notably Toronto FC, D.C. United and Real Salt Lake -- slipping closer to the bottom of the rankings, time is running short, and the pressure continues to mount to take a stand.
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 29
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 28
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 27
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 26
MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 25
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"> |
David Beckham didn't play in the Crew's 2-0 win over LA, but neither did Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Robbie Rogers, Chad Marshall and Gino Padula. Columbus is clearly the team to beat en route to MLS Cup 2010.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost to CRZ, 2-0 (CCL); Beat LA, 2-0. <b>Next:</b> Tues. vs. SAP (CCL); Sat. vs. SEA. |
90 (6) |
<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"> |
The Dynamo's 5-1 thrashing of Arabe Unido may have been just the spark the club has been searching for of late. A victory over Pachuca on Wednesday will put Houston on the verge of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat UNI, 5-1 (CCL). <b>Next:</b> Wed. vs. PAC (CCL); Sun vs. KC. |
82 |
<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"> |
If not for a gift of an own goal by Nick Garcia, the Fire likely would not have taken any points away from Saturday's clash with Toronto. The Supporters' Shield looks unlikely, at best, to land in Chicago this season.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew with TOR, 2-2. <b>Next:</b> Fri. at LA. |
78 |
<font size="5"><b>4</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>4</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/lag_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
With Beckham out of the lineup and Stefani Miglioranzi forced from the game early, the Galaxy struggled in possession against the Crew. The midfield will have to perform better with Cuauhtemoc Blanco coming to town.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at CLB, 2-0. <b>Next:</b> Fri. vs. CHI. |
74 |
<font size="5"><b>5</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>8</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/ner_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Shalrie Joseph made a major statement for his already strong MVP case on Saturday, nearly single-handedly carrying the Revs in a must-win game. With Steve Ralston done for 2009, Joseph will have to continue to do so.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat SEA, 2-1. <b>Next:</b> Wed. at FCD; Sat. at COL. |
62 |
<font size="5"><b>6</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>6</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/cor_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
After settling for three consecutive draws in what, at least on paper, were winnable matches, the Rapids now find themselves sweating out a playoff berth, as opposed to boasting a comfortable cushion.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew with SJ, 1-1; Drew at KC, 0-0. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. NE. |
58 |
<font size="5"><b>7</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>5</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/sea_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Sounders FC's collapse in New England shows how impactful each remaining game is. Instead of the five-point cushion that would have come with a win, Seattle is now one unfavorable result from being out of playoff position.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at NE; 2-1. <b>Next:</b> Sat. at CLB. |
53 |
<font size="5"><b>8</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>7</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/cdc_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Their games in hand will likely be the Red-and-White's salvation, but Sacha Kljestan's missed stoppage-time PK against New York represented two additional points that Chivas USA cannot afford to let slip away.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew with NY, 1-1. <b>Next:</b> Sat. at DC. |
50 |
<font size="5"><b>9</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>9</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/tfc_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
The Reds may be the biggest beneficiaries of D.C. United's slip-up against San Jose, as Toronto remains just two points outside the playoffs despite letting what looked like a win slip away in Chicago.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew at CHI; 2-2. <b>Next:</b> 10/10 vs. SJ. |
45 |
<font size="5"><b>10</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>10</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/dcu_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
He won't earn any Goalkeeper of the Year nods, but Josh Wicks has performed quite admirably for D.C. United for much of the season. The Black-and-Red's playoff hopes now fall squarely on Milos Kocic's untested shoulders.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat CDM, 3-0 (CCL); Lost to SJ, 2-1. <b>Next:</b> Wed. vs. SJJ (CCL); Sat. vs. CHV. |
36 |
<font size="5"><b>11</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>11</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/rsl_md_gray.jpg" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
After going 0-for-Texas, it may be time for RSL to hit the panic button. They have just three games remaining and must leapfrog New England, D.C. and Toronto in order to reach the final wild card spot.<br><b>Last:</b> Lost at DAL, 3-0. <b>Next:</b> 10/14 vs. NY. |
26 |
<font size="5"><b>12</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>13</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/fcd_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
It looked like Jeff Cunningham's career was winding down over much of the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Now, at age 33, he looks poised to walk away with his second Golden Boot and set a career high for goals scored in a season.<br><b>Last:</b> Beat RSL, 3-0. <b>Next:</b> Wed. vs. NE. |
25 |
<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"> |
Had Kei Kamara arrived in Kansas City a month sooner, the Kansas City Wizards' playoff hopes might be quite a bit brighter. The Sierra Leone native was an absolute terror to the Rapids' backline on Saturday night.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew with COL, 0-0. <b>Next:</b> Sun. at HOU. |
20 |
<font size="5"><b>14</b></font> |
<font size="5"><b>14</b></font> |
<img src="/imgs/logos/sje_logo_new_md.gif" height="55" width="55" border="1"> |
Much like last season, the Earthquakes are having a strong second half, with just two losses since the MLS All-Star Game. However, their first half was too poor -- just three victories -- to overcome.<br><b>Last:</b> Won at DC, 2-1. <b>Next:</b> Sat. vs. NY. |
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"> |
It's hard not to be impressed by the fight the Red Bulls have shown of late. Richie Williams is making a very strong case to have the interim tag removed from his title before the start of the 2010 season.<br><b>Last:</b> Drew at CHV, 1-1. <b>Next:</b> Sat. at SJ. |
6 |
