MLS Power Rankings, Week 20: How high did the LA Galaxy climb after big win?

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<strong>1</strong>

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<p>Hey, so Chad Marshall&#39;s pretty important, isn&#39;t he? We still think the Sounders are Shield favorites, but they clearly have depth issues in central defense.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/07/29/seattle-sounders-0-la-galaxy-3-mls-match-recap" target="_blank">Lost to LA, 3-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at San Jose (10:30 pm; NBCSN)</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>

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<p>They keep going down to 10, and they keep coming away with road wins. This team is tough, and in Benny Feilhaber, they have a midfielder who&#39;s reached a &quot;Best Man on the Field Every Week&quot; level of consistency.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-26-toronto-fc-vs-sporting-kansas-city/recap" target="_blank">Won at Toronto, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday vs. Philadelphia (8 pm; NBCSN/TSN2)</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>

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<p>Got a rest, and then got much-needed backline depth <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/07/29/la-galaxy-swap-allocation-spots-dc-united-exchange-defender-kofi-opare-super" target="_blank">thanks to the Kofi Opare trade</a>.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Did not play</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-W-W</li><li><strong><strong>This Week</strong>: </strong>Wednesday vs. Toronto (7 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)<br> Sunday at Houston (8 pm; Univ. Deportes)</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>

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<p>Gyasi Zardes growing into a true No. 9? Check. Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane creating chances left and right? Check. Omar &amp; A.J. back in central defense? Check. Smash the league leaders in CenturyLink? Check. It&#39;s a good week in Carson.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/07/29/seattle-sounders-0-la-galaxy-3-mls-match-recap" target="_blank">Won at Seattle, 3-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Portland (2:30 pm; NBC/TSN)</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>

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<p>Oscar Pareja&#39;s spoiled for attacking and midfield options, but let&#39;s start worrying about the central defense after Matt Hedges had to come off at halftime in Vancouver. FCD can&#39;t afford to be without him for an extended period.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-27-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-fc-dallas/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Vancouver, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-W-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Chivas USA (10 pm; <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/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>

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<p>They&#39;ve been vulnerable without Steven Caldwell in the central defense, and now have to go on the road for a big six-pointer at D.C. and then up to Montreal for a rivalry game.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-26-toronto-fc-vs-sporting-kansas-city/recap" target="_blank">Lost to Kansas City, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-D-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at D.C. United (7 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)<br> Saturday at Montreal (5 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>/TSN/RDS)</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: 6</p>

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<p>Hard to drop a spot when you won, but LA&#39;s huge jump accounts for most of it. The other, tiny part? The fact that Montreal played RSL even before going down a man.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-24-real-salt-lake-vs-montreal-impact/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Montreal, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. New York (9 pm; ESPN2)<br> Saturday at Colorado (9 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: 9</p>

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<p>Depth is being severely tested, which means this isn&#39;t the best time for a two-game week. Colorado have a way of finding down-roster answers, though.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-25-colorado-rapids-vs-chivas-usa/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Chivas USA, 3-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-D-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at New England (7:30 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)<br> Saturday vs. 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/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>

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<p>The Power Rankings Politburo <em>loved</em> watching Pedro Morales spread the field vs. FC Dallas in that second half. But doesn&#39;t a playoff team come away from that game with the full three points?</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-27-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-fc-dallas/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Dallas, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-D-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Chicago (8:30 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>/TSN/RDS2)</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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Created some of the prettiest goals of the season over the last couple of weeks, and Diego Valeri is back to his &quot;Hey, this guy&#39;s in the MVP race&quot; best. But that defense is still a worry.<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-27-montreal-impact-vs-portland-timbers/recap" target="_blank">Won at Montreal, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at LA (2:30 pm; NBC/TSN)</li></ul>

<strong>11</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 11</p>

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<p>The Union will go into Friday&#39;s game at SKC with their full squad and plenty of rest. Time to really see what they&#39;re made of.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Did not play</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-D-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday at Kansas City (8 pm; NBCSN/TSN2)</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>Got some much-needed central defensive depth, but central midfield organization remains the pressing issue in Harrison.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Did not play</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-W-L-D</li><li><strong><strong>This Week:</strong></strong>Wednesday at Real Salt Lake (9 pm; ESPN2)<br> Saturday vs. New England (7 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: 15</p>

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<p>Two straight wins after a long, miserable three months. Ethan Finlay has been one of this season&#39;s breakout players, with speed from the flank that most teams just can&#39;t match.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-26-new-england-revolution-vs-columbus-crew/recap" target="_blank">Won at New England, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-L-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Chicago (8:30 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>Moving away from longball and playing some real, honest-to-goodness soccer paid off against a disorganized Chicago team. This weekend, they&#39;ll have to play just as well against a Seattle side that will surely be out for blood.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-23-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-chicago-fire/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Chicago, 5-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Seattle (10:30 pm; NBCSN)</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>

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<p>Were never in the game, which marks the second straight week that&#39;s happened. If those backline gaps appear this weekend vs. Dallas, Chivas will give up another three goals &ndash; at least.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-25-colorado-rapids-vs-chivas-usa/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Colorado, 3-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Dallas (10 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/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>

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<p>Maybe we&#39;re reading too much into that demolition at Buck Shaw, but man is it hard to ignore a team getting ripped apart like that.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-23-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-chicago-fire/recap">Lost at San Jose, 5-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-W-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Vancouver (8:30 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>/TSN/RDS2)<br> Saturday vs. Columbus (8:30 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>

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<p>Where will DaMarcus Beasley fit? If there&#39;s one area where Houston didn&#39;t need help, it&#39;s the left side (Brad Davis &amp; Corey Ashe). Maybe Davis moves to central midfield and Run DMB plays on the wing?</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Did not play</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. D.C. United (8 pm; Univ. Deportes)</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: 17</p>

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Revs haven&#39;t won &ndash; or even held a lead &ndash; for two months. But hey, at least they&#39;re only one point out of the playoffs.&nbsp;<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-26-new-england-revolution-vs-columbus-crew/recap" target="_blank">Lost to Columbus, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Colorado (7:30 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)<br> Saturday at New York (7 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)<br></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>

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<p>What&#39;s left to write about this team? How about this: Projected No. 1 overall 2015 SuperDraft pick Cyle Larin is Canadian.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-24-real-salt-lake-vs-montreal-impact/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Real Salt Lake, 3-1</a><br><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-27-montreal-impact-vs-portland-timbers/recap">Lost to Portland, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:&nbsp; </strong>L-L-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Toronto (5 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>/TSN/RDS)</li></ul>