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The Columbus Crew winning, the Houston Dynamo shutting teams out and Real Salt Lake struggling to win. Suddenly, things have started to go back to normal in Major League Soccer.
Okay, so maybe it's just a first win for the Crew, and yes, Real Salt Lake is still miles better than the awful teams in the early years of the club, but we are starting to see some familiar trends around the league. Two trends from 2008 that are back include Chicago's inability to secure wins at home and Kansas City's inability to stay consistent.
One constant of the early season is Chivas USA victories. Try seven in nine matches for the runaway MLS leaders, who top our MLS Power Rankings yet again, and who will face a tough test from rapidly-rising D.C. United.
Here is how this week's SBI MLS Power Rankings shook out.
SBI MLS Power Rankings (Week 8)
1 (Last week- 1). Chivas USA (7-1-1) Last Week: Beat Real Salt Lake, 1-0, on Saturday. This Week: vs. D.C. United on Saturday (11pm, Fox Soccer Channel) Outlook: The Goats just keep on winning. Limiting the normally-potent RSL attack to two shots on goal was impressive. Another tough challenge awaits in D.C. United. 2 (2). Seattle Sounders (4-2-2) Last Week: Tied Los Angeles, 1-1, on Sunday. This Week: at FC Dallas on Saturday (8:30pm, Direct Kick) Outlook: Of the many things we have learned about Seattle this young season, one is that the Sounders can play down a man. A rather inexcusable red card to James Riley made things difficult for the Sounders against LA, but Seattle played well for the final 33 minutes with ten men. 
3 (4). D.C. United (3-1-5)
Last Week: Tied Kansas City, 1-1, on Wednesday; tied Toronto FC, 3-3, on Saturday.
This Week: at Chivas USA on Saturday (11pm, FSC)
Outlook: D.C. started out the TFC match like a team ready to blow out its opponent, but missed early chances kept Toronto in the game and eventually TFC took over. D.C. was lucky to get a point on Saturday and will need to step up its game to have a chance to slow down red-hot Chivas USA.
4 (7). Toronto FC (3-2-4)
Last Week: Tied D.C. United, 3-3, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. Chicago Fire on Saturday (4pm, Direct Kick)
Outlook: Playing on the road and without Carl Robinson, TFC overcame a sluggish start to tie D.C. in a match it could have easily won. If there's a negative it's that Toronto goes yet another game without a goal from a forward.
5 (8). Houston Dynamo (3-2-2)
Last Week: Beat FC Dallas, 1-0, on Saturday.
This Week: at New York Red Bulls on Saturday (7:3pm, Direct Kick/MSG)
Outlook: For those of you who have lost track, the Dynamo has posted four straight shutouts and has now won three straight. As good as the back-line has been, Houston has still managed just four goals in its past five matches.
6 (5). Colorado Rapids (3-2-2)
Last Week: Bye Week
This Week: at New England on Saturday (7:30pm, Direct Kick)
Outlook: The Rapids were probably not happy to have the bye week come after a win, but they should be rested and fresh when they take on a struggling New England team on the road.
7 (3). Chicago Fire (2-0-6)
Last Week: Tied New England, 1-1, on Saturday.
This Week: at Toronto FC on Saturday (4pm, Direct Kick)
Outlook: Another lackluster performance where the Fire show some flashes, but give up a lead at home. Yes, the Fire is undefeated, but six ties gives Chicago a point total equivalent of a team with a 4-4 record. The Fire should be playing better, there is too much talent on the roster not to, but until wins start replacing the draws, Chicago will be ranked in this range.
8 (6). Real Salt Lake (3-4-1)
Last Week: Tied Los Angeles Galaxy, 2-2, on Wednesday; lost to Chivas USA, 1-0, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. Kansas City Wizards on Saturday (9:30pm, Direct Kick).
Outlook: Not exactly the results you hope for after the disappointing loss to Colorado. Losing to Chivas USA is nothing to be ashamed of, but RSL has no excuse for the blown lead vs. LA. in mid-week. a home game with a full lineup against struggling KC could help Jason Kreis' men get going again.
9 (11). Columbus Crew (1-2-5)
Last Week: Beat Kansas City, 3-2, on Saturday.
This Week: at Los Angeles on Sunday (3pm, Telefutura)
Outlook: The Crew attack finally showed us what we came into the season expecting from the defending champions. Having a healthy Robbie Rogers and Frankie Hejduk certainly helped matters.
