Major League Soccer Match Picks, Week 9

Four for ten last week, 34% on the year.

My picks for this week:

Winners: Montreal Impact, FC Dallas, Columbus Crew, Sporting KC, Chivas USA and the Houston Dynamo

Draws: Toronto FC/New York Red Bulls, New England/Philadelphia, Real Salt Lake/LA Galaxy

Major League Soccer Power Rankings, Week 8

FC Dallas and the Montreal Impact maintain the top two spots in this weeks rankings, while the LA Galaxy takes a top five spot from Chivas USA. After eight straight weeks in the bottom five, the Chicago Fire jump up to number thirteen.

Biggest jumps up this week: Real Salt Lake, Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders

Biggest drops: Chivas USA and the Vancouver Whitecaps

This week's rankings (+- last week):

1) FC Dallas (West)

2) Montreal Impact (East)

3) Sporting Kansas City (East) +2

4) Houston Dynamo (East) -1

5) LA Galaxy (West) +1

6) Philadelphia Union (East) +1

7) Portland Timbers (West) +1

8) New York Red Bulls (East) +3

9) Chivas USA (West) -5

10) Real Salt Lake (West) +4

11) Columbus Crew (East) -2

12) Colorado Rapids (West) -2

13) Chicago Fire (East) +4

14) San Jose Earthquakes (West) -1

15) Seattle Sounders FC (West) +4

16) Toronto FC (East) -1

17) Vancouver Whitecaps (West) -5

18) New England Revolution (East) -2

19) D.C. United (East) -1

Major League Soccer Match Picks, Week 8, Weekend Edition

Missed on my Wednesday night pick. Thought that the New York Red Bulls would scratch out a draw with Sporting KC at home, but Sporting got the 1-0 win.

My pick for the weekend matches:

Winners: Colorado Rapids, New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas

Picking draws for the balance of the matches.

Major League Soccer Match Picks, Week 8, Wednesday Nighter

Last week I was 3 for 9, maintaining my 33% pick rate for the season. Dartboards beware!

Going to drop my Wednesday night pick now, with the rest of my match predictions coming later in the week.

The New York Red Bulls will manage a draw against Sporting KC at home.

Major League Soccer Match Picks, Week 6

Winners this week:

Sporting KC
FC Dallas
Columbus Crew
San Jose Earthquakes

3 Draws this week:

Colorado v Real Salt Lake
Portland v Houston
Chicago v New York

Major League Soccer Power Rankings, Matchweek 9

The Seattle Sounders Take over the Top Spot This Week!

The top 5 remain the same in this week's rankings, but with a reordering. The Seattle Sounders take over the top spot, with last week's #1, Sporting Kansas City dropping down to #3. The New York Red Bulls swapped positions with DC United, taking over the 4th spot.

Biggest move up? The Montreal Impact moves up six spots to #9.

Biggest drops? FC Dallas drops 7 spots to #15 and the LA Galaxy drops 3 spots to #12.

This week's rankings:

1) Seattle Sounders FC (West)

2) San Jose Earthquakes (West)

3) Sporting Kansas City (East)

4) New York Red Bulls (East)

5) D.C. United (East)

6) Vancouver Whitecaps (West)

7) Real Salt Lake (West)

8) Chicago Fire (East)

9) Montreal Impact (East)

10) Colorado Rapids (West)

11) Houston Dynamo (East)

12) LA Galaxy (West)

13) Philadelphia Union (East)

14) Chivas USA (West)

15) FC Dallas (West)

16) Portland Timbers (West)

17) New England Revolution (East)

18) Columbus Crew (East)

19) Toronto FC (East)

Major League Soccer Match Predictions, Matchweek 9, Saturday and Sunday Matches, 5/5/12

I picked Seattle's victory over the Galaxy and San Jose's victory over DC United correctly, but got the other two matches played this week wrong.

Here are the balance of my picks for this week:

Saturday 5/5 Matches:

Sporting KC will beat Montreal at home

Columbus will draw at Portland

DC United will win at Toronto

Seattle will beat Philadelphia at home

San Jose will draw at Vancouver

New York will draw at the Galaxy

Real Salt Lake will beat New England at home

Sunday 5/6 Match:

FC Dallas will beat Colorado at home

Major League Soccer Match Predictions, Matchweek 9, 5/1/12

Last week I only picked winners. I was 5 for 7, not a bad start for my prediction season.

