2011 MLS Power Rankings: Week 28

Last week was not one to remember if you were a fan of Major League Soccer. All of the American-based teams dropped matches against CONCACAF Champions League opponents, while Canadian champions Toronto FC prevented a catastrophic sweep.

However, returning to league action, the Los Angeles Galaxy moved up the rankings with a hard-fought victory over Eastern Conference power Columbus Crew, while Seattle remains in the hunt for the Supporters' Shield after hoisting the Cascadia Cup.

Movers, shakers and action galore. Here's this week's MLS Power Rankings on Bleacher Report.

18. Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Holding up the rear once again are Tom Soehn's Vancouver Whitecaps, who were embarrassed 3-1 by the Seattle Sounders on Saturday. It was a fitting farewell to a season of futility at Empire Field.

“We’re very disappointed,” Soehn told MLSSoccer.com's Martin MacMahon. “I said before this game, this was more than just a game."

“There was so much more at stake with the rivalry we have with Seattle, but as far as our fans watching today, they were fantastic, seeing us off at Empire Field—we wanted to send them something to take home, but we let it slip today.”

Camilo scored the last-ever goal for the Caps at Empire in the 22nd minute of play.

Out with the old, in with the new. Up next for Vancouver is a trip to their new home BC Place for a home tie with the Portland Timbers. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 2 at 1:30 p.m. PT/4:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by TSN2.

17. New England Revolution

Steve Nicol's New England Revolution, already eliminated from the playoffs, felt pain of more salt added to their wounds in the form of a 3-2 defeat to the Chicago Fire.

Ryan Guy opened his scoring account with a brace in the 90th minute and the second minute of second half stoppage time, but it was too little, too late.

Up next for the Revs is a contest with the Seattle Sounders at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Comcast SportsNet.

16. San Jose Earthquakes

Frank Yallop's San Jose Earthquakes, playing only for pride, settled for a couple of meaningless draws.

On Wednesday at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland, Oregon, the Quakes played to a 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers. Khari Stephenson scored in the 70th minute for San Jose.

“We’ve shown signs of this type of game being a 90-minute game for us,” Yallop told MLSSoccer.com's Geoff Lepper. “I thought our players looked very sharp offensively and defensively. I thought we were great from whistle to whistle.”

It was more of the same for the Quakes against the Colorado Rapids, who managed another 1-1 draw. Chris Wondowlowski recorded his 11th goal of the season in the 19th minute of play.

San Jose continue their 2011 campaign on Saturday, Oct. 1 when they face Sporting Kansas City at Buck Shaw Stadium on the campus of Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Comcast SportsNet.

15. Portland Timbers

John Spencer's Portland Timbers had a tough week of action. On Wednesday night, Portland wasted a ninth-minute goal from Kenny Cooper to consign the home side to a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes.

But the worst came to pass on Saturday, when they were shut out 2-0 by the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

“I can’t fault them today," said Spencer after the match. "I thought that effort was unbelievable. The game’s been taken down and I think if we show that sort of effort, enthusiasm, and desire we won’t be far and away from getting into the playoffs.”

Portland gets a great chance to get back on the winning track when they invade BC Place on Sunday, Oct. 2  to face the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. PT/4:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by ROOT SPORTS and TSN 2.

14. Toronto FC

Aron Winter's Toronto FC had some CONCACAF success and league shortcomings all in one week.
On Tuesday, they made it a sweep of Tauro FC to the tune of 1-0 on a 40th minute goal from Danny Koevermans.

Toronto would not be so lucky against Chivas USA, who annihilated them 3-0.

“When the game started and also in the warm-up we saw it a little bit,” Winter told MLSSoccer.com's Larry Millson. “We were a little bit flat today.”

Toronto continues their 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League campaign against Pumas UNAM at BMO Field. Kickoff at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by Setanta Sports Canada.

The Reds will then host the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET and that will be televised by TSN2.

13. Chivas USA

Robin Fraser's Chivas USA are in a race against time for a spot in the postseason and earned four out of a possible six points this week.

