MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: Surging LA Galaxy hold the top spot at All-Star break

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<strong>Club</strong>

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<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: 4</p>

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<p>They&#39;ve gone 7-1-3 in their last 11, and grabbed themselves a six-point week with a combined 6-1 beatdown of Seattle and Portland.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-02-la-galaxy-vs-portland-timbers/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Portland, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday vs. 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&#39;re 6-1-4 in their last 11, though their week wasn&#39;t quite as good as LA&#39;s. Injuries &ndash; both short- and long-term &ndash; and a steady series of suspensions have kept Sporting from hitting peak form (so far).</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-01-sporting-kansas-city-vs-philadelphia-union/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Philadelphia, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Vancouver (8 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>/TSN/RDS2)</li></ul>

<strong>3</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: 1</p>

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<p>Is this a blip, or the start of a midsummer death-spiral similar to last year&#39;s? We&#39;re pretty sure the correct answer is &quot;blip.&quot;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-02-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-seattle-sounders-fc/recap" target="_blank">Lost at San Jose, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-L-L</li><li><strong><strong>This Week</strong>: </strong>Sunday vs. Houston (10:30 pm; ESPN2)</li></ul>

<strong>4</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: 3</p>

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<p>Rough way to end what had been a four-game winning streak &ndash; including midweek&#39;s impressive destruction of Toronto. The fact that Fabian Espindola&#39;s almost back should ease any lingering pain from the trip to Houston.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-30-dc-united-vs-toronto-fc/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Toronto, 3-0</a><br><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-03-houston-dynamo-vs-dc-united/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Houston, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Real Salt Lake (10 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/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 5</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/FC%20Dallas.png" style="width: 85px; height: 85px;">

<p>Now unbeaten in seven, and with the attack doing stuff like <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2014/08/04/post-fabian-castillo-rounds-dan-kennedy-and-rips-it-just-wide-tough-angle" target="_blank">THIS</a>, it feels like FCD are primed for a run at the top of the West.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-03-chivas-usa-vs-fc-dallas/recap" target="_blank">Won at Chivas USA, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Colorado (9 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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 7</p>

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<p>Gave up a point they shouldn&#39;t have vs. New York, but fought for all three on the road vs. their biggest rivals. Even better news: Alvaro Saborio should be back soonish from his foot injury.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-30-real-salt-lake-vs-new-york-red-bulls/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. New York, 1-1</a><br><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-02-colorado-rapids-vs-real-salt-lake/recap" target="_blank">Won at Colorado, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. D.C. United (10 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/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>

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

<p>We&#39;re giving them only partial credit for beating a lousy Montreal team at the weekend. TFC are only just hanging in there without Steven Caldwell, who is badly needed to organize that backline.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-30-dc-united-vs-toronto-fc/recap" target="_blank">Lost at D.C. United, 3-0</a><br><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-02-montreal-impact-vs-toronto-fc/recap" target="_blank">Won at Montreal, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-L-L-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>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>Moving up to No. 8 had much more to do with Colorado&#39;s drop than anything that happened in that game at Chicago. Yes, a road shutout is nice, but the &#39;Caps need to start getting three points instead of one.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-30-chicago-fire-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Chicago, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-D-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Kansas City (8 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>/TSN/RDS2)</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: 11</p>

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<p>The Power Rankings Politburo sees good thing in Philly&#39;s future with the additions of Rais Mbolhi and Carlos Valdes. On raw talent this is, at worst, a top-three team in the East.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-01-sporting-kansas-city-vs-philadelphia-union/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Kansas City, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-W-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Montreal (7 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>10</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>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Redbulls.png" style="width: 85px; height: 68px;">

Huge, gutty four-point week. New York&#39;s midfield shape is still all kinds of worrying, but they&#39;ve somehow managed to lose just once in the last nine.<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-30-real-salt-lake-vs-new-york-red-bulls/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Real Salt Lake, 1-1</a><br><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-02-new-york-red-bulls-vs-new-england-revolution/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. New England, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-D-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Chicago (8 pm; Univ. Dep.)</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: 8</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/rapids.png" style="width: 85px; height: 107px;">

