except, of course, within the confines of the MLSnet.com Power Rankings, where the fierce battle to be No. 1 never takes a break.
It is, perhaps, fitting that in the week of the MLS All-Star Game, the No. 1 ranking is more attainable for a number of clubs than it has been in some time. The Houston Dynamo have now held the top spot for seven weeks running, but following their surprising loss to the New England Revolution on Saturday, the Dynamo are now splitting the first-place votes with the Columbus Crew, who are coming off of a dramatic Trillium Cup victory over Toronto FC.
The Crew are just one of several teams within striking distance of No. 1. The Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders FC are not also both hot on the Dynamo's trail, with D.C. United and the LA Galaxy not far behind.
So, tune in on Wednesday night (9:30 p.m. ET; ESPN2, Galavision) to root the All-Stars on against Everton FC, but don't forget about the vicious fight for No. 1 that begins again with the weekend.
Here's a look at the latest MLSnet.com Power Rankings. As always, these rankings do not reflect any official stance of Major League Soccer.
Note: Power Ranking points are compiled from ballots submitted by a panel of MLS experts. First-place votes are in parentheses.
MLSnet.com Power Rankings archive
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 20
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 19
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 18
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 17
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 16
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 15
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 14
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 13
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 12
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 11
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 |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
<font size="5"><b>1</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>1</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/hou_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Dynamo's shorthanded roster finally caught up to them in their loss to New England on Saturday, leaving their grip on the No. 1 ranking tenuous. Fortunately for Houston, Stuart Holden and Brian Ching are on the way back.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost to NE, 1-0. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. DC. |
86 (3) |
<font size="5"><b>2</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>5</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/clb_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Guillermo Barros Schelotto? Alejandro Moreno? Who needs 'em? With Columbus' "Bash Brothers" -- Steven Lenhart and Jason Garey -- causing fits for opposing defenders and goalkeepers, the Crew attack has not suffered.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat TFC, 3-2. <b>Next:</b> Sat. at COL. |
80 (3) |
<font size="5"><b>3</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>3</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/chi_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Fire defense -- even without holding midfielder Logan Pause -- held firm in a tough road environment, with Jon Busch making several dazzling stops. Scoring goals could remain a challenge, however, in Brian McBride's absence.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew at SEA, 0-0. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. RSL. |
79 |
<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"> |
Sounders FC controlled the flow of play for most of Saturday's draw with Chicago, but they could not break through. With the Gold Cup coming to an end, Seattle will regain the invaluable services of Brad Evans in the midfield.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew with CHI, 0-0. <b>Next:</b> Sun. at SJ. |
75 |
<font size="5"><b>5</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>4</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/dcu_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Losing a two-goal lead was likely not the way D.C. was looking to enter CONCACAF Champions League play. On the plus side, the core of the team is healthy and now deeper with Danny Szetela making his debut in San Jose.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew at SJ, 2-2. <b>Next:</b> Tues. vs. L.A. Firpo (CCL); Sat. at HOU. |
64 |
<font size="5"><b>6</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>6</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/lag_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Landon Donovan continued his remarkable run of outstanding play with a tremendous goal against Kansas City. After LA's draw with AC Milan two weeks ago, it will be interesting to see how they fare against FC Barcelona.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew at KC, 1-1. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. FCB (friendly). |
61 |
<font size="5"><b>7</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>8</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/cor_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Rapids unquestionably dominated every aspect of their 4-0 rout of New York on Saturday. Julien Baudet's broken arm, however, was an unfortunate blow to a new-look backline that was showing great promise.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat NY, 4-0. <b>Next:</b> Sat. at CLB. |
51 |
<font size="5"><b>8</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>7</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/t280_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Mo Johnston's long-stated intention has been to turn Toronto FC into an annual powerhouse club in the region. The Reds can take a step toward reaching the goal as they enter their first CONCACAF Champions League.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at CLB, 3-2. <b>Next:</b> Wed. vs. PRI (CCL); Sat. at NE. |
48 |
<font size="5"><b>9</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>10</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/ner_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
He's been lost in the shuffle a bit with Kasey Keller, Zach Thornton, Pat Onstad and Donovan Ricketts all having great seasons, but Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis is currently boasting a career-low 1.00 goals-against-average.<br><b>Last:</b> Won at HOU, 1-0. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. TFC. |
44 |
<font size="5"><b>10</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>11</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/rsl_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Perhaps, three months from now, Real Salt Lake will be sitting in a playoff spot, fondly looking back at Nick Rimando's save of Jeff Cunningham's penalty kick on Friday night as the moment that turned around an up-and-down season.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat FCD, 4-2. <b>Next:</b> Sat. at CHI. |
35 |
<font size="5"><b>11</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>9</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/cdc_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Who would have thought just seven weeks ago, when Chivas USA were at the very top of these rankings, that they would fall this far. Whether it's Sacha Kljestan finding his form or an Ante Razov return, Chivas need a spark.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at NE, 2-0 (July 19). <b>Next:</b> Aug. 8 at COL. |
34 |
<font size="5"><b>12</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>12</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/kcw_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
With one blast from his left foot, Claudio Lopez may have sealed the MLS Goal of the Year award on Saturday. Getting Davy Arnaud back from Gold Cup duty will go a long way toward helping an attack that's struggled in the past month.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew with LA, 1-1. <b>Next:</b> Sat. at FCD. |
27 |
<font size="5"><b>13</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>14</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/sje_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
It's been a trying season for the Earthquakes, but one plus has been the play of Ryan Johnson. With a career-high seven goals at the break, Johnson has unquestionably been one of the league's most improved players.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew with DC, 2-2. <b>Next:</b> Sun. vs. SEA. |
15 |
<font size="5"><b>14</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>13</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/fcd_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Friday's loss to Real Salt Lake was a tough one for a team that had been playing a lot of quality soccer over the past month. On the positive side, Jair Benitez will bring some veteran leadership to a young backline.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at RSL, 4-2. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. KC. |
14 |
<font size="5"><b>15</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>15</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/rbn_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Last season, Zach Thornton was buried on the Red Bulls' reserves bench. Now that he's an MLS All-Star, you have to wonder if the Red Bulls have second thoughts about trading Thornton to Chivas USA.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at COL, 4-0. <b>Next:</b> Thurs. at W Connection (CCL). |
6 |
