Just when you think the Los Angeles Galaxy can be counted out, Bruce Arena's team finds a way to win.
Okay, so maybe the Galaxy still just have three wins all season, but beating Houston without Landon Donovan has to go down as the best accomplishment of the weekend.
It was a limited weekend on the MLS front, with several teams on byes (or in SuperLiga). One of the teams that did play was Real Salt Lake, which announced its official re-awakening with a 3-0 mauling of Toronto FC. Another West team that looks poised for a second-half surge is the Seattle Sounders, which toasted Colorado, 3-0.
One team that wasn't able to revive itself is the New York Red Bulls, which continue on a march toward one of the worst seasons in league history.
Here is a look at this week's SBI MLS Power Rankings:
SBI MLS Power Rankings (Week 15)
1 (Last week- 1). Houston Dynamo (8-3-4)
Last week– Lost to Los Angeles Galaxy, 1-0, on Sunday.
This week– at Kansas City Wizards on Saturday.
Outlook– Came out flat vs. Galaxy and looked nothing like the streaking team that rocketed up to the top spot in the rankings.
2 (2). Chivas USA (8-4-3)
Last week– Bye (Lost to Chicago Fire, 1-0, and tied Pumas, 0-0, in SuperLiga).
This week– Bye
Outlook– Ready to return to league action after going winless in SuperLiga.
3 (6). Seattle Sounders (6-3-7)
Last week– Beat Colorado, 3-0, on Sunday.
This week– Bye
Outlook– Fredy Montero has that look again and the Seattle offense finally finished off its chances. A second-half surge looks very likely for Sigi Schmid's squad.
4 (3). Colorado Rapids (5-3-6)
Last week– Tied FC Dallas, 1-1, on Wednesday; lost to Seattle Sounders, 3-0, on Sunday.
This week– vs. Chicago Fire on Saturday.
Outlook– Dropping points at home to improving FC Dallas side was disappointing, but the Rapids do get Conor Casey back from national team duty, while Colin Clark departs for the Gold Cup.
5 (4). D.C. United (5-3-8)
Last week– Bye Week
This week– at Columbus Crew on Saturday.
Outlook– East Leader isn't standing pat, with roster tweaks taking place as D.C. prepares for the second half of the season. Stiff test awaits at Crew Stadium.
6 (5). Columbus Crew (5-3-7)
Last week– Beat New York Red Bulls, 1-0, on Saturday.
This week– vs. D.C. United on Saturday.
Outlook– Crew will be losing Chad Marshall and Robbie Rogers to the Gold Cup, meaning the bench will be tested yet again.
7 (7). Chicago Fire (5-3-6)
Last week– Bye (Beat Chivas USA, lost to Tigres, in SuperLiga)
This week– at Colorado Rapids on Saturday.
Outlook– Fire will miss Logan Pause during the Gold Cup, but SuperLiga performance show once again just how deep this team is.
8 (8). Kansas City Wizards (5-5-4)
Last week– Bye (Tied New England, lost to Santos Laguna, in SuperLiga)
This week– vs. Houston Dynamo on Saturday.
Outlook– Didn't do well in SuperLiga, but can now focus on making run at playoff spot. Losing Jimmy Conrad and Davy Arnaud for Gold Cup won't be easy, especially with Houston coming to town.
9 (11). Real Salt Lake (5-6-4)
Last week– Beat Toronto FC, 3-0, on Saturday.
This week– vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Friday.
Outlook– Followed up strong showing vs. Houston with a dominating effort vs. TFC. Could Jason Kreis' team be ready to regain its early-season form? Losing Kyle Beckerman to the Gold Cup will be tough, but RSL still has an attack dangerous enough to carry them.
10 (9). New England Revolution (4-4-4)
Last week– Bye (tied Kansas City, beat Atlas, in SuperLiga)
This week– at Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.
Outlook– As if losing Taylor Twellman indefinitely isn't bad enough, the Revs are dealing with a rash of key injuries as they prepare to play the extra games in hand on their schedule.
11 (10). Toronto FC (6-6-4)
Last week– Beat New York Red Bulls, 2-0, on Wednesday, lost to Real Salt Lake, 3-0, on Saturday.
This week– Bye week.
Outlook– Smacked around by RSL, Toronto is looking ahead to what is shaping up to be a very busy summer transfer period.
12 (13). San Jose Earthquakes (3-8-3)
Last week– Bye
This week– at Real Salt Lake on Friday.
Outlook– San Jose had a week to rest and savor its win vs. LA, now comes a crucial Western Conference match in the Earthquakes quest to try and grab a playoff spot.
13 (14). Los Angeles Galaxy (3-3-9)
Last week– Beat Houston Dynamo, 1-0, on Saturday.
This week– vs. New England Revolution on Saturday.
Outlook– Do we ever really know which LA team is going to show up? With Landon Donovan on the way back from South Africa, and David Beckham set to return from AC Milan, the Galaxy sit an impressive three points out of a playoff spot.
14 (13). FC Dallas (3-7-)
Last week– Tied Colorado Rapids, 1-1, on Wednesday.
This week– vs. New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Outlook– Schellas Hyndman's squad is playing much better these days and will have a chance to scoop up some valuable points against a Red Bulls team that hasn't won on the road (in the regular season) in ten years (okay, two).
15 (15). New York Red Bulls (2-11-4)
Last week– Lost to Toronto FC, 2-0, on Wednesday; lost to Columbus Crew, 1-0, on Saturday.
This week– at FC Dallas on Saturday.
Outlook– As if all the losing isn't enough the club is now faced with a rash of key injuries. The MLS season is lost, but the Red Bulls are revamping their roster with the hope of salvaging the CONCACAF Champions League and building some momentum heading toward 2010.
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I will add some Week 15 thoughts shortly. For now, give me your thoughts. Think Houston still deserves the top spot after losing to LA? Do you see Seattle regaining its early-season form? Do you believe that Real Salt Lake is ready to turn things around?
share your thoughts on this week's MLS Power Rankings below.