<p>Has the bottom started to drop out? The Rapids have just two wins in the last two months and looked positively listless over 180 minutes last week. Yes, injuries played a role &ndash; but everybody&#39;s got injuries at this point in the season.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-30-new-england-revolution-vs-colorado-rapids/recap" target="_blank">Lost at New England, 3-0</a><br><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-02-colorado-rapids-vs-real-salt-lake/recap" target="_blank">Lost to Real Salt Lake, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Dallas (9 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>12</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: 10</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>Got carved up pretty good at LA, which makes it just one shutout in 22 regular-season games for the Timbers. The good news is their offense is clicking, and since early May that&#39;s been enough to carve a slow, steady path up the Western Conference table.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-02-la-galaxy-vs-portland-timbers/recap" target="_blank">Lost at LA, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-W-W-L</li><li><strong><strong>This Week:</strong></strong>Saturday vs. Chivas USA (10:30 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>Added some much-needed midfield creativity last week with <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/08/02/san-jose-earthquakes-hoping-easy-transition-matias-perez-garcia-availability" target="_blank">the signing of Matias Perez Garcia</a>, but now it <a href="https://twitter.com/robertjonas/status/495797121250254848" target="_blank">looks like Yannick Djalo is questionable with another injury</a>. He&#39;s been instrumental in their recent turnaround.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-02-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-seattle-sounders-fc/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Seattle, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday at LA (10:30 pm, NBCSN)</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: 13</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/454_200x200.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>Seven points from their last three is pretty good, but that&#39;s not exactly a murderer&#39;s row they were facing. Next up: Toronto FC, followed by LA, followed by the new-look Dynamo.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-02-chicago-fire-vs-columbus-crew/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Chicago, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-W-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Toronto (7:30 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</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: 17</p>

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<p>DaMarcus Beasley looked so good &ndash; as expected. Luis Garrido was solid as well, and the Dynamo really should have run away with that game vs. D.C. Still have huge concerns up top and in the center of defense, but they don&#39;t look dead in the water like they did through much of spring and summer.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-03-houston-dynamo-vs-dc-united/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. D.C. United, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Seattle (10:30 pm; ESPN2)</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_Fire_Soccer_Club_logo_0.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>Thirteen draws out of 21 games is just ridiculous.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-30-chicago-fire-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/recap">Drew vs. Vancouver, 0-0</a><br><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-02-chicago-fire-vs-columbus-crew/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Columbus, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-L-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. New York (8 pm; Univ. Dep.)</li></ul>

<strong>17</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/Chivas.png" style="width: 75px; height: 99px;">

<p>Starting to feel a bit like the Chivas of old. They&#39;re struggling mightily to create chances from the run of play, and when they go forward in numbers are always ultra-vulnerable to the counterattack.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-03-chivas-usa-vs-fc-dallas/recap" target="_blank">Lost to Dallas, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Portland (10:30 pm; <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/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 18</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/928_200x200_0.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;">

Broke an epic losing streak then followed it up with the most demoralizing loss of the season. The Revs are below the red line, and unless help is on the way at d-mid and forward, chances are they&#39;ll stay there.&nbsp;<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-30-new-england-revolution-vs-colorado-rapids/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Colorado, 3-0</a><br><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-02-new-york-red-bulls-vs-new-england-revolution/recap" target="_blank">Lost at New York, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-W-L</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Aug. 16 vs. Portland<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>

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

<p>All eyes are on the CCL now. This regular season can&#39;t be salvaged, but the Impact can still make a mark continentally.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-08-02-montreal-impact-vs-toronto-fc/recap" target="_blank">Lost to Toronto, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:&nbsp; </strong>L-L-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Philadelphia (7 pm; <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li></ul>