MLS Power Rankings, Week 23: New York Bulls take over the top spot

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<strong>1</strong>

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<p>How can a team that looked so listless against Toronto FC two weeks ago be the new No. 1 in the Power Rankings? What a bizarre season &ndash;&nbsp;and what an impressive win from the Red Bulls, who are unbeaten in four and just scalped two teams who were in front of &#39;em in the Shield race.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-SKC-v-NY/recap" target="_blank">Won at Sporting Kansas City, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-D-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday at Columbus (7:30 pm ET,&nbsp;<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>2</strong>

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<p>Following eight unbeaten with three winless is probably not how Jason Kreis drew it up. They&#39;ll be happy with the point on the road, though, and have to bake a &quot;thank you&quot; cake for Nick Rimando.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-COL-v-RSL/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Colorado, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-L-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday vs. Houston (9:30 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>3</strong>

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<p>We are officially sold on the Rapids, and doubly so on young Shane O&#39;Neill &ndash; or as certain members of the Power Rankings Politburo are calling him, &quot;Geoff Cameron v2.0.&quot;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-COL-v-RSL/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Real Salt Lake, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-D-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Sunday at Chivas USA (11 pm ET, UniMas)</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>They&#39;ve scored more than one goal in a game just twice in the last two months, and continue to be vulnerable on set pieces even in games they dominate.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-POR-v-VAN/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Vancouver, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-D-L-D</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Aug. 17 vs. FC Dallas</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: 2</p>

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<p>Two weeks ago, Sporting had a chance to step on the throats of two Eastern rivals and take a firm hold on the Shield race. After two baffling performances, they&#39;re simply part of the pack.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-SKC-v-NY/recap" target="_blank">Lost to New York, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. New England (8:30 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>6</strong>

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<p>Clear Serie A favorites this year.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five</strong>: W-W-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at FC Dallas (9 pm ET, ESPN2)</li></ul>

<strong>7</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>

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<p>Four unbeaten, and what makes us think it&#39;ll stick is that Will Bruin has come out of his cocoon and rediscovered his shooting touch.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:&nbsp;</strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-HOU-v-CLB/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Columbus, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong>&nbsp;Saturday at Real Salt Lake (9:30 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>8</strong>

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<p>That was not a vintage performance from the &#39;Caps at JELD-WEN, but a point at a rival is a good point, even if it&#39;s ugly. We get the feeling this team lacks the &quot;next gear&quot; that most contenders have, however.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-POR-v-VAN/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Portland, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday vs. San Jose (7:30 pm ET,&nbsp;<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: 7</p>

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<p>Maybe deserve to drop more than two after that abominable performance at D.C. on both sides of the ball. Since the start of June, they&#39;ve taken only nine of the 27 points on offer.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-DC-v-MTL/recap" target="_blank">Lost at D.C. United, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-D-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong>&nbsp;Saturday at Chicago (8:30 pm ET,&nbsp;<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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 14</p>

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<p>One of their best performances of the year &ndash; granted, FCD are roadkill &ndash; with the highlight being a fully fit and healthy Ozzie Alonso. And the introduction of Clint Dempsey, which you might have heard one or two things about. As always ... #InSigiWeTrust</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-SEA-v-DAL/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. FC Dallas, 3-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> L-L-D-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday at Toronto (7 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>11</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>

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<p>That was the win we&#39;ve been waiting for &ndash; the first of the year over a team in a playoff spot. Mike Magee continues to be the MVP frontrunner, and Bakary Soumare stabilized what was a woeful defense in the spring. Still got a lot of work to do to get into the playoff picture, though.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-PHI-v-CHI/recap" target="_blank">Won at Philadelphia, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Montreal (8:30 pm ET, <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: 8</p>

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<p>Just two wins in their last seven, and they&#39;ve scored multiple goals just once in their last five. That&#39;s a big concern since this team is not built to pitch shutouts against the league&#39;s best.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-PHI-v-CHI/recap" target="_blank">Lost vs. Chicago, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-D-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday vs. D.C. United (8 pm ET, NBCSN)</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>We&#39;ll give them some dap for posting a third straight win, even if it did come against 10-man Chivas. And we all know how scary this team is when Wondo gets hot.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-SJ-v-CHV/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Chivas USA, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Vancouver (7:30 pm ET, <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/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 13</p>

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<p>Weren&#39;t shut out in their first 14 games. Have been shut out six times in the eight games since &ndash; including their fifth straight.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-sea-v-dal/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Seattle, 3-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-L-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at LA Galaxy (8 pm ET, ESPN2)</li></ul>

<strong>15</strong>

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<p>That is not a game a playoff team should lose. If the Revs miss the postseason, they can point to this loss &ndash; and draws vs. D.C. and Chivas earlier this summer &ndash; as the reason why.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-04-NE-v-TOR/recap" target="_blank">Lost vs. Toronto FC, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Sporting Kansas CIty (8:30 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>16</strong>

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<p>Three-game unbeaten streak! If anything else this year, they&#39;ve learned that Mat&iacute;as Laba is worth the money, and that Jonathan Osorio, Doneil Henry and Joe Bendik are &quot;let&#39;s build around them for a decade&quot; types.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-04-NE-v-TOR/recap" target="_blank">Won at New England, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Seattle (7 pm ET, Univision Deportes)</li></ul>

<strong>17</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 16</p>

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<p>Got to do some serious work to crack the TFC/D.C./Chivas trio that&#39;s had a stranglehold on the bottom spots since April. One win and six losses in the last seven, and it doesn&#39;t look like it&#39;s getting better any time soon.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-HOU-v-CLB/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Houston, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday vs. New York (7:30 pm ET, <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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 19</p>

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The best way to predict whether someone is going to become a star is if they&#39;ve just been traded by Toronto FC &ndash; they&#39;ve basically turned Luis Silva into Ronaldinho. We&#39;re totally on-board with the youth movement, by the way.<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-DC-v-MTL/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Montreal, 3-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday at Philadelphia (8 pm ET, NBCSN)</li></ul>

<strong>19</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 18</p>

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<p>It used to be so easy to write Chivas blurbs, but they&#39;ve become boring. We miss Chel&iacute;s. By the way, they have one win in 16 games since trading Juan Agudelo.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-03-SJ-v-CHV/recap" target="_blank">Lost at San Jose, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong>&nbsp;Sunday vs. Colorado (11 pm ET, UniMas)</li></ul>