I'm going to pick all the results for this week, putting my rankings to the test (Note, I will pick the weekend matches that involve teams playing midweek after those matches are completed.):

Wednesday 5/2 Matches:
Colorado will draw at New England
Seattle will beat the Galaxy at home
San Jose will beat DC United at home

Friday 5/4 Match:
Chicago will draw at Chivas USA

Saturday 5/5 Matches:
Sporting KC will beat Montreal at home
Columbus will draw at Portland
DC United at Toronto
Philadelphia at Seattle
San Jose at Vancouver
New York at the Galaxy
New England at Real Salt Lake

Sunday 5/6 Match:
Colorado at FC Dallas

Major League Soccer Power Rankings, Matchweek 8

They Were Idle. Why Should They Lose the Top Spot?

Biggest climbers? Vancouver Whitecaps, Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas Biggest drops? Houston Dynamo and Chivas USA 1) Sporting Kansas City (East)

2) San Jose Earthquakes (West)

3) Seattle Sounders FC (West)

4) D.C. United (East)

5) New York Red Bulls (East)

6) Real Salt Lake (West)

7) Vancouver Whitecaps (West)

8) FC Dallas (West)

9) LA Galaxy (West)

10) Chicago Fire (East)

11) Colorado Rapids (West)

12) Houston Dynamo (East)

13) Philadelphia Union (East)

14) Chivas USA (West)

15) Montreal Impact (East)

16) New England Revolution (East)

17) Columbus Crew (East)

18) Portland Timbers (West)

19) Toronto FC (East)

Major League Soccer Power Rankings-Matchweek 7

Sporting Kansas City is #1 in My First Major League Soccer Power Ranking This Year!

With every Major League Soccer team having played 5 matches at this point in the season, I'm ready to publish my first Power Ranking of the 2012 season.

Last year I published my philosophy in producing these rankings. It might need a little tweaking this year due to the unbalanced schedule, but for now I'll stick with last year's formula.

Here are my inaugural 2012 rankings:

1) Sporting Kansas City
2) San Jose Earthquakes
3) Real Salt Lake
4) Seattle Sounders
5) D.C. United
6) Houston Dynamo
7) New York Red Bulls
8) Chicago Fire
9) LA Galaxy
10) Chivas USA
11) FC Dallas
12) Vancouver Whitecaps
13) Philadelphia Union
14) Columbus Crew
15) New England Revolution
16) Colorado Rapids
17) Montreal Impact
18) Portland Timbers
19) Toronto FC

The Galaxy Will Not Relinquish #1! Major League Soccer Power Rankings, Week 26, 9/13/11

The Galaxy is #1 Again

The Los Angeles Galaxy continue to maintain the top spot in my rankings this week. It doesn't look like anyone will overtake them!

Biggest jumps up in the rankings this week? Sporting KC jumped up 7 spots and the New England Revolution jumped up 4 spots.

Biggest drops? Chivas USA dropped 6 spots and the Columbus Crew dropped 5.

Best current form? Real Salt Lake, the Seattle Sounders and the LA Galaxy.

Worst form? Chivas USA and the Philadelphia Union.

My week 26 Major League Soccer Power Rankings:

1) LA Galaxy (West)

2) Real Salt Lake (West)

3) Seattle Sounders FC (West)

4) Sporting Kansas City (East)

5) D.C. United (East)

6) Colorado Rapids (West)

7) Houston Dynamo (East)

8) FC Dallas (West)

9) Portland Timbers (West)

10) Columbus Crew (East)

11) Toronto FC (East)

12) Chicago Fire (East)

13) New England Revolution (East)

14) New York Red Bulls (East)

15) Vancouver Whitecaps (West)

16) Philadelphia Union (East)

17) San Jose Earthquakes (West)

18) Chivas USA (West)

Breathe...Toronto FC 4, Columbus Crew 2, 9/10/11

Final score, Toronto FC 4, the Columbus Crew 2. At COLUMBUS CREW STADIUM!