On Wednesday, Juan Pablo Angel scored a brace in the 57th and 69th minutes to salvage a 2-2 draw with D.C. United at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Chivas then proceeded to slice and dice Toronto FC 3-0. Angel was at it again with another brace in the 12th and 77th minutes, while Justin Braun scored his eighth goal of the season in the 71st minute of play.

Up next for the Goats is an Oct. 2 contest with the Philadelphia Union at the Home Depot Center. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET and will be televised by KWHY TV and Fox Sports Prime Ticket.

12. Colorado Rapids

Gary Smith's Colorado Rapids were suffering through the doldrums of mediocrity this week. In CONCACAF Champions League action, Macoumba Kandji scored an equalizer in the 18th minute, but it was not enough as they fell to Real Espana 2-1.

Then on Saturday, Drew Moor scored a 71st minute equalizer against the San Jose Earthquakes, but Colorado could only manage a 1-1 draw.

“Too many people are doubting themselves and how they fit into the team and what they need to do for the team,” midfielder Jeff Larentowicz told MLSsoccer.com's Nick Thomas. “I think that last year we were hard working role players. This year, we try and do too much, and we over extend ourselves. Then, you can get down on yourselves.

“A lot of the guys have lost confidence as opposed to being part of the team structure and relying on each other the way we always have.”

The Rapids need some positive results to get their confidence back if they want to defend their MLS Cup. On Wednesday, Colorado travel to El Salvador to take on Isidro Metapan. Kickoff is scheduled for Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. MT/10 p.m. ET.

On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Rapids host FC Dallas at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT/9 p.m. ET and will be televised by Altitude.

11. Columbus Crew

Robert Warzycha's Columbus Crew were unlucky to let a late goal slip through William Hesmer's grasp as they dropped a 1-0 result to the Los Angeles Galaxy at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

“I don’t know what we were doing,” Hesmer told thecrew.com's Craig Merz. “In our third [of the field] in the 90th minute of a 0-0 game at this point of the season we’ve got to be going through and winning the ball. Somebody’s got to take command and not let that happen.”

“We stopped because the other forward is offside,” defender Sebastian Miranda added. “It’s our fault.”

With the result, Columbus drops out of first place in the MLS Eastern Conference and will be in a struggle to make the playoffs if they don't get their act together.

Up next for Columbus are a couple of matches. On Wednesday, Sept. 28, the Crew travel to Livestrong Sporting Park to take on Sporting Kansas City. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by ONN-TV.

On Sunday, Oct. 2, Columbus play their final home game of the season when they take on D.C. United at Crew Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET and will be televised by ONN-TV.

10. Chicago Fire

Frank Klopas's Chicago Fire scorched the New England Revolution 3-2 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois.

Sebastian Grazzini opened the scoring on a penalty in the fifth minute. Dominic Oduro recorded his 11th goal of the season in the ninth minute while Patrick Nyarko opened his scoring account with the eventual game-winner in the 30th minute of play.

“The last few minutes we lost concentration and they made a couple of goals, which made it tight at the end," Nyarko said after the match.  "Overall it was a great team performance and the guys came out firing and did a great job, with the exception of the last couple of minutes.”

Up next for the Fire are a couple of matches this week. On Wednesday, Sept. 28, Real Salt Lake host Chicago at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT/9 p.m. ET.

On Saturday, the Houston Dynamo host the Fire at Robertson Stadium in Houston, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT/4 p.m. ET and will be televised by Telefutura.

9. FC Dallas

It was a rough week for Schellas Hyndman's FC Dallas, who dropped matches in CONCACAF and MLS action.

On Wednesday, the Hoops were slaughtered by Pumas UNAM 2-0. Adding to their misery was a match against the Houston Dynamo, which saw them surrender the howitzer known as El Capitan to the tune of 1-0 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.

“Sometimes the ball bounces right for you, sometimes a whole bunch right for you,” Hyndman told MLSSoccer.com's Robert Casner. “And then sometimes they bounce poorly for you and sometimes they bounce a whole bunch poorly for you. I think the last stretch of games for us the ball has not been bouncing right for us.”

Eliminated from MLS Supporters' Shield contention, FC Dallas march on. The Hoops continue their CONCACAF Champions League campaign against Tauro FC on Wednesday, Sept. 28. Kickoff at Estadio Cascarita Tapia in Panama City, Panama is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT/8 p.m. ET.

