now, since everyone else does these, here are some power rankings:

1) FC Dallas: OH NO YOU DIDN'T!?!? Yes. Yes I did. 4 points on the road. And really I'm just going to focus on the LA game last Thursday. 3 road games to this point, and they have 4 points. Not bad. The RBNY game doesn't count since it was in the middle of a tempest and the RSL game was a tad sad, but power rankings are all about recent form and against Landon's Losers they were brilliant. Kenny Cooper and Carlos Ruiz are going to be obnoxious all year long.

2) NE Revolution: Yeeeeeeeeeeah. No bias here either . . . I truly think that whooping of Toronto was impressive. The Chicago game was minus Shalrie and Khano, and yes, they clearly made a difference this weekend, so it doesn't count. Getting Parkhurst and Noonan back will make this lineup even scarier, though Riley is doing a splendid job.

3) KC Wizards: Wow. I'm so disappointed. Why are they good? A 4-2 victory over DC looks so good on paper, and watching the highlights makes it look even better. If EJ can continue to fly, KC is going to be very impressive. Add in their recently acquired playmaker and the Wiz are off on the right foot.

4) RBNY: If Clint Mathis is going to score their guaranteed to be good. Adding in Juan Pablo Angel has to make them better, but I question how much so. He never really impressed me while playing for Villa (mainly because he never scored) and hence I wonder how much he'll do here. Still the gritty classy guys are looking good enough, scoring three goals in awful conditions. Still the tie against Columbus looked like Crew dominance and has to make you wonder.

5) Colorado Rapids: Write off this past weekend since they played for 80+ minutes with only 10 guys. The brilliance was shone in Week 1 and I think there's more to come . . .

6) Columbus Crew: I'm impressed. I really am. It looks like they're creating plenty, and haven't conceded a goal. It's there . . . they just have to finish. If they can just get that last touch . . . the wins should be piling up. Their new playmaker will also make a difference, and Columbus still looks good to me to scare some teams.

7) Chicago Fire: Booooring. The Revs handled them in the second half, and the Rapids game went by far too quietly. A tie against a 10 man side is never a good thing. There's just no life there, and Mapp needs to get more consistent.

8) Houston Dynamo: They shouldn't be this low. They're far better than this, but I haven't seen it yet this year. Interesting how badly the two CCC teams are doing at this point . . . You say, "Badly? They have 4 points!" I say . . . yes. It sure seemed like LA had the bulk of the chances in that 0-0 draw, and certainly the 1-0 win over Chivas wasn't too good either. Where's the life? Where is DeRo?

9) LA Galaxy: Landon has the spark and the legs, but he can't finish. I'm so proud of Eric Wynalda for noticing something I've been proclaiming for ages. One of my favorite personal phrases has been "Don't worry; Landon's taking it." for about a year now. Finally Eric pointed out just how bad his free kicks and corners were (though it was in the one game sense). He needs to take over much more. They should be better than this. FCD kicked their tales, but the impressiveness against Houston was clearly there.

10) Chivas USA: Eh. Good first game, not so much in the second. That's really all there is. I don't know if there's much potential here . . .

11) RSL: Fredward hasn't really gotten much going there in Mormon country. The defense is ever questionable, and the offense will be sporadic. Freddy will need to turn it up, or else it's another November at home.

12) DCU: Ouch. How far they have fallen . . . Facundo is proving to be the liability everyone saw him as. In addition, add in the fact that the offense is nowhere near where everyone thought it would be. Emilio is doing his job, but where's Jaime? Also, Devin McTavish? Justin Moose? Stephen DeRoux? Why are these guys starting? FRED ANYONE?!

13) Toronto FC: 'Nuff said. They haven't shown any signs of life. Ronnie O'Brien may be enough to connect the forwards, but without him they are not very good. Esky looks good, but Casey for Buddle should happen.