MLS Power Rankings, Week 31: LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders battle for top spot ahead of weekend clash

<strong>Rank</strong>

<strong>Trending</strong>

<strong>Club</strong>

<strong>Comment</strong>

<strong>1</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 1</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Los_Angeles_Galaxy_logo_%28alternative%29.png" style="width: 75px; height: 95px;">

<p>Looked a little old and a step slow, and for the first time in a long time felt like the second-best team on the field. <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/12/despite-loss-fc-dallas-la-galaxys-landon-donovan-still-confident-its-still-c" target="_blank">FC Dallas deserves a ton of credit</a> for going for the jugular late.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-12-fc-dallas-vs-la-galaxy/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Dallas, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Seattle (8:15 pm; ESPN2/TSN2)</li></ul>

<strong>2</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 2</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Sounders.png" style="width: 70px; height: 99px;">

<p>Friday night misery followed by Sunday evening relief. Seattle fell to a hot team in a trap game, but enter this weekend <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/13/supporters-shield-scenarios-seattle-sounders-and-la-galaxy-will-decide-who-w" target="_blank">one win from the franchise&#39;s first Supporters&#39; Shield</a>.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-10-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/recap" target="_blank">Lost vs. Vancouver, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at LA (8:15 pm; ESPN2/TSN2)</li></ul>

<strong>3</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 3</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/FC%20Dallas.png" style="width: 85px; height: 85px;">

<p>After beating LA, FCD said &quot;<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/12/fc-dallas-back-playoffs-thanks-win-over-la-galaxy-it-was-well-deserved" target="_blank">the win was well deserved</a>,&quot; and they&#39;re right. It may not be the prettiest soccer in the league, but it has proved to be damn effective.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-12-fc-dallas-vs-la-galaxy/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. LA, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-L-W</li><li><strong><strong>This Week</strong>: </strong>Saturday at Colorado (3 pm; NBCSN)</li></ul>

<strong>4</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 4</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/DC-United-Logo.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>D.C. doesn&#39;t inspire poetry or awe, but they are wickedly tough to break down and masters at getting the results they need. And in Fabian Espindola, they have <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2014/10/12/goal-fabian-espindola-chips-deric-break" target="_blank">a fearless match winner</a>.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-12-houston-dynamo-vs-dc-united/recap" target="_blank">Won at Houston, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Chicago (7 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>5</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 5</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/928_200x200_0.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>Speaking of match-winners, <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/11/season-full-highlights-new-englands-lee-nguyen-outdoes-himself-playoff-clinc" target="_blank">New England&#39;s got Lee Nguyen</a>. The Revs still aren&#39;t getting consistent production from their center forwards, but with Nguyen doing ridiculous stuff in the final third, it just hasn&#39;t mattered that much.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-11-montreal-impact-vs-new-england-revolution/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Montreal, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Thursday at Houston (8 pm; ESPN2/TSN2)</li></ul>

<strong>6</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 6</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/realsaltlake.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 55px; height: 71px;">

<p>Sebastian Velasquez&#39;s <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/12/jeff-cassar-touts-intensity-and-focus-rsls-makeshift-lineup-playoff-clinchin" target="_blank">return to relevance was timely</a>, and it&#39;s worth remembering that he played a significant role in last year&#39;s playoff series vs. Portland. More depth for what&#39;s already the league&#39;s deepest attack.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-11-real-salt-lake-vs-san-jose-earthquakes/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. San Jose, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday at Portland (10 pm; NBCSN/TSN2)</li></ul>

<strong>7</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 8</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sportingkc_logo.PNG" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 84px;">

<p>The Power Rankings Politburo was split on this one: Is&nbsp;<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/11/sporting-kc-gain-big-boost-confidence-playoff-clinching-win-over-chicago-fir" target="_blank">a home win over Chicago</a> really enough to bump Sporting above the Crew?</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-10-sporting-kansas-city-vs-chicago-fire/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Chicago, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> L-W-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Philadelphia (7 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>8</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 7</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/454_200x200.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>Turned into Barcelona for five minutes in Philly, <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/11/columbus-edges-closer-playoffs-after-amazing-comeback-win-philadelphia-were-" target="_blank">just about punching their own playoff ticket</a> in the process. Now comes the biggest game of the season: If they beat the Red Bulls, they&#39;ll most likely host the 4-5 Knockout Round game.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-11-philadelphia-union-vs-columbus-crew/recap" target="_blank">Won at Philadelphia, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at New York (3 pm; UniMas)</li></ul>

<strong>9</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 9</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Redbulls.png" style="width: 85px; height: 68px;">

<p>Mike Petke&#39;s made <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/13/new-york-red-bulls-reserves-kosuke-kimura-ruben-bover-vindicate-mike-petkes-" target="_blank">all the right moves down the stretch</a> (again). Now comes a must-win against the Crew in what could be Thierry Henry&#39;s last game at Red Bull Arena.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-11-new-york-red-bulls-vs-toronto-fc/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Toronto, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-L-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Columbus (3 pm; UniMas)</li></ul>

<strong>10</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 10</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/vancouver_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 110px;">

