Have you gotten a feel for this season yet? Did you really think New England would go across the country to pitch a shutout in Portland, or Philly vs. Seattle would turn into an MMA event? There's not a lot that's been predictable about 2013, by any stretch of the imagination. And it starts, once again, at the top.
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 are written by Matthew Doyle. All game times are Eastern.
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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<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>Well, that bye week probably felt pretty good, because it means they're back at the top of the Power Rankings. You think they sent a box of candy and some flowers to Houston, thanking the Dynamo for that win in LA?</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-W-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Portland (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)<br>
Saturday vs. D.C. United (8:30 pm, <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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 3</p> |
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<p>You can drop them for coughing up a two-goal lead on the road, and for needing Troy Perkins – the league's best goalkeeper (yeah, we said it) – to stand on his head. But the Impact have masterfully handled a packed schedule, taking care of business in legendary fashion midweek, then getting a road point three time zones away all while juggling the roster. Bravo.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-04-SJ-v-MTL/recap" target="_blank">Drew at San Jose, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-D-W-D</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>)<br>
Saturday vs. Real Salt Lake (2 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: 5</p> |
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<p>Chivas USA were a perfect matchup for KC, since Sporting do so much work down the flanks and the Goats can't defend 'em. But moving SKC back up to No. 3 is less about the outright dominance and more about the confidence C.J. Sapong showed out there. If he plays (and finishes) like that, this team is going to be very, very hard to stop.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-05-skc-v-chv/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Chivas USA, 4-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Wednesday vs. Seattle (8:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)<br>
Sunday at Houston (8 pm, <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: 1</p> |
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<p>Landon Donovan's been a savant at penalties his entire career, but that part of his game still seems to be on sabbatical. And the rest of the Galaxy attack looked disjointed, which shouldn't be a surprise given that they played two rookies and a 19-year-old second-year man at forward.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-05-LA-v-HOU/recap" target="_blank">Lost to Houston, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Vancouver (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</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: 4</p> |
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<p>Hard to drop a team that hasn't lost in two months, but that's what happens when you don't take care of business at home. Add in the Mikaël Silvestre injury, and it was a pretty bad Thursday night for the Timbers. They have a chance to turn that around in a big way this week, however.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-02-POR-v-NE/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. New England, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-D-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong> Wednesday at FC Dallas (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)<br>
Sunday vs. Chivas USA (5 pm, UniMas)</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: 7</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<p>Clutch win by the Dynamo in Carson on Sunday night. Getting it done there has always been a tall task, and doing it without Brad Davis made it even tougher. If they're going to start playing like that on the road with regularity, they will compete for the Shield.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-05-LA-v-HOU/recap" target="_blank">Won at LA, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five</strong>: L-W-D-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Wednesday at D.C. United (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)<br>
Sunday vs. Sporting Kansas City (8 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: 8</p> |
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<p>Tim Cahill has three goals in his last two club games. In his previous 61 across all competitions, he had four goals. So the question now is, "Is this the return of the 2004-11 Tim Cahill, or is this merely a blip as age and injuries continue to curtail his production?"</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-04-CLB-v-NY/recap" target="_blank">Won at Columbus, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong> Wednesday vs. Montreal (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)<br>
Saturday at New England (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</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: 11</p> |
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<p>Luis Gil stepping into a leadership role, Javier Morales banging in goals every week, Devon Sandoval eating up space and occupying defenders ... is it all finally coming together for the new-look RSL? If Joao Plata and Sebastian Velasquez can find some consistency to go along with their talent, the answer could be yes.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-04-RSL-v-VAN/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Vancouver, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong> Wednesday at New England (8 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)<br>
Saturday at Montreal (2 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/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 6</p> |
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<p>Suddenly they've lost two of three, and won just once in five, and it's just up-and-down, up-and-down with this gang. Obviously the Federico Higuaín penalty miss crushed them this past week, which is the kind of thing that happens to a team that's in a funk.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-04-CLB-v-NY/recap" target="_blank">Lost to New York, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Colorado (7:30 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/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 10</p> |
