Toronto FC, Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, Kansas City Wizards and FC Dallas -- are either holding or within seven points of the final two MLS Cup Playoff spots. The storylines, as you might expect, run very deep.
Can Chivas rescue a season that once seemed destined for a run at the MLS Cup Final before steering horribly off course? Can Toronto take an important step forward as a club with its first-ever playoff appearance? Can New England, RSL or Dallas fight off their first-half struggles and find a way to keep playing into November? Heck, can the San Jose Earthquakes rewrite the 2009 MLS script with a fairytale second-half run?
We'll start to find out the answers this 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 21
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"> |
With Brian Ching and Stuart Holden back in tow, the Dynamo attack is back to full strength. However, with Geoff Cameron pressed into duty in the midfield with Brian Mullan out, the Dynamo defense is significantly weakened.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat DC, 4-3. <b>Next:</b> Thurs. at FCD; Sun. vs. CHI. |
88 (4) |
<font size="5"><b>2</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>2</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/clb_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Robbie Rogers and Chad Marshall boosted the Crew by hooking up for a goal in Colorado upon their returns to the lineup. Interesting to note, though, that despite being available, Alejandro Moreno came off the reserves bench.<br><b>Last:</b> Won at COL, 1-0. <b>Next:</b> Sat. at SJ. |
84 (2) |
<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"> |
Defense continues to be the name of the game in Chicago, as the Fire posted their fourth consecutive clean sheet in league play, despite Denis Hamlett having to often shuffle his backline over the past month.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat RSL, 1-0. <b>Next:</b> Wed. vs. Tigres (SL); Sun. at HOU. |
79 |
<font size="5"><b>4</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>6</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/lag_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
They were undoubtedly helped by poor results from both D.C. and Seattle, but kudos to the Galaxy for reaching a new season high in the rankings. Now, they must avoid a letdown after the emotion of their friendly with Barcelona.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost to FC Barcelona, 2-1. <b>Next:</b> Sat. at NE. |
68 |
<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"> |
United's backline has been shaky all season long, and it was perhaps at its shakiest last week, letting D.C. down in a disappointing home draw with CD Luis Angel Firpo and road loss to the Dynamo in MLS play.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at HOU, 4-3. <b>Next:</b> Sun. vs. Real Madrid (friendly). |
66 |
<font size="5"><b>6</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>4</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/sea_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Sounders FC had been one of the league's hottest clubs, but after getting walloped in San Jose they had to fall a few spots. The energy surrounding Wednesday's friendly with FC Barcelona is bound to recharge them.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at SJ, 4-0. <b>Next:</b> Wed. vs. FC Barcelona (friendly), Sat. at RSL. |
63 |
<font size="5"><b>7</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>8</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/tfc_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Toronto FC will face a tough task if they hope to advance in CONCACAF Champions League play after losing their opening preliminary round match. Their friendly with Real Madrid, however, promises to be very exciting.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew at NE, 1-1. <b>Next:</b> Tues. at PRI (CCL); Fri. vs. Real Madrid (friendly). |
50 |
<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"> |
Saturday's match with well-rested Chivas USA is laden with potential postseason implications for Colorado. The Rapids are currently tied with the Red-and-White and TFC for the final two MLS Cup playoff spots.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost to CLB, 1-0. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. CHV. |
47 |
<font size="5"><b>9</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>9</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/ner_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Revolution looked, perhaps, left for dead after their extended struggles in the first half. However, they're now just three points back of Toronto for a playoff spot with three games in hand, to boot.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew with TFC, 1-1. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. LA. |
45 |
<font size="5"><b>10</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>11</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/cdc_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Red-and-White have had three long weeks to contemplate where things went wrong in their once dominant season. How they come out of that break Saturday in Colorado could speak volumes to their fighting spirit.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at NE, 2-0 (July 19). <b>Next:</b> Sat. at COL. |
36 |
<font size="5"><b>11</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>10</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/rsl_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
RSL have struggled against Seattle Sounders FC in two prior meetings this season, but they could catch a break on Saturday, facing a Sounders FC team that will be playing on short rest after their midweek friendly.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at CHI, 1-0. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. SEA. |
32 |
<font size="5"><b>12</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>14</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/fcd_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Logic would state that, after losing their second all-time leading goalscorer, FC Dallas would struggle in attack. If their 6-0 rout of Kansas City was any indication though, life without Kenny Cooper may not be so bad.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat KC, 6-0. <b>Next:</b> Thurs. vs. HOU. |
20 |
<font size="5"><b>13</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>12</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/kcw_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The results have not been there for the Wizards over the past two months, and their playoff hopes are fading. Still, you can't help but feel for Curt Onalfo, who was likely a victim more of bad luck than bad effort.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at FCD, 60. <b>Next:</b> Aug. 16 vs. CHI. |
18 |
<font size="5"><b>14</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>13</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/sje_logo_new_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
After their shocking 4-0 win over Seattle, you could argue that the Earthquakes are ranked too low in this week's rankings. With Columbus coming to town this weekend though, San Jose can prove it belongs higher on the list.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat SEA, 4-0. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. CLB. |
17 |
<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"> |
For all intents and purposes, the MLS season is essentially over the the Red Bulls. However, they find themselves in a position to potentially best their MLS rivals on the international stage.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew at W Conn., 2-2 (CCL). <b>Next:</b> Wed. vs. W Conn. (CCL). |
7 |
