Can we move Landon Donovan to No. 1 in the Power Rankings? Just all by himself?
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>1</strong> |
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<p>Jason Kreis was 100 percent wrong with his beef on the second Wingert yellow, and the first should have been red. Yeah, SKC are a brutally physical team, but the first shots were fired by the guys in Claret-and-Cobalt.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-RSL-v-SKC/recap" target="_blank">Lost to Sporting Kansas City, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-D-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at New York (7 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>2</strong> |
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<p>Solid argument for moving up all the way to No. 1, but we're still trying to figure out where that extra two minutes of stoppage came from. By PPG, this is the league's hottest team.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-RSL-v-SKC/recap" target="_blank">Won at Real Salt Lake, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday at Montreal (7 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>3</strong> |
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<p>First half was excellent, but they got stretched by a hungry and more committed Philly side in the second half. Nonetheless, another shutout and another point on the road is hardly cause for alarm.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-PHI-v-POR/recap" target="_blank">Tied at Philadelphia, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-L-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday at San Jose (10:30 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>4</strong> |
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<p>Outshot the 'Caps 22-4, and only allowed two on frame. <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/07/22/best-defense-despite-late-gaffes-la-galaxy-impressed-backlines-recent-perfor" target="_blank">They've allowed 10 or more shots only once in their last seven</a>. The set piece defense and finishing still need work, but it seems like the Galaxy are starting to get hot – as they do each and every summer.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-LA-v-VAN/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Vancouver, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Colorado (7 pm ET; ESPN2)</li></ul> |
<strong>5</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>Were never in it against the Galaxy despite another goal from Camilo. The game looked close to a carbon copy of last year's Knockout Round playoff matchup, and in all honesty, we just can't sell ourselves on this team as a legit contender.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-LA-v-VAN/recap" target="_blank">Lost at LA, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Philadelphia (7 pm ET; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>6</strong> |
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<p>Did this team forget they had an actual game to play? <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/07/20/new-york-red-bulls-manager-mike-petke-critical-his-squads-performance-toront" target="_blank">Mike Petke's confused</a>, and has every right to be. It seems like there's something just a bit off in the mix for this club.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-TOR-v-NY/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Toronto FC, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five</strong>: L-W-L-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday vs. Real Salt Lake (7 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>7</strong> |
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<p>A four-point week is solid work for a team that's finally – maybe – getting healthy enough to compete for a postseason spot. Admit it, Rapids fans: You'd have taken "one point out with 12 left to play."</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-SEA-v-COL/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. New England, 2-1<br>
Tied at Seattle, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-D-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong> Saturday vs. LA (7 pm ET, ESPN2)</li></ul> |
<strong>8</strong> |
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<p>We refuse to consider this one to be "points dropped at home." That shutout was huge for the Union, who've done a good job of closing midfield lanes and becoming much harder to play against. Only one loss in the last two months.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-PHI-v-POR/recap" target="_blank">Tied vs. Portland, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-L-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday at Vancouver (7 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>9</strong> |
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<p>Changing up the positional responsibilities helped shore up the defense a bit, but failing to get three at home against an FCD team in freefall is bad. And where's the offense gone? The Impact have now scored one goal in their last three.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-MTL-v-DAL/recap" target="_blank">Tied vs. FC Dallas, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-D-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong> Saturday vs.Sporting KC (7 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/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 10</p> |
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<p>Dominic Kinnear has got to be wondering why he'll be without Will Bruin for another week.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> L-D-L-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Chicago (9 pm ET, NBCSN)</li></ul> |
<strong>11</strong> |
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<p>All things considered, a point on the road is a good result for a team that's trying desperately to hang on in the playoff race. But there's this: They haven't scored a single goal since June. Crisis.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-MTL-v-DAL/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Montreal, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-L-L-D</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Aug. 3 at Seattle</li></ul> |
<strong>12</strong> |
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<p>We've got them figured out: They kill losing teams, but struggle against anyone quality. In the East, that may be enough to get them into the playoffs – but they've definitely got work to do.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-SEA-v-COL/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. D.C. United, 4-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Houston (9 pm ET, NBCSN)</li></ul> |
<strong>13</strong> |
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<p>Their only win since early June was against D.C. United at home, and they didn't even look particularly good in that one. We still trust Sigi, but this team just feels like it's close to the edge.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-SEA-v-COL/recap" target="_blank">Tied vs. Colorado, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-L-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Chivas USA (11 pm ET, Univision Deportes)</li></ul> |
<strong>14</strong> |
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<p>Gut-check win against the Crew, even if they were aided and abetted by some inexcusable goalkeeping and defending. This team will compete once Juan Agudelo's back, but nothing until then will come easy.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-17-COL-v-NE/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Colorado, 2-1</a><br><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-CLB-v-NE/recap" target="_blank">Won at Columbus, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at D.C. United (7 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>15</strong> |
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<p>Either they'll be without Chris Wondolowski, Alan Gordon and Clarence Goodson, or they'll be without Marvin Chávez against the Timbers. Quakes fans can be excused for rooting for Honduras on Wednesday.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Portland (10:30 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>16</strong> |
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<p>They have two wins in their past seven. Both came against teams that were No. 1 in the Power Rankings at the time. Completely bizarre.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-17-COL-v-NE/recap" target="_blank">Lost to New England, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Toronto (2 pm ET, <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>The Power Rankings Politburo greatly enjoyed watching Carlos Bocanegra make his return to MLS. Boca and Erick "Cubo" Torres is a pretty good midseason overhaul, but this roster obviously needs much, much more than that.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-17-CHV-v-TOR/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Toronto, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-D-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Sunday at Seattle (11 pm ET, Univision Deportes)</li></ul> |
<strong>18</strong> |
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That loss to Chivas was a head-scratcher, as was Ryan Nelsen's postgame claim that the game became more difficult when they went up a man. Bounced back with a solid point vs. New York – but it sure did look like the Red Bulls played that game at half-speed.<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-17-CHV-v-TOR/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Chivas USA, 1-0</a><br><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-TOR-v-NY/recap" target="_blank">Tied vs. New York, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday vs. Columbus (2 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/straight-line.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: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 19</p> |
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<p>The youth movement started with a thud, though Luis Silva showed precisely why they traded for him. All of it means <em>nada</em> if they don't get a center forward and at least one stud central defender either in this window or in the offseason. </p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-20-SEA-v-COL/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Chicago, 4-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-L-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong> Saturday vs. New England (7 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
