MLS Power Rankings Week 19.5

New England let one of the worst teams in the league, coming off a game at altitude, on three days rest, sneak out with a point. Worse, the Revolution were shut out at home. Brad Freidel was apparently not happy with the lethargic home showing. He opened his press conference asking if anyone was still awake after the bland 0-0 draw.

Real Salt Lake is proving they will be a tough playoff draw. After crushing early season losses, Mike Petke’s squad has pulled together and earned two wins against top tier western conference rivals this week. Beckerman and Kreilach finally played a game on the same page. Real Salt Lake were able to control 61% of possession and completed over 200 more passes than FC Dallas.

Senderos has aged since his days at Arsenal, but his set piece brilliance is more wine than vinegar. Alberth Elis added a third in extra time against Minnesota, but Houston really could have scored twice as many goals. Elis and Quito had acres of space to exploit yet failed to convert. The heat was a factor, as the Dynamo kept possession instead of breaking out in sprints. Houston was not called for offsides once.  Houston took 23 shots with ten on target, and passed up a handful of good chances. In order to be a playoff threat, the Dynamo will need to be more clinical in front of goal and more efficient on the break.