Some huge matchups over the weekend didn't necessarily mean many huge moves in the polls this week. But keep an eye peeled at the middle of the table, as D.C. United and FC Dallas make their move into the top 10. If you agree or disagree with our rankings, let us know what you think in the Facebook 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="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sportingkc_logo.png" width="55"> |
<p>The shutout streak keeps on going. The win streak keeps going. The "no shots on goal allowed" streak ended, but on a technicality rather than a true goal threat. Zero reason to think, at this point, that there's a better team in MLS. Only trick now is keeping it going for seven more months.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Beat Real Salt Lake, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/14/highlights-skc-vs-rsl" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-kc-v-rsl/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Vancouver (10 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>), Saturday at Portland (10:30 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</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="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>After about 15 minutes, it became clear that they weren't going to be able to turn whatever possession they managed to cobble together into chances at Livestrong Sporting Park. When they spread the field for the last 20, they looked much better – but that's not really RSL's game.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at Sporting KC, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/14/highlights-skc-vs-rsl" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-07-rsl-v-col/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at San Jose (10:30 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li></ul> |
<strong>3</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>3</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sanjose_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>So they go into Red Bull Arena shorthanded, walk out even more shorthanded and take a point in the process. They're not happy about the injuries – nor should they be – but they've proven that 2011 is already a bad memory.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Tied New York, 2-2</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/14/highlights-ny-vs-sj" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-ny-v-sj/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-W-T</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Real Salt Lake (10:30 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li></ul> |
<strong>4</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" width="40"> |
<strong>5</strong> |
<img alt="" height="62" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/seattle_150.png" width="62"> |
<p>Getting 1-0 wins while the offense figures itself out will have to do. Mauro Rosales' impending return should help, and Fredy Montero looked lively – finally – for the last half hour against Colorado. But the depth just doesn't seem to be there like it was in 2011.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Beat Colorado, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/14/highlights-sea-vs-col" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-sea-v-col/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-T-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Bye</li></ul> |
<strong>5</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>4</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newyork_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>They need to sort out their central defense and midfield or more dropped points are coming. As Thierry Henry said, the Red Bulls were given a lesson in football by the Earthquakes on Saturday, and it was all about how to keep the ball in the center of the pitch.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Tied San Jose, 2-2</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/14/highlights-ny-vs-sj" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-ny-v-sj/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-W-T</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at D.C. United (6 pm, ESPN2)</li></ul> |
<strong>6</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>6</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>The recipe is still very simple for Houston: Go on the road, lock down the central midfield as much as possible and hit whenever they can on the break. Even down a handful of starters, they were good enough to get a point at Toyota Park.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Tied Chicago, 1-1</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/15/highlights-chi-vs-hou" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</strong></a></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-15-chi-v-hou/recap"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-T</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Columbus (7:30 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li></ul> |
<strong>7</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>7</strong> |
<img alt="" height="58" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/vancouver_150.png" width="40"> |
<p>Big test on the horizon against Sporting midweek, then another tough one vs. Dallas on the weekend. How they handle the league's best and then a perennial playoff team within four days will tell a lot about how far along this team is in Martin Rennie's rebuilding process.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-T-T-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Sporting KC (10 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>), Saturday vs. FC Dallas (10 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</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/losangeles_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>LA will need to do more than just hold serve at home in order to start climbing back up the Power Rankings. That said, a second straight solid defensive performance and the classy attacking play in the game's second half bode well for the coming weeks.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Beat Portland, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/15/highlights-la-vs-por" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-la-v-por/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-L-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Colorado (9 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li></ul> |
<strong>9</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" width="40"> |
<strong>12</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dc_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>Nick DeLeon may be in the midst of one of the touchstone rookie seasons in MLS history. He's made big plays on both sides of the ball, but is absolutely inspired when cutting in from left midfield in the final third. He's been a revelation for D.C.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Won at New England, 2-1</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/14/highlights-ne-vs-dc" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-ne-v-dc/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-T-W-T-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. Montreal (7:30 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>), Sunday vs. New York (6 pm, ESPN2)</li></ul> |
<strong>10</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" width="40"> |
