MLS Power Rankings, Week 1: A new team atop the poll after opening weekend

<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: 4</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>Go on the road to a rival. Pitch a shutout and snag a well-worked game-winner. RSL really didn&#39;t skip a beat, did they?</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-08-la-galaxy-vs-real-salt-lake/recap" target="_blank">Won at LA Galaxy, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at San Jose (10:30 pm ET, <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/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: 1</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>Lacked some cutting edge in the final third, but played this one on even terms for 93 minutes before a bad late lapse. We saw nothing to indicate this won&#39;t be one of the league&#39;s best teams all year.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-08-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-sporting-kansas-city/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Seattle, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Dallas (8:30 pm ET, <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: 6</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/seattle_150.png" style="width: 85px; height: 85px;">

<p>It wasn&#39;t often pretty from the Sounders, but they actually gutted out a late win, which has to be a pleasant change from last year&#39;s nightmare finish. More importantly, they looked better with Clint Dempsey out there.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-08-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-sporting-kansas-city/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Kansas City, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Toronto (4:30 pm ET, NBCSN/TSN)</li></ul>

<strong>4</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: 2</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>It was surprising to see Philly come out and give as good as they got in Portland. The Timbers showed a few chinks in the armor in this one, and none bigger than the ongoing problems defending set pieces.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-08-portland-timbers-vs-philadelphia-union/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Philadelphia, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Chicago (3 pm ET, UniMas)</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: 8</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>Will Bruin got three good chances and buried two of them. That doesn&#39;t mean he&#39;s going to completely put 2013&#39;s performance in the rearview, but it certainly seems like a hopeful sign.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-08-houston-dynamo-vs-new-england-revolution/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. New England, 4-0</a></li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Montreal (8:30 pm ET, <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/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/vancouver_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 110px;">

<p>Did the Power Rankings Politburo sleep on the &#39;Caps? They were able to generate attacks from all over the pitch against New York and were deadly in transition. And Pedro Morales is worth the price of admission all by himself.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-08-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-new-york-red-bulls/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. New York, 4-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Chivas USA (7 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/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/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>They got Rimando&#39;d.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-08-la-galaxy-vs-real-salt-lake/recap" target="_blank">Lost vs. Real Salt Lake, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>March 22 at Real Salt Lake</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: 12</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/columbus_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>Dropping Federico Higua&iacute;n deeper into the midfield got him more touches on the ball, and that in turn meant more flow for the Crew in possession and attack. And as good as he was, he may only have been the second-best Crew player on the day behind Michael Parkhurst.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-08-dc-united-vs-columbus-crew/recap" target="_blank">Won at D.C. United, 3-0</a></li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>March 22 vs. Philadelphia</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: 4</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>The Red Bulls stink on turf, so seeing them lose shouldn&#39;t have been a surprise. But the lack of defensive organization throughout midfield and inability to put pressure on Vancouver is a real concern.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-08-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-new-york-red-bulls/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Vancouver, 4-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Colorado (4 pm ET, <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/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/philadelphia_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>Their midfield covered so much ground defensively that they were able to give Portland&#39;s build-up serious fits. Then they made the game vertical and produced some of the night&#39;s best chances. Deserved, perhaps, more than just a point.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-08-portland-timbers-vs-philadelphia-union/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Portland, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. New England (4 pm ET, <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="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: 9</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/2010/quakes-new-logo1.png" style="width: 65px; height: 81px;">

<p>Yannick Djal&oacute;&#39;s kind of a reclamation project after a few down years, but so was Simon Dawkins, right? Time will tell if the Quakes got better on Monday.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Real Salt Lake (10:30 pm ET, <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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 15</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>After one week, Mauro D&iacute;az looks like he&#39;s legit. And we love the fact that they&#39;ll have Blas P&eacute;rez for the entire season. But that defense...</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-08-fc-dallas-vs-montreal-impact/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Montreal, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Houston (8:30 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</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: 7</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>Lots of worries after Week 1: sloppy passing out of the back, overcommitting defensively, and poor ball retention through midfield. Biggest concern, though, is that Scott Caldwell looked overwhelmed as a lone d-mid.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-08-houston-dynamo-vs-new-england-revolution/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Houston, 4-0</a></li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Philadelphia (4 pm ET, <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: 18</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chivas_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>Is our long national nightmare over?</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-09-chivas-usa-vs-chicago-fire/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Chicago, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Vancouver (7 pm ET, <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/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: 14</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/toronto_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>If the season ended today, Toronto would make the playoffs.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Seattle (4:30 pm ET, NBCSN/TSN)</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: 13</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chicago_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>Most discouraging game of the week would probably go to Juan Luis Anangon&oacute;, who should have been ready to do work and live up to that DP contract. Instead he was totally lost and ineffective against a less-than-imposing Chivas backline.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-09-chivas-usa-vs-chicago-fire/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Chivas USA, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Portland (3 pm ET, UniMas)</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/colorado_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>Here&#39;s to hoping that the delay in removing the interim tag from Pablo Mastroeni was ... administrative, we guess? Still seems weird that the front office waited so long to make the final call.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at New York (4 pm ET, <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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 18</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imapact-logo-3.png" style="width: 75px; height: 87px;">

Three big issues we identified in the offseason: scoring production from the wings (check); Felipe looking more like the 2012 version of himself (check); Andrew Wenger proving to be a solid backup for Marco Di Vaio (check). Brutal to tick all those boxes on the road but still come away with a loss.<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-08-fc-dallas-vs-montreal-impact/recap" target="_blank">Lost at FC Dallas, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Houston (8:30 pm ET, <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/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: 17</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>Looked outclassed and disorganized from the first moment and never came into the game until the Crew downshifted into third gear. It&#39;s a good thing they have two weeks to sort themselves out.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-08-dc-united-vs-columbus-crew/recap" target="_blank">Lost vs Columbus, 3-0</a></li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>March 22 at Toronto</li></ul>