MLS Power Rankings: Week 5
Emotional SuperClàsico leaves Chivas USA sitting atop MLS heap
These were just some of the prevailing storylines of Week 4 action. For starters, Seattle Sounders FC, the darlings of the young 2009 season, surrendered the first goal in club history, culminating in their first-ever defeat at the hands of the Kansas City Wizards. Still, after putting up the best-ever start by an expansion team, don't forget about the new MLS powerhouse of the Pacific Northwest.
With Seattle's defeat, the door was thrown open for a new side to take the reins as the top dog in MLS, and that side was Chivas USA, who came out of a dogged fight with their archrivals, only to see another one staring them in the face -- a showdown with Seattle. The two Western Conference powers will meet for the first time ever, with the winner earning both the top spot in the MLS table and, in all likelihood, the No. 1 ranking in the Week 6 MLS Power Rankings.
And then, of course, there were all those pesky red cards, seven in all handed out in Week 4. Chivas and Seattle will be without Paulo Nagamura and Kasey Keller, respectively, due to red card suspensions, while Gregg Berhalter (LA) and Shea Salinas (San Jose), among others, will be sidelined elsewhere.
However, the show must go on, and with that, here's a look at the latest MLS Power Rankings. As always, these rankings don't reflect any official stance of Major League Soccer.
Rank | Last | Team | Breakdown |
| 1 | 2 |  | An emotional SuperClásico saw Chivas USA emerge with only a scoreless draw, but the point earned was enough to boost the Red-and-White to the top of the overall MLS table. The Chivas defense, long a strong unit, is playing at a higher level than ever, with Shavar Thomas looking like an early Defender of the Year candidate. |
| 2 | 3 |  | The Fire defense may not have played its best match in Saturday's 3-3 draw in San Jose, but the Chicago side looked the part of Cup-worthy team in fighting back from a goal down three times. The Fire are one of just three unbeaten clubs remaining despite playing three of their first four matches away from Toyota Park. |
| 3 | 1 |  | Sounders FC fall from atop the MLS mountain after surrendering the first goal and suffering the first defeat in club history. It would be easy to put their 1-0 home loss to Kansas City on Kasey Keller's red card, but Ben Dragavon played rather well in his place. Either Dragavon or Chris Eylander must fill Keller's shoes against Chivas. |
| 4 | 4 |  | An early bye week came at a good time for New England, as stars Taylor Twellman (neck) and Matt Reis (knee) try to make their way back to the pitch. Twellman still won't go in D.C. this weekend and Reis remains questionable, meaning the Revs will continue to lean heavily on Kheli Dube up front and Brad Knighton in goal. |
| 5 | 5 |  | RSL made sure an early D.C. United goal did not stand up on Saturday in an impressive comeback effort against the previously unbeaten Black-and-Red. They can get a big monkey off their back this weekend -- and gain a measure of revenge for last year's playoff loss -- when they face a Red Bulls team they've never once beaten. |
| 6 | 9 |  | The Wizards take the biggest leap up the rankings this week in the wake of their statement victory in Seattle. Give credit to their backline. In two matches since Curt Onalfo inserted rookie Matt Besler and unheralded Lance Watson in the lineup alongside Jimmy Conrad and Aaron Hohlbein, the Wizards have yet to be scored upon. |
| 7 | 6 |  | Conor Casey's late equalizer Saturday both let the Rapids escape Columbus with a point, and left him alone atop the Budweiser Golden Boot standings. The boon to the attack is a thrill for Colorado, but the concern for the Rapids is goalkeeper Matt Pickens, who saw a back injury keep him from the clash with the Crew. |
| 8 | 8 |  | United fell from the ranks of the unbeaten, but minus Jaime Moreno (red card suspension) and Ben Olsen (ankle), still put forth a good showing in Utah. Moreno and Olsen should both be back in the lineup for Friday's home rivalry clash with New England. A win would be a big statement for a club trying to reassert itself in 2009. |
| 9 | 7 |  | Pablo Ricchetti's 87th-minute equalizer forced Toronto FC to walk away with a disappointing 1-1 draw in the first leg of a home-and-home series with FC Dallas. Now winless since their opener, the Reds could use to emerge with a full three points this weekend in Dallas to leap back toward the top of the East table. |
| 10 | 11 |  | While the result was a bit of a letdown in front of their home crowd, the Crew's 1-1 draw showed that the ship might finally be getting righted in Columbus. Adam Moffat's long-awaited return provided a needed boost in the midfield. With a week off, Chad Marshall, Frankie Hejduk and Robbie Rogers could all make it back by April 25. |
| 11 | 10 |  | Inserting Simon Elliott into the midfield while sliding Bobby Convey to left back seemed to provide a spark for both Convey, who has always been more comfortable on the wings, and the Quakes' attack on the whole. Frank Yallop must now work on tightening a defense that's surrendered seven goals in the past three matches. |
| 12 | 12 |  | Outside of one poor showing against San Jose, the Dynamo backline has, as we've come to expect, been one of MLS's best, but with just three goals scored in four matches, their attack has been among the worst. On the reinforcement front, Ade Akinbiyi is expected to make his debut on Sunday, though likely won't play a full 90. |
| 13 | 13 |  | A scoreless draw is often a disappointing result, but for a side that had allowed five goals in its first two matches, it was anything but. The addition of Donovan Ricketts in goal and Gregg Berhalter in the center of the backline gave LA a whole new look. An improved defense to go with a strong attack could make the Galaxy dangerous. |
| 14 | 15 |  | Things are looking up for FC Dallas, as they've secured their first point of the season and for the first time this year saw someone other than Kenny Cooper put a tally on the scoreboard, as captain Pablo Ricchetti was responsible for FCD's late equalizer. They need to build momentum with a second result against TFC. |
| 15 | 14 |  | With just one goal in four winless matches, it's abundantly clear that the Red Bulls attack is in need of a shake-up. Whether it's Dominic Oduro or John Wolyniec, Juan Pablo Angel could use a full-time strike partner to help draw some defensive attention. One bonus coming in back this week -- the return of goalkeeper Jon Conway. |