FC Dallas travel to Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. to take on the Colorado Rapids. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT/9 p.m. ET.

8. Red Bull New York

Hans Backe's New York Red Bulls had a hit and miss week last week. On Wednesday, Joel Lindpere scored a consolation goal in the 69th minute as the Red Bulls lost 3-1 to Real Salt Lake at Red Bull Arena.

Saturday was a bit friendlier to New York. Goals from Dane Richards in the 21st minute and Luke Rodgers in the 66th minute paced the Red Bulls to a badly-needed 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers.

What made this match interesting was that Rafael Marquez was suspended for the contest due to calling out his fellow players after their defeat to Real Salt Lake.

Up next for New York are a couple of big matches. On Saturday, Oct. 1, Toronto FC host the New York Red Bulls. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel and TSN.

On Tuesday, Oct. 4, the Red Bulls host the Los Angeles Galaxy in a mouth-watering blockbuster of star power. Kickoff at Red Bull Arena is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

7. Philadelphia Union

Peter Nowak's Philadelphia Union were bailed out by Sebastien Le Toux in the 63rd minute en route to a 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City on Friday at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas. 

“My confidence is good,” Le Toux told philadelphiaunion.com's Judah Levine. “It’s nice for me to get seven goals in seven games, and it’s good for my team, but right now my own goals are not as important."

"It’s good to get a point tonight and it’s what we needed and we are happy with that.”

The Union will have a couple of matches this week. On Thursday, Philadelphia host D.C. United at PPL Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

On Sunday, Oct. 2, the Union will travel to Carson, California and the Home Depot Center for a match with Chivas USA. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will be televised by The Comcast Network.

6. Sporting Kansas City

Peter Vermes's Sporting Kansas City were unlucky to manage just a 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Omar Bravo scored his ninth goal of the season in the 56th minute of play.

“It’s a game where we wanted all three points,” Sporting's Kei Kamara told MLSSoccer.com's Andrew Wiebe. “We were at home. It’s like the playoffs are in our hands. At the same time, we can’t be too down. We still got a point.”

Next for Sporting are a couple of matches. On Wednesday, Sept. 28, they will host the Columbus Crew. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT/8:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by KSMO-TV.

On Saturday, Oct. 1, Sporting will travel to Buck Shaw Stadium to take on the San Jose Earthquakes. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by KSMO-TV.

5. Real Salt Lake

Jason Kreis's Real Salt Lake had a hit-and-miss week on the road this past week.

On Wednesday, RSL traveled to Red Bull Arena and took down the New York Red Bulls 3-1. Alvaro Saborio scored his ninth goal of the season in the seventh minute of play before Fabian Espindola recorded a brace in the 11th and 21st minutes of play.

Saturday was unfriendly to Real Salt Lake, who were ambushed 4-1 by D.C. United. Saborio recorded his 10th goal of the season in the 86th minute, long after the result was determined.

"I’m disappointed. Obviously with the scoreline I’m very disappointed that we reacted the way we did giving up the first goal," Kreis told reporters. "The one thing I can say is I’m pleased that we came out in the second half and did better and won the half which as a manager was all I could ask for at halftime."

Up next for RSL are a couple of matches. On Wednesday, RSL host the Chicago Fire at Rio Tinto Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT/9 p.m. ET and will be broadcast by ESPN 700, ESPN Deportes 1600 AM and Juan 106.1 FM.'

On Saturday, Oct. 1, Real Salt Lake will look to be the first team to sweep the Los Angeles Galaxy this season at the Home Depot Center. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. MT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by KMYU 2.2, Comcast SportsNet and Dish Network 12.

4. D.C. United

Ben Olsen's D.C. United took four out of a possible six points in the race for the last MLS Cup Playoff spot.

On Wednesday, goals from Dwayne De Rosario in the 39th minute and Ethan White in the 47th minute gave D.C. a 2-0 lead, but they could not hang on and instead settled for a 2-2 draw.

