Excitement certainly reigned supreme in Week 23, with Chicago and San Jose both winning in dramatic fashion, but in the MLSnet.com Power Rankings this week, we pay tribute to the rise of the Revolution.
New England was seemingly left for dead after being bombarded by a rash of injuries up and down its roster throughout the first half of the season. However, in a reversal of their 2008 campaign, the Revs are hitting their stride in the season's second half and look poised to fight for an MLS Cup Playoff berth, not to mention a top-five spot in the MLSnet.com Power Rankings.
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 24
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 23
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 22
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/clb_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Crew's CONCACAF Champions League slate got off to a very promising start with a 2-0 win over the Puerto Rico Islanders. Of the three remaining MLS teams in CCL play, Columbus seems best equipped to make a deep run.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat PRI, 2-0 (CCL). <b>Next:</b> Wed. at Cruz Azul (CCL); Sun. at NY. |
89 (5) |
<font size="5"><b>2</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>2</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/hou_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Seattle seems to have the Dynamo's number, as Sounders FC kept Houston out of the win column for the third time this season. A playoff clash between the two clubs would certainly be filled with excitement.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat MET, 1-0 (CCL); Tied SEA, 1-1. <b>Next:</b> Wed. at AU (CCL); Sun. at COL. |
83 (1) |
<font size="5"><b>3</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>4</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/lag_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The biggest questions about the Galaxy revolve around depth, specifically their perceived lack thereof, but Mike Magee's strong play in Chicago last week seems to indicate that LA may be deeper than many people realize.<br><b>Last:</b> Won at CHI, 2-0; Drew at DC, 0-0. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. CHV. |
78 |
<font size="5"><b>4</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>3</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/chi_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Kudos to Dasan Robinson for his game-winning, stoppage-time goal against Colorado, but shame on Mr. Robinson for taking a foolish red card while the Fire are already coping with a depleted, injury-riddled backline.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost to LA, 2-0; Beat COL, 3-2. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. DC. |
74 |
<font size="5"><b>5</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>5</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/sea_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Seattle's draw in Houston highlighted Freddie Ljungberg's value to the club. Sounders FC desperately missed his calming presence on the ball in their 1-0 loss to the New England Revolution earlier in the week.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost to NE, 1-0; Drew at HOU, 1-1. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. TFC. |
63 |
<font size="5"><b>6</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>11</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/ner_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Revs are officially on the move, and in a big way. With a pair of victories last week, the Revs leapfrogged D.C. United in the East standings and are now tied with TFC for third place, with two games in hand.<br><b>Last:</b> Won at SEA, 1-0; Beat RSL, 3-1. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. SJ. |
58 |
<font size="5"><b>7</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>9</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/cdc_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back Sacha Kljestan! Jesus Padilla and Maicon Santos looked very dangerous against TFC, but it's the sudden resurgence of their midfield star that gives Chivas the most hope.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat TFC, 2-0. <b>Next:</b> Wed. at RSL; Sat. at LA. |
51 |
<font size="5"><b>8</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>6</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/cor_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Up 2-0 in Chicago with 18 minutes remaining, the Rapids saw their defense collapse, costing them what would have been a tremendous victory. Colorado now trails Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle and Chivas in the West.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at CHI, 3-2. <b>Next:</b> Sun. vs. HOU. |
49 |
<font size="5"><b>9</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>7</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/tfc_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Chris Cummins' kids came through for him in Week 22, but it was a different story in Week 23. TFC is still in good position to nab a playoff spot, but they'll be well-served if Cummins can find a consistent lineup.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at CHV, 2-0. <b>Next:</b> Sat. at SEA. |
44 |
<font size="5"><b>10</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>8</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/dcu_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
United's play has slowly declined in recent weeks, resulting in their slow tumble down the rankings. They have not scored a goal in league play since Aug. 1, and if the playoffs started today, they'd be playing golf.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at CDM, 3-1 (CCL); Tied LA, 0-0. <b>Next:</b> vs. TOL (CCL); Sat. at CHI. |
41 |
<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 were fortunate to see Colorado stumble late in Chicago, following their own loss to the Revs. With two winnable matches this week, the Claret-and-Cobalt could close the three-point gap on the archrival.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at NE, 3-1. <b>Next:</b> Wed. vs. CHV; Sat. at KC. |
30 |
<font size="5"><b>12</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>12</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/fcd_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
FC Dallas' loss to cellar-dwelling New York on Sunday delivered a crippling blow to their playoff chances. Now seven points off the playoff pace, FCD will need a strong finish just to get back in the race.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at NY, 3-2. <b>Next:</b> Sept. 5 at DC. |
20 |
<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"> |
In what's been a frustrating season in San Jose, the Quakes deserved the excitement of their stoppage-time win over Kansas City. Their elation likely won't last long, however, with a visit to the red-hot Revs on tap.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat KC, 1-0. <b>Next:</b> Sat. at NE. |
19 |
<font size="5"><b>14</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>13</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/kcw_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
With the exception of a 6-0 Aug. 1 loss in Dallas, the Wizards defense has remained tidy over their long winless streak. Incredibly, however, Kansas City has scored just one goal in league play since June 13.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at SJ, 1-0. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. RSL. |
13 |
<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"> |
Juan Carlos Osorio's tenure in New York came to an end, and so did the league's longest winless streak, with the Red Bulls tasting victory Sunday for the first time since a 4-1 dismantling of San Jose back on May 8.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat FCD, 3-2. <b>Next:</b> Sun. vs. CLB. |
8 |
