MLS teams performing well in CONCACAF Champions League
This week's CONCACAF Champions League action was a good one for MLS clubs, highlighted by Toronto’s superb home win over Cruz Azul.
The competition may have it’s critics -- some from within the league -- but it does present MLS clubs the chance to battle against some of the top sides in this region and positive results can only enhance the reputation of the league in other countries.
This then makes MLS a much more attractive option for some of the talented players that the CONCACAF region has to offer, and this will also help increase the level of talent on display in the U.S. top flight.
It also helps expose talented coaches like Jason Kreis and Robert Warzycha to different styles of play than they are used to seeing in MLS. This will help them become more rounded tactically, something they can then pass on to their players.
The competition is covered on FSC and exposure is sure to increase over the next few years and it is important that MLS teams continue to give their all and challenge for international honors. L.A. Galaxy players take note.
Geovanni signing is a gamble for San Jose
With just 21 goals in 18 games, the San Jose Earthquakes front office knew it needed to bolster its attack and that is what it is trying to do with the acquisition of talented playmaker Geovanni.
The Brazilian isn’t as big a DP as the likes of Thierry Henry, Rafael Marquez or Freddie Ljungberg, but he does have a history of playing in some of the top leagues in European football.
The 30-year old has lined up for Barcelona, Benfica, Manchester City and Hull City to name a few, but a suspect workrate has always stopped him from truly fulfilling his potential at any of the clubs where he has played.
San Jose GM John Doyle addressed this issue by stating that the Earthquakes were “not depending on Geovanni to defend.”
Geovanni will instead be given the task to get the best out of a shot-shy attack with his ability to open up a game, but if he hangs around the periphery of the game like he regularly did during his time at Hull, then he will struggle to make an impact in MLS.
Javier Morales is one of the best in MLS
RSL picked up one of their biggest wins of the season against the Crew last weekend largely down to the superb attacking play of Javier Morales.
Since assisting on a goal 40 seconds into his debut in 2007, the Argentinean has been a creative force and is one of the main reasons why RSL have become one of the best sides in the MLS.
Morales' first full season in the league may be his most spectacular statistically, but I believe he has become a much more complete player over the last 18 months and his consistency this season has helped RSL shed the tag of one of the league’s most inconsistent teams.
It seems that most foreigners arrive in MLS with their best years behind them, but that is not the case with Morales and that is why the RSL front office was delighted to tie him down to a long-term contract.
Jason Kreis and his side have already proved that last year's MLS Cup triumph was no fluke and, if Morales can steer clear of injuries, there will be much more silverware heading to Utah over the next few seasons.
New England and Houston not the game it once was
Just a few seasons ago the New England Revolution and the Houston Dynamo were the two top teams in MLS, but the fact that their last meeting this weekend was a battle of two teams outside the playoff picture shows just how far they have fallen.
While the Revs and Houston have failed to adequately replace the stars they lost, the rest of MLS has gotten stronger and now two of the traditional powerhouses of American soccer face a struggle to become competitive again.
The Revs may be in a slightly better position with some good young talent in their squad, but some of the sub-par additions they have made to their team over the last two years means they are still a long way off competing at the top end of the Eastern Conference again.
Houston’s squad has aged dramatically and they have also been cursed by some bad moves in the transfer market that leaves Dominic Kinnear lacking the quality needed to challenge the likes of Los Angeles and RSL in the west.
The one positive note for both sides is that they both possess a top quality coach, but I’m not sure even Dominic Kinnear and Steve Nicol have what it takes to return these fallen giants to their former glory.
On to this week's MLS Power Rankings ...
1. Real Salt Lake: Javier Morales is one of the most creative forces in MLS and he showed all his class in the victory over Columbus.
2. Los Angeles Galaxy: With most of their rivals still involved in the CCL, the Galaxy have to be the favorites to win the regular season crown.
3. Columbus Crew: The Crew missed Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gaven and are a better side than their performance against RSL showed.
4. FC Dallas: In any other season Dallas would be number one in the rankings but as good as they are, they are still a step below the top three teams in MLS.
5. Seattle Sounders: The Sounders continued their strong defensive play with their third consecutive clean sheet and are now unbeaten in six in MLS play.
6. New York Red Bulls: Four goals in seven matches is not what you would expect from a side that contains some of the best attacking players in MLS.
7. Chicago Fire: The Fire showed they are not just about signing DP’s to strengthen their squad as they added academy product Victor Pineda to their squad.
8. Colorado Rapids: The return of Conor Casey is a boost to a squad that has only won once since the World Cup break.
9. San Jose Earthquakes: The Earthquakes will be hoping that the addition of Geovanni will help solve some of their woes in front of goal.
10. Toronto FC: Toronto has started group play in the CCL well but their away form in MLS continues to puzzle Preki and his coaching staff.
11. Chivas USA: Does Martin Vasquez really believe a forward line of Justin Braun and Alan Gordon can help his side get back into the playoff mix?
12. New England Revolution: The Revs have not been at their best this season but their victory over the Dynamo means they are now only five points out of third place in the Eastern Conference.
13. Kansas City Wizards: Kansas City’s playoff chances are thinner after a tough loss at San Jose last weekend.
14. Philadelphia Union: Danny Mwanga may very well be one of the most natural finishers in MLS.
15. Houston Dynamo: The Dynamo are in freefall and don’t stand a chance of making the postseason after a miserable run of form.
16. D.C. United: Three wins from 20 MLS games sums up just how bad this United squad has become.
Keith Costigan is a writer for FoxSoccer.com covering Major League Soccer.
