Parity rules! Four draws this past weekend, and just a single multi-goal win. You know what that means? It means putting together the Power Rankings is pretty darn hard, since few teams are making a strong case that they're breaking away from the pack.
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 were written by Matthew Doyle. All game times are 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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 2</p> |
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<p>They climb all the way back up to No. 1 by default after yet another leader was dethroned. SKC have honestly earned this spot for their defensive work, but – stop us if you've heard this one before – we won't be entirely convinced until they start finishing more of their chances.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-D-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at New York (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>), Saturday at LA (10:30 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul> |
<strong>2</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: 7</p> |
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<p>OK, we're pretty sold on this bunch. There are still questions since they just don't seem to win enough balls in midfield, and they can be overrun if you deny service to the flanks, but that's on paper. On grass (and turf), this team has been among the league's best since opening day.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-13-DAL-v-LA/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. LA, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Vancouver (8:30 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> |
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<p>There was very little doubt that they'd make it 35 unbeaten at home last weekend, right? That's the sign of a consistently professional team – both the length of the streak itself, and the almost "ho-hum" acceptance that they'd get it done.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-14-HOU-v-CHI/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Chicago, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday at Toronto (4 pm, TSN, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>4</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 3</p> |
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<p>Hardly a slump, but giving up home points to a conference foe is not the way to keep your spot in the Rankings. The Crew forced Montreal to play it high and long, and once again the Impact couldn't really find a Plan B.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-06-POR-v-HOU/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Columbus, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-L-D</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>April 27 vs. Chicago</li></ul> |
<strong>5</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 1</p> |
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<p>Maybe it's too much of a tumble, but they've got just one win in their last four in league play, and it's hard to ignore the fact that they seem like a team that can't find a big goal when they need one. They need to get mentally right – and fast. New DP speculation probably isn't helping matters in that regard.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-13-DAL-v-LA/recap" target="_blank">Lost at FC Dallas, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-W-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong> Saturday vs. Sporting Kansas City (10:30 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul> |
<strong>6</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 5</p> |
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<p>Did it take a wonder-goal from Dominic Oduro to get that precious point at Stade Saputo? Yes, it did. But good teams somehow find a way to get points out of games like that, so full credit to the Crew. They've become a difficult team to beat.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-06-POR-v-HOU/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Montreal, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five</strong>: L-D-W-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday at Chicago (8:30 pm, <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: 11</p> |
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<p>Suddenly it's four unbeaten and "Porterball" looks very much like a winning gambit. It entails a ton of high pressure, first and foremost, and as a result the Timbers are a lock to win the possession battle every week. They're still – like everyone else – letting too many good chances slip away, however.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-14-POR-v-SJ/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. San Jose, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-D-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong> Sunday at San Jose (11 pm, UniMas)</li></ul> |
<strong>8</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 6</p> |
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<p>Chelís had some harsh words for his team, which was turgid and uninspired in the loss to the Rapids. Perhaps it was because of the long layoff, or from missing Juan Agudelo. Whatever the cause, Chivas didn't impose their will on a game they should have strolled away with.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-13-CHV-v-COL/recap" target="_blank">Lost to Colorado, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong> Saturday at Real Salt Lake (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>9</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> |
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<p>In his 34 minutes on the field, Olmes García gave plenty of hints that he could be the guy who's meant to partner Álvaro Saborío. He's still coming to grips with the Jason Kreis way out at Rio Tinto, which can be a steep learning curve. But the talent – and confidence – is there.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-13-VAN-v-RSL/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Vancouver, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-W-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Chivas USA (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul><ul></ul> |
<strong>10</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 9</p> |
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<p>The promise of that 2-0-0 start seems fairly distant, now that the Whitecaps have gone winless in four. They're not generating chances like they should, given all their attacking talent, and Joe Cannon has repeatedly been called upon to keep them in games.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-13-VAN-v-RSL/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Real Salt Lake, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-L-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at FC Dallas (8:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>11</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 8</p> |
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<p>There were lots of questions, after that magical 2012 regular season, about whether the Quakes could come close to a repeat. All those late goals would have to dry up, right? Right – so far.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-14-POR-v-SJ/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Portland, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> D-W-L-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Portland (11 pm, UniMas)</li></ul> |
<strong>12</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 12</p> |
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<p>The Union will be pretty happy they've lost just one of their last five. Flip side of that coin: They coughed up a valuable home point againt a TFC team that just waited for one moment of sloppiness, then punished it.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-13-PHI-v-TOR/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Toronto, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at D.C. United (5 pm, ESPN2)</li></ul> |
<strong>13</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: 14</p> |
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<p>The Red Bulls looked a lot more comfortable on the road that anybody had a right to expect in that win at D.C. The ability to stay compact (which has been hit and miss for them) and generate set piece goals (very much "hit") is a good foundation any time you're away from home.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-13-DC-v-NY/recap" target="_blank">Won at D.C. United, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Sporting Kansas City (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>), Saturday vs. New England (7 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: 16</p> |
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<p>Clilnt Irwin is going to be impossible to get out of the lineup, isn't he? Posted yet another shutout this past weekend, and we're going to give him "mind games!" credit for the Correa PK miss. Deshorn Brown, meanwhile, is solidly the frontrunner for AT&T Rookie of the Year.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-13-CHV-v-COL/recap" target="_blank">Won at Chivas USA, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-D-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Seattle (6 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>15</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> |
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<p>Robert Earnshaw's ability to find goals out of nothing has kept Toronto in the hunt despite the fact that – honestly now – they're being outplayed week after week. And goalkeeper Joe Bendik has been an absolute revelation.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-13-PHI-v-TOR/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Philadelphia, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-D-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Houston (4 pm, TSN, <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="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 13</p> |
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<p>Down, down, down. No wins in four, no attack to speak of, and no answers presenting themselves at the moment. D.C. haven't even been particularly dangerous, and the strain is starting to tell judging by the up-and-down performances from goalkeeper Bill Hamid.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-13-DC-v-NY/recap" target="_blank">Lost to New York, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Philadelphia (5 pm, ESPN2)</li></ul> |
<strong>17</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 15</p> |
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<p>Another team that can't buy a goal, which is probably not surprising since the two guys they'd thought would be smashing them in – Eddie Johnson and Obafemi Martins – have either been out hurt, or playing hurt. This is balanced by the fact that Seattle have done really, really good work across two competitions in terms of possession and build-up play.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-13-SEA-v-NE/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. New England, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Colorado (6 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> |
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They couldn't pull off the improbable at Houston, but not for lack of effort. The Fire look significantly improved over their March form, and now with Chris Rolfe finding the goal, they have some hope for the coming weeks.<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-14-HOU-v-CHI/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Houston, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Columbus (8:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</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/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: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>Once again, the Revs are left to deal with a tragedy outside of and bigger than soccer. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to goalkeeper Matt Reis and his family after his father-in-law was hurt in the deadly Boston Marathon bombing on Monday.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-13-SEA-v-NE/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Seattle, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-D-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong> Saturday at New York (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
