- For the Armchair Analyst's look at the weekend, click HERE.
- For the Team of the Week, click HERE.
Note: Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. The Power Rankings are voted on by the editorial staff at MLSsoccer.com, and all comments are written by Matthew Doyle. All times Eastern.
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
<strong>Rank</strong> |
<strong>Trending</strong> |
<strong>Club</strong> |
<strong>Comment</strong> |
<strong>1</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 1</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/seattle_150.png" style="width: 85px; height: 85px;"> |
<p><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/chad-marshall" target="_blank">Chad Marshall</a> looked like the 2008-10 version this past weekend. The defense still needs work in Seattle, but when he's playing this well, he cancels out a lot of mistakes.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-philadelphia-union/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Philadelphia, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Dallas (10 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)<br>
Sunday at New England (6 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>2</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 2</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/realsaltlake.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 55px; height: 71px;"> |
<p>Chicago left the door open an inch, so RSL kicked it in. Didn't play great until the last 20 minutes, but that was enough.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-chicago-fire-vs-real-salt-lake/recap" target="_blank">Won at Chicago, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Houston (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>3</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 4</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sportingkc_logo.PNG" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 84px;"> |
<p>Struggled at times with the Crew's movement with and without the ball, and the finishing still has to get better. But can you argue with a 2-0 win?</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-04-sporting-kansas-city-vs-columbus-crew/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Columbus, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Montreal (4 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>/TSN/RDS/Univ. Dep.)</li></ul> |
<strong>4</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 11</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newengland_150.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: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<p>Weren't dominant, but when you have the best player on the pitch – <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/03/armchair-analyst-best-mls-player-youre-not-watching-plays-new-england-revolu?module=from_footer" target="_blank">that's what Lee Nguyen was</a>, despite the presence of <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/michael-bradley" target="_blank">Michael Bradley</a> and <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/jermain-defoe" target="_blank">Jermain Defoe</a> – you always have a shot.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-toronto-fc-vs-new-england-revolution/recap" target="_blank">Won at Toronto, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-D-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Seattle (6 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>5</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 10</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newyork_150.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: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<p>They usually make a run in May, so this nice four-game unbeaten streak has arrived a bit early.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week</strong>: <a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-04-fc-dallas-vs-new-york-red-bulls/recap" target="_blank">Won at Dallas, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Chicago (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>6</strong> |
<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: 3</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dallas_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<p>Even more worrying than the two straight losses, and three in four, is the mysterious status of <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/mauro-diaz" target="_blank">Mauro Díaz</a>. If he's out for the long haul, this team is in trouble.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-04-fc-dallas-vs-new-york-red-bulls/recap" target="_blank">Lost to New York, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Seattle (10 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>); Saturday at San Jose (10:30 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>7</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 8</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/vancouver_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 110px;"> |
<p>So, so good on that home turf. They are unbeatable when they get teams unabalanced and can use the lanes to run at them. Got to wonder a bit about their forward depth now, however.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-san-jose-earthquakes/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. San Jose, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Columbus (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>/TSN)</li></ul> |
<strong>8</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 9</p> |
<img alt="" height="80" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/colorado_150.png" width="80"> |
<p>Very rugged bounce-back performance for the Rapids. Of course they're still not the same team without <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/dillon-powers" target="_blank">Dillon Powers</a>' range of passing. Need to get him back to take advantage of all their weapons.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-colorado-rapids-vs-la-galaxy/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. LA, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-D-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at San Jose (10:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)<br>
Sunday vs. Chivas USA (3 pm, UniMas)</li></ul> |
<strong>9</strong> |
<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> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.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: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<p><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/robbie-keane" target="_blank">Robbie Keane</a> has earned a lot of equity over the years, but it's probably time to let someone else take penalties. </p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-colorado-rapids-vs-la-galaxy/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Colorado, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Portland (2:30 pm, NBCSN/TSN2)</li></ul><ul></ul> |
<strong>10</strong> |
<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: 6</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/columbus_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 74px;"> |
<p>The Power Rankings Politburo sitll loves us some CrewBall, but this team is sinking for lack of a finisher.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-04-sporting-kansas-city-vs-columbus-crew/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Kansas City, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-D-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Houston (8 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)<br>
Saturday vs. Vancouver (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>/TSN)</li></ul> |
<strong>11</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 13</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<p>Turns out a healthy <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/brad-davis" target="_blank">Brad Davis</a> makes a difference – who'd have guessed? </p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-chivas-usa-vs-houston-dynamo/recap" target="_blank">Won at Chivas USA, 4-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Columbus (8 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)<br>
Sunday vs. Real Salt Lake (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>12</strong> |
<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: 7</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/toronto_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<p>We forgave them a few bad performances earlier in the year, but they were pretty short of answers even with a full squad. <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/gilberto" target="_blank">Gilberto</a>'s lack of production is starting to become a worry.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-toronto-fc-vs-new-england-revolution/recap" target="_blank">Lost to New England, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-L-L-L</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>May 17 vs. New York</li></ul> |
<strong>13</strong> |
<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: 12</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dc_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<p>Tough loss – they probably deserved a point. But if you can't shut the door on late set pieces, you're going to suffer.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-portland-timbers-vs-dc-united/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Portland, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-D-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Philadelphia (4 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>14</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 17</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 74px;"> |
<p>And ... <em>exhale</em>.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-portland-timbers-vs-dc-united/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. D.C., 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. LA (2:30 pm, NBCSN/TSN2)</li></ul> |
<strong>15</strong> |
<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: 13</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/philadelphia_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<p>Crisis time in Philadelphia. Got to think about going to a two-forward set soon, because this team needs at least one true finisher out there.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:<a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-philadelphia-union/recap" target="_blank"></a></strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-philadelphia-union/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Seattle, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-D-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. D.C. (4 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>16</strong> |
<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: 15</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chicago_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<p>The Fire were the better team for most of that game. And that should be zero consolation after such an emphatic meltdown.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-chicago-fire-vs-real-salt-lake/recap" target="_blank">Lost to Real Salt Lake, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-D-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at New York (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>17</strong> |
<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: 16</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/san_jose_quakes_logo_detail2.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 60px; height: 75px;"> |
<p>This feels like it needs to be a six-point week for the Quakes, who have zero rhythm thus far in 2014.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-san-jose-earthquakes/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Vancouver, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-D-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Colorado (10:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)<br>
Saturday vs. Dallas (10:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>18</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 18</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imapact-logo-3.png" style="width: 75px; height: 87px;"> |
Hope they took the bye week to work on preventing opposing forwards from finding the gap between the central defenders. <br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-D-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Kansas City (4 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>/TSN/RDS/Univ. Dep.)</li></ul> |
<strong>19</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 19</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chivas_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<p>Well, <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/adolfo-bautista" target="_blank">Bofo</a> definitely wasn't the answer up top. And there's not a lot going on anywhere else on the field, either.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-03-chivas-usa-vs-houston-dynamo/recap" target="_blank">Lost vs. Houston, 4-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Colorado (3 pm, UniMas)</li></ul> |
