The World Cup is over for the Americans, and several stars in MLS have returned to their clubs. VAVEL USA has you covered with all Major League Soccer coverage, as the season is in full swing, and the playoff chase is on. We hope you enjoy our crew as we take a microscope to the league!
Can Chivas USA Steal A Playoff Spot?
Steve Graff: Anything can happen in MLS, especially with (most of) the wage bills being relatively even. One thing Chivas USA has is the ability to consistently threaten on goal. (Admittedly, I have not seen a lot of Chivas USA's matches.) They would conceivably have to pip a Vancouver Whitecaps side that seems to have gotten the memo on needing attacking players (but struggle in the central midfield), a Portland Timbers side that looks and attacks very differently from the Akron teams Caleb Porter once coached. LA Galaxy is a bit of a wild card as well. While the focus has been on the expensive Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, teams now have a license to attack the Galaxy defense in wide areas thanks to losing the fleet-footed Sean Franklin in the Re-Entry draft. They have seem a little less threatening in attack thanks to the loss of attacking midfielder/winger Jose Villarreal, who was sold to Cruz Azul before the 2014 campaign. It's allowed defenders to be able to focus on Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, and Gyasi Zardes. It also makes one wonder why the Galaxy remain unwilling to give teenage starlet Haji Wright any minutes with the first team. But there are still many games to go, and the MLS transfer window opens this week? (Checks calendar.) There is no predicting what the squads of many of Chivas USA's rivals could look like once the various transfer windows around the world close (USA included). But regardless, as long as Carlos Alvarez, 'Cubo' Torres, Mauro Rosales, and company keep playing costlessly and getting results, there is no way the Goats don't make the playoffs.
Stockton Mair: I personally think Chivas does have a chance at grabbing a playoff spot this year, but only if Cubo Torres stays hot. He has been their offense the last two games, and has to continue if they have any chance to make the playoffs. Their defense needs to stay tough for this to happen. They only have had two or three shutouts this season, and most of them have happened recently.
Sean Sullivan: Chivas will be Chivas and miss the playoffs, as the West is such a strong conference with teams such as Seattle, Portland, Real and LA Galaxy. If one team from LA will sneak into the playoffs it will be Galaxy. Last meeting between the LA times drew, and I think the next SuperClasico, Galaxy will finish off Chivas.
Bryan Kvitek: Surging is a bit of a strong word here in my opinion. Yes they have won three games in a row, but those games were to two last place teams and a team that was missing its three best players. They are still in second to last place in the Western Conference and have a -9 goal differential. Chivas will level out and become who we all know they are in short time.
Matthew Evans: Chivas USA has been in the news all season for the wrong reasons. It has been the ownership situations and dwindling attendances that have dropped to unsustainable levels. The club has recently found a good run of form taking 10 points from their last four matches; a big reason for that being the return of both Carlos Bocanegra and Bobby Burling to help solidify that defense which has allowed only one goal in those four matches, At this point, I think that anything is possible in the Western Conference given the small point difference between second and eighth. The next three matches will speak volumes for them as they will finish the month of July on the road at Vancouver Whitecaps, DC United and Colorado Rapids. If they are able to get at least 5 points from this trip, I could see them with the confidence to make a late push to the playoffs.
Greg Moss: How can I put this lightly? No. Simply put, no. Maybe if Chivas existed in the Eastern Conference, I might change my tune. But they don’t. The West is too competitive and too good. A win against Real Salt Lake came at the expense of the absence of several players, Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando, who were still in Brazil for the World Cup, and the match came at a fortunate time for the Goats. I don’t think you can claim that wins against San Jose and Montreal mean that Chivas will make a run at a playoff spot. They still have to contend with the likes of Seattle, Colorado, and Dallas. It’s unrealistic to say that Chivas can manage to find themselves in the top five. Congratulations, you’ve recently beat the two worst teams in each conference, and pulled together a win against a team missing several key players. Last season, Chivas was on the top of the table for weeks, but found themselves in the basement when playoff time presented itself, the same will happen this season.
Baxter Colburn: Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Chivas USA has won a few matches recently….good for them, but that doesn't make them a playoff contender. Erik Torres is playing exceptionally well, but he is not good enough by himself to carry the team into the playoffs. Mauro Rosales and Dan Kennedy need to wake up and help the team as well. Kennedy is playing well, but he still can do much better.
