|
Another weekend of surprising results shuffles our Major League Soccer Power Rankings, with Atlanta United entering the top six on the back of a 3-1 victory over New York City FC.  1. Toronto FC (no change)
No Sebastian Giovinco, no Jozy Altidore, no problem. If there was any doubt that Toronto was the best team in MLS before beating Columbus Crew SC 5-0, it's now gone.
 2. FC Dallas (no change)
Drawing at home is actually an improvement for the defending Supporters' Shield champion, but sharing the points with the Houston Dynamo in a 0-0 draw is obviously not where FCD wants to be.
 3. Chicago Fire (+3)
The Fire have truly risen to prominence and got a big boost on Wednesday with their 2-1 win over Dallas. The result and the weekend off actually helped Chicago.
 4. Sporting Kansas City (-1)
Sporting isn't good on the road, and that's a problem. Equally important is the apparent issue of dominating possession and failing to create dangerous chances, as was the case in the 1-0 loss at the Colorado Rapids.
 5. Columbus Crew SC (-1)
An epic 5-0 defeat against a weakened Toronto side doesn't bode well for the idea that Crew SC -- or anyone else -- is closing the gap with the leader in the East.
 6. Atlanta United (+6)
Consistency might be a bit of an issue in Atlanta, but there really shouldn't be any question that this is one of the league's most talented teams after a 3-1 win over NYCFC.
 7. New York City FC (-2)
Presented with an opportunity to prove its quality against Atlanta, Patrick Vieira's team fell short on the road.
 8. Houston Dynamo (+1)
Houston getting its first point on the road in a 0-0 draw at Dallas is good enough, thank you very much. There's no reason to look deeper here.
 9. San Jose Earthquakes (-2)
The "Cali Clasico" definitely did not go the Quakes' way. There was plenty of fight, but the second-half collapse in a 4-2 defeat to the LA Galaxy points to a deficiency.
 10. Orlando City SC (-2)
Orlando built its strong start to the campaign without Kaka, but it looks clear after Saturday's 1-0 loss to Minnesota United that the squad still needs him.
 11. New York Red Bulls (+3)
There was some doubt about Jesse Marsch's control of the team, but a 2-1 comeback win over the New England Revolution should help assuage those fears.
 12. Philadelphia Union (-1)
The winning streak comes to an end on the road in Utah. While the run had to end somewhere, Jim Curtin can't be happy with a 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake.
 13. LA Galaxy (+4)
Curt Onalfo deserves heaps of credit for what is happening in Los Angeles. Or rather what is happening away from Los Angeles, with the Galaxy on a three-game road winning streak topped by a 4-2 victory at San Jose.
 14. Portland Timbers (-4)
With goals at a premium in Seattle, the Timbers were unable to create big change in a 1-0 defeat to the Sounders -- though Caleb Porter is sure his side was better over 90 minutes.
 15. Seattle Sounders (no change)
Was the 1-0 win over Portland overwhelming? No. Will it assure the faithful that the Sounders are good enough to repeat as champs? Probably not. But a win over a rival? That's big.
 16. Vancouver Whitecaps (-2)
The Caps are angry after the call that led to the only goal of their loss to D.C. United, but there is justice to Vancouver losing because of its amazing inconsistency.
 17. New England Revolution (-1)
Out in front after 10 minutes, the Revs then found themselves unable to threaten the Red Bulls on the road. It was a mediocre team being mediocre, and losing 2-1.
 18. D.C. United (+1)
Bill Hamid came to the rescue for D.C., which can feel good about three road points but can't be satisfied with yet another dicey offensive performance in a 1-0 win over Vancouver.
 19. Montreal Impact (-1)
The Impact will have to wait to turn their victory against Portland at home on May 20 into the start of a winning streak.
 20. Minnesota United (no change)
A 1-0 win over Orlando was surely sweet for Adrian Heath against his former club, with Christian Ramirez netting his eighth goal of the season.
 21. Real Salt Lake (no change)
At this point, it doesn't matter at all how RSL gets three points. To have Joao Plata finally scoring in the 1-0 win over the Union could mean the start of a resurgence.
 22. Colorado Rapids (no change)
Last year's Rapids showed up and made one set-piece goal count to win 1-0 against one of the West's best teams in Sporting KC.
|
