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	<title>WVHooligan.com - MLS Blog &#187; 2009 Week 20</title>
	<atom:link href="http://wvhooligan.com/tag/2009-week-20/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://wvhooligan.com</link>
	<description>A look at Major League Soccer (MLS) through the eyes of a MLS writer and fan.</description>
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		<title>WVH Power Rankings: Week 20</title>
		<link>http://wvhooligan.com/2009/08/04/4376/wvh-power-rankings-week-20/</link>
		<comments>http://wvhooligan.com/2009/08/04/4376/wvh-power-rankings-week-20/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:30:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Drew Epperley</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Chicago Fire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chivas USA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Colorado Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Columbus Crew]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DC United]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FC Dallas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Houston Dynamo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LA Galaxy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New England Revolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York Red Bulls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Power Rankings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Salt Lake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[San Jose Earthquakes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Seattle Sounders FC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sporting KC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toronto FC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2009 Week 20]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLS Power Rankings]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wvhooligan.com/?p=4376</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Nearly at the two-thirds mark of the season. Some clubs have already hit the 20-game mark on the season while most are getting close. Week 20 was an interesting one to say the least in Major League Soccer, it was one where the clubs near the bottom decided to step up for a day and<a href="http://wvhooligan.com/2009/08/04/4376/wvh-power-rankings-week-20/">…[continue reading]</a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Nearly at the two-thirds mark of the season. Some clubs have already hit the 20-game mark on the season while most are getting close. Week 20 was an interesting one to say the least in Major League Soccer, it was one where the clubs near the bottom decided to step up for a day and do some serious scoring.</p>
<p>After everything was settled there was a decent bit of moving this week. Had to bump Seattle and KC down for getting blown out in their games. In the process Dallas finally made it out of the bottom three for the first time in months.</p>
<p>Clubs at the top remained mostly the same. Columbus moved into the two spot after another impressive, yet gutty road win. They are just two points behind league-leader Houston.</p>
<p>Feel free to leave your thoughts below on this week&#8217;s rankings.</p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Rank (Last Week)</td>
<td>Record (W-L-T)</td>
<td>Comments</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/houston.gif" alt="" width="60" height="60" /></td>
<td>1 (1)</td>
<td>10-5-5 35 pts.</td>
<td>Getting Brian Ching and Stuart Holden was exactly what this club needed. But letting in a couple late goals makes me a bit worried.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/crew.gif" alt="" width="60" height="60" /></td>
<td>2 (3)</td>
<td>8-3-9 33 pts.</td>
<td>We know they started slow but the last ten matches the Crew have gotten 21 points points. That&#8217;s sold production there. Amazing that most of it is coming from guys like Jason Garey and Steven Lenhart.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/fire.gif" alt="" width="60" height="60" /></td>
<td>3 (4)</td>
<td>8-3-8 32 pts.</td>
<td>How well Patrick Nyarko goes will go a long way in how far this team will go this season. With no Brian McBride here Nyarko has to carry the offensive load.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/SeattleSoundersFC.gif" alt="" width="60" height="60" /></td>
<td>4 (2)</td>
<td>7-4-8 29 pts.</td>
<td>Their road issues are becoming bigger and bigger.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/dcu.gif" alt="" width="60" height="60" /></td>
<td>5 (5)</td>
<td>6-4-10 28 pts.</td>
<td>Heavy schedule may be to blame for the lack-luster first half in Houston. Against a weaker defense they probably would have pulled out at least a draw.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/LA.gif" alt="" width="60" height="60" /></td>
<td>6 (6)</td>
<td>6-3-10 28 pts.</td>
<td>Fun time watching the Barcelona game at the Rose Bowl.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/tfc.gif" alt="" /></td>
