With Week Three gone, Seattle continues to dominate with a sweep of the top three this time around. It seems like it's a different three each week though. The rookie class still continues to impress compared to other years, but it is the experienced newcomers that continue to provide the biggest games. Still waiting to hear either a good or bad thing said about Bobby Convey over in San Jose, but from watching the games (glorious MLS Matchcenter) he's there but somewhat of a shadow of his former self. That should change (if he doesn't get injured). Montero, despite his absence this week due to "sickness", still holds the number one position over teammate Alonso who skyrocketed up the charts with a great performance vs. Toronto FC. Did I miss anyone? Are some additions unqualified?

1. Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle)


A different Freddie starred this past Saturday. It was the Sounders DP that shone coming back from injury to lead Seattle to a 2-0 win away from home. Ljungberg capped off a great give and go with Nate Jaqua to give the Sounders the lead in Toronto before also having a hand in the 2nd goal. The former Arsenal/West Ham midfielder provided the cross that allowed Nate Jaqua a firm chance on goal. Jaqua's shot was blocked but the rebound fell conveniently to Steve Zakuani who was able to knock home is first career professional goal. His performance wasn't mindblowing, but it served as the best of the bunch this past week. The Sounders roster is loaded with newcomers but the domination so far this season is amazing.

2. Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle)


Alonso continues to be the engine for Seattle, making every team that has passed on him since his defection feel downright stupid (Chivas USA, New York, Columbus [Schmid actually passed him over]...I'm talking to you). The Cuban midfielder has proven in the past couple weeks that his game is not just one-dimensional. He has acted not only as an efficient ball-winner but also as a key piece to Seattle's attack. He's only 23, has three assists already this season, and has shown a tenacity that not many midfielders in the league can match. With the Charleston Battery last year, Alonso hit for 8 goals too (a scoring side we have yet to see) on his way to grabbing USL-1 Rookie of the Year honors.

3. Steve Zakuani (Seattle)




Zakuani got his first professional goal simply by being in the right place at the right time. No matter as based on his play, there looks to be plenty more coming. Goals that the #1 draft pick will surely put away in a dramatic and more aesthetically pleasing fashion. The former Zip now has a crucial goal to go with his game-tying assist and two starts in a first season that (though it might be a little too early to tell) might garner him rookie of the year honors (he's leading Chris Pontius 13 points to 12 through week three). The Congolese-born Brit has shown strengths early on, blistering pace and little hesitation to take on defenders, but it remains to be seen if the Sounders can keep up this form.

4. Gerson Mayen (Chivas USA)


The youngster from LA has helped keep the Goats perfect so far this season. He provided the service on Atiba Harris' first goal of the year vs. Columbus on Sunday and might have even cemented himself a spot in the starting line-up. He had originally taken the field due to Sacha Kljestan's call-up to the USMNT, but with an assist in consecutive games it now looks as if Preki's going to try and make room for Mayen. Pacy and driven, Mayen was a handful on the left side before giving way for Bojan Stepanovic in the 68th minute.

5. Eduardo Lillingston (Chivas USA)




A true poacher. That's two goals, two gamewinners for the Mexican striker. With names like Alecko Eskandarian, Ante Razov, and Maykel Galindo on the trainer's table, the early success of the Goats can be attributed partly to the scrappy play of Lillingston and his teammate above, Gerson Mayen. Lillingston, especially, is going to have to continue the scoring if he wants to stay in Preki's side because, as seen above, those names aren't exactly benchable.

6. Darrius Barnes (New England)


Alston had to sit out this past weekend but Barnes helped keep New England undefeated. By no means was his performance flawless but the rookie delivered some dangerous long throws and was effective on the defensive end even with a rare tactical shift from Steve Nicol. Barnes was placed centrally in a three-man backline that was tested early and often. Barnes helped keep the Hoops from getting many dangerous chances though and his play continues to draw raves reviews from Nicol.

