SBNation launches MLS Power Rankings

by Dave Clark on Mar 30, 2010 7:44 PM PDT in Sounders: MLS Regular Season

Here at SBN we decided to do our power rankings a little different. First, we got this network thing going on so we could take advantage of that. So we have the MLS bloggers, Steve Davis and Richard Farley all participating at this point. We've also invited our brethren EPL blogs to join in if they feel they follow the league enough.

Secondly, I suggested that we just put the teams into tiers, or groupings, rather than direct ranking. Writers were just asked to group the clubs as "Cup Contenders," "Likely Playoff Clubs," "Teams on Outside Looking In," and "Should be Relegated." Which in reality is a team that will compete for the #3 draft pick next year. It was thought, that this would be quicker for all of us, but also what's the difference between the third and fourth club? or the seventh and eighth?

This will sit on our sidebars, or within posts. Below is the first week's effort, and there was some serious debate on one club in particular - Kansas City. They were in the top 3 tiers, and their victim last week just got buried. Each team with an SBN blog will link you to that blog.

SBNhanced MLS Power Rankings!

Team	Total vote count	First Tier votes	Last week's rank
Tier 1 - Teams Contending For Cups
Columbus Crew	18	6	-
Real Salt Lake	18	6	-
Seattle Sounders	18	6	-
LA Galaxy	14	2	-
Tier 2 - Teams Likely in the Playoffs
Colorado Rapids	14	2	-
KC Wizards	13	2	-
Houston Dynamo	11	0	-
NY Red Bulls	10	0	-
Tier 3 - Teams On the Outside Looking In
FC Dallas	7	0	-
Chicago Fire	7	0	-
NE Revolution	6	0	-
Toronto FC	4	0	-
Tier 4 - Teams That Should Be Relegated
Chivas USA	3	0	-
DC United	1	0	-
Philadelphia Union	0	0	-
SJ Earthquakes	0	0	-

The SBNhanced MLS Power Rankings are a collaborative effort by SBN's soccer bloggers to rank the MLS teams each week.

What do you think of the overall rankings?

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Comments

Methinks Chivas got burned

Really? They couldn’t even make your tier 2? Yet NE & Toronto did?

Glad it is just the first week.

by magistermilitum on Mar 30, 2010 8:02 PM PDT reply actions

Not really

New England and Toronto lost at home to top tier teams, Chivas lost at home to a tier 2 team. Burned, nope but if they can beat LA on Thursday night they will move up quickly.

by denz on Mar 30, 2010 8:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I love the idea of the tiers.

Because really, there’s no difference between the #3 and the #4 teams. I like that we can see the vote counts too.

Now with more lemon bars!

by Fear on Mar 30, 2010 9:29 PM PDT reply actions

Can you explain the scoring system?

Is it 3-2-1-0 by tier? 6 voters in this round?

by bauckus on Mar 30, 2010 9:56 PM PDT reply actions

I could explain the scoring

but you just did it.

I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Mar 31, 2010 6:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks.

by bauckus on Mar 31, 2010 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions

i love this.

nice work SBnation. i knew there was a reason i come here for my sports blog needs.

by JDubs on Mar 30, 2010 11:29 PM PDT reply actions

I like it

The tiers are a very good idea. In a league where 10 points seperate two non-playoff teams and the best regular season record, catagories/levels make a lot of sense.

Quit naming the fourth tier “Should be Relegated” !
This is America, we don’t do stupid stuff like that. Philly and Chivas both being very good examples of why not ( not to mention our own Seahawks, who just sold out QWest again this year ).
Maybe read the ESPN Sports Guy and come up with some creative names for the levels.

I think Chivas is much better than that. I think the Red Bulls are everyones darlings until this weekend. Maybe they are counting on Henry already ?

by Charles J on Mar 31, 2010 7:59 AM PDT reply actions