<td>7 (8)</td>
<td>7-7-6 27 pts.</td>
<td>Giving up the late goal on the road hurts but I believe they will take a draw in New England any day.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/chivasusa.gif" alt="" width="60" height="60" /></td>
<td>8 (9)</td>
<td>8-6-3 27 pts.</td>
<td>The weird layoff from action continues.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/ne.gif" alt="" /></td>
<td>9 (10)</td>
<td>6-5-6 24 pts.</td>
<td>With three games in hand the Revs look like they could make a run at things.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/rapids.gif" alt="" width="60" height="60" /></td>
<td>10 (7)</td>
<td>7-6-6 27 pts.</td>
<td>Still currently in playoff contention right now but its hard to climb up a tight conference like the West when you come up lame at home like that.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/rsl.gif" alt="" width="60" height="60" /></td>
<td>11 (11)</td>
<td>6-8-5 23 pts.</td>
<td>They held their own for a while in Chicago but the finish was the same, another road loss.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/fcd.gif" alt="" width="60" height="60" /></td>
<td>12 (13)</td>
<td>5-9-5 20 pts.</td>
<td>I think Jeff Cunningham was just waiting for Kenny Cooper to leave. A four goal game really makes you wonder where he&#8217;s been all season.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/kc.gif" alt="" width="60" height="60" /></td>
<td>13 (12)</td>
<td>5-7-6 21 pts.</td>
<td>With Curt Onalfo out, where does this club go now?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/SJ.gif" alt="" width="60" height="60" /></td>
<td>14 (14)</td>
<td>4-10-5 17 pts.</td>
<td>Huge surge in offense for this club. Six goals in the last two games at home is big for this bunch. Still a very long way to go with this bunch.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://wvhooligan.com/logos/rbny.gif" alt="" width="60" height="60" /></td>
<td>15 (15)</td>
<td>2-15-4 10 pts.</td>
<td>Good news they didn&#8217;t lose this week, bad news they still have no shot at anything but possibly moving on in the CONCACAF Champions League. The road draw against W Connection was sadly the best result for any MLS side last week.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Goals of the Week: Week 20</title>
		<link>http://wvhooligan.com/2009/08/03/4374/goals-of-the-week-week-20/</link>
		<comments>http://wvhooligan.com/2009/08/03/4374/goals-of-the-week-week-20/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:30:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Drew Epperley</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Soccer Stuff]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2009 Week 20]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brad Davis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brian Ching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chad Marshall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chris Wondolowski]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cornell Glen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Beckham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Ferriera]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dwayne De Rosario]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fred]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goals of the Week]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jeff Cunningham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Patrick Nyarko]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wvhooligan.com/?p=4374</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Plenty of quality goals in week 20, especially considering we had a 4-3 game, a 4-0 game and a 6-0 game on our hands. Then in non-MLS play we did have a stellar goal from David Beckham (it is posted below the league goals). Which one was the best? Too many good ones to go<a href="http://wvhooligan.com/2009/08/03/4374/goals-of-the-week-week-20/">…[continue reading]</a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Plenty of quality goals in week 20, especially considering we had a 4-3 game, a 4-0 game and a 6-0 game on our hands. Then in non-MLS play we did have a stellar goal from David Beckham (it is posted below the league goals).</p>
<p>Which one was the best? Too many good ones to go through if you ask me.</p>
<p>Order of video: Cornell Glen, Chris Wondolowski, Jeff Cunningham (1), David Ferriera, Jeff Cunningham (2), Brad Davis, Fred, Brian Ching, and Dwayne De Rosario. (Note I couldn&#8217;t fine the Patrick Nyarko or Chad Marshall&#8217;s goal &#8211; the league&#8217;s site didn&#8217;t have them available for QuickKicks).</p>
<p><code><object width="408" height="347"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://quickkicks.powervideosuite.com/pvs/build/core/assets/eplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="408" height="347" allowfullscreen="true" FlashVars="acfg=http://quickkicks.powervideosuite.com/xml/app_player.xml&#038;scfg=http://quickkicks.powervideosuite.com/xml/system.xml&#038;r=940&#038;space=74"></embed></object></code></p>
