MLS Rankings: Week 5

Every week, the New England Soccer Today crew will look beyond the standings to rank each of the 18 Major League Soccer (MLS) teams. This week Sean Donahue contributed rankings.

1. Real Salt Lake (4-0-0, 12 points) – Still atop the league despite playing several less games due to the Champions League. Huge 2-2 draw at Monterrey gets RSL closer to proving they are the best team in North America.

2. New York Red Bulls (3-1-2, 11 points) (+6) – Two crushing victories over San Jose and D.C. and New York’s talented strikers finally appear to have taken off.

3. Los Angeles Galaxy (3-1-3, 12 points) (+1) – Road victory over Chicago gets the Galaxy back on track.

4. Philadelphia Union (3-1-1, 10 points) (-2) – Two points lost after giving up a late equalizer  at home to Seattle.

5. Seattle Sounders FC (2-2-3, 9 points) – Impressive road point at Philadelphia and an even more impressive victory at Colorado, but the loss of Zakauni will hurt.

6. Colorado Rapids (3-3-0, 9 points) (-4) – A red card after a vicious tackle by Mullan and a 1-0 home loss to Seattle moves the Rapids down a few spots.

7. Portland Timbers (2-2-1, 7 points) (+9) – Completely rejuvenated since starting their home schedule, Portland actually looks like a playoff team.

8. Houston Dynamo (2-1-2, 8 points) (-2) – Finishing left a bit to be desired, but Houston got a well deserved victory over New England. Houston is getting healthier and looking improved from last season.

9. Columbus Crew (2-1-2, 8 point) (+7) – Showed well against Kansas City, handing Sporting their first shutout of the season. Still not convince this team has what it takes to make the playoffs.

10. San Jose Earthquakes (1-2-2, 5 points) (-3) – Tough road loss against a resurgent New York. San Jose will need to bounce back this week.

11. FC Dallas (1-2-1, 4 point) (-3) – Just when Dallas seems to be getting on the right track, they fall 3-2 to an expansion side.

12. D.C. United (2-3-1, 7 points) (+2)– Huge road win at Toronto, but it’s quickly forgetting after D.C. was destroyed by New York at home. Have to expect more in front of their home fans.

13. Sporting Kansas City (1-2-1, 4 points) (-2) – A 1-0 road loss at a weakened Crew side is disappointing considering Kansas City’s formerly strong offense.

14. New England Revolution (1-2-3, 6 points) (-6) – Dreadful performance in Houston, but the Revs should be boosted by the addition of Benny Feilhaber.

15. Chicago Fire (1-3-1, 4 points) (-3)– Home loss to a Donovan- and Beckham-less Galaxy is unacceptable.

16. Vancouver Whitecaps (1-2-3, 6 points) (-2) – A scoreless home draw against Chivas won’t be moving the Whitecaps up at all.

17. Chivas USA (0-2-3, 3 points) (-1) – MLS’ only winless team has shown next to nothing to move off the bottom, but a 0-0 draw in Vancouver combined with Toronto’s poor result moves them up a spot.

18. Toronto FC (1-2-3, 6 points) (-6)  – A 3-0 home loss to D.C. shows just how bad this Toronto squad currently is.