Admittedly it's a bit hard to get everyone to agree on power rankings week in and week out, but for the most part the Red Bulls normally land within the same general location from one site to the other. In this week's Power Rankings, you'll notice that really isn't the case.
Maybe it's the impending postseason that causes the rankings to carry more weight, or perhaps it's the manner in which New York handled Columbus, but I suspected the Red Bulls wouldn't place any lower than third overall across the board.
MLSsoccer.com has the right idea
, promoting the Red Bulls two spots up to No. 2 overall in this week's installment.
Soccer By Ives believes the Red Bulls need to mix it up on offense
and find a way of getting guys like Le Toux and Cooper on the board against Sporting KC if they want to move beyond fourth overall:
"The current back four has settled into a good groove for the Red Bulls, but the attack has become a bit too reliant on Thierry Henry. New York will need either Kenny Cooper or Sebastien LeToux to get going if the Red Bulls are going to extend their five-match home winning streak against Sporting KC on Wednesday."
Very little movement at all in the Sports Illustrated rankings
, where the Red Bulls maintain their hold on third place:
"Thierry Henry has the look of a player ready to put his team on his back and charge into the playoffs on a mission. The Red Bulls remain one of two teams to be unbeaten at home this season (Houston is the other), and four of the club's final six games are at Red Bull Arena, including a pair against Sporting KC and one against Chicago."
And finally it's ESPNSoccernet that has the Red Bulls...fifth?
Hmmm
"Thierry Henry turned on the style in New York's 3-1 win over Columbus, which saw Rafa Marquez return to the lineup and actually contribute something positive. Dax McCarty continued his outstanding season with a header for the game-winner."
So, there you have it. In case you lost track while reading (I know I did), here's the breakdown:
This Week's Rankings
MLSsoccer - 2nd
Soccer By Ives - 4th
Sports Illustrated - 3rd
ESPNSoccernet - 5th
