United They Stand

Power Rankings:

1. D.C. United - United thoroughly dominated the New York Red Bulls even without stellar performances from Jaime Moreno and Christian Gomez. Brian Carroll and Ben Olsen completely controlled the center of midfield, while Alecko Eskandarian scored a brace. Big games from the supporting players has been the cornerstone of D.C.'s success in the Nowak era, and this was exemplified in Saturday's game. As our friends over at DCenters noted, it was their adjustments to the wet field that helped United play like the home team (a large contingent of travelling fans also helped).

2. FC Dallas - How familiar is this? Houston Dynamo (formerly the San Jose Earthquakes) struggles through the first few weeks, while Dallas leads the West. Dallas has looked class so far, coming back in stoppage time to beat Kansas City at home, while leading the Western Conference with ten points. However, it'll be interesting to see how long this will last. However, it should be encouraging that Kenny Cooper has been a revelation, Mina looks fit and is playing well, while Mulrooney should soon be returning from his ACL injury. If this team can stay healthy and play as strong as it has, it'll be a tight race between Dallas and Houston in the West.

3. Kansas City Wizards - Kansas City was everyone's top team after their home victory over New England a week ago. Gone was talk of "Bunker Bob [Gansler]." But the Kansas City team I watched yesterday was nothing like this supposed offensive juggernaut. Perhaps that's because they have zero midfield creativity? Whatever the problem, you know you've got one when your goal is scored by a defensive sub and your only other shot on goal is taken by MLS' all-time leader in minutes played without a goal (Nick Garcia). Welcome back to reality, Kansas City fans.

4. Houston Dynamo - With their creative midfield engine back (the early MVP front-runner Dwayne DeRosario) and with the return of their best defender, Eddie Robinson, the Earthquakes had their way with Real Salt Lake. Certainly, Real made it close, nearly scoring a go-ahead goal off of a Jason Kreis free kick, but that score would not be indicative of the run of play. Houston dominated, and the scoreline reflects that. But the result certainly proves what we've thought all along: DeRosario is that good, and this is his team. Without him, San Jose, excuse me, Houston, struggles.

5. New England Revolution - They didn't play last weekend, so they couldn't really lower their ranking too much. Even without having played, they're still a better club than the ones that'll be listed below. No, they're not playing well, but the Revolution's worst play is still better than Salt Lake's best.

6. Chivas USA - Yeah, Chivas still has one win. Yeah, they didn't play last weekend. Yeah, they're in fifth place in the West. Whatever. Chivas still plays prettier, more attractive, more dynamic soccer than any other team in the West minus Dallas and Houston. And they also happen to be the best team in LA right now.

7. Colorado Rapids - As much as I despise the way that Clavijo's boys play, they at least didn't play last weekend. That is, they couldn't possibly have made their case worse, like a certain team in Los Angeles.

8. Columbus Crew - The Crew didn't play that well last weekend, but they won, which is the most important thing. Sigi's Crew is a young team and one that desperately need a confidence boost in the form of three points. They went to LA (a tough place to play) and won against an anemic Galaxy squad. If they had some seasoned attacking players, this team might actually be challenging for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and they still might depending on how Sarachan navigates Chicago's perilously long road trip.

9. Chicago Fire - Like Colorado, they didn't play so they couldn't possibly have made their case worse. I'm still interested to see how this club survives a nine game long road trip. There are only a few teams in MLS with the leadership and comraderie to survive a road trip like that, and I'm not sure Chicago is one of them. If Sarachan can't get three wins out of this road trip, it'll be a complete failure. Quite frankly, nine games in nearly a third of the season. No matter how much of a home-field advantage they'll have at Bridgeview (and even that much isn't certain), they still need to win now.

10. LA Galaxy - What was that? Losing in extra time to one of MLS' worst teams at home? Two weeks ago, Landon was complaining about the way this club was playing, but it seems that no one took his advice. What their Kevin Stott-induced victory against Chivas covered up was the fact that this team has no creativity in the midfield, and no bite up top. Their defense is solid, so that much should be encouraging, but whether it's personnel, or Sampson's stupid insistence to start Pete Vagenas (and make him captain), this team is in need of a serious makeover. With Lalas now the general manager, expect some heads to roll.

11. New York Red Bulls - This team does not deserve Youri Djorkaeff. He plays with heart and leads by example on the field, which is something I can't say for Armado Guevara or anyone else on this club. Where's the fire? The desire to preserve their coach's job? They played like a road team on Saturday and did nothing when Alecko Eskandarian disrespected their club and their owner (pictured above). It was one hell of a disgusting display. Management won't put with that for long.

12. Real Salt Lake - How much longer will Checketts put up with Ellinger? There are some signs of life, and it's great to see Kreis playing again, but this team needs help, fast.