As we all know, opinions are like ... noses. Everyone's got one. So, even though nobody asked me, this week's First XI is all opinion, all the time. Love it or hate it, here it is:
11. The Hoops are the surprise team of the year. If you had told me Carlos Ruiz would have three goals to this point in the season, I'd have told you that FC Dallas would be dead and buried in the West. Of course, I did not have any clue at the beginning of the season who Juan Toja was. For me, FCD is the surprise team of the year. How's it possible that a team that won the West a year ago and came up just three points shy of the Supporters' Shield could be my surprise team? I just didn't see anything big in the offseason that would elevate them. Shows how much I know. And shows how much a playoff disappointment like their ouster to Colorado can do to to alter a small-minded person's opinion. Good job, FCD.
10. The Galaxy save their season Sunday. Honestly, how Toronto FC did not win that game is beyond me, and I think that point for L.A., for the Galaxy's psyche more than anything, keeps them alive as they head into the home stretch. However, if L.A. is to get itself back in the playoff race, it has got to do a better job of getting Landon Donovan the ball. Sunday, he got way too few touches on the ball. Oh yeah, and I don't know about the rest of you, but I can't get enough of the Beckham Cam.
9. The week off could not have come at a better time for the Red Bulls. The rest Claudio Reyna got alone this past will help rejuvenate the Red Bulls, who have scored but three goals in their last six games. The Red Bulls have had their chances, but need to find their confidence around the net. For me, the key man down the stretch in N.Y. is Jozy Altidore. I know that's a lot of weight to throw on the shoulders of a kid, but if Altidore doesn't start scoring some goals soon, I think RBNY struggles to qualify for postseason.
8. The Crew will make the playoffs. With just one loss in their last seven games, I like the resolve of Sigi Schmid's Crew, and I love their chances to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Getting through August in good shape is critical for the Crew, as they face a tough three-game swing (at FCD, home to D.C., at Houston) to wrap up the month. In September, they have three very winnable home games that loom as must-points for Columbus. It would be good to see a playoff match back at Crew Stadium.
7. Watch out for D.C. United. Yes, this is very reactionary after their 3-0 road waxing of the Revolution last week, but it seems D.C. United is poised to make a big run at the East title and a fifth MLS Cup. With their last three league games all at RFK, I think D.C. will be the team on the best roll come playoff time. The only big question in my mind is whether all the SuperLiga action will wear them down.
6. It's Luciano Emilio's Golden Boot to lose. D.C. United has 15 games left while K.C.'s got only 13, which is why I think the race for the Budweiser Golden Boot heavily favors Emilio ahead of Eddie Johnson. The only other player I could see making a run at this thing is Taylor Twellman, who's lurking with eight goals and has yet to explode. As for Juan Pablo Angel's chances, I don't see the Red Bulls as capable of serving him enough chances, though JPA's proven to be the league's most efficient striker.
5. Getting back to L.A. At D.C. on Thursday night. At New England Sunday. Need we say more? As Yogi Berra used to say, "It's getting late early." The Galaxy's schedule is backloaded with home games, and if Becks is fit to play, those should be big home crowds to cheer the Galaxy on. But, man, they've got to get some points soon.
4. Real Salt Lake is up against it too. Not to throw cold water on RSL after they got their second victory of the season, but they'd better pick up another three points this weekend because five of their next six games are on the road. It might be time for Jason Kreis to start looking toward next year, if he hasn't already.
3. The Ante Razov-Jamie Moreno race could get interesting. The race to be the all-time leading MLS goal scorer could get very interesting, not just this season, but next. Razov trails Moreno by four, 104-108, but which player has more left in his tank? Moreno's penalties the last couple of seasons have greatly helped his overall numbers while I can't remember Razov taking a PK since he missed one in the 2003 MLS Cup. Both are slowing down a bit, but whoever ends up on the top of the heap could be there a while as Jeff Cunningham (96 goals) is the only one in the same area code.
2. Toronto fans rock. I was in Toronto this past weekend, but sadly had to spend my work hours at Rogers Centre and not BMO Field. Still, just being in the city for a couple of days it was apparent that TFC has made its mark on the city's sporting landscape. From conversations with taxi drivers to banners strewn about the city to coverage in the daily newspapers and nightly television, TFC is a big deal. Now that I've seen what the game can be north of the border, I say, "Bring on Montreal and Vancouver!"
1. Just for fun. OK, I'm going to give every team with fewer than the league-high 20 games played three points for every game in hand. And here are the point totals, just to illustrate how tight the MLS standings are. Dallas 36, Chivas USA 36, New England 36, D.C. United 36, Los Angeles 35, Houston 34, New York 33, Kansas City 32, Columbus 29, Chicago 26, Toronto 23, Colorado 21, Salt Lake 21. And down the stretch they come!
Jeff Bradley is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. Send your comments and complaints (200 words or less, please) to Jeff at jbradleyespn2003@yahoo.com and he promises to read (but not respond to) all of them. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of Major League Soccer or MLSnet.com.
