MLS Power Rankings, Week 31: Did the Seattle Sounders lose their grip on No. 1?

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<p>We bet Red Bulls fans feel like they&#39;re about to jump out of an airplane: totally thrilled about the journey ahead; totally queasy about the possibility of a rough landing. Never been in this spot come October.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-29-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-new-york-red-bulls" target="_blank">Drew at Seattle, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. New England (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live)</a></li></ul>

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<p>They&#39;re still in the Supporters&#39; Shield driver&#39;s seat, and at least some of the Power Rankings Politburo still feel that&#39;s the best silverware a team can win. But let&#39;s face it: At this point, Oba + EJ does not work up top.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-29-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-new-york-red-bulls" target="_blank">Drew vs. New York, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Colorado (10 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul>

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<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>When the SuperDraft comes around in a couple of months, just remember that it was a no-name second-round pick that kept them alive in the Shield race this past weekend. Win with 30, lose with 30.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-28-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-real-salt-lake" target="_blank">Won at Vancouver, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday vs. FC Dallas (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live)</a></li></ul>

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<p>There&#39;s a different feeling around this team than the one that was unbeaten in 15 straight earlier this season, but no coach would ever toss away a 1-0 win. Especially when it basically guarantees a playoff spot.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-29-portland-timbers-vs-la-galaxy" target="_blank">Won vs. LA, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-D-W-W</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Sunday at Vancouver (8 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live)</a></li></ul>

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<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>In the first 45, they ran up against a hot goalkeeper, but why couldn&#39;t Sporting sustain the pressure in the second 45? And where&#39;s Matt Besler been? Got a feeling this ship is taking on some water at the moment.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-27-sporting-kansas-city-vs-philadelphia-union">Lost vs. Philadelphia, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Columbus (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/">MLS Live)</a></li></ul>

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<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>The bye week came at a weird time, though perhaps Oscar Pareja was a bit grateful to have the extra sessions at hand, since it&#39;s a chance to continue integrating the new faces.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five</strong>: W-L-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday vs. Seattle (10 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul>

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<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 7</p>

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<p>We&#39;re trying to think back and remember a team with as obvious a fatal flaw as &quot;can&#39;t defend set pieces&quot; that then went on to win the Cup. So far, we&#39;ve come up short.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-29-portland-timbers-vs-la-galaxy" target="_blank">Lost at Portland, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-D-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong>&nbsp;Sunday vs. Chivas USA (5 pm, UniMas)</li></ul>

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<p>Huge, huge point not because it propelled them up the standings, but because it kept Chicago out of touching distance. That might have been the result that sent them into the playoffs.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-28-chicago-fire-vs-montreal-impact" target="_blank">Drew at Chicago, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-L-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Friday at Houston (8:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live)</a></li></ul>

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<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 9</p>

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<p>They&#39;ve come to life a bit over the last three weeks, thanks in no small part to Will Bruin&#39;s revival. But if he goes into another funk, what happens to the Dynamo&#39;s hopes of making the postseason? Nothing&#39;s written in stone yet.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-28-new-england-revolution-vs-houston-dynamo" target="_blank">Drew at New England, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-W-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong> Friday vs. Montreal (8:30 pm, <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>We&#39;ve said since May that this feels like a playoff team, but wouldn&#39;t a playoff team figure out a way to win that one? Even against a team like Houston &ndash; been there, done that &ndash; the Revs have to figure out a way to make home field count.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-28-new-england-revolution-vs-houston-dynamo" target="_blank">Drew vs. Houston, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> D-L-L-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday at New York (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live)</a></li></ul>

<strong>11</strong>

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<p>You hear that? That&#39;s the &quot;Higua&iacute;n for MVP&quot; bus warming up. Three points against KC this weekend, and we&#39;re throwing that sucker into drive and gunning it.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-29-fc-dallas-vs-columbus-crew" target="_blank">Won at FC Dallas, 4-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Kansas City (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/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 12</p>

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<p>Gutsy win with a couple of youngsters &ndash; Zac MacMath and Amobi Okugo &ndash; leading the way. Absolutely essential three-point game coming up this weekend.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-27-sporting-kansas-city-vs-philadelphia-union" target="_blank">Won at Kansas City, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-L-W</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>13</strong>

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<p>If either Colorado or LA lose this weekend, San Jose will be one point out of the playoffs and even on games played. With games against Colorado and LA coming up. Parity rules.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-29-chivas-usa-vs-san-jose-earthquakes" target="_blank">Won at Chivas USA, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-D-W-W</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Oct. 9 vs. Colorado</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: 11</p>

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<p>Too much tinkering left this team with no system and no answers when they really, truly needed to attack in waves. Feels like that may have been the last gasp for a playoff spot, though the Cascadia Cup is still in play.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-28-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-real-salt-lake" target="_blank">Lost to Real Salt Lake, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-D-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Portland (8 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

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<p>Crushing result to end a disappointing &ndash; and perhaps fatal &ndash; September. One win, three draws and two losses is simply not enough when you&#39;re trying to fight your way up the ladder.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-28-chicago-fire-vs-montreal-impact" target="_blank">Drew vs. Montreal, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-W-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Friday at D.C. United (8 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul>

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<p>The pieces are there, right? Mauro D&iacute;az, Fabi&aacute;n Castillo, Blas P&eacute;rez, Jackson ... these are all good, talented players who should be difference-makers. But they&#39;re less than the sum of their parts.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-29-fc-dallas-vs-columbus-crew" target="_blank">Lost to Columbus, 4-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-L-L-L</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>

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<p>They&#39;re a pretty tough team to break down, but they offer so little going forward that it&#39;s always tough to watch. It&#39;ll be interesting to see how &quot;Cubo&quot; ends his year &ndash; specifically if MLS figured him out the way the Liga MX did.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-29-chivas-usa-vs-san-jose-earthquakes" target="_blank">Lost to San Jose, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-D-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp; </strong>Sunday at LA (5 pm, UniMas)</li></ul>

<strong>18</strong>

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Have we mentioned how much we love Bright Dike? He may not be the most elegant player out there, but he does &quot;Conor Casey things&quot; on and off the ball, generating chances for himself and time to work for others. He is a starting-quality piece going forward.<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-28-toronto-fc-vs-dc-united" target="_blank">Won vs. D.C. United, 4-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday at Philadelphia (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>19</strong>

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<p>Lots of young talent, but D.C. remain on course for the worst season in league history. Somewhere in Carson, members of the 2005 Chivas USA squad have champagne on ice for the occasion.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-09-28-toronto-fc-vs-dc-united" target="_blank">Lost at Toronto, 4-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong> Friday vs. Chicago (8 pm, NBCSN</li></ul>