Photo by Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports 

By RYAN TOLMICH

In a week where many of the league’s teams were hampered by international call-ups, some teams took the opportunity to make a statement while some faltered due to some notable absences.

The league’s hottest team, FC Dallas, continued their unbeaten streak, but were forced to settle for a draw with the Seattle Sounders, while the reigning champion LA Galaxy weren’t so lucky in a late-game 1-0 loss to D.C. United.

Among the teams who marched to victory was the New York Red Bulls, who topped the Columbus Crew, 2-1, for a statement road victory. Meanwhile, the Fire also marched to victory, the team’s first, with a win over the Union.

Here are the SBI MLS Power Rankings for Week 4:

SBI MLS Power Rankings (Week 4)

1. (last week- 3) FC DALLAS (3-0-1)

LAST WEEK: Tied Seattle Sounders, 0-0, last Saturday

THIS WEEK: At Portland Timbers on Saturday

OUTLOOK– After starting the season off with three straight victories, FC Dallas came back down to earth a bit with a draw with the Sounders. Lacking Blas Perez, Moises Hernandez and Mauro Diaz, the result surely isn’t a negative one, especially considering the early sending off of Kellyn Acosta.

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2. (1) LOS ANGELES GALAXY (1-1-2)

LAST WEEK: Lost to D.C. United, 1-0, last Saturday

THIS WEEK: At Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday

OUTLOOK– Without Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes due to international duty, the LA Galaxy attack looked as toothless as one might expect. Still, the Galaxy have certainly struggled in recent weeks, even with their forwards, as the reigning champions haven’t looked fierce aside from their opening day victory over the Fire.

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3. (6)  NEW YORK RED BULLS (2-0-1)

LAST WEEK:  Beat Columbus Crew, 2-1, on Saturday

THIS WEEK: BYE

OUTLOOK– After dispatching D.C. United in impressive fashion, the Red Bulls went to Columbus and did the very same thing to the Crew. Jesse Marsch’s pressing style has been formidable, while Bradley Wright-Phillips and Lloyd Sam continue to be as threatening as any attacking unit in the league.

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4. (2) SEATTLE SOUNDERS (1-1-1)

LAST WEEK: Tired FC Dallas, 0-0, last Saturday

THIS WEEK: vs. Houston Dynamo on Saturday

OUTLOOK–  In what really turned out to be a test of depth due to various call-ups and injuries, the Sounders played to a stalemate against a surging FC Dallas side. However, that performance was riddled with negatives, as the Sounders failed to muster a single opportunity despite being up a man for 70 minutes.

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5. (9) VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (3-1-0)

LAST WEEK: Defeated Portland Timbers, 2-1, last Saturday

THIS WEEK: vs. LA Galaxy on Saturday

OUTLOOK– The Whitecaps haven’t necessarily been winning pretty, but they surely have been winning. Carl Robinson’s side claimed another victory last Saturday due to Robert Earnshaw’s late winner, as the Whitecaps continue to find ways to snag all three points.

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6. (8) D.C. UNITED (2-1-0)

LAST WEEK:  Defeated LA Galaxy, 1-0, last Saturday

THIS WEEK: At Orlando City on Friday

OUTLOOK– On the heels of an embarrassing loss to the Red Bulls, D.C. United took down the LA Galaxy with a last-minute winner from Chris Pontius. D.C. United still hasn’t quite clicked due to the absences up top, but snatching up three points against the Galaxy is always a welcome boost.

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7. (4) COLUMBUS CREW (1-2-0)

LAST WEEK: Lost, 2-1, to New York Red Bulls last Saturday

THIS WEEK: BYE

OUTLOOK– The Crew were certainly frustrated by the Red Bulls pressure Saturday, as Gregg Berhalter’s side was uncharacteristically careless with the ball. The Crew now have a week to work out the kinks following the team’s second loss in three games.

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8. (5) TORONTO FC (1-2-0)

LAST WEEK: Lost, 2-1, to Real Salt Lake last Sunday

THIS WEEK: at Chicago Fire on Saturday

OUTLOOK– Lacking Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley, Toronto FC was seemingly on its way to picking up a hard-earned point at Rio Tinto before conceding just moments from the final whistle. TFC does have a legitimate gripe, though, as once again a referees decision went against Greg Vanney’s side.

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9. (15)  SPORTING KANSAS CITY (1-1-2)

LAST WEEK: Defeated NYCFC, 1-0, last Saturday

THIS WEEK: Vs. Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

OUTLOOK– After some lackluster performances, Sporting KC finally put it all together in an impressive win over NYCFC at Yankee Stadium. Ike Opara continues to be a force with another goal to go with yet another impressive defensive display.

