Power Rankings

This has been a pretty weird MLS season so far. While quality of play seems to have gone up a little bit from last year (although at this stage it's still difficult to judge), refereeing is as bad as ever as evidenced by an awful display from Kevin Stott, robbing Chivas of a deserved point (or three), as well as a terrible penalty call that gifted Columbus a point against the Fire. Well, without further adu, here are the rankings:

1. Kansas City Wizards - Three games, nine points. Kansas City has proved their quality, already having beaten two of the toughest teams in the league, Houston Dynamo (away) and the New England Revolution. If Conrad is fully healthy (he scored last weekend), this team will be absolutely fearsome. However, it's also difficult to say how long this'll last.

2. D.C. United - United have looked good this season, but they didn't quite look authoritative until last weekend in their victory against Houston (sans DeRosario, out due to suspension). Since the beginning of the Nowak era, United have been the most consistent team in MLS, and they look primed for another MLS Cup run again this year.

3. New England Revolution - They didn't look like the fearsome Eastern Conference champions of 2005, but New England is still one of the most talented, intelligent sides in MLS. This team should just be getting better with Parkhurst returning from injury. But they'll need Dempsey, Noonan, and Twellman to hit form soon though because the lack of goals is troubling.

4. FC Dallas - Dallas has won two games so far this season, better than New England sure, but they haven't quite looked truly in synch yet. The defense still seems to be solidifying, the midfield is almost non-existent, but they're set at forward, especially as Kenny Cooper's emerged as a true revelation. If Alvarez and Nunez can continue to develop well in their midfield roles, if Ronnie O'Brien plays like he did last season, and if Richard Mulrooney can return from his 2005 season-ending ACL injury, then Dallas will be a fearsome presence in the west.

5. New York Red Bull - Yeah, the ties are troubling, but New York are still playing better soccer than any team in the Western Conference so they'll stay here for now.

6. Houston Dynamo - Now I know what you're thinking: "Houston only has one win and two losses! How are they ahead of __________?" The answer is, Houston still plays better soccer on a bad day then any other team in the West. But we sure learned who the true MVP of MLS is Saturday didn't we? His name? Dwayne DeRosario.

7. LA Galaxy - The Galaxy have struggled mightily this season, and were definitely gifted a victory against Chivas on Saturday night (anyone still wondering why Kevin Stott wasn't selected to referee at the World Cup?). Donovan's move to midfield certainly helped, but Glenn, despite his two goals, just is not the answer up top. He should have bagged four or five with some of the service he was given.

8. Chivas USA - Chivas was the better team Saturday and more than held their own a week before in D.C. If John O'Brien can start getting consistent minutes, they'll be fearsome (The Kljestan - Marsch midfield pairing has only been a partial success). Oh, and was Tim Regan a monster out there or what?

9. Colorado Rapids - Yeah, they have more points than Chivas, but what does that even mean? Have you watched these guys? After getting plastered by Houston, they went home and beat a tired Columbus side (that high altitude does provide an advantage after all), and drew with Dallas thanks to a Clarence Goodson own goal. The only thing more depressing than the way Clavijo's side plays is the team's complete lack of local support thanks to the team's decision to not market until the new Commerce City stadium is finished. Brilliant.

10. Chicago Fire - The Fire have not looked bad this season, but the nine game road trip is going to take a tremendous toll on this team. They were robbed of three points in Columbus, stole a point in LA, and lost valiantly to a pumped-up Dallas squad opening weekend. This isn't a bad side, but Sarachan will need to work extra-hard to keep these guys focused on this long road trip.

11. Columbus Crew - They're not that bad, but any team that's starting a player who played most recently in the German third division is in for a long season. Rozenthal, the Chilean import, didn't impress much, and being gifted a point against the Fire must've felt like a win for this team desperate for points.

12. Real Salt Lake - When will this team live up to their grandiose name?

There's been a lot going on in MLS this week and I hope I'll get a chance to talk about it all this week. I should apologize for not posting yesterday but I've been pretty busy.