That sound you hear is some Western Conference powers starting to awaken.
Before the 2008 season began, the Houston Dynamo and Chivas USA were considered the best teams in the West, with a meeting in the conference final a strong likelihood.
That was before both teams got off to horrendous starts.
Things are changing though. Chivas USA, led by star in the making Jorge Flores, has rattled off three straight wins while the Dynamo is 3-1-1 in its past five matches.
Both squads continued their climbs up the SBI MLS Power Rankings, where the idle Chicago Fire still stand at the top.
Here are this week’s SBI MLS Power Rankings.
SBI MLS Power Rankings
1. (Last week- 1) Chicago Fire (6-2-1)
Week off comes just as McBride rumors start to heat up.
2. (2) New England Revolution (6-3-2)
Showed heart in coming back from 2-0 down, but Revs need to start playing better at home.
3. (4) Toronto FC (5-3-2)
TFC shows that it has one of the deepest benches in MLS. As for Julius James, good luck keeping him out of the lineup Mr. Carver.
4. (7) Chivas USA (4-4-2)
Goals in three straight wins has Jorge Flores emerging as the league’s newest teen sensation.
5. (3) Columbus Crew (6-3-1)
An 0-2-1 slide is troubling, but Crew need to figure out how to adjust to teams taking away Robbie Rogers.
6. (5) Los Angeles Galaxy (4-4-2)
No David Beckham or Landon Donovan equals no chance for Galaxy.
7. (8) Colorado Rapids (5-5)
Tom McManus is one of the finds of the season for up and down Rapids.
8. (11) Houston Dynamo (3-3-5)
Champs show off depth in beating Red Bulls, but can they find consistency?
9. (9) FC Dallas (3-4-4)
One more loss and still more questions about who should be the team’s new coach.
10. (6) New York Red Bulls (3-3-3)
Another good defensive effort spoiled by sloppy set-piece defending. As for the offense, Jozy Altidore got no help on Saturday.
11. (10) Kansas City Wizards (3-4-2)
Another week off? Maybe this one will lead to a goal-scoring spree. The last one sure didn’t.
12. (12) D.C. United (3-7-1)
First half vs. New England was entertaining, skillful and promising. Second half was more of the same terrible play that has plagued D.C. this season.
13. (14) Real Salt Lake (3-5-2)
Good at home, awful on the road. Your 2008 Real Salt Lake.
14. (13) San Jose Earthquakes (2-6-1)
Earthquakes were missing key players, which is death to any expansion team.
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Share your own thought on the rankings below.