MLS Offside Power Rankings: Week 12

By: travis | June 9th, 2009

Don’t look now but the Dynamo are back. The winners of back-to-back MLS Cups are on an outstanding run, putting together a unbeaten streak of eight games together, winning six of those. Chivas is holding them off, but just barely.

Down at the bottom, the Red Bulls reclaim the bottom spot with their two losses over the span of just four games. The battle of bottom feeders San Jose and Dallas on Sunday didn’t give a clear enough picture on just who is the worst team in the league at the moment. All this and more in the week 12 rankings.

Full rankings are after the jump. Don’t forget to follow MLS Offside on Twitter and to email ideas and tips to mlsoffside[at]gmail[dot]com.

1. Chivas USA
Record: 8-2-3
Previous: 1
Comment: If they hadn’t won against Seattle would have abdicated the number one spot. Clinging on for dear life at the top with the way Houston has rampaged through its last two months.

2. Houston Dynamo
Record: 6-2-3
Previous: 4
Comment: Absolutely on fire. No Brian Ching, no problem over the weekend. Continue to stockpile strikers with the acquisition of Cam Weaver the other day. Don’t forget that

3. Chicago Fire
Record: 5-2-6
Previous: 2
Comment: A tough match up in D.C. awaits this weekend after a disappointing loss at home. The good news for the Fire is they have a better record away from Toyota Park than in it.

4. Colorado Rapids
Record: 4-2-4
Previous: 5
Comment: An impressive draw on the road considering who they were missing. Omar Cummings will need to come up big in the absence of Conor Casey over the next few weeks.

5. Seattle Sounders FC
Record: 4-3-5
Previous: 3
Comment: Hitting a midseason slump that is no surprise, considering they are an expansion team. Freddie Ljungberg needs to shut his mouth — but the refs can’t let the opposition kick him around and try and break his legs.

6. D.C. United
Record: 4-2-7
Previous: 7
Comment: A much needed win leaves United wishing they could play the Red Bulls on a weekly basis.

7. New England Revolution
Record: 4-3-4
Previous: 9
Comment: Staying a bit low until they prove to stay healthy; if healthy, this team is a legitimate contender.

8. Columbus Crew
Record: 3-2-7
Previous: 10
Comment: Was it a bit of a lucky win against Kansas City? Sure. But the Crew did show composure on the road, aside from Chad Marshall’s red mist moment.

9. Kansas City Wizards
Record: 4-5-4
Previous: 6
Comment: Should have come away with something more against the Crew. A maddening first goal conceded, then a rather unlucky second. Need to take advantage of that man advantage, something that they’ve struggled to do on a consistent basis.

10. Los Angeles Galaxy
Record: 2-1-9
Previous: 11
Comment: I still don’t trust them, despite an impressive win on the road. Arena’s collection of 30-somethings continues to play solid, if not well.

11. Real Salt Lake
Record: 3-6-3
Previous: 12
Comment: The winless streak has to be a bit of a concern, especially when they were so close to securing three points. Need a result on the road, and in the worst way.

12. Toronto FC
Record: 4-5-4
Previous: 8
Comment: Yet another loss for TFC with a couple of bumbling defensive mistakes costing them against the Galaxy. BMO Field continues to be intimidating on paper only.

13. FC Dallas
Record: 2-6-4
Previous: 14
Comment:

14. San Jose Earthquakes
Record: 2-7-3
Previous: 15
Comment:

15. New York Red Bulls
Record: 2-9-3
Previous: 13
Comment: A bad week for the Red Bulls, a trend that doesn’t seem close to letting up. How long will Osorio keep his job?