Blayne Riffle: Absolutely. I'm wasn't shy about picking Chivas to finish 3rd in the Western Confernce this season. It may be a long shot at this point, but a playoff spot is definitely not out of the question. Chivas may have been the joke in the league the last few seasons, but they retooled this off-season and are primed for a run. Finishing this weekend on a three game winning streak leaves them 5 points shy of the 5th spot. The spine of Kennedy, Bocanegra, Rosales, and Torres is formidable to say the least. Erick Torres was also my preseason favorite for the Golden boot and he is living up to the hype. This kid is a good for a goal at any time and has scored the game winner in the last two games, both of which should be candidates for Goal of the Year at season's end. The success or failure of a playoff run will hinge on two key factors; finding a scorer to assist Torres and preventing the red cards which have plagued them. Chivas currently sits 17th out of 19 teams on the goals force list and 2nd in Red Cards received. A few more goals and a few less mistakes in LA and Chivas could see their way into a playoff spot.
Patrick Chaves: To be honest, while Chivas has stepped their game up as of late, they continue to win 1-0. Every match Cubo Torres gets a couple chances on goal, and lately he has been able to find the back of the net. But, you have to congratulate the Chivas USA defense as well for being able to keep the shutouts. However, this won't last. Chivas fans will have to wait for the rebrand unfortunately, but I am happy that they have something to cheer for at this moment.
What Is Your Analysis Of New England's Recent Decline?
Graff: It still surprises me that New England could hit a rough patch for this long. After all, with the likes of Kevin Alston, Chris Tierney, Kelyn Rowe, Lee Nguyen, Andrew Farrell, and of course Diego Fagundez, I thought the Revs would not struggle as much at times as they have. But letting Juan Agudelo go to Europe on a costless has exposed Diego Fagundez in a way the 18-year-old had not been before. He might be crafty at times, but he might not be as strong as the 21-year-old USA international, and might not possess as many tricks. He still has one of MLS's best young playmakers in Kelyn Rowe helping to reward Fagundez for his off-the-ball movement. But Jay Heaps has also gone a lot more with the much more direct Jerry Bengston who was very much out of favor while Agudelo was on the squad.
This squad still has enough parts to rebound from this latest drop in form, but a reinvestment to shore up its depth, especially at forward, would especially help.
Mair: If the New England Revs continue on this decline, they will miss the playoffs. They had a great start to the season, but I don't know what happened to this once on fire team. They need to change their streak to make the playoffs.
Sullivan: New England is in a tough bind currently, losing a few matches and sliding down the standings. But this team is a good club and can bounce back and perform well in playoffs, but will they start winning soon? Well, they fell to the Union in the US Open Cup yesterday, and for league match they're playing Chicago this week. Hopefully the game vs. Chicago will give them a boost of confidence and get Revolution back on track and start performing like they did earlier in the season.
Kvitek: New England has come back to earth. With four straight losses (5 counting their loss last night to the Union in the US Open Cup) for the Revolution, they missed out on the chance to be right there in the conversation for best team in the league with Seattle. They have been beaten pretty easily in those four games as well. In the end does it mean a whole lot right now? No. At the half-way point of the regular season they are still in third in the East. There is a lot of season left and it is too early to tell what is going to come of this slump by the Revs.
Evans: This is a really difficult question to answer since I do not follow the Revolution very closely. It does seem though like there really should not be any reason that they are struggling when it comes to the lineups as they have been pretty consistent. They are getting plenty of shots on target, it just seems like they cannot find the back of the net. What is certain though is that they will need to figure out what the problem is and solve it quickly. They have 7 matches across all competitions between now and August 2nd.
Moss: New England was a surprise in the first place. They beat MLS best Seattle 5-0 back in May, but can’t manage to put together a win against Philadelphia? (To whom they’ve lost thrice). I find myself at odds with this team. If we place them in the West, they would be sitting in 6th and on the outside of the playoffs looking in. Every team in Major League Soccer goes through slumps, much like baseball and hockey. It’s a long season. Though I think that New England is showing their true colors. The Revs went 3-3-2 in their first eight games of league play, which is not a spectacular showing, especially in the East. It wasn’t until May that they decided they were going to play, only losing one match to Montreal. Outside of that month, they have been average at best. I believe their “decline” was inevitable, if we can truly call it a decline. Just because they had one strong month does not make them a strong team. If they are able to hold on to a playoff spot, they’ll be sitting 5th.
