RBNY Fan: 2012 Week 25 MLS Power Rankings

Posted Tuesday, August 21, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

Despite their best efforts, the New York Red Bulls stayed within just one result of Sporting KC, and they are also very much so in the race for the Supporters Shield thanks to the top two teams in the Major League Soccer Western Conference stumbling over the weekend. It's not yet time to anoint new kings of MLS power rankings, but San Jose could be second in overall league standings this time next week if they suffer another shock defeat.

2012 Week 25 MLS power rankings

19. Toronto FC (5-14-5): TFC earned a single point in two home games against Portland and SKC; and that one point came against Portland. Ouch.

18. Portland Timbers (5-13-6): Portland were a bit unlucky to not earn at least a point at Red Bull Arena on Sunday night, but it cannot be ignored that a decent team doesn't toss away a two-goal lead in under 15 minutes.

17. New England Revolution (6-13-5): Let the rebuilding...continue. The Revs are one of three MLS sides averaging under a point earned per game. Remember when they were fun to watch at the beginning of the season? Me neither.

16. Colorado Rapids (8-15-2): Dropping points at home to Chivas USA is not a way to celebrate a big win against RSL, a win that now matters little.

15. Philadelphia Union (7-12-3): I'm not sure if Philly were lucky to not have lost or unlucky to not have won. Actually, I'm not 100 percent sure what the hell happened at the end of that game at DCU.

14. Chivas USA (7-9-6): Earned that draw at Colorado, but Chivas just don't do it for me. They may not pass Dallas in the standings, let alone flirt with a playoff spot.

13. Columbus Crew (8-8-6): This past Wednesday evening was an extremely emotional night for the Crew, and they then did well to pick up a point at Houston on Sunday. Hosting Toronto on Wednesday could be just what Columbus need right now.

12. FC Dallas (8-11-8): Benching Brek Shea may have been the best thing for both club and player. Don't look now, but Dallas are five points away from being in the top five of the MLS West standings.

11. DC United (11-8-4): Is this a bit harsh considering all that went down in DC this past Sunday? Well, United players fighting with each other is not the way to start the race toward the MLS Playoffs.

10. Vancouver Whitecaps (10-9-7): Vancouver were without several lineup mainstays when they hosted Dallas on Wednesday, and they then ended the week with a trip to Seattle. A contest at Portland, who are playing better as of late, this coming weekend doesn't seem like a gimme right now.

9. Montreal Impact (11-13-3): I understand they've played two more games than SKC and RBNY, and four more games than have DC. You still have to like how the Impact are picking up points.

8. LA Galaxy (11-11-4): The defending champs have quietly made a move up the standings over the past several weeks. Sunday's home match against FCD, which will be shown on NBC Sports Network, will be pivotal for both clubs.

7. Seattle Sounders (11-6-7): Seattle have been playing some solid soccer despite the two losses that occurred earlier in August. Keep your eye on the Sounders over the next couple of weeks.

6. Houston Dynamo (11-6-8): The Red Bulls ended Houston's run of form, and the Dynamo nearly lost at home on Sunday. It's now up to Houston to prove they haven't already played their best soccer of the season.

5. Real Salt Lake (13-10-3): Salt Lake haven't won any kind of match since July 27. They've lost their last four games in all competitions. Yikes.

4. Chicago Fire (12-7-5): The Fire don't jump out at you on paper, but make no mistake about it: They're a dangerous team, one I wouldn't want RBNY to face in Chicago right now.

3. New York Red Bulls (13-7-5): Champions fight back when down 2-0 at home, and they also take advantage of good fortune. The Red Bulls did both on Sunday night, and they can prove themselves this coming Sunday night on national TV at KC.

2. Sporting KC (14-7-4): SKC left it late, but one goal was good enough at Toronto. The MLS East is currently theirs to lose.

1. San Jose Earthquakes (14-6-5): 3-1 loss at Montreal was surprising, but I'm still not ready to move San Jose out of the top spot in MLS power rankings. I expect them to find a return to winning ways at home against Colorado on Saturday.