Week 8 MLS Power Rankings

Chicago are the biggest losers this week after two terribly unimpressive performances. Kansas City and Chivas are the biggest gainers and a clear distinction between the top teams in the league and everyone else is starting to take shape. Here's how the rankings break down this week:

1. Red Bull New York (LW: 2 / 5-1-2)

This needs no mentioning since it should be glaringly obvious to any MLS fan but Juan Pablo Angel is the real deal. I’ve watched the replay of his 2^nd goal a dozen times and it impresses me every time. A brilliantly placed ball is crossed into him in the box and JPA acts as if he’s going to shoot, only he fakes at the last minute (And sends Chris Armas flying) and puts it in the net with a world class finish. It sounds simple but the beauty lies in its subtle complexity. This is a very solid team, one only wishes more fans could show up to the stadium to see them.

2. Kansas City Wizards (LW: 4 / 5-2-1)

Eddie Johnson’s return to form couldn’t have come at a better time. As for the Wizards in general, they left a helluva of a statement upon finishing their work at Gillette Stadium. Coming back from a 2-0 deficit to take the 4-3 victory is certainly impressive, but the way the KC forwards just obliterated New England’s defenders (Which have been pretty consistent all year) has to shock some fans at the very least. Kansas City was scary earlier in the year when they were beating down on the league’s worst. Now they’re plain nasty. (In a very, very good way)

3. New England Revolution (LW: 2 / 5-2-2)

I still feel they’re one of the elite teams in the league but you simply can’t allow an opponent to come back from 2 down at home, let alone let them put up 4 goals on you. Heaps was abused and manhandled by Eddie all night, but really the entire New England backline was suspect. Luckily they get to play Salt Lake next week. I’m predicting at least 2 goals….from Twellman alone.

4. Colorado Rapids (LW: 5 / 4-2-3)

It’s hard to get a read on this team and they’re frustratingly inconsistent but at least they finally picked up a second home win. Inconsistency aside, this team still has 15 points accumulated and is sitting pretty at 5^th in the standings. Only time will tell whether this team is good enough for the long haul.

5. DC United (LW: 6 / 3-3-1)

Well that didn’t take long. Reports of their demise were greatly exaggerated, as anyone who watched their game against Houston can attest to. I forgot how good Christian Gomez is but a vintage performance from him this past Saturday erased any doubts. DCU are finally starting to gel and even, *gasp*, playing solid defense! NY, NE, and KC may have new company in the next few weeks. (Which begs the question: How incredibly stacked is the East this year?)

6. FC Dallas (LW: 3 / 5-4-1)

Can someone remind this team how much talent their roster has? I’ll admit Chivas USA are a scrappy bunch but to get shutout by the Goats? After last week I thought Dallas was ready to compete consistently in the top of the league but I can see now how terribly incorrect I was. This teams needs a shakeup immediately.

7. Chivas USA (LW: 11 / 3-3-2)

Disclaimer: I’m half-Cuban.

So I may be a bit biased about Maykel Galindo but regardless, no one can deny his importance on the field and the great season he’s had thus far. Chivas are one of the most adventurous squads in the league and its cost them a couple of points early on but if they can become more efficient and effective in their attack I can easily see Chivas contesting for a playoff spot. I can see it now, Chivas and the Galaxy duking it out for the last spot in the playoffs.

8. Houston Dynamo (LW: 7 / 2-5-1)

They still find themselves in an offensive rut and now their situation is becoming increasingly serious with each week. We’re ¼ through the season and Houston, with 5 losses already, has a lot of ground to make up against the rest of the playoff contenders. They have too much talent to continue struggling like this (I mean c’mon, they won the MLS Cup last year) but one has to wonder if a DP is needed to ensure better football?

9. Toronto FC (LW: 10 / 2-5-1)

The Canucks finally showed their grit away from home and you have to think that Toronto views this tie as a victory. The degree of confidence within this team is rising every week; they’re no longer the whipping boys of MLS folks.

10. Los Angeles Galaxy (LW: 9 / 1-3-2)

If you’re Landon Donovan right now, you should be sitting in a pool of your own nervous sweat. With the prospect of Beckham missing some league games after his debut to play with the English National team and Donovan already missing plenty of game action to attend this summer’s tournaments, you have to wonder how large of a tailspin will this franchise find itself in.

11. Columbus Crew (LW: 12 / 1-2-5)

We now know Andy Herron is fully awake. Although it was a solid performance by the Crew, they really need to find a way to convert some of these ties into wins. They lead the league with most ties and if just one of two those ties had been victories, the Crew would in a very unfamiliar position: top half of the table.

12. Chicago Fire (LW: 8 / 3-4-1)I got some flack for suggesting the firing of Dave Sarachan a couple of weeks back but the Fire have only gotten worse since then. Now riding a 4-game losing streak, something HAS to give to improve this situation. Do you think Blanco is going to care about his level of play if the Fire find themselves near the bottom of the league? Scary times for Chicago fans…..

13. Real Salt Lake (LW: 13 / 0-4-4)

Sigh….moving on.