DeRosario continues to perform
After a poor start to the season, Toronto finally look like they are a side that can challenge for silverware.
Preki has already begun to make his mark on this team but it is the form of MLS veteran Dwayne DeRosario that has them ready to compete with the Crew in the Eastern Conference. DeRosario was a superb servant to Houston/San Jose so it was a little bit surprising that Dominic Kinnear allowed him to move on, but Houston’s loss has been Toronto’s gain.
DeRo has been finding the net on a regular basis, but it is his ability to make his teammates around him better that makes him such a valuable commodity to any team. Chad Barrett has flattered to deceive in his MLS career but, if he can stay injury free, he will benefit from playing alongside such a creative player like DeRosario.
Many people believe that DeRosario’s best days were behind him, but the 32-year old is showing that he still has plenty to offer at the top level. I wonder if Houston now regrets their decision to let the Canadian international to move on?
Ricketts playing his part for L.A.
Donovan Ricketts has begun the season in superb form and has played a huge part in the Galaxy’s near perfect start to the season.
Los Angeles have conceded only twice in their 11 games and the Jamaican international’s massive presence and communication with his back four has been the reason why.
When Bruce Arena took over at the Galaxy, he made finding a top goalkeeper a priority and Ricketts has lived up to his billing with a string of superb performances. Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan have rightfully taken most of the plaudits for the Galaxy’s unbeaten run, but the form of Ricketts and the back four in front of him has been just as important.
Josh Saunders has performed well when he has been called upon but Ricketts is undoubtedly L.A.’s number one and, if the Galaxy are crowned regular season champions, the big Jamaican will have been one of the main reasons why.
Academy system starting to produce
Tristan Bowen’s elevation to the Galaxy first team over recent weeks has given their World Cup hit squad a timely boost.
Bowen is one of a handful of MLS academy products that has begun to make their mark in the professional game. Many people were skeptical of the construction of an academy system with questions marks raised over whether the financial outlay would be worth it considering that the clubs would lose ties with any players who moved on to the college game.
It is an argument that has plenty of validity but the academy system is helping to raise the level of the youth game in this country by bringing all the best players together and creating a much higher level of competition.
The higher level of play is better for the U.S. game and the national team will begin to reap the rewards of these academies by the time the next World Cup comes around. Club soccer is essentially a moneymaking business that does not always test or get the best out of the top players in each team, but the academy system does and that can only be good news for U.S. soccer and MLS.
Price of World Cup glory
It is hard to put a dollar value on what a World Cup win would mean for this country but the U.S. players have managed to negotiate a handsome deal that would see each player reportedly paid just over $900,000 each if they lifted the trophy.
The deal was negotiated for the players by lawyer Mark Levinstein and is the highest negotiated payout for a team to win the World Cup.
In comparison, the Brazilian side is expected to get roughly $440,000 per man, while the Spanish side are expected to pocket $732,000 per man for a World Cup win.
It is highly improbable that the U.S. will go all the way in South Africa but they will still make out well financially from the tournament regardless of how they do.
Three straight losses in the group stages will earn each player roughly $80,000 for their troubles but let’s hope that is not the figure the players eventually come home with.
Now on to the MLS Power Rankings ...
1. Los Angeles Galaxy: The Galaxy cemented their position at the top of the rankings with a superb victory at Columbus.
2. Real Salt Lake: RSL look to have returned to top form with player of the month Alvoro Soborio leading the way.
3. Toronto FC: If Toronto continues to play like they did at San Jose they can challenge Columbus for top spot in the east.
4. Columbus Crew: The Crew blew a big chance to make up ground on an underhanded Galaxy last weekend despite playing well for large periods of the game.
5. Colorado Rapids: Conor Casey finally scored from open play as the Rapids picked up a massive win over Western Conference rivals Seattle.
6. San Jose Earthquakes: San Jose’s unbeaten run came to an end with a flat performance against Toronto last weekend.
7. Houston Dynamo: The Dynamo became the first side to lose at home to the Union as their inconsistent start to the season continues to derail their playoff push. Wednesday's loss in New York didn't help matters.
8. New York Red Bulls: The Red Bulls form has dipped over recent weeks as the lack of depth in this squad is starting to be exposed, however they got a boost with a big win over Houston on Wednesday.
9. New England Revolution: The Revs win over the Red Bulls came at a cost with Preston Burpo picking up a serious injury that now rules him out for the rest of the season.
10. FC Dallas: Dallas took the lead but in the end they were lucky to escape with a point from their trip to Chicago last Thursday.
11. Chicago Fire: The Fire played some good football but their lack of a killer instinct in front of goal meant they had to settle for a point in what is becoming a frustrating run of form for the Fire.
12. Seattle Sounders: The Sounders loss to Colorado means a side that was supposed to contend for the conference crown is now a massive 17 points off top spot in the west.
13. Philadelphia Union: The Union finally showed some life on the road and in the end fully deserved their hard-fought win at Houston.
14. D.C. United: D.C. built on the momentum they gained from their midweek victory over AC Milan by beating Chivas for their second MLS win of the season.
15. Chivas USA: Chivas USA fell to another crushing late loss at D.C. as Martin Vasquez’ latest tactical reshuffle failed to lead his team out of their slump.
16. Kansas City Wizards: K.C.’s form over the last few weeks has been so bad that even D.C. can claim to be better than the woeful Wizards.
Keith Costigan covers MLS and U.S. Soccer for FoxSoccer.com.
