MLS Power Rankings, Week 32: Sporting Kansas City on the move

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<strong>Trending</strong>

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<strong>Comment</strong>

<strong>1</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 1</p>

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<p>Ghost of Caricola made a house call in this one, but unlike years past, the Red Bulls at least got a point. Still, they lost the chance to take true control of the Supporters&#39; Shield race.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-05-new-york-red-bulls-vs-new-england-revolution" target="_blank">Drew vs. New England, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-D-D</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Oct. 20 at Houston</li></ul>

<strong>2</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: 5</p>

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<p>Right there with the best in the league on points per game, and now that the defense is clicking again, it&#39;s tough to pick against this team.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-05-columbus-crew-vs-sporting-kansas-city" target="_blank">Won at Columbus, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Houston (8:30 pm, <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>Oof. Depressing week thanks to the US Open Cup, but Mansally&#39;s red card might have been the best thing to happen to this team. They were forced to gut out a result, which could have a galvanizing effect going forward.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-05-real-salt-lake-vs-fc-dallas" target="_blank">Drew vs. FC Dallas, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-L-W-D</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game</strong><strong>: </strong>Oct. 19 at Portland</li></ul>

<strong>4</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 4</p>

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<p>They keep getting results &ndash; a draw at Vancouver when the &#39;Caps actually play attackers is nicely done &ndash; but they&#39;ve defended deeper and deeper over the last two months, and eventually Donovan Ricketts is going to have a howler or two.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-06-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-portland-timbers" target="_blank">Drew at Vancouver, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-W-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. Seattle (9 pm, ESPN<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">)</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: 6</p>

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<p>We definitely could have moved them up more &ndash; at least one member of the Power Rankings Politburo had them No. 1 this week. Consider Wednesday&#39;s game their final test run, as the chance to bury a competitor on the road is a good measure of any team&#39;s mentality.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-05-colorado-rapids-vs-seattle-sounders-fc" target="_blank">Won vs. Seattle, 5-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at San Jose (10:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/">MLS Live)</a></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: 2</p>

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<p>Took two early sucker punches, then got rope-a-doped to death. We&#39;re not worried about that happening again, or about the defense in general. Of real concern is the attack, which has scored multiple goals just twice in the last two months.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-05-colorado-rapids-vs-seattle-sounders-fc" target="_blank">Lost at Colorado, 5-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five</strong>: W-W-D-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Wednesday vs. Vancouver (10 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/">MLS Live)</a></li></ul>

<strong>7</strong>

<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>Nice win. They continue to be really good &ndash; shocker &ndash; when Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan are both available. Need to do it against better than Chivas next time.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-06-la-galaxy-vs-chivas-usa" target="_blank">Won vs. Chivas USA, 5-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-D-L-W</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Oct. 16 vs. Montreal</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>Unbeaten in four, and with a huge &quot;mental health&quot; win over the Impact on Friday. The Dynamo needed that one for their own confidence after getting rung up twice by Montreal earlier this year.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-04-houston-dynamo-vs-montreal-impact" target="_blank">Won vs. Montreal, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Wednesday vs. Kansas City (8:30 pm, <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: 8</p>

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<p>Since the end of June, the Impact are 4-7-5. Since that 4-0-0 start, they are 9-10-7. Everything we&#39;ve seen says they need Bernardello (and Nesta, Bernier and Di Vaio) at 100 percent health or they&#39;ll be roadkill in the postseason.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-04-houston-dynamo-vs-montreal-impact" target="_blank">Lost at Houston, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-L-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong> Saturday vs. New England (2:30 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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 12</p>

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<p>The attack is still something less than inspiring, but a bunch of &quot;1-0s&quot; (in the right direction) will get you to the postseason. Philly are playing like they know it.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-05-philadelphia-union-vs-toronto-fc" target="_blank">Won vs. Toronto, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> D-L-L-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday at D.C. United (7 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: 10</p>

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<p>Their midfielders are very tricky when creating in the final third, but still don&#39;t know how to build possession through the middle third of the field. RBNY took it to them for the better part of that game &ndash; but a point on the road was still a very good result.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-05-new-york-red-bulls-vs-new-england-revolution" target="_blank">Drew at New York, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-W-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Montreal (2:30 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: 11</p>

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<p>That&#39;ll just about do it for this team this year, but we&#39;re already looking forward to what 2014 brings. Columbus look rejuvenated under Brian Bliss, and a little more health (and luck) means they should be thinking &quot;postseason&quot; next year.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-05-columbus-crew-vs-sporting-kansas-city" target="_blank">Lost to Kansas City, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-W-L</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Oct. 19 at New England</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>Since May, the Fire have three shutouts. Two have been against D.C. United &ndash; this last time out against their reserves, more or less. Must-win Brimstone Cup encounter coming Saturday at Dallas.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-04-dc-united-vs-chicago-fire" target="_blank">Won at D.C. United, 3-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at FC Dallas (8:30 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="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>

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<p>Pretty depressing results for the Quakes this past weekend. Obvious must-win against Colorado on Wednesday night.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-D-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Colorado (10:30 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>It was jarring to read Martin Rennie&#39;s postgame quotes about how good Vancouver looked when they had four attackers out there.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-06-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-portland-timbers" target="_blank">Drew vs. Portland, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-W-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Seattle (10 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/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 16</p>

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<p>Two wins in their last 18. That&#39;s an amazing stat for a team with all-star talent in every quadrant of the field.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-05-real-salt-lake-vs-fc-dallas" target="_blank">Drew at Real Salt Lake, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-L-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Chicago (8:30 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/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 17</p>

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<p>Are they the worst Chivas? Maybe not &ndash; Guadalajara have gone just 1-6-5 in Liga MX in the current tournament.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-06-la-galaxy-vs-chivas-usa" target="_blank">Lost at LA, 5-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-L-L-L</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>Oct. 23 at Real Salt Lake</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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Just a reminder: They traded their top pick in the upcoming SuperDraft to Vancouver for Eric Hassli last summer.<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="https://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-05-philadelphia-union-vs-toronto-fc" target="_blank">Lost at Philadelphia, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-L-W-L</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game</strong><strong>: </strong>Oct. 19 at Chicago</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>Ugly scoreline, and lots of defensive improvement needed. But man, do they have a ton of exciting, creative young attackers. And a trophy, too &ndash; even in the worst of years.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="http://golazo.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-04-dc-united-vs-chicago-fire" target="_blank">Lost to Chicago, 3-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong> Saturday vs. Philadelphia (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>