all of whom remained stagnant in the 9-15 spots this week -- there is certainly still hope.
A year ago at this time, we were all fairly certain that the Crew, who were off to a strong start, would remain an MLS Cup contender all season long. However, few observers, if any, thought the Red Bulls -- or RSL, for that matter -- had much of a chance to compete for a title.
Here's a look at the latest MLSnet.com Power Rankings. As always, these rankings don't reflect any official stance of Major League Soccer.
MLSnet.com Power Rankings archive
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 10
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 9
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 8
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 7
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 6
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 5
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 4
Rank |
Last |
Team |
Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|
<font size="5"><b>1</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>1</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/cdc_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
In a way, the Red-and-White's draw with D.C. United might have been their most disappointing result of the season, having let a two-goal lead second half lead slip away at home. However, they didn't lose any ground in the Western Conference standings. Chivas' next three matches come against current top-five ranked clubs. |
<font size="5"><b>2</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>3</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/chi_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Put away your crayons and markers, because the Fire have finally refused to draw. Chicago's 2-0 win in the hostile surroundings of BMO Field ended a run of five consecutive draws for the unbeaten Fire. This weekend's clash with New York offers a tough warmup battle ahead of next week's much-anticipated match with Chivas USA. |
<font size="5"><b>3</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>4</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/dcu_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Just as the Fire have found their winning touch, United may be inheriting the "King of Ties" throne, having played to draws in their past three matches with Kansas City, Toronto and Chivas. Still, you have to admire the Black-and-Red's resilience in battling back at The Home Depot Center to steal a point in a match the seemed lost. |
<font size="5"><b>4</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>2</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/sea_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
They may have been playing on the road, but Sounders FC were one poor touch by Brek Shea away from tasting defeat against a struggling FC Dallas side. Seattle is now just 1-1-2 on the road, as compared to their 3-1-1 mark at home. They'll be on the road once again this week, facing a dangerous Rapids side. |
<font size="5"><b>5</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>8</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/kcw_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
A convincing victory over Real Salt Lake was exactly what the Wizards needed heading into their weekend clash with Chivas at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Now off their three-match winless skid, the Wizards -- and Josh Wolff, in particular -- will look to mimic the second-half success that United had against the Red-and-White defense. |
<font size="5"><b>6</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>6</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/hou_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Red Bulls continued to be a thorn in the Dynamo's side as Pat Onstad saw his 491-minute shutout streak come to an end in New York on Saturday. The level of emotion in Houston is unlikely to dip this weekend as the Dynamo stare down a piece of their past in the form of the visiting San Jose Earthquakes. |
<font size="5"><b>7</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>5</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/tfc_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Despite controlling the run of play in the second half against Chicago, a display of poor finishing brought the Reds' six-match unbeaten streak in all competitions to an end. Toronto needs more production from its frontline, where Pablo Vitti has yet to score and Chad Barrett and Danny Dichio have combined for just three goals. |
<font size="5"><b>8</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>7</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/cor_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Now in the midst of a three-match unbeaten run, the Rapids face their biggest test since First Kick weekend as Sounders FC come to town on Saturday night. A victory for the Rapids would actually pull them even with Seattle for second place in the Western Conference. A healthy Cory Gibbs will be important on the backline. |
<font size="5"><b>9</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>9</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/clb_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Crew may not play the Earthquakes into May 27, but they had a quake on their hands Sunday in Los Angeles as a magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the city following Columbus' 1-1 draw with the Galaxy earlier in the day. The Crew hope to break their tendency to get rattled and lose late leads, as they did in LA on Sunday. |
<font size="5"><b>10</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>10</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/ner_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The New England Revolution are taking baby steps in their attempt to get back to form. Losing Matt Reis to a concussion last week was a significant setback -- though Brad Knighton once again played well in his stead -- but with Kevin Alston and Steve Ralston returning in recent weeks the Revs are beginning to get some mojo back. |
<font size="5"><b>11</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>11</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/rsl_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
RSL's 6-0 victory over New England back on April 25 was supposed to be a launching pad for the Utah-based side and a sign of big things to come for a club coming of age. Instead, RSL has not won another match since that point. They badly miss goalkeeper Nick Rimando, whose steadiness is highlighted more than ever by his absence. |
<font size="5"><b>12</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>12</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/lag_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Eddie Lewis' birthday heroics extended LA's unbeaten streak to seven matches on Sunday, and the Galaxy have lost just once all season. However, they've also only won once all season and have spent most of their match time either tied or trailing. That is why they've been struggling to rise up the Power Rankings each week. |
<font size="5"><b>13</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>13</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/rbn_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
On the back of yet more late heroics from John Wolyniec, the Red Bulls earned their second draw of the season against the Dynamo. The result did not come without a price, however, as New York lost defender Carlos Johnson to a foot injury. Johnson's absence will put the pressure on Jeremy Hall to plug the defensive hole. |
<font size="5"><b>14</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>14</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/fcd_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
As noted earlier, a better touch by Brek Shea on his 69th-minute header on Saturday would have given FC Dallas a tremendous upset victory over Seattle. As it is, earning a 1-1 draw with one of the league's toughest sides is a good sign for FCD. They'll look to build on that momentum against the Galaxy. |
<font size="5"><b>15</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>15</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/sje_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Quakes will have had over two weeks off since their May 8 breakdown in New York when they take the pitch in Houston on Saturday. Help will likely be on the way for San Jose in its attempt to right the ship as defender Jason Hernandez, a key to the Quakes backline a season ago, is expected to make his 2009 debut. |
