MLS Power Rankings Week 5

The Max, our east coast correspondent, brings you the MLS power rankings for week 5.

Ranking	Team	Change	Result	Notes
1	Los Angeles Galaxy	-	T 0 - 0 @ KCW	No goal for Buddle meant no goals for the Galaxy. Should US Nats worry that Donovan hasn't scored yet? Both will get plenty of chances against LA.
2	Columbus Crew	-	W 1 - 0 v RSL	Willed themselves to victory by scoring on only shot on goal, a Schelloto PK. Hesmer was MoM with save after save in last ten minutes. Columbus travels to the Seattle this week.
3	Colorado Rapids	+6	w 2 - 1 @ NER	Big jump up rankings due mostly to being only road team to get a win. Two long-range strikes get the Rapids a solid victory. Another road at Quakes awaits them next week.
4	Red Bull New York	-	W 2 - 1 v PHL	Another Angel PK leads to another win for surprisingly effective Red Bulls. Loads of empty seats at RB Arena must be a disappointment. Should get a road win at DC.
5	Seattle Sounders	-2	T 2 - 2 @ DAL, L 0 - 2 @ TFC	Two games on the road is always tough, but they will have wanted more than one point from their games at Dallas and Toronto. Host Crew this week in the "Coach Sigi" Cup.
6	Chicago Fire	+2	W 2 - 0 v HOU	Two goal lead never looked fully secure, but the Fire get the shutout anyway. Still waiting on first Collins John goal. Rebounding Chivas come to town next.
7	Real Salt Lake	-2	L 0 - 1 @ CMB	Real continues to slide down rankings with a tough road loss in a very rainy Columbus. Get a very winnable game (hosting TFC) after brutal one-two punch versus LA & at Crew.
8	Houston Dynamo	-2	L 0 - 2 @ CHI	Tough luck not to score against a stout Chicago defense. Landin must take a bigger role or they will need to look elsewhere. At home against undefeated KC this week.
9	New England Revolution	-2	L 1 - 2 v COL	The Revolution were the only home team to lose - desperately seeking help without stars, Joseph and Twellman. Get another chance to win at home versus unpredictable FCD.
10	Kansas City Wizards	-	T 0 - 0 v LAG	Worst miss in MLS history comes back to haunt Wizards - but KC is the first team to take points from LA. Wizards will want to stay undefeated by going to Houston this week.
11	Toronto	+1	W 2 - 0 v SEA	DeRo with a goal and assist in very good win at home against Sounders. Is any team more reliant on one player? This week they have a tough road game at defending champs.
12	San Jose Earthquakes	-1	L 2 - 3 @ CHV	Fought to the end in loss at Chivas; probably deserved a point for effort. The need to be aware of Colorado's visit as the Rapids won at New England last week.
13	Chivas USA	+2	W 3 - 2 v SJE	Sasha Kljesten welcome back to the MLS. He finally mad an impact and played well throughout their win. They need another total effort on their trip to the Windy City.
14	Dallas	-1	T 2 - 2 v SEA	Another last gasp goal to get the draw at home. Two goals from Cunningham, not too exciting as both were from the spot. Now it's off to New England to attempt first victory.
15	Philidelphia Union	-1	L 1 - 2 @ RBNY	Moreno and Le Toux are getting it figured out up front and defenders avoided getting sent off - both are massive improvements. Could get VERY ugly at Galaxy next week.
16	DC United	-	DNP	DC United host the Red Bulls… what a difference a year makes. DC is this year's version of the 2009 Red Bulls.

MLS Power Rankings Week 4

MLS power rankings are brought to you by our east coast correspondent Max.

