MLS Power Rankings Week 18: Seattle Sounders drop after a bye week? Say it ain't so!

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<p>Should we start the countdown clock yet? Their unbeaten streak is 15 in the league, 18 across all competitions. What happens when/if they hit 20?</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong> Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-W-D-W</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Sunday at Columbus (5 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

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<p>It was weird seeing RSL go to the 4-3-3 and, truth be told, it didn&#39;t quite work. Best part of that game for the visitors, though, is that Yordany &Aacute;lvarez&#39;s goal will give him plenty of confidence going into a month where he&#39;s going to see a lot of minutes.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-29-tor-v-rsl" target="_blank">Won at Toronto FC, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Wednesday vs. Philadelphia Union(10 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

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<p>The wheels aren&#39;t going to come off this team &ndash;&nbsp;not completely, not at any point &ndash; but we&#39;re starting to see signs of the vulnerabilities that have been there all season. They&#39;re very good, just not quite as good as their record indicates.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-29-mtl-v-col" target="_blank">Lost vs. Colorado, 4-3</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Wednesday at Toronto (7 pm, TSN2/RDS, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>); Sunday vs. Chivas USA (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

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<p>So do we praise them for going on the road and gutting out a draw, or do we crush them for needing an insane amount of stoppage to do so despite a favorable matchup? Pretty sure we praise them &ndash; they were missing some big pieces, after all.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-29-phi-v-dal" target="_blank">Drew at Philadelphia, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-L-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Thursday vs. Chivas USA (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>); Sunday at LA Galaxy (10:30 pm ET; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>5</strong>

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<p>That would have been a soul-crushing draw to take, but Kei Kamara can solve a lot of problems for a team in need of goals. You can see he&#39;s hitting peak form.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-29-skc-v-clb" target="_blank">Won vs. Columbus Crew, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Vancouver (9 pm, Univision Deportes)</li></ul>

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<p>Significant bounce-back win on Sunday. If New York can keep their summer swoon to just three games, then they have a very legitimate shot at topping the East. Stay tuned for Thursday in Colorado, though.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-30-ny-v-hou" target="_blank">Won vs. Houston Dynamo, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five</strong>: W-D-L-L-W</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game</strong><strong>: </strong>Thursday at Colorado (9:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

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<p>They&#39;ve won six of eight, with only one loss and one draw. Over that time span, only Real Salt Lake can equal them and even Portland &ndash; five wins and three draws &ndash; can&#39;t match the &#39;Caps on PPG.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-29-dc-v-van" target="_blank">Won at D.C. United, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong> Wednesday at Sporting KC (9 pm, Univision Deportes)</li></ul>

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<p>Yes, they dropped two spots during a bye week. Yet we remain confident that Seattle fans will handle this with complete equanimity. Don&#39;t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments section below!</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong> Wednesday vs. D.C. United (10 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>); Saturday at Vancouver (11 pm ET; NBCSN, TSN/RDS)</li></ul>

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<p>Basically the same thing as Dallas: Do we praise them for largely outplaying a good team for 95 minutes, or punish them for coughing up the late equalizer? We&#39;re taking option No. 1 &ndash; especially since help at &#39;keeper has already arrived.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-29-phi-v-dal" target="_blank">Drew vs. FC Dallas, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-W-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Wednesday at Real Salt Lake (10 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>); Saturday at Houston (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul><ul></ul>

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<p>&quot;Goonie magic does not define the match, LA had many chances but just didn&#39;t take them as well as they should&#39;ve. Their next match is at home vs Columbus, therefore the future looks bright for them!&quot; &ndash;&nbsp;Forrest Ellis, Portland Timbers fan (In <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/06/30/la-galaxys-bruce-arena-im-absolutely-embarrassed-performance" target="_blank">comments section here</a>)</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-29-sj-v-la">Lost at San Jose Earthquakes, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Thursday vs. Columbus (10:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>); Sunday vs. FC Dallas (10:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>11</strong>

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<p>Season-changing win, perhaps? Four goals is obviously a haul for any team, but the Rapids have struggled all season, and it looks like Oscar Pareja has finally decided to let the kids carry the load.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-29-mtl-v-col">Won at Montreal Impact, 4-3</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> D-L-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Thursday vs. New York (9:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>); Sunday vs. D.C. United (9:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>12</strong>

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<p>The Dynamo have one long slump every season, and we&#39;ve gotten used to them immediately digging themselves out of it. Have to admit that this one feels a bit different, though. No panic yet, but it could be time for some moves.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-30-ny-v-hou" target="_blank">Lost at New York, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-L-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Philadelphia (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>13</strong>

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<p>Slow, slow climb up the ladder here. The results have started to get pretty good &ndash; you can see that top five &ndash; but we&#39;ve got serious questions about this team as the dog days of summer arrive in full force.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-D-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs San Jose (8:30 pm,&nbsp;<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>); Sunday vs. Sporting KC (3 pm, ESPN)</li></ul>

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<p>A month ago, it looked like the Revs were set up to make a serious run. Where did all that momentum go?</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-29-chv-v-ne" target="_blank">Drew at Chivas USA, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-D-L-D</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Saturday vs. San Jose (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>15</strong>

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<p>No better way to start off the second half of the season, and under Mark Watson the Quakes have won two of three. But they still have quite a large hole to climb out of, and for the next month, no Wondo or Marvin Ch&aacute;vez to do the digging.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-29-sj-v-la" target="_blank">Won vs. LA Galaxy, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Chicago (8:30 pm,&nbsp;<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>); Saturday at New England (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>16</strong>

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<p>Credit to the Crew for finding ways to conjure goals, but that big win over Montreal two weeks back is starting to look more like a blip than a rallying point.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-29-skc-v-clb" target="_blank">Lost at Sporting KC, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Thursday at LA (10:30 pm,&nbsp;<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>); Sunday vs. Portland (5 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

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<p>They&#39;ve certainly started to play better over the last few weeks, especially as Mat&iacute;as Laba gets used to the MLS grind. But the attack is still very much in preseason mode &ndash; kind of insane, heading into July.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-06-22-HOU-v-TOR/recap" target="_blank">Lost vs. Real Salt Lake, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-W-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Wednesday vs. Montreal Impact (7 pm, TSN2/RDS, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>18</strong>

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United, like TFC, are playing better over the last few weeks, though they&#39;re still a disjointed mess up top. Long balls to Chris Pontius aren&#39;t going to get the job done on a regular basis.<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-29-dc-v-van" target="_blank">Lost vs. Vancouver, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Wednesday at Seattle (10 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>); Sunday at Colorado (9:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>19</strong>

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<p>Welcome to the Goat Show, Carlos. You&#39;ve got your work cut out for you.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/match/2013-06-29-chv-v-ne" target="_blank">Drew vs. New England, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong> Thursday at FC Dallas (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>); Sunday at Montreal (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>