Every Wednesday I will break down the balance of power in Major League Soccer with my weekly power rankings.
1. REAL SALT LAKE [up from #3]
Overall record: 8-2-3 (26 points)
Streak: one win (unbeaten in five)
Officially the best team in MLS after two shutouts last week, including a win in Seattle.
2. NEW YORK RED BULLS [up from #7]
Overall record: 7-1-3 (22 points)
Streak: four wins
A very impressive winning streak considering they’re without Thierry Henry.
3. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES [dow from #2]
Overall record: 7-2-2 (23 points)
Streak: one tie (winless in two)
Needed a late goal from Alan Gordon to tie Chivas at home.
4. SEATTLE SOUNDERS [down from #1]
Overall record: 7-1-2 (22 points)
Streak: one loss
Home loss to Salt Lake shows there’s work to do if they’re going to win the West.
5. SPORTING KANSAS CITY [down from #4]
Overall record: 7-0-3 (21 points)
Streak: three losses
The once impenetrable defence is beginning to show some cracks.
6. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS [down from #5]
Overall record: 5-2-3 (17 points)
Streak: one loss
Rennie paid for leaving regulars at home with a humbling loss in New England.
7. CHICAGO FIRE [up from #9]
Overall record: 4-3-2 (15 points)
Streak: one win (unbeaten in three)
Impressive week with draw vs. RSL and a win over Kansas City. Overlook this team a your peril.
8. DC UNITED [unchanged]
Overall record: 5-3-4 (18 points)
Streak: one loss
Not their best effort against Houston, but they’ll bounce back provided they can stay healthy.
9. COLORADO RAPIDS [down from #8]
Overall record: 5-0-5 (15 points)
Streak: one win
The return of Conor Casey on a full-time basis is very good news for the Rapids.
10. MONTREAL IMPACT [unchanged]
Overall record: 3-3-5 (12 points)
Streak: one tie (unbeaten in four)
Should have collected three points against a defensively-suspect LA side.
11. HOUSTON DYNAMO [unchanged]
Overall record: 3-3-2 (12points)
Streak: one tie (unbeaten in two)
A big win to open BBVA Compass Stadium their new home.
12. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION [up from #14]
Overall record: 4-0-6 (12 points)
Streak: one win
Lee Nguyen bags a brace to burn Vancouver, his previous employer.
13. LA GALAXY [unchanged]
Overall record: 3-2-5 (11 points)
Streak: one tie (winless in four)
A bit of Beckham magic allows the champs to steal a point in Montreal.
14. COLUMBUS CREW [up from #17]
Overall record: 3-2-4 (11 points)
Streak: one win (unbeaten in two)
A morale-boosting win over Dallas could be the start of something.
15. FC DALLAS [down from #12]
Overall record: 3-3-6 (12 points)
Streak: three losses (winless in six)
Lack of discipline continues to cost the Texas side dearly.
16. CHIVAS USA [unchanged]
Overall record: 3-1-6 (10 points)
Streak: one tie (winless in four)
Nice effort in earning a valuable road point in San Jose.
16. PHILADELPHIA UNION [down from #15]
Overall record: 2-1-6 (7 points)
Streak: three losses
Deserved more out of the game vs. New York, but Adu needs to learn to stay on his feet.
18. PORTLAND TIMBERS [unchanged]
Overall record: 2-3-5 (9 points)
Streak: two ties (winless in two)
The rot continues.
19. TORONTO FC [unchanged]
Overall record: 0-0-8 (0 points)
Streak: eight losses
Maybe the bye week will do some good.