MLS Power Rankings: Week 16

MLS Week 16 showed that FC Dallas are a competitor. Beating defending MLS Champion Real Salt Lake 2-0 is not an accident. Brek Shea (four goals) is showing up more and more and last week delivered a remarkable goal and assist.

Sebastien LeToux earned MLS Player of the Week for his penalty and assist in Philadelphia's 2-1 win over Toronto. In other news, the Revolution announced tonight's retirement of Steve Ralston and he seems to be headed to begin a coaching career as an assistant with the Houston Dynamo.

1. LA Galaxy: (-) The Galaxy beat DC United 2-1 with a go-ahead goal by Edson Buddle, raising his total to 11, and a penalty by Landon Donovan. The Galaxy will likely extend their lead by another three points when they host San Jose this Thursday.

2. Real Salt Lake: (-) The 2009 Champions were unexpectedly shut-out 2-0 by a confident FC Dallas, but this week will probably take three points when the Quakes come to visit. RSL has 28 goals, the most in the League, and have a +15 goal differential.

3. Columbus Crew: (-) The Columbus Crew continue to impress with a 2-0 shut out of New York with goals by Renteria and Carroll. This week Houston visit and it's likely the Crew will walk away with no less than a point.

4. New York Red Bulls: (-) A 2-0 loss to the Crew normally would drop this team in the rankings, but the signing of Thierry Henry keeps them right where they are.

5. San Jose Earthquakes: (-) The Quakes had a bye and remain here, but will fall next week after confronting the Galaxy.

6. FC Dallas: (+4) Hard-working Dallas has been steadily improving, but the luck of the draw kept them down in the rankings. A definitive 2-0 shut-out at home of 2009 Champion Real Salt Lake, plus their competitive 6-2-7 record and +6 goal differential, plus a slumping MLS middle class, jumps them up four places. Brek Shea and Atiba Harris, assisted by Shea and Heath Pearce, scored the goals.

7. Toronto FC: (-1) Toronto faltered and lost 2-1 to Philadelphia, but this team is still a playoff contender. This week surging FC Dallas visit boisterous BMO field and it's guaranteed to be a lively game.

8. Colorado  Rapids: (-1) The Rapids tied the Wizards at home and that's not very impressive although Conor Casey registered his 7th goal of the season. The Rapids need to and can do better when they visit Seattle Sounders on Sunday.

9. Houston Dynamo: (-1) The Dynamo skipped League play to compete in SuperLiga where they're still a contender, but they drop a point in the mid-table shuffle. Saturday they need to compete when they visit Columbus Crew. News that the legendary Steve Ralston may soon join their coaching staff can't hurt.

10. Chicago Fire: (-1) The Fire tanked in SuperLiga, recording exactly zero points, and this week have a bye.

11. Seattle Sounders: (-) The Sounders beat DC United, which is no big deal, but will have to work to fight off the Rapids when they visit this week.

12. Kansas City Wizards: (-) The Wizards drew the Rapids 1-1 with a goal by Davy Arnoud and this week have a bye.

13. Chivas USA: (-) Chivas has been battling in SuperLiga and this week are unlikely to collect a point when they visit Real Salt Lake.

14. New England Revolution: (-) Marko Perovic is propelling the Revolution to success in SuperLiga, but the news that recently re-signed Steve Ralston is retiring is not positive for this team. Bye week ahead.

15. Philadelphia Union: (-) The Union recorded an impressive 2-1 win over Toronto FC with a penalty and an assist by Sebastien LeToux, MLS Player of the Week. The Union have a bye this week.

16. DC United: (-) DC hosted both Seattle Sounders and La Galaxy and lost both games. This weekend they have a bye.

FOLLOW BOSTON PRO SOCCER AND LE EISENMENGER ON TWITTER AND SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL ALERTS.