Ranking	Team	Change	Result	Notes
1	Los Angeles Galaxy	-	W 2 - 1 v RSL	Edson is playing like he wants a free ticket to South Africa - and Bob Bradley has to give him a shot in next month's friendlies. Tricky road game at KC this week.
2	Columbus Crew	-	DNP	The Crew now had two byes in three weeks - none the rest of the way. Worked out though as they had 5 defenders injured. Now its home against RSL in 2009 Semi-Finals rematch.
3	Seattle Sounders	+2	W 1 - 0 v KC	Injury time winner and save allow Sounders to keep pace with conference rivals. Fredy Montero must start producing goals. He will have his chances in two road games this week.
4	Red Bull New York	+2	W 2 - 1 v DAL	Juan Pablo Angel scored two for the comeback team of the year so far. Must continue to make the Arena a fortress. Should win again at home to Philly.
5	Real Salt Lake	-1	L 1 - 2 @ LAG	The Galaxy, especially Buddle, atoned for 2009 Cup mistakes. There were long stretches where RSL looked good, unlucky on a few occasions. 2nd straight tough road game at C-Bus.
6	Houston Dynamo	+2	W 3 - 0 v CHV	No Ching. No Landin… no problem. Completely dominated the match in all areas. The Dynamo must now travel to Chicago, another team that found their legs last week.
7	New England Revolution	-4	L 0 - 2 @ SJE	It looks like it will be an inconsistent year for Nicols and Company. The whole season depends on Shalrie Joseph's injury status. Back to Gillette to face Colorado
8	Chicago Fire	+2	W 2 - 0 @ DCU	Only road team to win last week, but it was DC, not sure that counts as a legitimate road win. Need production from Collins John against visiting Dynamo.
9	Colorado Rapids	-	W 3 - 1 v TFC	Beat Toronto with 2 PKs from Casey. Three goals flatter their offense as TFC looked completely lifeless most of the match. Will Lopez be available for trip to New England?
10	Kansas City Wizards	-3	L 0 - 1 @ SEA	Definitely had their chances to stay undefeated, will feel gutted for allowing an injury time goal. They will need a result against red-hot Galaxy to prove the belong higher in poll.
11	San Jose Earthquakes	+2	W 2 - 0 v NER	Good effort by the Quakes and Ike Opara is an early Rookie of the Year candidate scoring his second goal (as a defender, no less). Good chance to get three more points at Chivas
12	Toronto	+3	W 2 - 1 v PHL, L 1 - 3 @ COL	DeRo does it again. Scores a brace to beat 10-man Philly, but then their own lack of discipline haunts them against Rapids, giving up two PK goals. Host Seattle next.
13	Dallas	-2	L 1 - 2 @ RBNY	No last second heroics (or referee blunders) to get Dallas a draw at NY. Giving Angel two PK chances is always unwise. Host Seattle on Thursday Night Football.
14	Philidelphia Union	-	L 1 - 2 @ TOR	Califf's roller derby move led to an early red, the second sending off for the Union in their two road games. They must be more disciplined when they visit the Red Bulls this week.
15	Chivas USA	-3	L 0 - 3 @ HOU	The American Goats are a total mystery - their talent does not equal the lifeless team on display again last week. Desperately need points from home game against Quakes.
16	DC United	-	L 0 - 2 v CHI	Pitiful. Just pitiful. Get a bye this week to spare them the embarrassment of losing another game this month.

MLS Power Rankings Week 3

Ranking	Team	Change	Result	Notes
1	Los Angeles Galaxy	+1	W 0:2 @ HOU	Maximum points from three games - Buddle has five goals. Another good test next week when the defending champions visit the Home Depot Center.
2	Columbus Crew	-1	T 2:2 @ DAL	Crew must feel like they let one slip away in Dallas - Schelloto scores again - 5 in a row. may be relieved with another bye week to let five injured defenders heal.
3	New England Revolution	+5	W 4:1 v TOR	Scored 4 goals in opening 21 minutes of second half - 13-minute hat trick by rookie, Schilawski. Good opportunity to get points on the road against Earthquakes.
4	Real Salt Lake	-1	T 2:2 v SEA	Defending champs have shown some weakness in defense - showed resilience by coming back to even score… twice. RSL will be tested when they visit undefeated Galaxy.
5	Seattle Sounders	+1	T 2:2 @ RSL	Two goals from three shots on goal - Sigi has to worry about the lack of production by Montero. Sounders can't sleep against undefeated KC.
6	Red Bull New York	-1	L 2:0 @ CHV	Gave up two terrible goals on the road - guess those NY-centric folks at ESPN were a bit hasty with the number one ranking. Red Bulls now have one win in the last 29 road games.
7	Kansas City Wizards	-	W 1:0 v COL	Two wins in first two games - both at home. They will move up dramatically with a win away from the baseball stadium.
8	Houston Dynamo	-4	L 0:2 v LAG	Without Ching, Houston planned to get goals from Landin, however a childish foul lead to a 1st Half sending off - came close only once in match.
9	Colorado Rapids	+3	L 1:0 @ KC	First loss of season at the hands of KC - beat the Wizards three days later in Open Cup. Dallas must be looking for three points against visiting TFC.
10	Chicago Fire	-1	L 1:2 v SJ	Losing at home to strugglers is no way to open at home - should have had two goals in first twenty minutes. McBride must get on track and DC is the perfect place to do it.
11	Dallas	-	T 2:2 v CMB	Two points from two games at home - lucky to get a 93rd minute strike to save the draw. Dallas will look to be the first to get points visiting at Red Bull Arena.
12	Chivas USA	+1	W 2:0 v RBNY	Should be happy to knock of streaking NY - Padilla was ever-present, where was Sacha? The Goats will have to play better if they want to get points on their visit to the Dynamos.
13	San Jose Earthquakes	+3	W 1:2 @ CHI	Rookie Opara with a game winner on the road - showed spunk to retake lead after Fire goal. Can they slow down the Revs' rookie to get points at home next week?
14	Philidelphia Union	+1	W 3:2 v DC	Le Toux's hat trick showed the expansion club's offensive possibilities - showed heart by taking full points after allowing 2:0 lead to slip away. Can expect points from TOR roadtrip.
15	Toronto	-5	L 4:1 @ NE	Won the first half - defensive weaknesses allowed four goals in second. May not allow flanking runs and easy crosses if they want to get their first points of season against Union.
16	DC United	-2	L 3:2 @ PHL	Moreno's bush league goal was not enough to get first points for United. The dynasty has officially crumbled completely to bottom of league. Enigmatic Fire come visiting next.