10 (9). Kansas City Wizards (3-4-2)
Last Week: Tied D.C. United, 1-1, on Wednesday, lost to Columbus, 3-2, on Saturday.
This Week: at Real Salt Lake on Saturday (9pm, Direct Kick).
Outlook: The bye week didn't help the Wizards much as they went winless against Eastern Conference rivals last week. Kudos to the attack for actually scoring two goals vs. Columbus, but the defense looked like a complete mess against the Crew.
11 (10). New England Revolution (2-2-3)
Last Week: Tied Chicago Fire, 1-1, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. Colorado Rapids on Saturday (7:30pm, Direct Kick)
Outlook: Getting a point from the Fire on the road helps New England stop the bleeding, but there's no escaping the fact that the Revs have just not looked that inspiring. Shalrie Joseph deserves credit for trying to carry the Revs, but they need others to step up if they are to avoid an uncharacteristic drop to the bottom of the East.
12 (14). New York Red Bulls (2-5-2)
Last Week: Beat San Jose Earthquakes, 4-1, on Friday.
This Week: vs. Houston Dynamo on Saturday (7:30pm, Direct Kick/MSG)
Outlook: The offense finally goes off like we thought they might be able to before the season began. San Jose isn't exactly a world-beater, but Friday's rout could give the Red Bulls some valuable confidence and momentum into what should be an excellent match against red-hot Houston.
13 (12). Los Angeles Galaxy (1-1-6)
Last Week: Tied Real Salt Lake, 2-2, on Wednesday; tied Seattle, 1-1, on Sunday.
This Week: vs. Columbus Crew on Sunday (3pm, Telefutura).
Outlook: Bruce Arena's men deserve credit for equalizing late vs. RSL, but the Galaxy's performance against a 10-man Seattle squad was, shall we say, underwhelming. Getting a point from Qwest Field is nothing to sneeze at, but you wonder if LA is capable of beating any of the league's top teams.
14 (13). FC Dallas (1-6-1)
Last Week: Lost to Houston Dynamo, 1-0, on Saturday.
This Week: vs. Seattle Sounders on Saturday (8:30pm, Direct Kick)
Outlook: FC Dallas managed a measly one shot on goal vs. Houston on Saturday. ONE. That sound you hear is Kenny Cooper getting his passport renewed. Seriously, is there any reason for the star striker to stick around on this sinking ship?
15 (15). San Jose Earthquakes (1-5-2)
Last Week: Lost to New York Red Bulls, 4-1, on Friday.
This Week: Bye Week.
Outlook: The Earthquakes' patchwork defense was exposed by the Red Bulls and you have to wonder what San Jose can do to improve. The Earthquakes can only hope that the week off helps Darren Huckerby and Jason Hernandez get healthier so they can provide a boost, but the reality is that there isn't much reason for optimism.
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Some notes on this week's rankings:
If you notice some dramatic shifts in the rankings, please bear in mind that ranking shifts aren't always related to that week's performances. Sometimes a performance helps confirm developing trends and also helps me realize that which of my own perceptions are a bit off.
Chicago dropped a bunch despite not losing to New England. This happened because it became clear to me that I had gone on too long ranking the Fire for what they should be, rather than what they actually are.
So why hasn't Seattle dropped from the No. 2 spot after a 1-2-2 stretch in its past five? I'm still seeing a dangerous team that plays some of the best soccer in the league. It should also be noted that the Sounders have received three red cards during that stretch, and only a long-range blast from Davy Arnaud kept the Sounders from earning points in each of the red card games. Lastly, none of the teams who you could argue for moving past Seattle have been THAT dominant to erase early-season struggles.
So why did Toronto FC move up so much after a tie? A draw against D.C. at RFK, in a match when TFC outplayed the hosts, was enough to show me that they are legitimate, especially when a healthy Dwayne DeRosario is on the field.
I'm sure LA fans will cry conspiracy because the Galaxy slipped behind New York, but I'm still not seeing much that resembles inspiring soccer from LA (while New York put on a show vs. San Jose). Yes, the Galaxy beat the Red Bulls a week ago, but few could argue that they outplayed New York. We will see just how legit LA and New York are this week as both face tough tests.
Revs fans might contend that moving up is in order after drawing Chicago at Toyota Park, but the Revs play like they're being held together by duct tape. The tie was gutsy, but New England just isn't showing much these days.
That's all for now. What do you think of this week's rankings? Share your thoughts below.
