MLS Power Rankings, Week 5: FC Dallas, Columbus Crew battle for top spot

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<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><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/mauro-diaz" target="_blank">Mauro D&iacute;az</a>&nbsp;is the Power Rankings Politburo&#39;s MVP of March. That <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2014/03/29/goal-mauro-diaz-turns-and-fires-opposite-corner" target="_blank">goal against Portland</a> felt inevitable &ndash; he was the best player on the field throughout.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:&nbsp;</strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-fc-dallas-vs-portland-timbers/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Portland, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday at Houston (8 pm,&nbsp;<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</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>And if it&#39;s not D&iacute;az, then it has to be <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/federico-higuain" target="_blank">Federico Higua&iacute;n</a>. The Crew are the last perfect team in MLS, and he&#39;s their best player.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-columbus-crew/recap" target="_blank">Won at Seattle, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday vs. Toronto (6 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>True story: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/graham-zusi" target="_blank">Graham Zusi</a> had two assists from the run of play vs. Colorado. In all of 2013, he had only one. Even better is that <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/dom-dwyer" target="_blank">Dom Dwyer</a> seems to have found his range in front of net.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:&nbsp;</strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-colorado-rapids-vs-sporting-kansas-city/recap" target="_blank">Won at Colorado, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday vs. Real Salt Lake (8:30 pm,&nbsp;<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</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>Dished out a painful lesson to TFC at the weekend. &quot;Don&#39;t let <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/javier-morales" target="_blank">Javier Morales</a> get into Zone 14&quot; has been an MLS commandment since 2007, and the Reds violated it to their detriment.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-real-salt-lake-vs-toronto-fc/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Toronto, 3-0</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday at Kansas City (8:30 pm,&nbsp;<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/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>Dug themselves a pretty good hole and never really figured out how to control <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/pedro-morales" target="_blank">Pedro Morales</a>, but they fought back &ndash; as they almost always seem to &ndash; and made a game of it. This weekend&#39;s fight for <em>El Capit&aacute;n</em> should be a bloodbath.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-houston-dynamo/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Vancouver, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday vs. Dallas (8 pm ET,&nbsp;<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</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: 12</p>

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<p><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2014/03/31/pedro-morales-player-profile-scouting-report" target="_blank">We&#39;re on the Pedro Train</a>! Morales has been one of the most influential newcomers in the league, and the switch to a 4-1-3-2 gave him even more room to work his magic. He&#39;s a joy to watch.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:&nbsp;</strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-houston-dynamo/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Houston, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday vs. Colorado (6:30 pm ET,&nbsp;<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: 6</p>

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<p>Second home loss of the year equals their total from all of 2013. The Sounders aren&#39;t quite in crisis &ndash; especially since the rest of the West is sorting itself out &ndash; but they&#39;ve looked miles from &quot;good.&quot;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-columbus-crew/recap" target="_blank">Lost vs. Columbus, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday at Portland (3 pm, NBCSN,&nbsp;<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>

<strong>8</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: 7</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/toronto_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>Injuries to <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/jermain-defoe" target="_blank">Jermain Defoe</a> and <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/julio-cesar-0" target="_blank">J&uacute;lio C&eacute;sar</a> were/are probably a bigger storyline than going to Utah and getting a lesson. The stars have carried TFC so far, and if two of the biggest ones are out for any length, they will sink like a stone.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:&nbsp;</strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-real-salt-lake-vs-toronto-fc/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Real Salt Lake, 3-0</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday at Columbus (6 pm,&nbsp;<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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 10</p>

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<p>Climbed a spot thanks to attrition in the East. The Galaxy will have used their bye week to figure out who lines up at right midfield and how to get the central defense right after a disappointing start to the season.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Sunday at Chivas USA (3 pm, UniMas)</li></ul><ul></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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<p>The Union have arguably outplayed three of their four opponents, but they have just one win, a pair of draws and a loss to show for it. Those were a painful two points to drop vs. the Impact this weekend.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:&nbsp;</strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-philadelphia-union-vs-montreal-impact/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Montreal, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday at Chicago (5 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>The wheels haven&#39;t come off &ndash; the Red Bulls were, in fact, pretty good in the second half &ndash; but they need to take this limp start to heart. And they need to start finishing some of the chances they&#39;ve been squandering.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-30-new-york-red-bulls-vs-chivas-usa/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Chivas USA, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday at Montreal (4 pm ET,&nbsp;<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live/</a>TSN)</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>Really, really tough loss to take at home. Two mental lapses &ndash; failing to mark or clear <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/benny-feilhaber" target="_blank">Benny Feilhaber</a> on his equalizer, then <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/marvell-wynne" target="_blank">Marvell Wynne</a>&#39;s inexplicable red card &ndash; killed some good, early-season momentum.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-colorado-rapids-vs-sporting-kansas-city/recap" target="_blank">Lost to Kansas City, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday at Vancouver (6:30 pm ET,&nbsp;<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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 17</p>

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<p>They&#39;re alive! The Revs had to get some help on their first goal of the year (watch <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/victor-bernardez" target="_blank">Victor Bernardez</a>&#39;s blunder <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2014/03/29/own-goal-victor-bernardez-pushes-own-goal-he-attempts-clear-sliding-ball-line" target="_blank">HERE</a>), but the game-winner was all <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/lee-nguyen" target="_blank">Lee Nguyen</a>. Still plenty of questions, but this was a win to build on.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-new-england-revolution/recap" target="_blank">Won at San Jose, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday at D.C. United (7 pm ET,&nbsp;<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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 16</p>

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<p>Continue to be one of the toughest outs in the league, and as long as <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/mauro-rosales" target="_blank">Mauro Rosales</a> is in the lineup, they will have the ability to create chances.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-30-new-york-red-bulls-vs-chivas-usa/recap" target="_blank">Drew at New York, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Sunday vs. LA (3 pm, UniMas)</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>The pieces just aren&#39;t quite in place for the Timbers, and the finishing definitely hasn&#39;t been there. Sweet build-up on <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2014/03/29/own-goal-urrutis-shot-takes-terrible-deflection-matt-hedges" target="_blank">the lone goal</a>, though, hints at good things to come.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-fc-dallas-vs-portland-timbers/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Dallas, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday vs. Seattle (3 pm, NBCSN)</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: 13</p>

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<p>Is it a crisis? Not yet. But not much is working for the Quakes, and an early-season slump cost them a playoff spot last season.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:&nbsp;</strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-new-england-revolution/recap" target="_blank">Lost to New England, 2-1</a></li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>April 13 vs. Columbus</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: 15</p>

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<p>Made a few very simple defensive errors, continually leaving the door open for D.C. This feels very much like a team that&#39;s still figuring out what they&#39;re all about.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:&nbsp;</strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-dc-united-vs-chicago-fire/recap" target="_blank">Drew at D.C. United, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday vs. Philadelphia (5 pm,&nbsp;<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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Get <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/marco-di-vaio" target="_blank">Marco Di Vaio</a> enough looks and eventually he&#39;ll bury one, which is exactly what happened. But the Impact spent nearly that entire game on the back foot and still need someone else who&#39;s goal-dangerous.&nbsp;<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-philadelphia-union-vs-montreal-impact/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Philadelphia, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. New York (4 pm,&nbsp;<a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live/</a>TSN)</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>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dc_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>United&#39;s winless streak in league play hit 15 with that 2-2 home draw. Obviously the attack looked better than it has, but the defense still has the yips, and the midfield may have lost a difference-maker when <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/luis-silva" target="_blank">Luis Silva</a> went down.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-03-29-dc-united-vs-chicago-fire/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Chicago, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday vs. New England (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>