Power Rankings: Week 23

Khari Stephenson Goal Celebration vs. Houston Dynamo 2

Real Salt Lake inched closer to an impressive home unbeaten record this week, but there was no room to climb any higher in our Power Rankings. The champs are No. 1 again after a win over the Red Bulls, while the Crew swap spots with FC Dallas. San Jose and Toronto, meanwhile, seem headed in opposite directions.

<strong>Rank</strong>
<strong>Last</strong>
<strong>Club</strong>
<strong>Comment</strong>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>1</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>1</strong></span>
<img src="http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/saltlake_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>Announcers this week called it "Ft. Never Lose." As the champs near the record, we need a better nickname.</p><p><strong>(12-4-7, 43 pts.) Last:</strong> Beat NY, 1-0 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8439" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">WATCH</span></a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Thursday at SEA</p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>2</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>3</strong></span>
<img src="http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/columbus_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>The domestic treble is a real possibilty for Warzycha's crew, thanks to a gutsy midweek win in the USOC.</p><p><strong>(13-5-5, 44 pts.) Last:</strong> Beat DCU, 2-1 (USOC), Beat DCU, 1-0 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8419" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">WATCH</span></a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Saturday at LA</p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>3</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>2</strong></span>
<img src="http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/dallas_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>Jeff Cunningham inches closer to the record in his first start since June 5.</p><p>(<strong>10-2-10, 40 pts.) Last:</strong> Beat TOR, 1-0 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8437" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">WATCH</span></a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Saturday at San Jose</p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>4</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>5</strong></span>
<img src="http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/losangeles_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>The Galaxy should gotten more against a 10-man Chicago, but at least they stopped the bleeding.</p><p><strong>(13-5-5, 44 pts.) Last:</strong> Tied CHI, 1-1 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8379" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">WATCH</span></a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Saturday vs CLB</p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>5</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>4</strong></span>
<img src="http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/newyork_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>Missing Rafa and Dane Richards did more damage than expected for the Red Bulls.</p><p><strong>(11-8-4, 37 pts.) Last:</strong> Lost to RSL, 1-0 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8439" target="_blank">WATCH</a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Saturday vs COL</p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>6</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>6</strong></span>
<img src="http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/seattle_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>A trap game snuck up on a gassed Sounders squad, but they can't afford 10 more bad minutes against RSL.</p><strong>(9-9-5, 32 pts.) Last:</strong> Beat CHV, 3-1 (USOC), Lost to NE, 3-1 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8420" target="_blank">WATCH</a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Thursday vs. RSL<br>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>7</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>7</strong></span>
<img src="http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/colorado_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>Cheers to Pablo Mastroeni, who this week should pass Chris Henderson for most games played in Rapids history.</p><p><strong>(9-6-7, 34 pts.) Last:</strong> Beat CHV, 3-0 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8438" target="_blank">WATCH</a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Saturday at NY</p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>8</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>10</strong></span>
<img src="http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/sanjose_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>Geo! Geo! The Quakes' DP makes a quick return on the investment, but can San Jose keep it going?</p><p><strong>(9-7-5, 32 pts.) Last: </strong>Beat HOU, 2-1 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8456" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">WATCH</span></a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Saturday vs FCD</p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>9</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>8</strong></span>
<img src="http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/kansas_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>Jimmy Nielsen helps KC gut out a draw on the road, and keeps the Wizards in the playoff chase.</p><strong>(7-9-6, 27 pts.) Last:</strong> Tied PHI, 1-1 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8374" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">WATCH</span></a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Sept. 19 at CHV<br>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>10</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>9</strong></span>
<img src="http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/toronto_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>Oh, Canada. No team had longer odds on the FIFA date than the Reds, now winless in their last four.</p><p><strong>(7-9-6, 27 pts.) Last:</strong> Lost to FCD, 1-0 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8437" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">WATCH</span></a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Wednesday at CHI, Saturday vs DCU</p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>11</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>11</strong></span>
<img src="../../sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/chicago_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>The Fire have allowed nine goals this season after the 76' mark, including Gonzalez's heartbreaking header.</p><p><strong>(6-7-7, 25 pts.) Last:</strong> Tied LA, 1-1 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8379" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">WATCH</span></a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Wednesday vs TOR, Saturday at PHI</p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>12</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>13</strong></span>
<img src="http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/newengland_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>The supposedly sapped Revs get an impressive win, but is too little, too late for a surge?</p><p><strong>(7-12-3, 24 pts.) Last:</strong> Lost to Morelia, 2-1 (SLiga) [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1916&amp;id=8312" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">WATCH</span></a>], Beat SEA, 3-1 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8420" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">WATCH</span></a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Friday at CHV</p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>13</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>12</strong></span>
<img src="../../sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/philadelphia_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>The Union probably deserved more than a draw from their most complete effort of the season. </p><p><strong>(5-11-6, 21 pts.) Last:</strong> Tied KC, 1-1 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8374" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">WATCH</span></a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Saturday vs. CHI</p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>14</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>14</strong></span>
<img src="http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/houston_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>Cam Weaver's headers said it all: The Dynamo can't catch a break.</p><p><strong>(6-12-5, 23 pts.) Last:</strong> Lost to SJ, 2-1 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8456" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">WATCH</span></a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Sept. 18 vs. TOR</p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>15</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>15</strong></span>
<img src="http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/chivas_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>The Goats are 0-11-3 when they allow the first goal this season, thanks to a second-half swoon in Colorado.</p><p><strong>(6-12-4, 22 pts.) Last:</strong> Lost to SEA, 3-1 (USOC), Lost to COL, 3-0 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8420" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">WATCH</span></a>] <strong>Next: </strong>Friday vs. NE</p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>16</strong></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>16</strong></span>
<img src="http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/themes/mls_base/images/logos/dc_60.png" border="1" alt="" width="55" height="55">
<p>Growing pains continue to plague United, epitomized by Bill Hamid's miscue against Columbus.</p><p><strong>(4-16-3, 15 pts.) Last:</strong> Lost to CLB, 2-1 (USOC), Lost to CLB, 1-0 [<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&amp;id=8419" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">WATCH</span></a>] <strong>Next:</strong> Saturday at TOR</p>