Colburn: The New England Revolution need to get their midfield and forwards back on the same page. Also, Bobby Shuttleworth needs to get back into the net for the Revs. Brad Knighton should not be starting, he is not playing well and Coach Jay Heaps needs to make the switch ASAP. Rookie forward, Patrick Mullins and Diego Fagundez both need to find their scoring touch after an incredible spring in MLS. Give it some time, the Revolution will certainly come around.
Riffle: New England is finally back to where they belong. This team played above itself for a good portion of the early season. Wins against Seattle and SKC highlight this stretch, but they aren't true a representation of this team. The young attacking core of Fagundez, Mullins, and Bunbury is always a threat, but they have scored just 10 goals combined. Lee Nguyen is the only other Rev to score more than a goal and leads the team with 5. The young guys aren't producing consistently enough to justify the hype that was given after such key wins. Given that 10 of their 21 goals came in back to back games, you realize that this is a team still finding itself, but deadly when clicking. The Revolution are holing the 3rd best points per game in the Eastern Conference and should be a lock for the playoffs. This is a team no one will want to face in the postseason as well. They have all the pieces of making a Cup run and can beat anyone in the league on any given day if they can get it all together.
Chaves: For the last 3 games before their 2-1 loss to one of the best teams in MLS, Real Salt Lake, New England lost by 2 goals. Now New England suffered a loss by one goal to a very good Real Salt Lake side, so that is not exactly a loss indicative of a team in a decline. Four losses in a row is bad, but Jay Heaps has built a solid New England side who is having their best season in recent years. If I'm a New England fan I am not too worried about this recent run of form, and I think it is coming to an end pretty soon.
Is Seattle Still The Best In The League?
Graff: Unless Seattle cannot replace DeAndre Yedlin (after he presumably moves to Europe), this corp of Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins, Djimi Traore. Gonzalo Pineda, and Lamar Neagle will not allow the Sounders to be taken out of the conversation of best team in the league. Building a team with the tight salary confines (even with three Designated Players on the side) is close to impossible without the manager and front office being able to identify good players, and develop a few of your own. Sigi Schmid, with his college coaching pedigree, German heritage, and decades of experience coaching in the USA has mastered the art of finding good players in a very convoluted (and very unfinished) development system. Bringing in longtime Chivas de Guadalajara playmaker Gonzalo Pineda along with Marco Pappa has provided an unpredictability in the Seattle attack that was not there last season. It has also helped that Clint Dempsey has consistently taken on and frustrated many MLS defenders this season. His league-leading goal tally shows the stats are finally rewarding what Deuce has done on the pitch. And all of that, as well as everything Yedlin has brought, has made Seattle the best in the league so far. But transfer windows are open around the world, and all of that might certainly change.
Mair: Seattle has done an amazing job without Clint Dempsey. I would say that if they can get past the loss to Vancouver, then they will continue to be the best team. If they start a losing streak, then they no longer have that title. It just depends on if they are on a winning streak, or a winless streak.
Sullivan: Never thought Seattle was the best. They might have one of the best young players in the game in Yedlin, but that's only lasting till the end of the season and with Dempsey sitting at 8 goals on the season, this team isn't the best in MLS. You want to know who is the best team in MLS? The defending champions Sporting KC. How this team competes in a small media market and draws a fan base is fantastic. But we really should ask how both teams will do after their best prospect or player is plucked off the team by bigger clubs in more established elite leagues.
Kvitek: Yes. Seattle is still the best team in the league. Even with the loss to the Whitecaps, one of the teams that Seattle vies against for the Cascadia Cup. A 1-0 to a rival, especially when Clint Dempsey and Deandre Yedlin were not available, is not a horrible result. Good? No. Horrible? No. Until a team gets within three points of Seattle, the Sounders will be the best team.
Evans: Yes, Seattle is still the best team in the league, there is no question about it. They traveled to Vancouver last week to face-off with a young Whitecaps squad full of skill and pace. Vancouver is not a bad team as they are currently in a playoff position. The Sounders were without starters Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins, DeAndre Yedlin, Djimi Traore, Osvaldo Alonso and Gonzalo Pineda as well as preferred reserves Andy Rose and Dylan Remick. Even without all of these key players, the Sounders held Vancouver to one goal, a world-class strike at that, all while still having a chance to equalize late. Seattle is 7 points clear in the Supporters' Shield standings all while getting stronger with the return of the absent players.
Moss: There’s no question in my mind, nor should that question swirl about in anyone’s mind. Seattle sits atop the Western Conference by a full seven points. That’s two wins a draw. We all know that anything can happen, but in this case, it’s like hoping a fishing boat could become an aircraft carrier. Seattle will take the number one spot in the West, and they will look from on high as those below them clamor for the number two spot. There’s too much talent on the Sounders squad, with Clint Dempsey, DeAndre Yedlin, Brad Evans, Kenny Cooper, and the list goes on. If they aren’t the Cup favorites at the midpoint in the season, I don’t know who is.
Colburn: No, one of the best, but not the best in the league. Now that DeAndre Yedlin and Clint Dempsey are coming back, things could certainly take an upward surge, but the midfield and goalkeeper positions are the biggest points of concern for the Sounders.
Riffle: It's hard not to call Seattle the best team in MLS right now. The World Cup break is over and players are returning and Seattle holds a 7pt lead over 2nd place RSL and DC United in the Supporter's Shield race. Dempsey and Martins look like the best strike duo in the league with 16 combined goals and Dempsey missing 7 of 15 games so far. This might just be the best team coach Sigi Schmid has fielded in Seattle and that says a lot from the 3 time USOC Champions. The only real challenges to this claim come from RSL and SKC. Both have had to overcome injuries and absences that have lead to points being dropped. RSL took a noticeable hit when both Beckerman and Rimando left with the USMNT for Brazil. Sporting has managed to scrape by, but they would be a lot closer to Seattle in the Shield Race if they hadn't had so much bad luck on the injury front. With the way it is playing out though, Seattle is the best team and would still be on top even if these two teams had not faced setbacks.
Chaves: Is Seattle the best team in the league statistically? Totally. But I have said it for years and I will say it again. Under Sigi Schmidt the Sounders alway feel like they are just missing SOMETHING. I can never put my finger on it, but you should never see a championship team lose 5-0. And this Seattle team lost 5-0 not that long ago in early May to the New England Revolution. So is Seattle very impressive this season? Yes. But I don't see them as the best team. In my eyes the Sounders aren't a championship team, so therefore I don't think they are the best team.
What Is Your Biggest Surprise Of The Season?
Graff: While many would say DC United, from the simple fact of the Black-and-Red going from bottom of MLS to first in the Eastern Conference, the team needed only a few additional cogs. It brought back Bobby Boswell, and added Sean Franklin and Jeff Parke (and briefly Christian) to add some much-needed pace and defensive IQ to a back line that often forced Hamid into more stops than he needed. It also brought in Eddie Johnson and Fabian Espindola to be its main strikers. But the possession-based framework from last season has yielded much better results (sprinkled with a few counter-attacking tactics). So that really is not a surprise to me, despite the records saying otherwise. The big surprise is how freakishly good Erik Palmer-Brown has been while Matt Besler has been away with the USA national team. From looking a few of his USA U-17 matches, I knew EPB had speed, good ball control, and good defensive instincts. I did not realize how good he would be. The 17-year-old has been rumored to be sold to three-time defending Scudetto winners Juventus since before this MLS season started. But it has been amazing to see how good EPB already is. He has recovered to win balls cleanly against the fastest and best forwards in MLS. His passing was off the charts. And he has already played two different central defensive positions for manager Peter Vermes--libero in a 5-3-2 / 3-5-2, and center back in a line of four.
Mair: I am surprised at how well RSL is doing. They have a new coach, who is using the same system, but is new to being a head coach. He has made plenty of mistakes, but he started out with no losses in the first 12 games. He tied an MLS record in his first season as a head coach. That isn't easy.