Vancouver had won three games in four months. Now <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/11/vancouver-whitecaps-carl-robinson-credits-desire-determination-grit-teams-la" target="_blank">they&#39;ve won three games in a row</a>, because MLS. And with San Jose &amp; Colorado the only teams left on their schedule, they should absolutely qualify for the postseason. <ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-10-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/recap" target="_blank">Won at Seattle, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at San Jose (10:30 pm; TSN/<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>11</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 11</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 74px;">

<p>That Vancouver win was a gut-punch <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2014/10/09/portland-timbers-owner-merritt-paulson-issues-fans-permission-root-seattle-sounders" target="_blank">for the Timbers</a>&nbsp;and their&nbsp;fans. They now face the daunting prospect of (probably) needing six points from RSL &amp; FCD, while hoping that Vancouver drops at least two to either San Jose or Colorado.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-08-portland-timbers-vs-san-jose-earthquakes/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. San Jose, 3-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-L-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday vs. Real Salt Lake (10 pm; NBCSN/TSN2)</li></ul>

<strong>12</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 12</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/prp-philadelphia_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

That game was bonkers. For the second straight week the Union took a lead at home in a must-win game, and for the second straight week <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/11/union-despondent-after-late-collapse-eliminates-team-playoff-contention-we-l" target="_blank">found an unimaginable way to blow it</a>. <ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-11-philadelphia-union-vs-columbus-crew/recap" target="_blank">Lost vs. Columbus, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-L-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Kansas City (7 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>13</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 14</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/1897_200x200.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>The Dynamo are in an unfamiliar place: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/13/disappointed-houston-dynamo-reflect-reasons-their-rare-early-exit-playoff-pi" target="_blank">on the outside of the playoffs looking in.</a>&nbsp;They&#39;ve got to figure out how to get better defensively this offseason, and which &ndash; if any &ndash; of their forwards can be consistent in front of goal.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-08-toronto-fc-vs-houston-dynamo/recap" target="_blank">Won at Toronto, 1-0</a><br><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-12-houston-dynamo-vs-dc-united/recap" target="_blank">Lost to D.C. United, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Thursday vs. New England (8 pm; ESPN2/TSN2)</li></ul>

<strong>14</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 13</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/prp-toronto_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/12/2014-playoff-dream-fade-toronto-fc-boss-greg-vanney-urges-fans-keep-faith-co" target="_blank">Keep the core together</a>. Draft well, especially with that pick Chivas sent you. Give the kids time to develop, and reevaluate at this time next year. No more overhauls.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-08-toronto-fc-vs-houston-dynamo/recap" target="_blank">Lost to Houston, 1-0</a><br><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-11-new-york-red-bulls-vs-toronto-fc/recap" target="_blank">Lost at New York, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Montreal (2 pm; Univ. Dep./RDS/<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>15</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 16</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imapact-logo-3.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 87px;">

<p>It was wonderful to see Marco Di Vaio <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/11/retiring-montreal-forward-marco-di-vaio-turns-back-clock-brace-2-2-draw-vs-n" target="_blank">paint one more masterpiece</a> in his brilliant career. The Impact will have to work hard to replace him, but most of the other attacking pieces are already in place. They&#39;ve got a jump on 2015.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-11-montreal-impact-vs-new-england-revolution/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. New England, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-L-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Montreal (2 pm; Univ. Dep./RDS/<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>16</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 15</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Chicago_Fire_Soccer_Club_logo_0.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>Chicago have some pieces, but it&#39;s not clear how they all fit together or if they make each other better. One win in their last 10, and lots of worries to ponder over a long offseason.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-10-sporting-kansas-city-vs-chicago-fire/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Kansas City, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-D-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at D.C. United (7 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>17</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 18</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Chivas.png" style="width: 75px; height: 99px;">

<p>Kris Tyrpak basically turned into Messi <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2014/10/12/goal-kristopher-tyrpak-weaves-through-rapids-defense" target="_blank"><strong>HERE</strong></a>. That is an amazing goal, and Tyrpak is a good reason to tune in to watch the Goats over the final two weeks of the season.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-11-chivas-usa-vs-colorado-rapids/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Colorado, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-W-W</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Oct. 22 at Real Salt Lake</li></ul>

<strong>18</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 17</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/san_jose_quakes_logo_detail2.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 60px; height: 74px;">

<p><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/12/verge-record-winless-streak-san-jose-earthquakes-insist-theyre-not-beaten" target="_blank">Winless in 13</a>, shut out in three of five, and only one multi-goal game in the last two months. This is a nosedive for a franchise that took too many gambles on imports instead of sticking with their own guys this past offseason.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-08-portland-timbers-vs-san-jose-earthquakes/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Portland, 3-0</a><br><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-11-real-salt-lake-vs-san-jose-earthquakes/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Real Salt Lake, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Vancouver (10:30 pm; TSN/<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>19</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 19</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/rapids.png" style="width: 85px; height: 107px;">

<p>If the Quakes are in a nosedive, then the Rapids are in a death spiral. They&#39;ve taken two of the last 36 points up for grabs and, <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/12/colorado-rapids-rue-defensive-mistakes-winless-streak-hits-12-games" target="_blank">with ever-changing lineups and rotations</a>, this feels like a crucial year of development lost for the kids.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-11-chivas-usa-vs-colorado-rapids/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Chivas USA, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:&nbsp; </strong>D-L-D-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Dallas (3 pm; NBCSN)</li></ul>