MLS Power Rankings: Week 6

MLS POWER RANKINGS (05/07):

1. Columbus Crew [last week 1]: Another week, another gutsy win for the Crew. No team has a better mix of young talent and veteran experience. Though, they have played more @ home than anyone.
2. Chicago Fire [last week 2]: It’s tough to keep the Fire at #2 because they have been pummeling people. Rolfe appears to have fully healed, meaning Chicago’s deadly attack now has increased depth.
3. FC Dallas [last week 3]: Dallas is no doubt disappointed to come away from San Jose with a draw, but credit those Quakes’ fans who can make their tiny venue seem as frenzied as the Coliseum.
4. Colorado Rapids [last week 7]: Christian Gomez showed DCU why they were foolish to relinquish his rights. Meanwhile, his replacement, Gallardo, was contained by Colorado’s defensive core.
5. New York Red Bulls [last week 6]: Finally, someone scored for a visitor’s side @BMO! Despite injuries, NYRB continues to plug along. Once (if ever) healthy, this team will be a force.
6. Kansas City [last week 4]: A second straight loss for Conrad’s contingent shouldn’t have Onalfo too worried. The Crew are unstoppable at home, and Espinoza’s early ejection was costly.
7. Toronto FC [last week 9]: I know their record justifies them being ranked higher, but I still worry TFC is not for real. Guevara and Robert are playing great, but implosion is not an impossibility.
8. New England Revolution [last week 5]: The Revs seem to have multiple personalities. One game, they play stingy, grinding soccer, but the next they let their opponent score at will.
9. Los Angeles Galaxy [last week 10]: The Galaxy needed both Beckham’s benders to erase two early defensive miscues. He and Donovan appear to be progressing, and Gordon is relentless.
10. DC United [last week 8]: I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, DCU just cannot get it done away from RFK. If this team travels by plane to away games, I say mix it up by renting a bus for the next one.
11. Chivas USA [last week 11]: The defense looked better (granted it was HOU though), but no goals against Kinnear’s porous defense? Four cards though. So at least they have that going for them.
12. Real Salt Lake [last week 12]: Despite jumping out to an early lead, RSL pissed away a win with penalties. You can’t blame Rimando for Beckham’s second, which had “goal of the week” written all over it.
13. Houston Dynamo [last week 13]: Ugly game with Chivas. The cards were raining like cats and dogs (which is the most non-sensical simile ever concocted if you ask me). Houston’s offense is impotent.
14. San Jose Earthquakes [last week 14]: Shame the Quake’s offense is so poor, because the defense is playing with inspiration and dedication. They may break the single season record for 0-0 draws.

Player of the Week: I was tempted to go with C. Gomez because he dominated a team that disregarded him even though he contributed so much to the squad over the years. But, you have to go with Beckham this week for singlehandedly securing a draw with RSL. Great players make mediocre teams contenders, and Beckham appears to be making the Galaxy a playoff squad.