<p>Beckham&#8217;s classy free kick against Barcelona:</p>
<p><code><object width="408" height="347"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://quickkicks.powervideosuite.com/pvs/build/core/assets/eplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="408" height="347" allowfullscreen="true" FlashVars="acfg=http://quickkicks.powervideosuite.com/xml/app_player.xml&#038;scfg=http://quickkicks.powervideosuite.com/xml/system.xml&#038;c=QuickKicks&#038;p=501694&#038;s=5022223&#038;i=543602"></embed></object></code></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MLS Weekend Preview: Week 20</title>
		<link>http://wvhooligan.com/2009/07/31/4360/mls-weekend-preview-week-20/</link>
		<comments>http://wvhooligan.com/2009/07/31/4360/mls-weekend-preview-week-20/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:09:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Drew Epperley</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Chicago Fire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Colorado Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Columbus Crew]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DC United]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FC Dallas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Houston Dynamo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New England Revolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Salt Lake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[San Jose Earthquakes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Seattle Sounders FC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sporting KC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toronto FC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2009 Week 20]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ali Gerba]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brad Evens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Darren Huckerby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dave van den Burgh]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Davy Arnaud]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fredy Montero]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jason Garey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jeff Cunningham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jimmy Conrad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Steven Lenhart]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Weekend Previews]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wvhooligan.com/?p=4360</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Week number 20, hard to believe we are already here and in almost in August for that matter. But indeed the dust has settled on the All-Star break and it is time to get back to work for several MLS clubs this weekend. Some clubs will get games in the middle of a long week<a href="http://wvhooligan.com/2009/07/31/4360/mls-weekend-preview-week-20/">…[continue reading]</a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Week number 20, hard to believe we are already here and in almost in August for that matter. But indeed the dust has settled on the All-Star break and it is time to get back to work for several MLS clubs this weekend.</p>
<p>Some clubs will get games in the middle of a long week like DC and Toronto. While a couple sides are off all together Chivas (thanks to the X-Games) and New York (thanks to the CCL). Then there is LA who host a big time friendly against FC Barcelona on Saturday.</p>
<p>As always feel free to leave your score predictions below to this week&#8217;s action.<span id="more-4360"></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Saturday:</span></p>
<p><strong>Toronto FC &#8211; at &#8211; New England Revolution:</strong></p>
<p>Have the Revs turned a corner here on their season? The last two games would certainly suggest that. Plus now they get a Toronto side that could be a bit gassed from having to play in the CCL tournament this week. All signs could be pointing upward for Steve Nicol&#8217;s crew if they can get three points this weekend. With the games in hand they can certainly catch Toronto this weekend with a win. Another good thing for Revs fan, Toronto doesn&#8217;t score in New England. Three games at Gillett Stadium, three loss, 1 goal for and nine against. I see New England keeping up with that run this weekend. They&#8217;ll do good to control the pace of this game and find a way past a suspect Toronto defense. I do see TFC getting on the board with Ali Gerba though, he&#8217;s just the strker they&#8217;ve been looking for here. It&#8217;s just their defense isn&#8217;t good enough right now to win games on the road.</p>
<p><strong>WVH Prediction: New England 2, Toronto 1</strong></p>
<p><strong>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-</strong></p>
<p><strong>Kansas City Wizards &#8211; at &#8211; FC Dallas:</strong></p>
