MLS Power Rankings, Week 25: Don't look now, but Colorado Rapids have top spot in sight

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<p>Believe it or not, there are some positives to take from RSL&#39;s showing against the Galaxy. Yes, they were behind the eight ball all night, but better to get blown away in August than suffer such a defeat in the postseason. If anything, this loss could make RSL even stronger before long.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-LA-v-RSL/recap" target="_blank">Lost at LA, 4-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Portland (11 pm,&nbsp;<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>) | Saturday vs. Columbus (9:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

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<p>The Rapids are a reality. Nine games unbeaten is no joke. When Vicente S&aacute;nchez and Gabriel Torres start clicking up top &mdash; they have a bye to work out the kinks &mdash; it&#39;s going to make an explosive attacking team that much more dangerous.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-COL-v-VAN/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Vancouver, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-D-D-W</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Aug. 31 at Sporting Kansas City (8:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

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<p>How do you follow up a hat trick from Landon Donovan? With a hat trick from Robbie Keane, but of course. LA completely dismantled RSL in the second half on Saturday, and made a clear statement of intent in the 4-2 win to the rest of MLS: Watch out, because the playoffs are coming.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-LA-v-RSL/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Real Salt Lake, 4-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday at Vancouver (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live)</a></li></ul>

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<p>First win in a month for the Timbers thanks to a master class from Diego Valeri in a two-assist performance vs. FC Dallas. Bonus points for Caleb Porter going all Dennis Green on his Designated Player: &quot;He&#39;s exactly what we thought he&#39;d be.&quot; Mmkay.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-POR-v-DAL/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. FC Dallas, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Real Salt Lake (11 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>) | Sunday at Seattle (10 pm, ESPN2)</li></ul>

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<p>Sporting&#39;s attacking corps are deep, but they looked sloppy and uninspired without Kei Kamara and Graham Zusi in San Jose. This is a dominant side with that duo, and SKC better hope international fatigue and injuries don&#39;t set in as the summer and fall drag on.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-18-SJ-v-SKC/recap" target="_blank">Lost at San Jose, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday at Chicago (8:30 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul>

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<p>The Orange have shown signs of making BBVA Compass Stadium the fortress it once was. Now, how will they prioritize CONCACAF Champions League?</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-HOU-v-SEA/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Seattle, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five</strong>: W-D-W-L-W</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Saturday at Montreal (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

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<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: 5</p>

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<p>The Power Rankings Politburo has often been rough on Mike Petke. But the first-year head coach&#39;s admission that he didn&#39;t prep his team adequately for breaking down bunkered-in Philly is one of those refreshing bits of honesty that makes us love him.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-NY-v-PHI/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Philadelphia 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong>&nbsp;Sunday at Chivas USA (5 pm, UniMas)</li></ul>

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<p>The Impact have wobbled noticeably but remain the East&#39;s best in terms of points per game. They&#39;ll have to manage minutes carefully as the daunting demands of CCL set in</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-MTL-v-DC/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. D.C. United, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday vs. Houston (7 pm,&nbsp;<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

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<p>The most frequent criticism leveled at the Whitecaps is inconsistency. And they did nothing to dispel the notion in Colorado, where they were outplayed. No Camilo-Kenny Miller magic to save them this time.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-COL-v-VAN/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Colorado, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong>&nbsp;Saturday vs. LA (9 pm,&nbsp;<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul><ul></ul>

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<p>The drought goes on for Jack Mac, who&#39;s now without a goal in eight straight games. Saturday in Jersey was hardly his fault, as he saw exactly zero service. But is there anyone at this point who still thinks his brief time with the USMNT was useful?</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-NY-v-PHI/recap" target="_blank">Drew at New York, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> D-W-L-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Sunday at New England (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

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<p>The road woes continue. Clint Dempsey&#39;s getting his feet under him, however, and they did create plenty of chances in Houston even without top strikers Eddie Johnson and Obafemi Martins. All eyes on Portland now.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-10-CHI-v-MTL/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Houston, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Portland (10 pm, ESPN2)</li></ul>

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<p>Mike Magee isn&#39;t always going to score (he had only two good looks vs. the Revs) and when he doesn&#39;t, the Fire need their big names to step up. DPs Juan Luis Anangon&oacute; and MLS debutant Ar&eacute;valo R&iacute;os have to get up to speed fast after quiet starts in red.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-NE-v-CHI/recap" target="_blank">Lost at New England, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday vs. Sporting Kansas City (8:30 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul>

<strong>13</strong>

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<p>The Earthquakes haven&#39;t lost this season when Chris Wondolowksi scores. That stayed true on Sunday night against SKC. Now they&#39;ve got to figure out how to spark a patented Wondo hot spell as the season winds down. Without it, the playoffs look out of reach.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-18-SJ-v-SKC/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Sporting Kansas City, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at FC Dallas (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>14</strong>

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<p>They may have waited a bit too long to wake up a dormant team, but with Federico Higua&iacute;n scoring two more goals (including another beautiful chip) in a win over Toronto, the Crew can&#39;t be completely considered out of the mix.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-CLB-v-TOR/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Toronto FC, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Real Salt Lake (9:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>15</strong>

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<p>When FCD take the field against Chivas USA on Wednesday, it&#39;ll be almost three months to the day since their last victory. At least they&#39;ve figured out a way to score again: Four goals in last two games is more than they recorded over the previous six.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-POR-v-DAL/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Portland, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Chivas USA (10:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>) | Saturday vs. San Jose (9 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

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<p>He may have signed a pre-contract with Stoke, but the Revs are still going to get their money&#39;s worth from Juan Agudelo this season. Arguably the Revs&#39; best natural goalscorer, he can win games singlehandedly and did it in memorable fashion vs. Chicago.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-NE-v-CHI/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Chicago, 2-0 </a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Philadelphia (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>17</strong>

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<p>Obviously, they could be playing out the season at this point, but in addition to giving the younger guys minutes, Ryan Nelsen and his coaching staff need to work on specific skills with his group, especially on the defensive end.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-CLB-v-TOR/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Columbus, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday at D.C. United (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>18</strong>

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The Black-and-Red showed some fight in Montreal after Ben Olsen&#39;s ejection. It won&#39;t make much difference if the backline keeps playing that poorly, though.<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-17-MTL-v-DC/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Montreal, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday vs, Toronto FC (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>19</strong>

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<p>A weekend bye meant no more red cards, for now. The Goats face FC Dallas midweek, and Chivas will need to play at their best if they want to leave with a result &mdash; not to mention 11 men on the field.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong> Wednesday vs. FC Dallas (10:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)<br> Sunday vs. New York (5 pm, UniMas)</li></ul>