Breathe, deep breaths...

Tell yourself everything is going to be OK with the Columbus Crew.

Tell yourself that giving up 10 goals in their last two matches is nothing to be concerned about.

Tell yourself that seeing William Hesmer play his worst game...ever...is nothing to be concerned about.

Tell yourself that the starting back four of Sebastian Miranda, Chad Marshall, Julius James and Josh Gardner will communicate better in their next match.

Trillium Cup Goes to Toronto FC (Getty Images)

Tell yourself that the Crew midfield will not fail to connect on their passes like they did last night.

Tell yourself that losing to Toronto FC...FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER is only a blip, the Crew will recover.

Tell yourself we will see Eddie Gaven return to the line-up.

Tell yourself that the Crew will get things together in time for their Wednesday night home match against the Houston Dynamo.

Tell yourself the Crew will still be in playoff position after their next five matches, where they play four other teams in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference who are in playoff position (the Houston Dynamo, Philadelphia Union, Sporting Kansas City and DC United) and the best team in all of Major League Soccer, the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Breath...

Predicted The Sporting KC/LA Galaxy Draw Correctly...Major League Soccer Power Rankings, Week 25, 9/5/11

I was a perfect 2 for 2 on my predictions for this weekend's Major League Soccer Matches, getting both the Real Salt Lake victory and the Sporting KC/LA Galaxy draw correct. I am now 7 for 19 on the year, a 37% accuracy rating.

The LA Galaxy Are #1 Again!

There were just a couple of changes to my Major League Soccer Power Rankings this week with only two matches played.

Real Salt Lake's victory over Philadelphia pushed them up two spots in this week's ranking to #4 overall, while Sporting Kansas City's home draw this evening against the LA Galaxy dropped them two spots to #11 in this week's rankings.

My week 25 Major League Soccer Power Rankings:

1) LA Galaxy (West)

2) Seattle Sounders FC (West)

3) Colorado Rapids (West)

4) Real Salt Lake (West)

5) Columbus Crew (East)

6) FC Dallas (West)

7) D.C. United (East)

8) Houston Dynamo (East)

9) Portland Timbers (West)

10) Chicago Fire (East)

11) Sporting Kansas City (East)

12) Chivas USA (West)

13) Philadelphia Union (East)

14) Toronto FC (East)

15) New York Red Bulls (East)

16) Vancouver Whitecaps (West)

17) New England Revolution (East)

18) San Jose Earthquakes (West)

My Predictions For This Weekend's Major League Soccer Matches, 9/2/11

I had a horrible week last week with my predictions. Out of eight matches played I only got one prediction correct, the Seattle Sounders win over the Columbus Crew.

I am now 5 for 17 for the year, a 29% accuracy rating.

Undaunted, I will forge ahead...

There are only two Major League Soccer matches this weekend. What will the results be?

In the Saturday, September 3rd match, I predict a Real Salt Lake Victory over the Philadelphia Union.

And on Labor Day, Monday, September 5th, I predict a draw between Sporting Kansas City and the LA Galaxy!

Real Salt Lake! A Big Winner This Weekend!

0 for 1 So Far, Major League Soccer Match Predictions

With the Portland Timbers beating Chivas USA last night 1-0, I'm 0 for 1 on my predictions so far this week, dropping my overall percentage to 40%.

Here are my predictions for this weekend's matches:

Seattle beats Columbus.

Vancouver and Houston draw.

Toronto beats San Jose.

DC United beats Portland.

Sporting KC beats Dallas.

Chicago and Colorado Draw.

Chivas USA beats Real Salt Lake.

FC Dallas Recaptures The Top Spot! Major League Soccer Power Rankings, Week 16, 7/5/11

FC Dallas Regains the #1 Spot!

FC Dallas recaptures the top spot in this week's rankings, unseating the LA Galaxy after their 6-week run at #1.

Interesting this week that the teams in my top ten didn't change, but certainly there was some shifting within that group.

Biggest moves up the rankings this week? Toronto FC moves up 4 spots, FC Dallas up 2. 

Biggest drops? The LA Galaxy, DC United and Vancouver Whitecaps each dropped 2 spots. 