MLS Power Rankings Week 2

I will never understand why the MLS gives 6 of 16 teams a bye week in Week 2. I have decided that a team not playing will not move up or down in the rankings - even though a case could be made for LA to be number one and that DC United be dead last. All 16 are back in action next week - so there should be dramatic changes next time. MLS Power Rankings written by our East Coast Corespondent Max. And don't forget to sign up for the Dropping Timber Fantasy Contest!

Ranking	Team	Change	Result	Notes
1	Columbus Crew	-	DNP	Marshall's return and two week's recovery for the older players should make the Crew even more dangerous. Dangerous.
2	Los Angeles Galaxy	+2	W 2-0 v CHV	Buddle's brace beats the Goats in the MLS Superclassico… does this mean Bob Bradley has another option to consider up top? Rolling.
3	Real Salt Lake	-1	L 1-2 @ HOU	Olave's two mistakes proved very costly - both were fouls in the box. Morales did score again though. Inconsistent.
4	Houston Dynamo	+1	W 2-1 v RSL	Two PKs in a couple minutes was little consolation to watching Ching hobble off the pitch. Lucky?
5	Red Bull New York	+4	W 1-0 @ SEA	The Red Bulls now have more points this year from road games as they did in all of 2009 when they only managed two ties. Comeback.
6	Seattle Sounders	-3	L 0-1 v RBNY	Sounders will be disappointed with no points from 17 shots and 12 corners. Wasteful.
7	Kansas City Wizards	-	DNP	MLS did the Wizards no favors with a week two bye - would have preferred playing immediately after blowout victory. Dark Horse.
8	New England Revolution	+4	W 2-0 @ DCU	A squad of reserves and newbies goes on the road and wins. Could be an interesting squad when Joseph returns. Turnaround.
9	Chicago Fire	-1	D 0-0 @ COL	The Fire probably wanted more than a single point from their first two games despite them both being on the road. Homecoming.
10	Toronto	-	DNP	Early bye week was good timing as new players seemingly arrive daily at TFC. Newcomers.
11	Dallas	-	DNP	Maybe the other 8,000 people that should have been at home opener had the wrong date and came this week. Disappointment.
12	Colorado Rapids	-6	D 0-0 v CHI	Gave up the lead twice - inexcusable at home. Cummings has scored in both games and they added former KC DP, Lopez. Inconsistent.
13	Chivas USA	+1	L 2-0 @ LAG	The only reason they moved up is that DC is that much worse and the other two teams below them were idle. Lackluster.
14	DC United	-1	L 2-0 v NER	How many losses till the "Sack Onalfo" campaign starts? The former model franchise continues to take on water. Sinking.
15	Philidelphia Union	-	DNP	A week to practice, practice, practice - home opener versus closest rival geographically and ability wise should be fun. Emotions.
16	San Jose Earthquakes	-	DNP	Yallop must like agony having also coached the Canadian National Team. Now players are publicly grumbling. Chaos.

MLS Power Rankings Week One

Ranking	Team	Notes
1	Columbus	Two-time defending Supporter Shield winners outclass Canadians with Schelloto picking up where he left off with goal and assist.
2	RSL	MLS Cup champs defend title with a big win on the road. Javier Morales scores two to take a very early lead for Golden Boot.
3	Seattle	MLS sophomores beat-up the freshmen team. Rain did not dter a sellout crowd as Sounders were in total control all night.
4	LA	No Beckham, no problem as Galaxy win at home thanks to Edson Buddle's early goal.
5	Houston	Dynamo grab a point on the road despite losing two national team players in the off-season.
6	Colorado	Omar Cummings' second-half goal was all that the Rapids needed in the opening week's least eventful game.
7	Kansas City	The Wizards' 4-0 blow-out of their former coach's new team has to be the biggest surprise of week one.
8	Chicago	Poor finishing bit the Fire as they fall to 2009's worst team despite outshooting them 8 to 3.
9	NYRB	Red Bull get a fresh start in the MLS Taj Mahal, they need to win on the road to prove they are for real.
10	Toronto	Four new players added in the days leading up to opening day and a new coach led to a punchless loss for TFC.
11	Dallas	Luckily for FCD, only 8,000 fans showed up to see them draw in-state rivals - really? Only 8,000 for opening day?
12	New England	The Revolution better find some offense quickly - they had no shots on goal in their opening day loss.
13	DC	What happened to this once proud franchise? New season brings them still playing in RFK Stadium and getting blown out.
14	Chivas	2008 Sacha Kljestan where are you? The USA Goats desperately need the video game poster boy to regain his form.
15	Philly	Tough way to start their MLS history - on the road, in front of sellout crowd, on national television.
16	San Jose	Getting blown out at home is not the way to convince fans to show up - that’s why the 2005 team moved to Houston… St. Louis calling???