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10. (7) NEW YORK CITY FC (1-1-1)

LAST WEEK: Lost, 1-0, to Sporting KC on Saturday

THIS WEEK: BYE

OUTLOOK– Without David Villa, NYCFC didn’t threaten much against a stout Sporting KC defense. Held scoreless in back-to-back games, NYCFC is having some early season struggles, which means that the upcoming bye week will likely be appreciated for the sake of some early season tune-ups.

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11. (10) NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (1-2-1)

LAST WEEK: Defeated San Jose Earthquakes, 2-1, last Saturday

THIS WEEK: At Colorado Rapids on Saturday

OUTLOOK–  After going scoreless through the opening three games, the Revs finally clicked in week four with a pair of goals from Kelyn Rowe. Saturday was a much improved display, one that should ease some of the early season doubts that were begining to creep in.

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12. (11)  ORLANDO CITY (1-1-2)

LAST WEEK: Tied Montreal Impact, 2-2, last Saturday

THIS WEEK: vs. D.C. United on Friday

OUTLOOK– Saturday’s performance showed some guts from Orlando City, who came back from a two-goal deficit despite having only 14 players in the squad after being depleted by the international break.

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13. (13) REAL SALT LAKE (1-0-2)

LAST WEEK: Defeated Toronto FC, 2-1, last Saturday

THIS WEEK: At San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday

OUTLOOK– After two inconsistent performances, RSL put it all together Saturday to see off Toronto FC with a late winner from youngster Jordan Allen. Also impressing was goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, who stood tall in the absence of started Nick Rimando.

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14. (14) SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (2-2-0)

LAST WEEK: Lost, 2-1, to New England Revolution last Saturday

THIS WEEK: vs. Real Salt Lake on Sunday

OUTLOOK– Following two straight victories, the Earthquakes were brought back to earth by the Revs. A result at Gillette Stadium is a tough one to muster, but the Earthquakes still have plenty to prove going forward.

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15. (12) PORTLAND TIMBERS (0-1-3)

LAST WEEK: Lost, 2-1, to Vanouver Whitecaps last Saturday

THIS WEEK: at Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday

OUTLOOK– It’s been three points from three games for the Timbers, who have struggled to really assert themselves as dominant yet this season. Part of the blame should lie on the attacking end, as the Timbers have scored just twice in three matches, a recipe for dropped points.

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16. (17) HOUSTON DYNAMO (1-1-2)

LAST WEEK:  Tied Colorado Rapids, 0-0, on Saturday

THIS WEEK: at Seattle Sounders on Saturday

OUTLOOK– Tyler Deric continues to be a force in net, as the Dynamo boast the league’s hottest goalkeeper. Last week’s draw showed plenty of heart, especially from Ricardo Clark, who was hampered by a rib injury throughout.

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17. (18) MONTREAL IMPACT (0-1-2)

LAST WEEK: Tied Orlando City, 2-2, on Saturday.

THIS WEEK: BYE

OUTLOOK– The Impact remain winless in the league, despite opening up a quick 2-0 lead over Orlando City last time out. The focus once again turns to CONCACAF Champions League Play, as the Impact look to advance to the final with a result in April 7 seminfinal.

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18. (19) COLORADO RAPIDS (0-0-3)

LAST WEEK: Tied Houston Dynamo, 0-0, last Saturday

THIS WEEK: vs. New England Revolution on Saturday.

OUTLOOK– The Rapids may not be the league’s best team, but they’re surely the league’s most consistent. With three 0-0 draws in as many games, the Rapids defense has looked sturdy, but the club will have to find a way to score a goal sooner or later.

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19. (20) CHICAGO FIRE (1-3-0)

LAST WEEK: Defeated Philadelphia Union, 1-0, on Sunday

THIS WEEK: vs. Toronto FC on Saturday

OUTLOOK– Despite the absence of some key signings, the Fire emerged victorious from Sunday’s clash with the Union. Rookie Matt Polster looks strong in the midfield, while Harry Shipp continues to emerge as one of the league’s top midfielders.

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20. (16) PHILADELPHIA UNION (0-2-2)

LAST WEEK: Lost, 1-0, to Chicago Fire last Sunday

THIS WEEK: at Sporting KC on Sunday

OUTLOOK– In a matchup between two struggling teams, the Union emerged empty-handed against the lowly Fire. The Union have struggled to muster anything in three of four games, a sure sign of worry for head coach Jim Curtin.

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What do you think of this week’s power rankings? Do you think any team is ranked too high? Any too low?

Share your thoughts below.