But on Saturday, it was a totally different story. De Rosario became the league's top scorer with a hat trick in the 22nd, 27th and 31st minutes to give D.C. an emphatic 4-1 victory over Real Salt Lake.

Also scoring for D.C. was Andy Najar, with his fourth of the season in the 13th minute of play.

"It was a great result against a fit and confident Real Salt Lake team," De Rosario told reporters after the match. "We won balls and were able to open [Real Salt Lake] up and capitalize on chances.

"I felt like I was in a good spot tonight. We were aggressive early on and it paid off. Everyone worked hard to put the team in a good position, and I was able to finish some of those chances."

It's obvious that D.C.'s playoff hopes rely on the finishing ability of De Rosario.

Up next for United are a couple of key league matches. On Thursday, they travel to PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania to take on the Philadelphia Union. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN2.

On Sunday, D.C. continue their road trip with a match against the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for Oct. 2 at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET and will be televised by Comcast SportsNet.

3. Houston Dynamo

Dominic Kinnear's Houston Dynamo had one match this week, and it was the renewal of the Texas Derby at Pizza Hut Park.

An 87th minute goal from Geoff Cameron gave Houston a well-deserved 1-0 victory over FC Dallas, and the rights to the howitzer known as El Capitan.

On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Dynamo host the Chicago Fire at Robertson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT/4 p.m. ET and will be televised by Telefutura and KHOU 11.2.

2. Seattle Sounders FC

Sigi Schmid's Seattle Sounders, like all of the American teams in the CONCACAF Champions League, had a rough go at regional action this week.

But after a tough 1-0 home loss to C.S. Herediano of Heredia, Costa Rica, the Sounders picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and left the Vancouver Whitecaps in the dust 3-1 to claim the Cascadia Cup at Empire Field in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Down 1-0 after half an hour, Brad Davis equalized off a penalty in the 33rd minute of play. Fredy Montero would seal the deal with a brace in the 64th and 67th minutes.

“I thought the Sounder fans were great in terms of their support,” Schmid told SoundersFC.com's Matt Gaschk.  “It’s a great feeling being able to hold the cup up in front of them and have them be so involved.”

It's back to CONCACAF action for Seattle, who travel to Guatemala City, Guatemala to take on Comunicaciones. Kickoff is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.

On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Sounders travel to Gillette Stadium to face off against the New England Revolution. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by KONG 6/16.

1. Los Angeles Galaxy

After an exhausting 1-0 defeat away to Liga Deportiva Alajuelense in the CONCACAF Champions League, Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy were in damage control and put up a patchwork starting XI against the Columbus Crew.

But just before the match was certain to be a scoreless draw, a 93rd minute strike from Chad Barrett gave the Galaxy a surprising 1-0 victory over one of the top teams in the MLS Eastern Conference. The goal was Barrett's fifth of the season.

What made this victory even more special was that neither David Beckham nor Robbie Keane started, and Landon Donovan only saw time off the bench.

“We were fortunate to get that goal at the end, and I give Landon [Donovan] and [Chad] Barrett a lot of credit for teaming up on that," Arena told reporters. "That last 10 minutes got crazy. We hit the wall physically and the Crew created some chances, making Saunders come up big, but I think on the night we played well. We got a real good effort out of a bunch of players.”

"Columbus really went for it, they made a lot of attacking substitutions," added Barrett. "They were really starting to get exposed at the back since they were going forward so much. Josh Saunders made two unbelievable saves. The team played amazing tonight.”

However, the victory sets the stage for a stretch of two home matches and one away tie that could potentially determine two outcomes: the Galaxy's chances to getting past Group A in the CONCACAF Champions League, and the club's chances of successfully defending their Supporters' Shield.

On Wednesday, Sept. 28, the Galaxy face a must-win game against Monarcas Morelia. A draw or loss will see LA eliminated from the tournament. Kickoff at the Home Depot Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.

On Saturday, Oct. 1, Los Angeles will look to exact payback for a 4-1 road defeat to Real Salt Lake. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Sports Prime Ticket.

On Tuesday, Oct. 4, the Galaxy will take on the New York Red Bulls in a match that was postponed due to Hurricane Irene. Kickoff at Red Bull Arena is Harrison is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.