MLS Power Rankings, Week 29: Seattle Sounders' winning streak fuels rise to the top

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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: 6</p>

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<p>We bided our time as Seattle barely squeaked past a series of patsies. No longer &ndash; not after mowing down the previous No. 1. Sigi Schmid&#39;s biggest issue right now is this: How can you sit Lamar Neagle for <em>anyone</em> after the month he&#39;s had?</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-13-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-real-salt-lake/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Real Salt Lake, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at LA (10:30 pm ET, NBCSN)</li></ul>

<strong>2</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>They were chasing the game from the kick, and were never able to settle the tempo and actually take control of things. Just a blip, to be sure, but Seattle have surely made those games in hand count, and now RSL are playing catch-up.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-13-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-real-salt-lake/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Seattle, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. San Jose (9 pm ET, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live)</a></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>Neither rain nor snow nor dark of night will prevent this team from making the playoffs. It&#39;s not always pretty, but they continue to impress.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-colorado-rapids-vs-fc-dallas/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. FC Dallas, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-L-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Friday at Portland (10 pm, NBCSN)</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: 2</p>

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<p>They didn&#39;t drop &ndash; two teams in the top four simply jumped over them. Oh, OK &ndash; you don&#39;t care. Just have at it in the comments, we say.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-L-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Toronto (4 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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 7</p>

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<p>This team would be running away with the East if they hadn&#39;t dropped so many points in late August. Mike Petke&#39;s pushing all the right buttons, and as long as J&aacute;mison Olave stays healthy, they&#39;ll be contenders.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-new-york-red-bulls-vs-toronto-fc/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Toronto, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. FC Dallas (5 pm, UniMas)</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>Of all the contenders, this is the team that worries us most. They simply don&#39;t have the ability to shut teams down unless they go ultra-defensive. Need to dust off tapes of all those 1-0 wins back in March and April.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-montreal-impact-vs-columbus-crew/recap" target="_blank">Lost to Columbus, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five</strong>: W-W-D-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday vs. Vancouver (2 pm ET, <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: 5</p>

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<p>Given the pedigree of this team, you&#39;d think they would find a way <em>not </em>to sleepwalk through a very winnable road game in the middle of the playoff race.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-dc-united-vs-la-galaxy/recap" target="_blank">Drew at D.C. United, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong>&nbsp;Saturday vs. Seattle (10:30 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul>

<strong>8</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 8</p>

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<p>Looked so disorganized and willing to settle for long balls in the first half. That&#39;s partially because Chivas did a good job of compressing midfield, but also because Portland lack answers when Diego Valeri is out.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-chivas-usa-vs-portland-timbers/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Chivas USA, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-L-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Friday vs. Colorado (10 pm, NBCSN)</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: 12</p>

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<p>Is this too high? A few members of the Power Rankings Politburo feel like this is too high. But hey, you pitch a 1-0 shutout on the road in a must-win game, you get a boost. Nicely done to the Dynamo.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-philadelphia-union-vs-houston-dynamo/recap" target="_blank">Won at Philadelphia, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong>&nbsp;Saturday vs. Chivas USA (8:30 pm,&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: 13</p>

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<p>Sometimes you get the breaks. The Fire got a couple against the Revs, and in the process finally climbed above that red line into a playoff spot.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-11-toronto-fc-vs-chicago-fire/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Toronto, 1-1</a></li><li><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-chicago-fire-vs-new-england-revolution/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. New England, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> W-D-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday at Columbus (7:30 pm, <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/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: 9</p>

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<p>Two straight frustrating conference losses. Two straight games in which they were on the wrong side of some controversial calls. All that said, we still think this feels like a playoff team. Anything less than the full three points vs. D.C., however, and we change our tune.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-chicago-fire-vs-new-england-revolution/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Chicago, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-D-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. D.C. United (7:30 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>

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<p>Considering where they were a month ago, we&#39;re comfortable labeling this as a complete free fall. And while John Hackworth is the focus of fan ire, it&#39;s really the misfiring attackers who need to take the blame.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-philadelphia-union-vs-houston-dynamo/recap" target="_blank">Lost vs. Houston, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-D-L-L</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Sept. 27 at Kansas City (8 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul>

<strong>13</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: 11</p>

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<p>Three points out with six games left is hardly a death sentence, but they did manage to let a big, big result get away from them in Colorado. The fire power is there for this team, but they just don&#39;t put it together consistently enough.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-colorado-rapids-vs-fc-dallas/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Colorado, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-D-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at New York (5 pm, UniMas)</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: 17</p>

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<p>Zero question they&#39;ve played better since the coaching change, and the youngsters in particular look more confident. That said, the huge win in Montreal came courtesy of the veteran leaders. Just want you want for a late &ndash; however improbable &ndash; playoff push. If they beat the Fire, they&#39;re in it for real.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-montreal-impact-vs-columbus-crew/recap" target="_blank">Won at Montreal, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Chicago (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/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>Kind of feels like that point was a bigger deal in terms of destroying San Jose&#39;s hopes than in boosting Vancouver&#39;s. Zero creativity or ability to possess in dangerous spots from this team for the past two months.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/recap" target="_blank">Drew at San Jose, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Montreal (2 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: 15</p>

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<p>Goonie magic died on Saturday night. A win would have given the Quakes a real shot, but they &ndash; once again &ndash; misfired badly. Too slow in transition to create good looks, which is the exact opposite of last year.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Vancouver, 0-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-L-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Real Salt Lake (9 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/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: 16</p>

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<p>Too much talent to be an easy out, but too little chemistry to make that talent greater than the sum of its parts. If they keep this team together, they will content for a playoff spot next season. But we all know that is the world&#39;s biggest &quot;if.&quot;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-chivas-usa-vs-portland-timbers/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Portland, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-L-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp; </strong>Saturday at Houston (8:30 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>

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They get another chance to play spoiler this weekend. The defense continues to come together nicely, and &ndash; we&#39;ll say it &ndash; when healthy, Bright Dike is a starting-caliber forward in this league.<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-11-toronto-fc-vs-chicago-fire/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Chicago, 1-1</a></li><li><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-new-york-red-bulls-vs-toronto-fc/recap" 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><strong>: </strong>Saturday vs. Kansas City (4 pm, <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="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 19</p>

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<p>Chris Pontius has now gone two games without getting hurt. Luis Silva and Nick DeLeon are both fit and playing well. All eyes should be on that USOC final in Utah on Oct. 1 &ndash; the regular season simply does not matter.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-14-dc-united-vs-la-galaxy/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. LA, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong> Saturday at New England (7: 30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>