Catch the presidential debate last night? If you've still got the energy, spend a little more time talking Washington politics and tell us what you think of D.C. United climbing the polls this week, all the way to No. 3. There's simply no budging San Jose and Sporting KC from the top spots, but check out Chicago's mighty fall.
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Only MLS regular-season games reflected on schedule. All times are Eastern.
<strong>Rank</strong> |
<strong>Trending</strong> |
<strong>Last </strong> |
<strong>Club</strong> |
<strong>Comment</strong> |
<strong>1</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>1</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sanjose_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>Despite having the Shield already wrapped up, the Quakes have a triple-shot at history this coming weekend. First and foremost is Wondo's run at Roy Lassiter's 27 goals, but with a win, they could become the first team since 2005 to average two points per game, and just the third in league history to have a plus-30 or better goal differential.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Drew vs. LA, 2-2</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/21/highlights-sj-vs-la" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><b><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-21-sj-v-la/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></b></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">D-W-D</span>-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Portland (6:30 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul> |
<strong>2</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>2</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sportingkc_logo.png" width="55"> |
<p>They were mostly unable to impose their physicality on New York, and it was the White Puma to the rescue for the scoreless draw. Getting Roger Espinoza back and healthy is a must, as is getting Kei Kamara some rest — he looked beat against the Red Bulls.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Drew at New York, 0-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/20/highlights-ny-vs-skc" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><b><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-20-ny-v-skc/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></b></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">W-D-W-D</span>-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Philladelphia (8:30 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul> |
<strong>3</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px; "> |
<strong>7</strong> |
<img alt="" height="62" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dc_150.png" width="62"> |
<p>Somehow, they've won five of six since Dwayne De Rosario went down. They've mostly done it with defense, but against the Crew, the offense finally clicked. Chris Pontius is a potential Best XI selection, and Nick DeLeon looks the part of a future US national teamer. If Sporting slip up midweek, D.C. could steal the top spot in the East.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Defeated Columbus, 3-2</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/20/highlights-dc-vs-clb" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS </strong></a></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-20-dc-v-clb/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-D-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong>: Saturday at Chicago (4 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul> |
<strong>4</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>4</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>They played a weirdly listless draw midweek against the Sounders, which perhaps shows how important Álvaro Saborío is to this bunch. There's really no replacement for him. He's suspended for the all-important CCL clash midweek vs. Herediano, but will be back for the season finale vs. the Whitecaps which could determine playoff seeding.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Drew at Seattle, 0-0</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/18/highlights-sea-vs-rsl" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</strong></a></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-17-sea-v-rsl/recap" target="_blank"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Vancouver (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>5</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>5</strong> |
<img alt="" height="62" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/seattle_150.png" width="62"> |
<p>After all the midweek angst against RSL, Sigi Schmid (and Brian Schmetzer) got this team's head right for the game against FC Dallas. If that's the Sounders we see from here on out, they've got more than a puncher's chance at winning the MLS Cup. Keeping them at that level at LA to end the regular season, then against RSL in the Western Conference Semifinals, has to be the goal.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Drew vs. Real Salt Lake, 0-0; Defeated FC Dallas, 3-1</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-17-sea-v-rsl/recap" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a> (RSL)</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/21/highlights-sea-vs-dal" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a> / <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-21-sea-v-dal/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-21-sea-v-dal/recap" target="_blank"></a>(FCD)</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at LA (9 pm, ESPN)</li></ul> |
<strong>6</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px; "> |
<strong>3</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chicago_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>They allowed exactly one shot on goal against New England, and there's nothing Sean Johnson could have done about it regardless. But this is the second time in recent weeks that Chicago have gone into a must-win game and come out on the wrong side of the scoreline. Yes, the schedule's been tough, but great teams get results from those games.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at New England, 1-0</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/20/highlights-ne-vs-chi" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</strong></a></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-20-ne-v-chi/recap" target="_blank"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. D.C. United (4 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul> |
<strong>7</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px; "> |
<strong>6</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>There aren't too many teams who could go into San Jose without their two best players and come out with a result. Hard to expect that indefinitely, though — the Galaxy absolutely need to get Donovan and Beckham healthy, especially since they're locked into the Knockout Round, which means a short turnaround ... should they win.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Drew at San Jose, 2-2</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/21/highlights-sj-vs-la" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><b><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-21-sj-v-la/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></b></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-D-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Seattle (9 pm, ESPN)</li></ul> |
<strong>8</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>8</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newyork_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>What can you make of this team? One week, they barely show up against Chicago, and the next, they become the first team all season to really bully Sporting KC. Red Bull Arena is bizarro-land. The real concern, though, is that they haven't beaten a playoff team since August. That's not a great streak to bring into the postseason.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Drew vs. Sporting KC, 0-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/20/highlights-ny-vs-skc" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><b><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-20-ny-v-skc/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></b></li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> L-D-W-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Satuday at Philadelphia (1:30 pm, NBC)</li></ul> |
