1. (+2) Columbus Crew: Are in stellar form despite missing Schelotto for a long stretch. They had a much needed break this weekend to get some players fit.

2. (-1) Houston Dynamo: Reaching the end of a brutal 15 game stretch and it is starting to show.  They have done enough to stay high in the rankings despite some lackluster results.  Mexican striker Landin should be a key player come playoffs.

3. (-1) Chicago Fire: Things are little shaky at Toyota Park these days but they still put together a great comeback performance against Colorado.  Bakary Soumare will heading to French club Boulgne after an altercation with Fire coach Denis Hamlett made it clear he would no longer dress for the Fire.

4. (+3) Los Angeles Galaxy: Somehow they are getting points but they still don’t convince. Beckham has been average, Mike Magee’s is the teams assist leader with 6, and Donovan is the best player in the league.

5. (+1) Toronto FC: They have too much talent to not make the playoffs.  Loss to Chivas hurts in the tight playoff race.  Rookies White, Frei, and Cronin are playing big roles.

6. (-2) Seattle Sounders: Relax everybody . . . they are an expansion team.  Tied Houston 1-1 this weekend and have had Houston’s number all season, not many teams can say that.

7. (+1) Chivas USA: Still not looking like the team that started the season but Sacha Kljestan might be back in form and that means the West needs to watch out.

8. (+2) New England: Despite a poor start to the season and injuries to key players the team is still in the playoff picture and looking like one of the better teams in the league. Steve Ralston (6 goals 6 assists) and Shalrie Joseph (6 goals 7 assists) are carrying the team to the playoffs.

9. (-) Colorado Rapids: Nearing the end of a tough month. Giving up a two goal lead in Chicago was rough but they never expected to win that game anyways.  Still on pace to make the playoffs and are getting some great performances an unlikely group consisting of Kimura, Harvey, and Omar Cummings.

10. (-5) DC United: Dropping too many points. Still one of the best offenses in the league but the defensive weaknesses is starting to become costly. One win in the last 30 days and a scoreless tie against the Galaxy this weekend is a major set-back to making the playoffs.

11. (-) Real Salt Lake: Not far behind the teams in the playoff picture but they aren’t really making a case for themselves. Lost to the 3-1 Revs this weekend.

12. (-) FC Dallas: FC Dallas is discovering new and more humiliating ways to lose. A 3-2 loss to NY should be the low point of the season after it looked like they were turning things around.

13. (-) San Jose: A 1-0 victory over Kansas City this past weekend proves that there are at least two teams in the league worse than the Earthquakes. The bright side is the roster looks much stronger now than at the beginning of the seasons.

14. (-) Kansas City: Vermes has the tough task of turning this team around. The team has a good core of veterans and national teamers but it needs a system that works.  Losing 1-0 to San Jose isn’t going to cut it.

15. (-) New York: They won!!!! A brace by Angel and a goal by Dane Richards saw them get their 3^rd win of the season.  It’s a moral victory and a great way for Williams to start off his second stint as interim coach.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 at 9:35 am and is filed under MLS, News, Power Rankings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.