Who has the best current form? Sporting KC, FC Dallas and the Seattle Sounders.

The worst? Portland, DC United, Chivas and New England.

My Week 16 Major League Soccer Power Rankings:

1)FC Dallas (West)

2)Seattle Sounders FC (West)

3)LA Galaxy (West)

4)Sporting Kansas City (East)

5)Columbus Crew (East)

6)Real Salt Lake (West)

7)San Jose Earthquakes (West)

8)Philadelphia Union (East)

9)New York Red Bulls (East)

10)Chicago Fire (East)

11)Colorado Rapids (West)

12)Houston Dynamo (East)

13)Toronto FC (East)

14)D.C. United (East)

15)Chivas USA (West)

16)Vancouver Whitecaps (West)

17)New England Revolution (East)

18)Portland Timbers (West)

Again With the Galaxy! Major League Soccer Power Rankings, Week 15, 6/27/11

The Galaxy are #1 Again!

The Los Angeles Galaxy keeps the top spot this week giving them six #1's in a row.

This week the gap closed between the Galaxy and second place Seattle. We may be ripe for a change next week.

Biggest moves up the rankings this week? Sporting KC and Real Salt Lake each moved up 4 spots.

Biggest drops? The Philadelphia Union and Colorado each dropped 3 spots.

Who has the best current form? Seattle, Sporting KC and the Galaxy.

The worst? Portland, New England and Toronto.

My Week 15 Major League Soccer Power Rankings (UP or DOWN from last week):

1)LA Galaxy (West)

2)Seattle Sounders FC (West) UP

3)FC Dallas (West) DOWN

4)Columbus Crew (East) UP

5)Sporting Kansas City (East) UP

6)San Jose Earthquakes (West) DOWN

7)Real Salt Lake (West) UP

8)Philadelphia Union (East) DOWN

9)New York Red Bulls (East) DOWN

10)Chicago Fire (East)

11)Colorado Rapids (West) DOWN

12)D.C. United (East)

13)Houston Dynamo (East) UP

14)Vancouver Whitecaps (West) DOWN

15)Chivas USA (West) DOWN

16)New England Revolution (East) UP

17)Toronto FC (East) UP

18)Portland Timbers (West) DOWN

Major League Soccer Power Rankings, Week 5, 4/18/11

Major League Soccer has just finished Matchweek 5, with all but two of the teams having played at least five matches. Real Salt Lake and Sporting KC have played 4 matches.

Time for me to introduce my MLS Power Rankings. At this point in the season, I think I have a pretty good idea of how the league is sorting out, so I'm going to share my thoughts on a weekly basis. My rankings combine overall season performance along with current form, so it's my attempt to show the 18 teams as I currently see them.

Real Salt Lake #1, Week 5

Week 5 Power Rankings (wins-losses-draws):

1)   Real Salt Lake, Western Conference (4-0-0) 12 points
2)   Philadelphia Union, Eastern Conference (3-1-1) 10 points
3)   LA Galaxy, Western Conference (3-1-3) 12 points
4)   Colorado Rapids, Western Conference (3-2-0) 9 points
5)   Houston Dynamo, Eastern Conference (2-1-2) 8 points
6)   Columbus Crew, Eastern Conference (2-1-2) 8 points
7)   New York Red Bulls, Eastern Conference (2-1-2) 8 points
8)   Portland Timbers, Western Conference (2-2-1) 7 points
9)   D.C. United, Eastern Conference (2-2-1) 7 points
10) Seattle Sounders FC, Western Conference (1-2-3) 6 points
11) Toronto FC, Eastern Conference (1-2-3) 6 points
12) New England Revolution, Eastern Conference (1-2-3) 6 points
13) San Jose Earthquakes, Western Conference (1-2-2) 5 points
14) FC Dallas, Western Conference (1-3-1) 4 points
15) Sporting Kansas City, Eastern Conference (1-2-1) 4 points
16) Chicago Fire, Eastern Conference (1-3-1) 4 points
17) Vancouver Whitecaps, Western Conference (1-2-3) 6 points
18) Chivas USA, Western Conference (0-2-3) 3 points

A few comments:

- Real Salt Lake continues to dominate.
- The Portland Timbers are the biggest early season surprise. Two big victories this week earned them the 8th spot in my rankings.
-Sporting KC is the biggest early season disappointment. Their first home game can't come soon enough.
-The Chicago Fire started the season well, but have since gone into a 3 game tailspin.

