There weren't any changes at the very top of the SBI MLS Power Rankings, but a few teams stated their cases for moving closer to the league's elite after Week 6.
The Houston Dynamo delivered the loudest message, thrashing the Kansas City Wizards and serving notice that the loss of Geoff Cameron wasn't going to end their season. The San Jose Earthquakes also delivered an impressive performance, shutting out the Colorado Rapids without rookie standout Ike Opara.
The bottom of the Power Rankings didn't change either, with D.C. United remaining winless and Philadelphia still looking for a point against someone other than D.C.
Here are this week's SBI MLS Power Rankings:
SBI MLS POWER RANKINGS (Week 6)
1 (Last Week- 1). LOS ANGELES GALAXY (5-0-1)
Last Week– Beat Philadelphia, 3-1, last Saturday.
Next Week– at Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, at Seattle Sounders on Saturday.
Outlook: Edson Buddle stole the show, but A.J. De La Garza enjoyed a strong game, as did Michael Stephens. Galaxy will be truly tested with a pair of tough road games this week.
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Last Week– Tied Seattle Sounders, 1-1, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. New England Revolution on Saturday.
Outlook: Steven Lenhart scores his first league goal while Danny O'Rourke manages his second red card of the young season. The Crew are playing well, but getting Chad Marshall back is a must if Columbus has Supporters Shield aspirations.
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3 (3). NEW YORK RED BULLS (5-1)
Last Week– Beat D.C. United, 2-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– at San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Outlook: Juan Pablo Angel and Dane Richards sparked the Red Bulls to victory, playing their best matches of the season. Bouna Coundoul also made some good saves, but questions linger about his ability to kick the ball and his penchant for shaky moments.
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4 (9). HOUSTON DYNAMO (3-2-1)
Last Week– Beat Kansas City Wizards, 3-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. FC Dallas, at Chivas USA
Outlook: The Dynamo needed a big team effort to offset the loss of Geoff Cameron and received just that from Dom Oduro and Luis Angel Landin. They were aided by a questionable red card, but there's no denying how well they played. With Brian Ching close to returning, the Dynamo remain a force in the West.
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5 (4). KANSAS CITY WIZARDS (2-2-1)
Last Week– Lost to Houston Dynamo, 3-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– at D.C. United on Wednesday.
Outlook: We won't know how the game would have gone without Davy Arnaud's red card, but the Wizards were already trailing and were ultimately taken apart by a team missing several key players. Wizards can shake off the loss with a win against winless D.C. United and former head coach Curt Onalfo.
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6 (8). SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (3-2)
Last Week– Beat Colorado Rapids, 1-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Outlook: Chris Wondolowski scored a beautiful game-winning goal, but it was Ramiro Corrales and Bobby Convey who stepped up and led the Earthquakes to the win against a solid Rapids team. A tougher test awaits in the New York Red Bulls, who boast a stron defense and some dangerous attacking players.
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7 (5). COLORADO RAPIDS (3-2-1)
Last Week– Lost to San Jose Earthquakes, 1-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday.
Outlook: Rapids will come away disappointed they couldn't get at least a point from San Jose after outplaying the Earthquakes for stretches, but missed chances cost them. The Rapids defense has been getting by with Marvell Wynne in central defense, but Edson Buddle is coming to town and he will pose the toughest challenge to date.
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8 (6). CHICAGO FIRE (2-2-2)
Last Week– Tied Chivas USA, 1-1, on Saturday.
Next Week– at Toronto FC on Saturday.
Outlook: Marco Pappa and Patrick Nyarko provide good sparks for the Fire, but there was little else in Chicago's attack. Andrew Dykstra has done relatively well in goal, but his penchant for fumbling routine saves is starting to raise eyebrows.
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9 (7). SEATTLE SOUNDERS (2-2-3)
Last Week– Tied Columbus Crew, 1-1, last Saturday
Next Week- vs. Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.
Outlook: Sounders had more chances and more of the ball, but came away with a disappointing draw yet again. That's three matches (FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake) the Sounders have thrown away points in when a win seemed more likely. They can't afford such slip-up against the Galaxy, which could open 13-point lead on Seattle with win.
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10 (10). REAL SALT LAKE (2-3-1)
Last Week– Beat Toronto FC, 2-1, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
Outlook: Andy Williams turned back the clock with a strong match, while rookie Collen Warner showed why some (including SBI) considered him a rookie of the year candidate coming into the season. With the expansion Philly Union coming to town, and Javier Morales a step closer to returning, things are looking up for the defending champions.
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11 (11). CHIVAS USA (2-3-1)
Last Week– Tied Chivas USA, 1-1, last Saturday.
Next Week- at New England on Wednesday, vs. Houston Dynamo on Saturday.
Outlook: Sacha Klejstan continues his recent good form as Chivas USA scoops up a precious road point. The Rojiblancos were fortunate Chicago didn't finish its chances, but the point was valuable heading into a busy week.
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12 (12). NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (2-3-1)
Last Week– Tied FC Dallas, 1-1, last Saturday.
Next Week- vs. Chivas USA on Wednesday, at Columbus Crew on Saturday.
Outlook: The Revs did well to come away with a point after having two men sent off. Red cards notwithstanding, the Revs are tough team to watch without Shalrie Joseph. Marko Perovic has skill, but there is little doubt New England will have to win ugly if it is going to tread water until Joseph returns.
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13 (13). TORONTO FC (2-4)
Last Week– Lost to Real Salt Lake, 2-1, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Chicago Fire on Saturday.
Outlook: Preki inexplicably rested Dwayne DeRosario, Julian DeGuzman and O'Brian White, leaving a toothless squad to try and hold off defending champion Real Salt Lake. A win in Utah probably wasn't realistic, but the last thing TFC needed was more controversy.
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14 (14). FC DALLAS (0-1-4)
Last Week– Tied New England Revolution, 1-1, last Saturday.
Next Week- at Houston Dynamo on Wednesday, vs. D.C. United on Saturday.
Outlook: FC Dallas has made a habit of playing well for stretches and missing chances in bunches. Their inability to find a game-winner despite being up two men is disturbing, but not as disturbing as Dario Sala's brain cramp on New England's goal. How is Kevin Hartman not starting?
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15 (15). PHILADELPHIA UNION (1-3)
Last Week– Lost to Los Angeles Galaxy, 3-1, last Saturday.
Next Week– at Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Outlook: Showing their expansion team flaws more and more. On the bright side, young forward Jack McInerney scored the first of what should be many goals for Philly. On the dark side, another red card has Peter Nowak shaking his head, especially considering he's not happy with his team's toughness.
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16 (16). D.C. UNITED (0-4)
Last Week– Lost to New York Red Bulls, 2-0, last Saturday.
Next Week– vs. Kansas City Wizards on Wednesday, at FC Dallas on Saturday.
Outlook: If D.C. United wasn't already in desperation mode, up next comes Kansas City, the team that blow D.C. out in the season opener and the team that fired Curt Onalfo last year. Jaime Moreno and Luciano Emilio were expected to provide second-half sparks, but only served to show why they weren't starting. Things are looking bleak in the nation's capital.
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What do you think of this week's rankings? Who do you feel is ranked too highly? Who isn't ranked high enough?
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