Call it the Curse of the No. 1 spot.

FC Dallas was once No. 1 in the SBI MLS Power Rankings, then the Hoops promptly fell apart. The Columbus Crew had it for a while, but eventually suffered a losing streak. Most recently the Chicago Fire grabbed the top spot and hasn’t won a match since.

Now you have New England, which moved into No. 1 last week only to promptly go 0-1-1 in a week where two wins were probably expected. Was that enough to knock the Revs off the top spot? Nope, not yet. With the Galaxy settling for a tie and the Chicago Fire freefalling, nobody was able to take advantage of New England’s tumble.

Two teams currently streaking up the standings are D.C. United and Real Salt Lake. D.C. is 4-0-1 in its past five while RSL, which just beat New England, is 3-0-1 in its past five. Not bad for two teams that were near the basement just a month ago. Now, both squads reside in the top half.

Here is how this week’s SBI MLS Power Rankings shook out:

SBI MLS Power Rankings

1. (Last week- 1) New England Revolution (8-4-3)

Last Week: Tied Red Bulls, 1-1, on Wednesday; lost to Real Salt Lake, 2-1, on Saturday.

This Week: vs. Toronto FC on Saturday.

Last Five Games: 2-1-2

Outlook: Sputtering offense leads to winless week. Shalrie Joseph can focus on MLS after Grenada’s World Cup qualifying elimination.

2. (3) Los Angeles Galaxy (6-4-3)

Last Week: Tied Columbus, 3-3, on Saturday

This Week:  at D.C. United on Sunday.

Last Five Games: 3-1-1

Outlook: Defense looked like its old shaky self. Not a good sign with red-hot D.C. United up next on the schedule.

3. (5) Columbus Crew (7-4-2)

Last Week: Tied Los Angeles, 3-3, on Saturday.

This Week: vs. Colorado on Saturday.

Last Five Games: 1-3-1

Outlook: Second straight three-goal game has the Crew buzzing heading into a home match against the struggling Rapids.

4. (6) D.C. United (6-7-1)

Last Week: Beat San Jose, 3-1, on Sunday.

This Week: vs. Los Angeles on Sunday.

Last Five Games: 4-0-1

Outlook: How hot is the D.C. attack? It has scored 14 goals during the team’s five-match unbeaten streak. That’s more goals than the Wizards (10) and Earthquakes (10) have scored all season.

5. (4) Toronto FC (6-4-3)

Last Week: Tied Kansas City, 0-0, on Saturday.

This Week: vs. New England on Saturday.

Last Five Games: 2-2-1

Outlook: With World Cup qualifying over (for now), TFC will be able to get back to full-strength for crucial match against New England.

6. (2) Chicago Fire (6-5-1)

Last Week: Lost at Chivas USA, 2-0, on Thursday.

This Week: vs. San Jose on Saturday.

Last Five Games: 2-3

Outlook: Not having Gonzalo Segares (Costa Rica call-up) and Wilman Conde (injury) hurts but that doesn’t explain going 243 minutes without a goal.

7. (9) Real Salt Lake (5-5-4)

Last Week: Tied San Jose, 0-0, on Wednesday, Beat New England, 2-1, on Saturday.

This Week: at Kansas City on Saturday.

Last Five Games: 3-0-2

Outlook: Unbeaten in five, RSL is defending well and its attack is dangerous when it’s clicking. A win in KC will go a long way in proving whether Real Salt Lake is for real.

8. (7) Houston Dynamo (4-4-6)

 

Last Week: Tied Colorado, 0-0, on Saturday.

This Week: vs. FC Dallas on Thursday

Last Five Games: 2-1-2

Outlook: Just when the Dynamo look ready to rocket up the standings they have a stinker like the scoreless draw against the Rapids (and yes, we realize DeRosario and Onstad were not around). The squad should be at full strength for the FC Dallas match, making it a must-win for the Dynamo.

9. (10) New York Red Bulls (5-4-4)

Last Week: Tied New England, 1-1, on Wednesday; beat FC Dallas, 1-0, on Saturday.

This Week: at Chivas USA on Saturday.

Last Five Games: 2-2-1

Outlook: Talent-starved squad played some inspired soccer last week and if they can keep it up until the July 15 transfer window the Red Bulls could be a late-season surprise.

10. (11) Chivas USA (5-6-2)

Last Week: Beat Chicago, 2-0, on Thursday.

This Week: vs. New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

Last Five Games: 3-2

Outlook: Goats get back on track with comprehensive win against the Fire. Now comes a chance for some revenge against the same Red Bulls team that beat them three weeks ago.

11. (8) FC Dallas (4-6-4)

Last Week: Lost to New York Red Bulls, 1-0, on Saturday.

This Week: at Houston on Thursday.

Last Five Games: 1-3-1

Outlook: How a team with this much talent has had results so poor is a bit mind-boggling. Yes, Adrian Serioux and Drew Moor were missing against the Red Bulls but that doesn’t excuse the poor excuse for an offense the Hoops showed on Saturday.

12. (12) Colorado Rapids (5-7-1)

Last Week: Tied Houston, 0-0, on Saturday.

This Week: at Columbus on Saturday.

Last Five Games: 1-3-1

Outlook: With LA and RSL streaking, and Chivas USA turning things around, the Rapids had better wake up quickly or else risking faling behind in the playoff race.

13. (13) Kansas City Wizards (3-5-4)

Last Week: Tied Toronto FC, 0-0, on Saturday.

This Week: vs. Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

Last Five Games: 0-2-3

Outlook: Getting a point in Toronto is promising but the Wizards’ stagnant offense must wake up against RSL on Saturday.

14. (14) San Jose Earthquakes (3-8-2)

Last Week: Tied Real Salt Lake, 0-0, on Wednesday; lost to D.C. United, 3-1, on Sunday.

This Week: at Chicago Fire on Saturday.

Last Five Games: 1-3-1

Outlook: Traveling to Toyota Park to face a reeling Chicago squad seems like a good chance to snap the Earthquakes’ recent slide, but don’t bet on it. Things could get ugly.

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