<p>What to make of Dallas now without Kenny Cooper? Well, we&#8217;ve pretty much gotten a good idea of that over the last month or so when he was gone at the Gold Cup. KC rolls into town looking for points and a way to get back into the playoff discussion here. No doubt this is a very do-or-die match for KC. They may have games in hand but they won&#8217;t get many chances to beat a club like Dallas for a while here. KC gets Jimmy Conrad and Davy Arnuad back in this one and that will be good enough to beat a Dallas squad looking for answers to close down Claudio Lopez and company. Dallas has to generate some offense early and keep KC off the board late. If Dave van den Burgh and Jeff Cunningham can do that Dallas may earn at least a point here. I&#8217;ll go with a draw just for that even though I kind of see KC walking out of Frisco with three points.</p>
<p><strong>WVH Prediction: Dallas 1, KC 1</strong></p>
<p><strong>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-</strong></p>
<p><strong>Real Salt Lake &#8211; at &#8211; Chicago Fire:</strong></p>
<p>Will RSL ever turn a corner for good on the road? Will Chicago start stepping up their play at home? I think those two questions will be answered this weekend in some way or another. Chicago has been so-so at home beating only San Jose and New York at Toyota Park. RSL on the other hand as we all know is not the best road side in the league. RSL hasn&#8217;t found consistent play on the road yet this season and even though Chicago hasn&#8217;t turned on the flames at home yet I do believe it starts this weekend. They need points to stay with Columbus and the rest of the top part of the eastern conference. Don&#8217;t count a draw out of this one though, with the way RSL scores they could do it early to Chicago the way they did it late to Dallas a week ago. Thing is with Wilman Conde and Bakery Soumare in the back I just don&#8217;t see RSL getting too many by the Fire this weekend. I&#8217;m going with the homeside here, but only by a narrow margin.</p>
<p><strong>WVH Prediction: Chicago 1, RSL 0</strong></p>
<p><strong>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;</strong></p>
<p><strong>DC United &#8211; at &#8211; Houston Dynamo:</strong></p>
<p>Probably game of the week material here. Both teams really do need a pick up based on recent form and I don&#8217;t see a reason why Houston won&#8217;t be the club to come out on top in this one. Dominic Kinnear will get the bulk of his lineup back from the Gold Cup and that should be enough for me at home. I see Houston controlling the midfield since DC will be without Clyde Simms. It will be interesting to see who has more gas in them though, DC who played midweek game in the CCL or Houston&#8217;s all-stars (Brad Davis and Geoff Cameron) who played a full 90 minutes against Everton. I think in the end Houston returns to winning because I just don&#8217;t see them dropping two in a row at home here. I do expect DC to make a run late though.</p>
<p><strong>WVH Prediction: Houston 2, DC 1</strong></p>
<p><strong>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;</strong></p>
<p><strong>Columbus Crew &#8211; at &#8211; Colorado Rapids:</strong></p>
<p>Columbus continues to prove to us all that they can win and win big without Gillermo Barros Schelotto. Thing is can they do it on the road in Colorado? Winning in the Mile High City is tough enough and with the way the Rapids played last week you can bet they are rested enough to do it again if Columbus let them. Jason Garey and Steven Lehart have stepped up bigger than ever and now the Crew get striker Alejandro Moreno back. I just don&#8217;t know if that will be enough to get three against the Rapids. A draw sounds good here in this one because the Rapids get Conor Casey back in the fold as well. Expect this to be the best game this weekend as these two battle to a very tough draw.</p>
<p><strong>WVH Prediction: Colorado 1, Columbus 1</strong></p>
<p><strong>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-</strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sunday:</span></p>
<p><strong>Seattle Sounders FC &#8211; at &#8211; San Jose Earthquakes:</strong></p>
<p>Seattle will be without Freddie Ljungberg in this one but I think the bigger loss in this game goes to San Jose who may be without striker Ryan Johnson. We&#8217;ve seen time and time again that this club is better with Johnson leading the attack. Without him they are pretty boring to watch up top. I expect Seattle to control this one from start to finish as they get Brad Evens back in the midfield from Gold Cup duties. He will be a difference maker for the Sounders in this one. Throw in the fact that San Jose has yet to really get much out of Darren Huckerby here so far this season makes me go with the visitors. Probably a goal from both Nate Jaqua and Fredy Montero sounds about right here.</p>
<p><strong>WVH Prediction: Seattle 2, San Jose 0</strong></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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