MLS Power Rankings, Week 15: Portland Timbers shoot up five spots, but Cascadia rivals still ahead

<strong>Rank</strong>

<strong>Trending</strong>

<strong>Club</strong>

<strong>Comment</strong>

<strong>1</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 1</p>

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

<p>Got the win, but lost Obafemi Martins for their next outing. At least they&#39;ll have a few weeks to think about it...</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-31-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-real-salt-lake/recap" target="_blank">Won at Chicago, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-D-W-W</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>June 28 at D.C. United</li></ul>

<strong>2</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 2</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>Safe to say they&#39;re missing Kyle Beckerman, Nick Rimando and &Aacute;lvaro Sabor&iacute;o. It&#39;s taken a toll.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:&nbsp;</strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-06-04-columbus-crew-vs-real-salt-lake">Drew at Columbus, 1-1;</a><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-06-07-real-salt-lake-vs-portland-timbers" target="_blank">lost to Portland, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-L-D-L</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game:&nbsp;</strong>June 28 at Chivas USA</li></ul>

<strong>3</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 3</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/vancouver_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 110px;">

<p>So much fun to watch, week after week after week. Erik Hurtado is putting paid to the notion that the &#39;Caps need to go after a big-name DP forward. Spend that money on the backline!</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-06-07-philadelphia-union-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc" target="_blank">Drew at Philadelphia, 3-3</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-D-W-D</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game:&nbsp;</strong>June 25 vs. Montreal</li></ul>

<strong>4</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/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>Weren&#39;t dominant, just more professional in how they executed. Sporting aren&#39;t going away, even if they did take a brief trip in May.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-06-06-houston-dynamo-vs-sporting-kansas-city" target="_blank">Won at Houston, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-D-L-W</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game:&nbsp;</strong>June 27 at Portland</li></ul>

<strong>5</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 5</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dc_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>When the Panenka works, you look like a genius. When it doesn&#39;t, you look like a fool.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/741491" target="_blank">Drew vs. Columbus, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-L-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Wednesday at Montreal (7:30 pm,&nbsp;<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>, TSN/RDS)</li></ul>

<strong>6</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 6</p>

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

<p>&quot;Resilient&quot; is still the word for the Reds. Unbeaten in four is a nice run to end the first part of the schedule.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/741490" target="_blank">Won vs. San Jose 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-D-W-W</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game:&nbsp;</strong>June 27 at New York</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: 4</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>How has this team gone from scoring five goals a game to getting shut out twice on the trot? MLS is damn hard to predict.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/741492" target="_blank">Lost vs. New York, 2</a><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-31-dc-united-vs-sporting-kansas-city/recap" target="_blank">-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-L-L</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game:&nbsp;</strong>June 28 vs. Philadelphia</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: 10</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>We&#39;re not going to call it a season-saving win, but it&#39;s definitely renewed some hope in a teetering fanbase. Nice debut from Matt Miazga, to boot.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/741492" target="_blank">Won at New England 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-D-W</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game:&nbsp;</strong>June 25 vs. Toronto</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: 14</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>Last international striker to come in and make as big an immediate impact as Fanendo Adi? Got to go all the way back to Juan Pablo &Aacute;ngel in 2007. How was this guy not starting for Copenhagen?</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/741495" target="_blank">Won at Real Salt Lake, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. FC Dallas (10 pm, ESPN2)</li></ul><ul></ul>

<strong>10</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: 8</p>

<img alt="" height="80" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/colorado_150.png" width="80">

<p>Tough, tough week. For all the promise the Rapids show, they are still wanting for consistency.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-06-04-colorado-rapids-vs-chicago-fire" target="_blank">Drew vs. Chicago, 0-0;</a><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-27-sporting-kansas-city-vs-new-york-red-bulls/recap" target="_blank">lost at FC Dallas, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-D-L</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game:&nbsp;</strong>June 28 vs. Vancouver</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/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>Handicapped by playing without Robbie Keane, but there&#39;s still no rhythm in that midfield or attack.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/741496" target="_blank">Drew vs. Chivas USA, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-D-D</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game:&nbsp;</strong>June 28 at San Jose</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>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/columbus_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>Two points doesn&#39;t really stop the bleeding, but at least the Crew discovered that Ben Speas and Ethan Finlay can really play.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-06-04-columbus-crew-vs-real-salt-lake">Drew vs. Real Salt Lake, 1-1;</a><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/741491" target="_blank">drew at D.C. United, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-L-D-D</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game:&nbsp;</strong>June 28 vs. FC Dallas</li></ul>

<strong>13</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 13</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>Incredibly important win, and a big-time performance from Fabi&aacute;n Castillo. How much longer til Mauro D&iacute;az gets back, though?</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/741493" target="_blank">Won vs. Colorado, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-D-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Portland (10 pm, ESPN2)</li></ul>

<strong>14</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: 11</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/san_jose_quakes_logo_detail2.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: 60px; height: 75px;">

<p>The loss partially accounts for their drop. More than that, though, is the absence of Yannick Djal&oacute;. If he can&#39;t stay healthy for more than two games in a row, it&#39;s hard to take this team all that seriously.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/741490" target="_blank">Lost at Toronto, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-W-L</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game:&nbsp;</strong>June 28 vs. LA Galaxy</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: 18</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/philadelphia_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>So they&#39;ve finally got that attack figured now. Now about the defense...</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/741489" target="_blank">Drew vs. Vancouver, 3-3</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-L-W-D</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game:&nbsp;</strong>June 28 at New England</li></ul>

<strong>16</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 16</p>

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

<p>Harry Shipp is a star in the making, but there are still so many problems for this team when Mike Magee doesn&#39;t play. Which is often.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:&nbsp;</strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-06-04-colorado-rapids-vs-chicago-fire" target="_blank">Drew at Colorado, 0-0;</a><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-06-01-chicago-fire-vs-la-galaxy/recap" target="_blank">lost vs. Seattle, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-D-D-L</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game:&nbsp;</strong>July 2 vs. Toronto</li></ul>

<strong>17</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 17</p>

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

<p>The Power Rankings Politburo approves of the Futty acquisition. Veteran depth for a second-round pick is a solid move.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-D-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Wednesday vs. D.C. United (7:30 pm, TSN/RDS,&nbsp;<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/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: 15</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;">

No answers to be found anywhere, and suddenly sitting on a league-worst minus-13 goal differential.&nbsp;<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/741488" target="_blank">Lost vs. Sporting KC, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-L-L-L</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game:&nbsp;</strong>June 29 at Montreal</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/chivas_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>A very nice point -- traditionally tough to come by against their down-the-hall rivals.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/741496" target="_blank">Drew at LA Galaxy, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:&nbsp; </strong>W-D-L-L-D</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game:&nbsp;</strong>June 28 vs. Real Salt Lake</li></ul>