MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 7

In week of instability, Reds emerge playing finest soccer of season

By MLSnet.com Editorial Staff

In Chris Cummins' two matches on the sidelines, the Reds have been perfect. (P. Giamou/Getty)

In general, it's thought that in professional sports, and certainly in professional soccer, stability breeds success.

In Week 6 of the MLS season, Toronto FC may have put that theory to bed for good.

In the wake of John Carver's surprising resignation as head coach in Toronto on Saturday, the Reds had one of their best performances of the season Sunday, riding a strong effort from rookie goalkeeper Stefan Frei to a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Wizards. The Wizards had been riding a four-match unbeaten streak and appeared to be the hottest club in the league. Now, that title goes to TFC, who earlier in the week handed previously-unbeaten Chivas USA their first loss in a match that Carver watched from the press box in what, at the time, was thought to be just a tactical move.

As if the coaching change wasn't enough, the sudden turn in TFC's fortunes also coincided with the loss of Dwayne De Rosario to a hamstring injury and the shift to a 4-3-3 formation featuring Chad Barrett, Pablo Vitti and Danny Dichio together up front.

So, how far can TFC ride this new wave of success? As far as the top five of the latest MLSnet.com Power Rankings, of course, in the process taking the biggest jump any team has this year.

Here's a look at the latest MLSnet.com Power Rankings. As always, these rankings don't reflect any official stance of Major League Soccer.

Rank	Last	Team	Breakdown
1	1		For this first time all season, the Red-and-White looked vulnerable last week, tasting defeat for the first time in Toronto, then appearing sluggish in attack despite a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas. The defense remained strong, however, allowing just one goal in the two matches, and with Justin Braun and Maykel Galindo back, goals should follow.
2	2		Over the final 12 minutes of their 2-2 draw with Kansas City two weeks ago and the first 85 minutes of their draw with Columbus on Saturday, the Fire could not have looked more out of sync on both ends of the pitch. Then, in a five-minute period, they erased all their troubles. Still, the Fire defense is not playing at the high level it did a season ago.
3	4		Sigi Schmid's move to swap Freddie Ljungberg's and Brad Evans' positions midway through Saturday's win over San Jose was just what Sounders FC needed to get their attack back in order. Ljungberg has always excelled as a wing player, and Seattle's offense is at its best attacking from the outside, then funneling the ball in the box.
4	6		Eventually RSL will have to learn how to play consistently well away from Rio Tinto Stadium, but as long as they keep putting up record-setting routs at home it'll be tough for their fans to complain. Their road chops will be tested outside of league play this week with a U.S. Open Cup play-in match in front of a raucous Seattle crowd.
5	11		A week ago, the Reds hit their season low in the Power Rankings. One week, two big wins and a coaching change later, they're at their peak and atop the East table. After upsetting then-unbeaten Chivas USA and ending Kansas City's four-match unbeaten streak, our money is on Chris Cummins to get the nod as TFC's interim head coach.
6	5		A win in Toronto would have vaulted the Wizards to the top of the Eastern Conference standings and closer to the top of the Power Rankings. They'd probably like to get right back on the horse after their first loss in a month, but instead the Wizards will have a 10-day vacation before they welcome D.C. United to Kansas City next week.
7	3		Playing a group of young players with Taylor Twellman, Matt Reis, Steve Ralston and Chris Albright all sidelined, the Revolution's inexperience was bound to catch up to them eventually. It happened in Utah on Saturday. The Revs' rookies and youth remain promising. Taking a ferocious beating on the road is just part of the learning process.
8	8		Another week, another very impressive performance from rookie attacker Chris Pontius, this time scoring a dramatic stoppage-time goal to give United their first road win of the season. Seattle's Steve Zakuani may be the early favorite for MLS Rookie of the Year honors, but rest assured that Pontius will give the No. 1 overall pick a run for his money.
9	7		The Rapids got off to one of the more impressive starts in the league, and have allowed just a goal per game in their past three outings, but after Saturday's draw with Los Angeles they are now winless since April 4. The first Rocky Mountain Cup clash of the season with Real Salt Lake could help Colorado to get off its slide.
10	9		A match between Houston and New England has lost a bit of luster with both clubs off their MLS Cup form, but renewing the rivalry could give the Dynamo a kick. With Ade Akinbiyi ready to join Kei Kamara and Brian Ching, the Dynamo have plenty of options available up front as they attempt to kickstart the attack.
11	13		Just when the Crew looked to be regaining their form, everything collapsed around them in the final five minutes of their draw with Chicago. The good news is that the first 85 were their best of the season. Getting Frankie Hejduk, Robbie Rogers and William Hesmer back in the starting XI could change their luck.
12	12		The result didn't come in Seattle, but the Quakes played one of their strongest matches of the season against Sounders FC. With a Chivas USA side that has looked a bit off in its last two matches paying a visit to Buck Shaw Stadium this weekend, the time is now for San Jose to come away with an impact victory to change their fortunes.
13	10		Perhaps it was due to miscommunication between the recently-returned Jon Conway and the newly-added Alfredo Pacheco, perhaps it was Juan Carlos Osorio's decision to leave just two true defenders on the pitch in the closing minutes against D.C. United. Either way, the Red Bulls can't afford to give away any more points.
14	15		The Galaxy seem to be developing a pattern that, for better or worse, is working -- fall behind in the first half, then rally for the draw. They're now unbeaten in three matches, though they've come away with just three points in the stretch. Eventually, the Galaxy will have to strike earlier to turn those draws into wins.
15	14		If not for Dario Sala's red card, FC Dallas' clash with Chivas USA on Saturday night could have turned out much differently. However, a loss is a loss, and with two more road matches sitting in front of them, FCD will need to look more like the team that took four points from TFC than the team yet to record a single point against anyone else.