7. Kasey Keller (Seattle)


Four Sounders once again in the top 10 and I almost feel like there's a bias here. But there's not...Keller didn't have to overextend himself in this game but Toronto certainly had their chances at the Seattle net. It was the veteran's 3rd consecutive shutout and the first time an expansion team had gone their first three games without conceding a goal. He did have to pull out a save or two here, the biggest being Pablo Vitti's attempt in the 77th minute that Keller was able to parry wide of the net.Keller's shutout run is starting to threaten Ronald Waterreus' scoreless minutes record set two years ago.

8. Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles)



Gonzalez is only pushed down because of what happened later in the Los Angeles/Colorado game. The first half was superb from the big rookie centreback, a goal off a corner kick to tie things up. After the break, however, and a 59th Dema Kovalenko ejection things regressed. Something happened to the Galaxy's backline. That something was Conor Casey. Not even a 6'4" Gonzalez had an answer for the big man Casey, but his first professional goal was enough to at least keep him on the list.

9. David Ferreira (FC Dallas)


With Ferreira at #9, I am definitely not saying that FC Dallas should be anything but 0-3-0 right now but the Colombian and his Hoops have looked better with each game. Ferreira played a new role this week, replacing the ineffective Jeff Cunningham up top while once wantaway Dax McCarty filled the attacking mid position right behind him. Only thing missing right now is a finishing touch which will come, especially playing alongside of Kenny Cooper. This is an offensive trifecta [McCarty, Ferreira, Cooper] that should pay dividends for Hyndman.


10. Brad Knighton (New England)





He has been in the league a while with New England but when was the last time you can remember Matt Reis being out for an extended period of time? Knighton got his debut in week two vs. New York and followed it up this past week with a great performance vs. FC Dallas. He made 9 saves against an improved FC Dallas offense and braved blustery, windy conditions during his home debut. Could Reis' understudy push him for the starting spot if the Revs continue on their winning ways?


RISING: Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (SEA), Matt Besler (KCW), Santiago Hirsig (KCW), Jeremy Hall (RBNY), Chris Pontius (DCU), Ange N'Silu (DCU), Pablo Vitti (TFC), Jeremy Hall (RBNY)


AWAITING DEBUT: Luis Miguel Escalada (RSL), Ade Akinbiyi (HOU), Gregg Berhalter(LAG), Alvaro Sanchez (FCD)


FINALLY!: Carlos Johnson (RBNY)


INJURED/SICK: Fredy Montero (SEA), Kevin Alston (NER)


Scoring goes 10 pts. for first spot, 9 pts. for second spot, 8 pts. for third spot, etc.


OVERALL [pts/wk]

1. Freddy Montero (Seattle - 19 pts.) [10-9-0]
2. Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle - 16 pts.) [0-7-9]
3. Kasey Keller (Seattle - 14 pts.) [0-10-4]
Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle - 14 pts.) [4-0-10]
4. Steve Zakuani (Seattle - 13 pts.) [0-5-8]
5. Chris Pontius (DC United - 12 pts.) [6-6-0]
6. Eduardo Lillingston (Chivas USA - 9 pts.) [0-3-6]
Kevin Alston (New England - 9 pts.) [5-4-0]
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (Seattle - 9 pts.) [9-0-0]
7. Cam Weaver (San Jose - 8 pts.) [0-8-0]
Sebastian Le Toux (Seattle - 8 pts.) [8-0-0]
8. Gerson Mayen (Chivas USA - 7 pts.) [0-0-7]
Santiago Hirsig (Kansas City - 7 pts.) [7-0-0]
9. Sam Cronin (Toronto FC - 5 pts.)
Darrius Barnes (New England - 5 pts.)
10. Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles - 3 pts.)
11. Stefan Frei (Toronto FC - 2 pts.)
David Ferreira (FC Dallas - 2 pts.)
12. Pablo Vitti (Toronto FC - 1 pt.)
Bojan Stepanovic (Chivas USA - 1 pt.)
Brad Knighton (New England - 1 pt.)