Sullivan: Bradley Wright-Phillips' career year! The man has 14 goals this season and is doing a great job as a finisher for the New York Red Bulls. The 29-year-old has only had two other seasons with more then 10 goals. The last season he did this was 2011-2012 with Charlton Athletic. I wonder if he will continue to be the finishing machine for Red Bulls New York.
Kvitek: This is going to sound like me being biased, but for me the biggest surprise has been the coaching of Pablo Mastroeni. Going into the season I was very critical of how the Colorado Rapids coaching search was going. When Oscar Pareja left the team in January and it was made clear that the Rapids were going to take their time looking for a new coach, I felt that the team would take a big step backward. Then when Colorado did not make their official coaching decision until the first week of the MLS regular season, I was even more hesitant. Mastroeni had no previous coaching experience and was going to instantly become the Head Coach. Mastroeni has silenced many of the nay-sayers with the improved defensive play and improved attacking style the Rapids have employed.
Evans: The biggest surprise for me this season has been the Houston Dynamo. Their defense has been just plain awful this season after the loss of Bobby Boswell. They brought in David Horst from Portland but it has not been the type of season that Dominic Kinnear would have hoped for. They are within striking distance of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference but have allowed a league-high 34 goals including 20 goals away from BBVA Compass Stadium. They have had 11 matches where they have allowed 2 or more goals.
Moss: I don’t know what’s the biggest surprise thus far. Whether it’s Colorado sitting in 3rd in the West, DC United on top of the table in the East, or lowly San Jose in dead last. It’s no surprise that the Galaxy are just outside of the playoffs, if the season were to end now. This is a typical stunt they do every season. But for me, the biggest surprise is how far the Portland Timbers have fallen. Yes, there’s still half a season remaining, but I don’t think anyone expected this talented team, who went into last year’s playoffs number one in the West, to be in the number seven slot. They’ve looked iffy at best, and extremely inconsistent. They’ve only won four matches and have more draws (9) than any other team in MLS outside of the Chicago Fire (10). Draws won’t get you anywhere. How to fall as far as they have is beyond me. It’s not an injury issue; it’s just poor play. I’d expect them to do better from here, but I can’t say with confidence that they will, looking as bad as they have.
Colburn: The massive decline of FC Dallas. After starting off the season on-fire, FCD cannot seem to buy a win or really any points of any sort. It really looks like the heat down south is getting to everyone at FCD.
Riffle: What happened to Montreal? Last season they looked capable of beating anyone on any day. Now they are bottom of the league and the only team in MLS not averaging a point per game. Marco DiVaio has scored only twice. This team is not scoring and is giving up goals. There isn't a whole lot to say about it. A team with so much potential and drive last season looks about as bad as it gets now. With the team they fielded last year and new head coach Frank Klopas, I expected much more from this Montreal side than I have seen. Even with the early season trade for young scorer Jack MacInerny, there has been little to highlight this season. Some might go on and on about how DC United has turned it around, but I really feel they greatly under performed last year and their USOC Championship showed us what they should have been doing. It comes as little surprise that United have turned it around after filling the two glaring holes they had last season. Fabian Espindola was the much needed scorer and Davy Arnaud provides a senior leadership away from the striker position that this team was desperately lacking. Seeing those two come in, I didn't expect less from this team.
Chaves: The biggest surprise this season is how poor the Portland Timbers have been. Anybody who lookes MLS knows they were one of the most dangerous teams all last season, and 100% earned 1st place in the Western Conference. But this season, the fortress that they had made Providence Park has just disappeared. They can't hold a lead, and have developed a habit of giving up early goals. Luckily, they are still in it because they have managed to salvage many draws, but they need to regain last season's form if they are going to make the playoffs. I, for one, think they will, but even seeing them in this position is a huge shock.
Which Match Are You Most Looking Forward To This Week(end)?
Graff: It's easy to forget that there is a ton of US Open Cup action going on this week, leading up into the MLS matches. I am most intrigued by the US Open Cup tie between the NASL teams and the MLS teams--because it allows the very differing league and team-building philosophies of the two leagues to face each other in open play, with a CONCACAF Champions League berth on the line down the road. Of those matches, I am really looking forward to Atlanta va Chicago Fire. Firebrand Atlanta manager and Fox Soccer pundit Eric Wynalda will be suspended for this match, but his team has been impressive at finding good players that may have otherwise been discarded. His team's attractive style of play will face off against arguably the most antiquated coach in MLS in Frank Yallop. Much of the Fire's success has relied on Santos Laguna loanee Benji Joya providing the creative impetus. Given that Joya was an unused sub in the Fire's match against Sporting Kansas City, it will be interesting to see if he plays. If Yallop cannot get his team past the (Atlanta) Silverbacks or get three points playing eye-catching fútbol against a struggling, but talented New England side, Yallop's days at Toyota Park could be numbered.
