Talking Points: Timbers top MLS rankings

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One free-kick goal, one win, and presto, the Timbers leap in the Major League Soccer power rankings.

Portland (2-1-3) vaulted from No. 14 a week ago to No. 8 in Soccer America’s rating and to No. 7 in bleacherreport.com’s analysis. Mlssoccer.com elevated the Timbers from No. 11 up to No. 7. Goal.com was not quite as smitten, moving Portland from No. 16 only to No. 13.

Here’s what mlssoccer.com said: Suddenly it’s four unbeaten and “Porterball” looks very much like a winning gambit. It entails a ton of high pressure, first and foremost, and as a result the Timbers are a lock to win the possession battle every week. They’re still – like everyone else – letting too many good chances slip away, however.”

Portland plays the California portion of a home-and-home series with San Jose on Sunday.

Mired at No. 19 (last) in most power rankings are the struggling Seattle Sounders (0-3-2).

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What a mess. Alex Rodriguez has been linked to the alleged purchase of documents from a former employee of Biogensis of America in an attempt to destroy evidence linking him to the anti-aging clinic’s distribution of performance-enhancing drugs.

Rodriguez “flatly denied the accusation.” To be fair, we have to give the Yankees third baseman the benefit of the doubt.

Yeah, sure.

This is the sort of self-defeating blunder for which Rodriguez has become known. It’s pretty much a complete annihilation of his reputation.

Advice to Alex: If it’s true, stay gone. Don’t come back from this injury. Put your ego on hold. Forget the Hall of Fame. Just fade away and enjoy your millions.

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