MLS Power Rankings, Week 9: Surging Seattle Sounders take over at No. 1

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<strong>Trending</strong>

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<strong>1</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: 4</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/seattle_150.png" style="width: 85px; height: 85px;">

<p>Until someone figures out how to stop the <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/clint-dempsey" target="_blank">Deuce</a> &amp; <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/obafemi-martins" target="_blank">Oba</a> show, they&#39;ll probably hold this spot. Seattle absolutely tore through a Colorado team that had previously allowed only five goals all season.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-26-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-colorado-rapids/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Colorado, 4-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-W-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday vs. Philadelphia (10 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/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: 1</p>

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<p>Third time this year they&#39;ve coughed up late goals and, subsequently, late points. The good news is that <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/nick-rimando" target="_blank">Nick Rimando</a> has about one bad game a year, and this was it.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-26-real-salt-lake-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Vancouver, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-D-D-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday at Chicago (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/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>FC Dallas fans should be concerned about two things: their defense, which doesn&#39;t scramble well through any zone of the field; and <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/mauro-diaz" target="_blank">Mauro D&iacute;az</a>&#39;s knee. Neither is insignificant.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-26-dc-united-vs-fc-dallas/recap" target="_blank">Lost at D.C. United, 4-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday vs. New York (3 pm, UniMas)</li></ul>

<strong>4</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: 3</p>

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<p>After last week&#39;s dominant win, it felt like Sporting were about to go on a run. It&#39;s not exactly &quot;back to the drawing board&quot; time, but the Revs gave the champs a reality check.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-26-new-england-revolution-vs-sporting-kansas-city/recap" target="_blank">Lost at New England, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-D-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Sunday vs. Columbus (4 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul>

<strong>5</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 5</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.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: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>The next attacking spark out of midfield is cutting his teeth with LA Galaxy II in USL PRO. Homegrown playmaker <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/raul-mendiola" target="_blank">Raul Mendiola</a> is <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/stats/index_E.html" target="_blank">leading the league with three assists in four games</a>, and has <em>Los Dos</em> in second place. He&#39;ll be in MLS by midsummer.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week</strong>: Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-W-W-D</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>6</strong>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 6</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/columbus_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: 74px;">

<p>The Crew have come back to earth a little bit. Their defense can be beat direct, while the attack desperately needs a center forward who can be counted on to make the right pass. Read more <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/26/armchair-analyst-three-levels-confidence-and-why-crew-and-red-bulls-hit-them?module=from_footer" target="_blank"><strong>HERE</strong></a>.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-26-columbus-crew-vs-new-york-red-bulls/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. New York, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-D-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Sunday at Kansas City (4 pm, NBCSN)</li></ul>

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

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

<p>Bye week hit at the right time if it gets <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/michael-bradley" target="_blank">Michael Bradley</a> and <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/jermain-defoe" target="_blank">Jermain Defoe</a> back on the field for this weekend.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday vs. New England (1 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>/TSN2/Univ. Dep.)</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>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/vancouver_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 110px;">

<p>Showed guts with their late comeback at Rio Tinto. But they&#39;re now winless in four, and still looking for the right combination in attack.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-26-real-salt-lake-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Real Salt Lake, 2-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-L-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. San Jose (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>/TSN2)</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: 7</p>

<img alt="" height="80" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/colorado_150.png" width="80">

<p>Pummelled.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-26-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-colorado-rapids/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Seattle, 4-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-W-W-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. LA (9 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: 14</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newyork_150.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: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>The Red Bulls put in the performance of the week last Wednesday vs. Houston, but looked old and slow at the weekend in Columbus. They&#39;ll be bad on short rest, but still clever enough to pick up results here and there.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-23-new-york-red-bulls-vs-houston-dynamo/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Houston, 4-0</a> | <a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-26-columbus-crew-vs-new-york-red-bulls/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Columbus, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-W-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Sunday at Dallas (3 pm, UniMas)</li></ul>

<strong>11</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>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newengland_150.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: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/25/pick-em-mlssoccercom-editors-and-cobi-jones-pick-week-8-matches" target="_blank">Defied expectations</a> with that late win, and suddenly have one of the nicest &quot;Last Fives&quot; in the league (see below). <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/lee-nguyen" target="_blank">Lee Nguyen</a> has been Best XI-caliber so far in 2014.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-26-new-england-revolution-vs-sporting-kansas-city/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Kansas City, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Toronto (1 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>/TSN2/Univ. Dep.)</li></ul>

<strong>12</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>

<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>Won their third of the season this weekend. Last year it took them until August to do that. It hasn&#39;t been pretty yet for D.C., but I doubt they care too much &ndash; just win, baby.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-26-dc-united-vs-fc-dallas/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Dallas, 4-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Portland (10:30 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="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>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_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>This is starting to feel like a free fall. There&#39;s an obvious lack of chemistry between <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/giles-barnes" target="_blank">Giles Barnes</a> and <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/will-bruin" target="_blank">Will Bruin</a>, and no clear answer for how to address it.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-23-new-york-red-bulls-vs-houston-dynamo/recap" target="_blank">Lost at New York, 4-0</a><br><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-27-houston-dynamo-vs-portland-timbers/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Portland, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Chivas USA (10:30 pm, <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: 10</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/philadelphia_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>The Power Rankings Politburo has spent a lot of time talking about how the Union <em>look like</em> a playoff team. But the numbers talk louder: two wins in their last 12, and just six in their last 26. It&#39;s panic time.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-26-montreal-impact-vs-philadelphia-union/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Montreal, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-L-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Seattle (10 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: 13</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chicago_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>Their ranking reflects the fact that New York and D.C. had good weeks, not anything Chicago did or didn&#39;t do on their bye. That said, we hope they took a lot of PKs.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-D-D-D</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>16</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: 18</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/san_jose_quakes_logo_detail2.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: 60px; height: 75px;">

<p>It&#39;s early in the season for a must-win game, but that was a must-win game. The difference between the Quakes when <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/yannick-djalo" target="_blank">Yannick Djal&oacute;</a>&nbsp;is in the game and when he&#39;s not is huge, by the way.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-26-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-chivas-usa/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Chivas USA, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Vancouver (7 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a>/TSN2)</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>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_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: 74px;">

<p>There are encouraging signs in possession, but it&#39;s now 12 games and counting since the last shutout while the attack still sputters. Desperately need to get it right this weekend at home.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-27-houston-dynamo-vs-portland-timbers/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Houston, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-D-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. D.C. (10:30 pm, <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/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 19</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imapact-logo-3.png" style="width: 75px; height: 87px;">

They have two wins in their last 16 regular-season games, both against the Union.&nbsp;<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-26-montreal-impact-vs-philadelphia-union/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Philadelphia, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-D-L-W</li><li><strong>Next MLS Game: </strong>May 10 vs. Kansas City</li></ul>

<strong>19</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: 16</p>

<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chivas_150.png" style="width: 75px; height: 75px;">

<p>After a promising start to the season, the attack has almost totally dried up. Chivas aren&#39;t a punchline, but they&#39;re not very good, either.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-26-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-chivas-usa/recap" target="_blank">Lost at San Jose, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-D-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday vs. Houston (10:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul>