MLS Power Rankings: Week 1
April 2nd, 2008 . 8:39 am . By: Parrish GloverSo I ranked a team sixth in the league and then watched them give up 4 goals. I put United ahead of the Wizards, I put the Dynamo ahead of the Revolution. Obviously, the only appropriate response is to panic. … or perhaps not. I’m not going to say that one week means nothing, but certainly it doesn’t mean everything. I’ve been a firm believer of the theory that home field advantage in MLS is substantial and I think the results over the weekend bore that out. That being said, the rankings are meant to indicate the relative strength of the teams going forward for the course of the season. Houston is still ranked above New England. The Galaxy is still ranked above the Rapids. Based on each team’s potential and what little we’ve seen so far I guess the most surprising element of the season openers is that the best prepared teams coming out of the pre-season (D.C. United, Houston Dynamo, Los Angeles Galaxy) got stomped by an aggregate of nine goals to zip. Well done, lads. Once we get a few games under our belt, the rankings will shift over to a more quantitative methodology. There are two problems with the system at the moment, though. First, the sample size is far too small. Second, I haven’t created the formula yet. Kevin had his method, and I will take some of his ideas into account, but these are my rankings now, and I want to make sure that it represents my approach to the game.
I told you to keep an eye on Blanco, and his last minute theatrics were the only highlight of a dreadful match-up in Utah. The hustle that he brings to the game is likely to mean that we have not seen his last stoppage-time game changer this season. I also mentioned that Claudio Lopez would be an exciting talent and that the KC stadium would be an embarrassment. I consider my self to have proven correct on both counts. On the back end, Kenny Cooper’s insistence to wander wide likely cost the hoops a second goal. The most shocking fact of the pathetic performance the Galaxy put on was that despite two rookies on the other side of the field, Colorado was getting good play by targeting Abel Xavier. Chris Klein should be back there at all, he certainly can’t be back there all by himself. The change at the top has less to do with Chivas salvaging a point on the road than it does with Pat Onstad racking up a pair of assists at the Razor. Columbus slides down the rankings one spot despite a strong performance against TFC. However, the Crew simply took care of business against a weak Reds team and I was far more impressed with what I saw from Denver. 13 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
“First, the sample size is far too small. Second, I haven’t created the formula yet. Kevin had his method, and I will take some of his ideas into account, but these are my rankings now, and I want to make sure that it represents my approach to the game.”
Blasphemer!
Seriously, I’m looking forward to seeing the improvements you come up with.
Wait 5-10 games before trying this because right now it’s just rediculous. Teams are getting killed and moving up and that’s crazy….just wait awhile, take a break.
Parrish Glover. Funny.
“The Galaxy is still ranked above the Rapids.”
Since when is a ranking of 10 higher than a ranking of 8??
I’ll enjoy watching LA continue to drop!
Why is RSL ranked 3rd to last while Chicago is 3rd? I saw the game and they were even most of the match–I would even say RSL had more possesion and controlled the game.
WOW! Parrish, what the hell are you on?!
You sure you watched any of the games?
Oops on my part about the Gals above the Rapids. Note to self: Don’t try to write while talking on the phone, no matter how cute the caller is.
Finishing that paragraph, it should read something along the lines of “Based on each team’s potential and what little we’ve seen so far, the rankings are intended to indicate which side will be more successful in the long run or perhaps which team would be more likely to win at a neutral site.”
Parrish….
Stern, stern but fair.
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“I also mentioned that Claudio Lopez would be an exciting talent and that the KC stadium would be an embarrassment. I consider my self to have proven correct on both counts.”
One out of two in my opinion. The atmosphere at the little ballpark was exponentially better than that of any game ever at Arrowhead. And the field itself, while narrow, looked great.
Parrish’s Power Rankings (-2)
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