The Daily Scoop

MLSU Power Rankings

by MLS Underground - July 31, 2007

The top four remain the same the new MLSU Power Rankings. Chivas USA has moved into good position in the Western Conference, while the New York Red Bulls continue to disappoint despite being the only MLS club with two designated players.

Week 18

#1 Houston Dynamo (Unchanged) - Houston is a clear level ahead of everyone else in MLS right now. The big question is will they be able to maintain this form for the rest of the year? Not sure. However, I do believe they will win SuperLiga.

#2 FC Dallas (Unchanged) - A win and a draw in SuperLiga keeps Dallas near the top. Arturo Alvarez has shined in SuperLiga for the Hoops, scoring a spectacular goal against CD Guadalajara. This team will only get better when Kenny Cooper returns in a few weeks.

#3 New England Revolution (Unchanged) - Jeff Larentowicz saved the day for the Revs as his home game winner propelled them to the Eastern Conference lead. The Revs may not be as good as their 2006 squad, but they may be good enough to make it to MLS Cup one more time.

#4 Kansas City Wizards (Unchanged) - The Wizards were tested by Chivas USA, but a quality goal late from rising star Yura Movsisyan gave the Wizards three points. Movsisyan, who notched his fifth goal of the season off the bench, has really come on strong the past couple of months as a player to watch.

Edu can't be blamed for Toronto FC's recent slip in form. (photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty)

▪ MLS Sunday Review

▪ SuperLiga Sunday Review

▪ Adu Set for Benfica Deal

#5 D.C. United (+1) - United had a solid week with a win and a tie in SuperLiga. Bobby Boswell appears to be returning to form, but one thing to be worried about is Luciano Emilio's inability to finish chances.

#6 Chivas USA (+2) - A win at the Meadowlands and a late loss at Arrowhead is a not bad week for any team in MLS. Preki has done well with a team that really didn't add much from last season. If the Goats continue their solid play, Preki has to be considered a contender for the MLS Coach of the Year award.

#7 Columbus Crew (Unchanged) - A bye week for the Crew as they remain in the middle of the pack. Is Guillermo Barros Schelotto the best international acquisition in MLS in 2007? Time will tell.

#8 New York Red Bulls (-3) - The Red Bulls are suffering a summer swoon as they fell to the Goats 2-0. You know things are bad when the only player to score for the Bulls in nearly six weeks is John Wolyniec. The Red Bulls have nearly two weeks off to figure out what to do in the final third of the season.

#9 Chicago Fire (+1) - Before Blanco, after Blanco. What a difference the presence of Blanco made for Chicago on Sunday as the Fire spanked Toronto at BMO Field. It will only get better for the Chicagoland boys when Chris Rolfe returns to action and Paolo Wanchope makes his Fire debut.

#10 Los Angeles Galaxy (+1) - The Galaxy are starting to play better soccer, going 1-1 in their first two SuperLiga games. The return of Alan Gordon to the lineup has given LA a physical presence upfront. Now, Gordon is just waiting for David Beckham to send him some trademark crosses.

#11 Toronto FC (-2) - A disappointing effort on Sunday by TFC, one reminiscent to MLS followers of their terrible start to the season. Long term injuries to Jeff Cunningham and goalkeeper Greg Sutton have really started to take their toll on the expansion franchise. One player who continues to impress is midfielder Maurice Edu, who has quickly become one of the better central midfielders in MLS.

#12 Colorado Rapids (Unchanged) - Things don't look good for the Rocky Mountain Boys. Fernando Clavijo is a lame duck coach and has not found a way to improve his club. It may not be long until Colorado falls to the rock bottom of the standings.

#13 Real Salt Lake (Unchanged) - RSL fought hard against New England, but Andy William's red card ultimately did them in. More importantly, the imminent transfer of Freddy Adu to Benfica will give RSL coach Jason Kreis $500,000 in allocation to spend on new players - which may be enough to sign Nigerian playmaker JayJay Okocha.

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