MLS Power Rankings, Week 34: Seattle Sounders finish season on top

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<strong>1</strong>

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<p>Open Cup? Supporters&#39; Shield? The big prize, we all know, is being atop the final regular season Power Rankings.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-25-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-la-galaxy/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. LA, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Dallas/Vancouver (9 pm; ESPN2)</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking:</strong> 6</li></ul>

<strong>2</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 2</p>

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<p>Put on a clinic for the first 75 minutes, then fell apart in the last 15 when Seattle added another attacker. Got to wonder if Jeff Cassar &amp; RSL will follow that blueprint.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-25-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-la-galaxy/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Seattle, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Real Salt Lake (8 pm; NBCSN)</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking:</strong> 3</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>Only one loss in the final two months of the season, including the CCL. This team is just about impossible to beat, which is a pretty damn good formula for the playoffs.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-25-montreal-impact-vs-dc-united/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Montreal, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-W-W-D</li><li><strong><strong>This Week</strong>:&nbsp;</strong>Sunday at New York/Kansas City (4 pm, Univ. Dep./<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking: </strong>17</li></ul>

<strong>4</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>Also just about impossible to beat, going 9-1-1 in their last 11. But we&#39;re gonna nitpick: None of the last three outings have been particularly impressive. Starting to get a little bit of a &quot;Portland in 2013&quot; vibe here.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:&nbsp;</strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-25-new-england-revolution-vs-toronto-fc/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Toronto, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-D-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Columbus (4 pm; Univ. Dep./<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking: </strong>7</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>RSL&#39;s grinding right now. They went 4-2-4 down the stretch, and are flying under the radar - like they somehow always do. We all know they&#39;re going to give LA hell.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:&nbsp;</strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-22-real-salt-lake-vs-chivas-usa/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Chivas USA, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. LA (8 pm; NBCSN)</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking:</strong> 4</li></ul>

<strong>6</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>No Pipa, no problem. The only game Columbus have lost in the last two months was at New England, and they had their chances to win that one in the second half. They&#39;ll like the fact that they get a shot at revenge.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-26-columbus-crew-vs-philadelphia-union/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Philadelphia, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. New England (4 pm; Univ. Dep./<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking:</strong> 12</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: 4</p>

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<p>The thrill of those wins over Seattle and LA blinded some folks to the fact that FCD are struggling a bit. They&#39;re 4-5-0 down the stretch, and lost a chance to secure the No. 3 spot with a limp, disjointed home effort vs. Portland.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-25-fc-dallas-vs-portland-timbers/recap" target="_blank">Lost to Portland, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> W-L-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Vancouver (9 pm; TSN/<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking:</strong> 15</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>This team could have folded after the Timbers ground them into dust in late September. Instead they rallied to take 13 of their last 15 points, closing the run by tossing four straight shutouts. They&#39;re limited going forward, but &quot;Defense &amp; Set Pieces&quot; has gotten more than one team to MLS Cup in the past.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-25-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-colorado-rapids/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Colorado, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Dallas (9 pm; TSN/<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>)</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking:</strong> 10</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: 10</p>

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<p>The biggest star in the league, in the biggest market, and they&#39;re flying under the radar? The Power Rankings Politburo urges you to not sleep on the Red Bulls. They&#39;re playing good soccer, and have match-winners up top and in goal.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-26-sporting-kansas-city-vs-new-york-red-bulls/recap" target="_blank">Won at Kansas City, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Thursday vs. Kansas City (8 pm; ESPN2)</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking:</strong> 5</li></ul>

<strong>10</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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Injuries and transfers have killed this team. They&#39;ll go into Thursday&#39;s rematch at Harrison with a limp, and make no mistake: The champs are prohibitive underdogs. <ul><li><strong>Last Week:&nbsp;</strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-26-sporting-kansas-city-vs-new-york-red-bulls/recap" target="_blank">Lost to New York, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Thursday at New York (8 pm; ESPN2)</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking:</strong> 1</li></ul>

<strong>11</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 11</p>

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<p>They&#39;ll have nightmares about that Michael Bradley free kick all offseason, because that was the difference between an early exit and a trip to the playoffs. And more <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/27/report-portland-timbers-midfielder-diego-valeri-sustains-torn-acl-win-over-f" target="_blank">nightmares about Diego Valeri&#39;s ACL</a>.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-25-fc-dallas-vs-portland-timbers/recap" target="_blank">Won at Dallas, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Season completed</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking:</strong> 2</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>The wheels came off and the attack disappeared after the US Open Cup final. Philly went 1-3-2 down the stretch, and now they get to spend a couple of months figuring out if they can get a goal-scorer for the top of that 4-2-3-1.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-26-columbus-crew-vs-philadelphia-union/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Columbus, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Season completed</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking:</strong> 11</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: 14</p>

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<p>Over the last two months of the season Montreal took points off of D.C., New England, Columbus and LA, and knocked the Red Bulls out of the CCL. They have holes to fill, but the postseason should be their aim in 2015.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-25-montreal-impact-vs-dc-united/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. D.C. United, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-D-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Season completed</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking:</strong> 19</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: 16</p>

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<p>D.C. showed how to do a one-year rebuild by using spare parts from around MLS, and few know the league as well as Frank Yallop. It can be done, especially in what&#39;s likely to be a weak East next year.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-24-chicago-fire-vs-houston-dynamo/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Houston, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Season completed</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking:</strong> 13</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: 13</p>

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<p>Luis Garrido is going to be the key for this team next year as well. He&#39;s the best piece for what will be a rebuilding team and a new era next season.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-24-chicago-fire-vs-houston-dynamo/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Chicago, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Season completed</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking:</strong> 8</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>So Michael Bradley <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/27/report-toronto-fcs-michael-bradley-have-foot-surgery-jermain-defoe-returns-e" target="_blank">played the last six months on a bad peg</a>. A lesser man would have leaked that in the press to try to shift the focus to the shortcomings of his teammates.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:<a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-25-new-england-revolution-vs-toronto-fc/recap" target="_blank"></a></strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-25-new-england-revolution-vs-toronto-fc/recap" target="_blank">Lost at New England, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Season completed</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking: </strong>14</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>They finished well, that&#39;s for sure.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-22-real-salt-lake-vs-chivas-usa/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Real Salt Lake, 2-0</a><br><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-26-chivas-usa-vs-san-jose-earthquakes/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. San Jose, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Season completed</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking: </strong>18</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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<p>Their 15-game winless skid is tied for second-longest in league history. Expect a major overhaul this offseason -- hopefully one that gets them younger and faster, as opposed to what happened last winter.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-26-chivas-usa-vs-san-jose-earthquakes/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Chivas USA, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Season completed</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking: </strong>9</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>Rock bottom. The Rapids can&#39;t even console themselves with a high draft pick, because they traded it to Portland for Danny Mwanga last summer.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:&nbsp;</strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-25-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-colorado-rapids/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Vancouver, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:&nbsp; </strong>D-L-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Season completed</li><li><strong>First Kick Ranking: </strong>16</li></ul>