(Nos. 1-10 are on deck …so check back)
19. Chivas USA – Another week, another couple of frustrating shutouts for the offense. Robin Fraser’s team has scored once during five games in September. No truth to the rumor that California’s governor has officially declared the Goats offices a disaster area.
18. Toronto FC – DP forward Eric Hassli and DP midfielder Torsten Frings are missing for tonight’s trip to El Salvador. Meanwhile, we ask: Does it really matter?
17. Colorado Rapids – A 2-2 draw at Vancouver would have been a delighful result two months back, or any time before that for Oscar Pareja’s club. But nothing more than all three points will suffice now in keeping that barely audible playoff heartbeat going.
16. Portland Timbers – Gavin Wilkinson’s club has found just a wee bit of footing in September. Latest evidence was a 2-2 draw at Buck Shaw Stadium, home to the current league leaders. Danny Mwanga (pictured) put two past the Earthquakes about the same time the team announced striker Kris Boyd was done for the year. Hmmmm. Have we seen the last of Boyd around Jeld-Wen?
15. Philadelphia Union – Freddy Adu scores two – but hurts himself in the process. Just another chapter in a career highlighted by wild swings of successes and failures.
14. New England Revolution – This news of Lee Nguyen’s season-ending surgery would be devastating news – except that “devastating” is relative to a team that just went through another miserable season. Someone remind us again when, exactly, the Revs were last in the MLS playoffs? 2009, right?
13. Montréal Impact – What does everyone else think about Allesandro Nesta coming back for another year? Because I’m not sure. And that’s what the final games around Stade Saputo are all about now – finding out who “can” and who “cannot” in MLS.
12. Vancouver Whitecaps – Another late goal allowed? Taking more points away from the sophomore club? Geeez, fellows. Score the goals and shut it down already. Or is this just some whacky plan to keep things interesting to the bitter end. (Careful, now, because you might just “interesting” your way out of these playoffs.) A visit from Seattle is on deck.
11. Columbus Crew – Compelling evidence that things can change remarkably fast in MLS. The Cre two weeks ago: hot! The Crew now: not. … Robert Warzycha’s team has lost three of four and no longer control their place playoff fate. Now they’ll need losses from Houston or D.C. United to sneak in.