<strong>9</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>9</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>We at the Power Rankings Politburo thought that this season would be Brian Ching's last. But when you're that much of a weapon off the bench, why hang 'em up? The Big Kahuna came in and changed the game for the umpteenth time this season, assisting on the game-winner and putting Will Bruin through to draw a PK. Great weapon for Dominic Kinnear at this time of year.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Defeated Philadelphia, 3-1</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/20/highlights-hou-vs-phi" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</strong></a></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-20-hou-v-phi/recap" target="_blank"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Colorado (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>10</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>10</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/columbus_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>Any other year and 49 points would have gotten this team to the playoffs. We're still of the opinion that Robert Warzycha has done a masterful rebuilding job, one that needs time to marinate this offseason. Get everyone healthy, get everyone on the same page and get them used to being around each other, and a 2013 postseason spot will be theirs.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at D.C. United, 3-2</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/20/highlights-dc-vs-clb" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS </strong></a></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-20-dc-v-clb/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Toronto (4 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>11</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>11</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/vancouver_150.png" style="text-align: center; width: 50px; height: 73px; "> |
<p>Kind of the definition of "backing into the playoffs," and the added indignity of watching Portland celebrate the Cascadia Cup on the BC Place turf. They'll have 90 more minutes to put together a working combination, and then a short turnaround before the Knockout Round game in LA vs. the Galaxy. Pressure's on.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost vs. Portland, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/21/highlights-van-vs-por" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-21-van-v-por/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-D-W-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> |
<strong>12</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px; "> |
<strong>13</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imapact-logo-3.png" style="width: 52px; height: 60px; "> |
<p>Pitching a shutout on the road in a rivalry game is always nice, and they have to be sorely disappointed that Marco Di Vaio spurned that late, great chance to take all three points. What they'll be happy about, though, is the chance to build around Felipe, Andrew Wenger and Collen Warner for years to come.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Drew at Toronto, 0-0</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/20/hightlights-tor-vs-mtl" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</strong></a></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-20-tor-v-mtl/recap" target="_blank"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. New England (2 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/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px; "> |
<strong>12</strong> |
<img alt="" height="64" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dallas_150.png" style="text-align: center; " width="64"> |
<p>Lack of discipline killed this team at the start of the season with red cards, and killed them at the end of the season when Zach Loyd decided to argue a call (which was the right call, by the way) instead of preventing a quick restart. Schellas Hyndman needs to fix that for 2013, and the veteran leaders have to lead the way.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at Seattle, 3-1</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/21/highlights-sea-vs-dal" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-21-sea-v-dal/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-21-sea-v-dal/recap" target="_blank"></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-D-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Sunday vs. Chivas USA (7 pm, Galavision)</li></ul> |
<strong>14</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>14</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/philadelphia_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>OK, so it looks like they don't need to go out and buy a center forward for next season. The No. 9 belongs to Jack McInerney — no more questions about that. Now they have to figure out if Freddy Adu can play the withdrawn, creative role, and how much offense they'll be able to generate from the flanks. Lots of quality young pieces, but still tons of questions.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at Houston, 3-1</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/20/highlights-hou-vs-phi" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</strong></a></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-20-hou-v-phi/recap" target="_blank"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Sporting KC (8:30 pm, NBCSN), Saturday vs. New York (1:30 pm, NBC)</li></ul> |
<strong>15</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>15</strong> |
<img alt="" height="50" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" width="50"> |
<p>A gutsy performance to build upon, and it's fitting that Jack Jewsbury played the starring role for what is, at this point, the best moment in franchise history. Don't expect them to roll over for San Jose as Wondo comes to JELD-WEN in pursuit of history, by the way.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Won at Vancouver, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/21/highlights-van-vs-por" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-21-van-v-por/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-D-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. San Jose (6:30 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul> |
<strong>16</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>16</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/colorado_150.png" style="width: 55px; height: 55px; "> |
<p>Honestly hard to say if that was a plan coming together, or if that was simply Chivas being awful. Either way, the 4-2-3-1 looked much more workable than the empty bucket 4-4-2 they've been playing, and Martín Rivero continues to look like a guy who can run a successful attack.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Won at Chivas USA, 2-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/21/highlights-chv-vs-col" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><b><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-20-chv-v-col/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></b></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-D-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Houston (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>17</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>17</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newengland_150.png" style="text-align: center; " width="55"> |
<p>Gotta wonder how much better the Revs would play if they had crowds like that all the time. You could almost feel them feeding off of the positive vibes at the end, holding onto that 1-0 lead (which has been very, very rare this year).</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Defeated Chicago, 1-0</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/10/20/highlights-ne-vs-chi" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</strong></a></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-20-ne-v-chi/recap" target="_blank"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday at Montreal (2 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>18</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>18</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/toronto_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; width: 52px; height: 60px; "> |
<p>Best story of the year for Toronto is the front office's decision to roll back ticket prices to 2007. Hopefully it'll mean a fresh start for the fans. As for the players, we think Luis Silva is one to build around, and that the backline could be pretty good if they can ever manage to get healthy. Need to keep faith with Paul Mariner this offseason.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Drew vs. Montreal, 0-0</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-20-tor-v-mtl/highlights"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</strong></a></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-20-tor-v-mtl/"><b>FULL MATCHCENTER</b></a></li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">D-L-L</span>-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Columbus (4 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>19</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>19</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chivas_150.png" style="text-align: center; " width="55"> |
<p>Juan Agudelo did everything there was to do against the Rapids except for putting the ball in the net. His confidence is clearly shot, and 2012 has been a miserable season for one of the league's best young talents. Lots of questions about who he'll be playing alongside next season, as it seems a certainty that the Goats will have to rebuild this winter.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost vs. Colorado, 2-0</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-20-chv-v-col/highlights"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</strong></a></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-20-chv-v-col/"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 18px;">L-L-L-D-L</span></font></li><li><strong>Next Game</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday at FC Dallas (7 pm, Galavision)</li></ul> |