<strong>13</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dallas_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>It's not great when you need a furious last-minute comeback in order to get full honors at home against an expansion team. That said, it's nice for Dallas to know they can do just that. Still, they've got to be counting the days until David Ferreira gets back.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Beat Montreal, 2-1</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/14/highlights-dal-v-mtl">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-dal-v-mtl/recap" target="_blank"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>T-L-L-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Vancouver (10 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li></ul> |
<strong>11</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>9</strong> |
<img alt="" height="64" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/colorado_150.png" width="64"> |
<p>Kind of a brutal loss, especially given how well they played for the first 45 minutes. Right now they just don't have the horses up top to compete with the league's best – but with Conor Casey returning, that equation could change in a hurry.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at Seattle, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/14/highlights-sea-vs-col" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-sea-v-col/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. LA (9 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li></ul> |
<strong>12</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>10</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chicago_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>The Fire still look like they're in preseason mode. They're not playing with the urgency that drove them down the stretch last year, and as a result, the ties are back. The good news is that Sebastian Grazzini looked lively against Houston. If he's engaged, wins will follow.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Tied Houston, 1-1</li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/15/highlights-chi-vs-hou" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</strong></a></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-15-chi-v-hou/recap"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>T-W-L-T</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Toronto (3:30 pm, NBC Sports Network)</li></ul> |
<strong>13</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" width="40"> |
<strong>14</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chivas_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>Every player on Chivas needs to buy Dan Kennedy a steak, or a six-pack, or a bottle of fine scotch or something. He's single-handedly keeping them in games – it should have been at least 3-1 to TFC on Saturday. Best 'keeper in the league so far in 2012.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Won at Toronto, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/14/highlights-tor-vs-chv" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-tor-v-chv/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-L-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Philadelphia (10:30 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li></ul> |
<strong>14</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>11</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newengland_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>Fact of the matter is that the best New England have looked all year is when Shalrie Joseph was starting in central defense. Putting him there allows the Revs to play more skill players in the midfield, and gives the young backline a veteran presence.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost to D.C. United, 2-1</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/14/highlights-ne-vs-dc" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-ne-v-dc/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Bye</li></ul> |
<strong>15</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" width="40"> |
<strong>18</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/philadelphia_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>They're figuring out their identity defensively, but on attack they're still a bit of a mess. Michael Farfan hasn't looked comfortable in the central attacking midfielder role, and as a consequence, the frontline is starved for quality service.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Beat Columbus, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/14/highlights-phi-vs-clb" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-phi-v-clb/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-T-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Chivas USA (10:30 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li></ul> |
<strong>16</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>14</strong> |
<img alt="" height="55" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/columbus_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>The bad luck they've had on the backline and at d-mid is just destroying their season. Few remember just how good they were last summer when healthy. The hope will be they can gut out a few results while waiting for the wounded to return.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at Philadelphia, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/14/highlights-phi-vs-clb" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-phi-v-clb/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Houston (7:30 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li></ul> |
<strong>17</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>16</strong> |
<img alt="" height="50" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" width="50"> |
<p>This is close to a worst-case scenario for John Spencer and company. The only good to take out of it is that, by hitting their low point this early in the year, they have plenty of time to fight their way into the Western Conference playoff hunt.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at LA, 3-1</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/15/highlights-la-vs-por" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-la-v-por/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>T-L-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Sporting KC (10:30 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li></ul> |
<strong>18</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>17</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imapact-logo-3.png" style="width: 52px; height: 60px;"> |
<p>They were so, so close to getting their first road point – and probably deserved it. But MLS is more about "earned" than "deserved," and for the Impact to figure at all in 2012, they'll have to learn how to lock down those results</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost at FC Dallas, 2-1</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/14/highlights-dal-v-mtl">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-dal-v-mtl/recap" target="_blank"><strong>FULL MATCHCENTER</strong></a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at D.C. United (7:30 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</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/toronto_150.png" width="55"> |
<p>Can't get any lower. It's been a miserable month for TFC, but the bright side is that they're still generating plenty of chances. If Danny Koevermans rediscovers his scoring touch and Torsten Frings returns, they should begin a long bounceback process.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Lost to Chivas USA, 1-0</li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/14/highlights-tor-vs-chv" target="_blank">WATCH HIGHLIGHTS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-tor-v-chv/recap" target="_blank">FULL MATCHCENTER</a></strong></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Chicago (3:30 pm, NBC Sports Network)</li></ul> |