Remember, the CONCACAF Champions League Finals begin this Wednesday, April 20th. The game is on Fox Soccer Channel, 8pm MST, 10pm EST. On Twitter, use the #MLS4RSL hashtag and support Real Salt Lake!

Mountain Time

Columbus Crew 1, Sporting KC 0 (4/16/11)

My wife Tammy, my youngest son Michael and my daughter Mallory joined me and 7,695 of my closest friends who braved the horrible weather last night to watch our Columbus Crew get a very good victory over Sporting KC, 1-0.

Check that. My wife and daughter sat in the Upper 90 club (no longer the best kept secret at Crew Stadium) and watched the match on TV, while my son Michael and I braved the elements and stood on the Upper 90 club's porch and watched. I drive from Cincinnati for every match, so if I'm going to make the effort to drive up, I'm going to stand in the crappy weather.

OK, I was standing under a canopy.

Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gaven Celebrating Robbie's Goal (http://www.thecrew.com/ Josh Couper/Skyler Schmitt)

This was the 4th straight shutout for the Crew's defense. Sporting KC entered the match as one of the highest scoring teams in the MLS. Once again, the Crew's central defense of Julius James and Chad Marshall led the way with solid goalkeeping from William Hesmer.

Coach Robert Warzycha started Emilio Renteria up top, with Eddie Gaven right underneath him rather than at his traditional outside midfield position. Dilly Duka went the full 90 minutes and earned an assist on Robbie Rogers' second half goal. I give coach Warzycha a lot of credit for conjuring up this inspired line-up. It definitely worked.

Man of the Match? Robbie Rogers, both for his goal and his outstanding midfield play. He continues to play well following his benching in the Crew's first match of the year. Coach Warzycha obviously knew how to light a fire under Robbie.

Chad Ochocinco's Trial With Sporting KC, I Like It!

In typical fashion, Cincinnati Bengal wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has generated a wide range of opinions with regards to his trial this week with Sporting KC of Major League Soccer.

Chad Ochocinco at his Press Conference www.sportingkc.com

One opinion: This is just another Chad Ochocinco publicity stunt, meant to only promote himself. Sporting KC doesn't need this kind of distraction as they begin the 2011 MLS regular season.

Another opinion: Why now? Chad Ochocinco hasn't played since high school. Why would Sporting KC bring Chad Ochocinco into training, risking injury to team members as there is no way that he can keep up with the pace of these professional soccer players. What does Sporting KC gain, as the chances that Chad Ochocinco makes the team are very small.

I'm a Cincinnati Bengals fan, admittedly a tough thing to admit with the poor results the Bengals have had over the last several years. As a resident of the Cincinnati area, I've experienced life with Chad Ochocinco as a player, self-promoter, etc. My take? Chad Ochocinco is giving an honest effort to make the team. He respects the game, respects the players and has been very honest in his self-assessment as a player. Just look at some sample Tweets from his Twitter page, http://twitter.com/#!/ochocinco:

ochocinco Chad Ochocinco 

Headed to bed with a (humble pie) in the oven on low tempature,to be able to grace the pitch with elite futbol athletes is #Epic goodnight

ochocinco Chad Ochocinco 

@3gerardpique I understand the skill it takes it to play at this level,I just love the beautiful game n have much respect for it,see u soon.

ochocinco Chad Ochocinco 

I wish you all can see the skill it takes to play FUTBOL,even with my speed these guys still make me look like shit on the pitch#seriously

ochocinco Chad Ochocinco 

Speed is nothing without control, let the ball do the breathing#TheBeautifulGame

ochocinco Chad Ochocinco 

Taking the entire team to Fogo De Chao tonight,I'm the rookie in a sense so this should be fun,what are y'all doing?

Chad Ochocinco has been respectful and humble during his trail with Sporting KC. Will he make the team? I don't know. But I'm rooting for him.