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<p>We'll say this much for the Quakes: They're tough to beat. For the second time in three weeks, they scored in the waning minutes of the game to salvage a result, and hey, coming back from 2-0 down isn't awful. But going 2-0 down – at home – in the first place is. San Jose have only led for 96 minutes this season, and with a road-heavy schedule coming up, they could be in trouble.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-04-SJ-v-MTL/recap" target="_blank">D</a><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-27-CHV-v-SJ/recap" target="_blank">rew vs. Montreal, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-D-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Toronto (10:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)<br>
Saturday at Seattle (4 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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 12</p> |
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<p>Philly showed plenty of fight in that draw vs. Seattle, and the Jack McInerney/Conor Casey duo up top continues to prove a handful for every defense they face. But with Jeff Parke hurt, Kléberson unfit, and depth still a question this Union team always feels like the bottom's about to fall out.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-04-PHI-v-SEA/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Seattle, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> D-D-W-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Chicago (1:30 pm, NBCSN)</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: 16</p> |
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<p>They've taken 10 points from their last five games, and lost just once in six. Oscar Pareja's gotten serious contributions from cast-offs and rookies, and he's dealt with more injuries than anybody in the league. If they're able to get healthy, and then stay healthy, this seems a lot like a playoff team.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-04-COL-v-TOR/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Toronto, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Columbus (7:30 pm, <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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 14</p> |
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<p>Seattle weren't as good as they should have been in Philly, even without the services of Osvaldo Alonso (who really is indispensable). The Power Rankings Politburo still has confidence that Sigi Schmid will find a way to switch this team "on," but no doubt it's been a frustrating two months in the Emerald City.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-04-PHI-v-SEA/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Philadelphia, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Sporting Kansas City (8:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)<br>
Saturday vs. San Jose (4 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/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 9</p> |
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<p>The thing about modern soccer is that there's plenty of film of everyone. So what works for one month might not work during the next, which Chivas USA are learning – to their detriment – at the moment. Right now, every winger they face ends up looking like Luís Figo, which is probably a sign that the three-man backline needs rethinking. </p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-05-skc-v-chv/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Sporting Kansas City, 4-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-L-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Portland (5 pm, UniMas)</li></ul> |
<strong>15</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>That 2-0-0 start is a distant memory, as the 'Caps have gone 0-4-3 over the last seven league games. Yes, there's the Canadian Championship semifinal win over FC Edmonton in there, but that's not really going to dull any of the pain produced by a limp first quarter of the regular season.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-04-RSL-v-VAN/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Real Salt Lake, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-L-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. LA (7 pm, <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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 17</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>After the 0-0 draw at Portland last Thursday, there was some "park the bus" talk, but is that what the Revs did? They certainly made Timbers 'keeper Donovan Ricketts earn his paycheck on the night, and just because you don't go toe-to-toe with one of the league's best possession teams doesn't mean you're parking the bus. New England were defensive, yes, but not cynical. And they earned their point.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-02-POR-v-NE/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Portland, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Real Salt Lake (8 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)<br>
Saturday vs. New York (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>17</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/chicago_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<p>Badly needed the bye week – anything that gets Arne Friedrich closer to the field is good for this team. And they really need to figure out how to keep Logan Pause in the central midfield, because without him, their spacing – and their ability to win the second ball – completely falls apart.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Philadelphia (1:30 pm, NBSCN)</li></ul> |
<strong>18</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> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/toronto_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
Created plenty of chances at Colorado, and only a nightmare moment from Logan Emory prevented them from getting a road point. But even though we don't count ACC play in these rankings, it's impossible to ignore how badly TFC were steamrolled midweek in Montreal, which was as complete a collapse as anything we can think of in recent MLS history.<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-05-04-COL-v-TOR/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Colorado, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-D-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at San Jose (10:30 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/dc_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<p>Can United come out of the break with a clear plan on how to both generate more chances of their own and limit chances for the opposition? If they don't start collecting three points immediately, it's probably time to start prepping for the 2014 SuperDraft.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-L-L</li><li><strong>Next Game</strong><strong>:</strong> Wednesday vs. Houston (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live)</a>, Saturday at FC Dallas (8:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live)</a></li></ul> |