Mair: I am looking forward to the RSL vs. LA Galaxy game. This one is always an interesting match up. Landon Donovan vs. Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando. I can't wait to find out the result of this match on Saturday.
Sullivan: Of course Portland - Sounders match, they're always good games. If Portland can steal a win this week against MLS leading Sounders, they're right back in the playoff hunt.
Kvitek: Seattle v Portland. Seattle and Portland play each other in Seattle twice this week. One is an Open Cup matchup and then Sunday it is back to MLS action. These matchups are always fun to look because the atmosphere is infectious. Even looking at home you cannot help but start rooting for a side. Plus this is a big game for Portland. They are currently in 7th in the West, 14 points behind Seattle. If Portland can beat Seattle the rest of the Western Conference would be happy and Portland might be able to jump up closer to a playoff position.
Evans: I am looking forward to the big Cascadia Cup clash between the Seattle Sounders FC and Portland Timbers. There will be many storylines going into the match as they two clubs will meet Wednesday night in the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. As mentioned earlier, the Sounders have a 7-point cushion in the race for the Supporters' Shield and they will be looking to keep the lead as big as possible. Portland, meanwhile, in trying to claw their way into the playoff picture. Factor in the full stadium at CenturyLink Field and it is sure to be the best match of the weekend.
Moss: I would say the Portland-Seattle matchup. The Cascadia Cup always draws a huge crowd, and boasts a high profile, exciting match. But with Portland’s disappointing performance, I don’t think it will be much of an outing. Or outings, since they play twice in a matter of days. And it doesn’t hold much for standing changes, even if Portland pulls off one win. For me, the matchup of choice is Real Salt Lake and the Los Angeles Galaxy. With such a tight race in the West, and both teams have their players back from international play; it will be one to look. This is around the time that LA normally begins to turn on the turbo, and RSL is clinging to the second place spot, both teams need a win to get the second half of the season going. Both teams will be back at full strength in this much anticipated matchup. And I personally look forward to seeing how it ends, and what the standings look like on Monday.
Colburn: New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire. A bitter rivalry that always makes for a great game to look. Not much to say from me, as my partner Blayne Riffle explains why so well below.
Riffle: New England vs. Chicago and this is a close call. We have the bitter Cascadia rivalry on Sunday night with Seattle hosting Portland, but for me, the match-up I really want to see is Eastern Conference rivals Chicago at New England. The Cascadia rivalry is always a good one, but since it is in Seattle, I see them handling this game fairly easily with Dempsey making his first appearance since Brazil. That leaves the Eastern Conference match-up between two teams desperate for a win. Chicago needs to start winning to stay in the playoff race. They will be disappointed in letting 2 points slip away in Kansas City where they had the better chances early in the game and should have put it away then. Magee missed two excellent chances and converted the other. The Revolution need to snap the 4 game losing streak here. While NE should still have their eyes on the top spot in the East, another loss could drop them to the 5th and final playoff spot. In a race as tight as the Eastern Conference, this game could make or break either teams season. Both teams should be pushing for a result. I see things heating up in Boston this weekend.
Chaves: What can I say, I like to be different. I am most looking forward to the New York Red Bulls vs Columbus Crew. While many people may look to Cascadia, that is a match where the best in the West is playing their rivals who have been mediocre as of late. In the East the Columbus Crew have been much better than their past years, and the Red Bulls are a team you always expect to make the playoffs. Yet neither of them are in any good position in the East! The Red Bulls host the dreaded 5th and final Wildcard spot, while Columbus comes in right after them not in a playoff spot at 6th. These are two teams who need to start picking their game up NOW or neither of them will make the playoffs. This weekend's game between the two will tell a lot about who has the best shot of squeezing into the playoffs this
season.