Examiner.com's MLS Power Rankings: Through Week 14

June 24, 11:41 AMMLS ExaminerCharlie Corr

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The Houston Dynamo had to settle for a home draw against Real Salt Lake in Week 14, but that did not deter the voters in any way, shape or form as Houston again is the unanimous No. 1 in the Examiner.com Major League Soccer Power Rankings.

The biggest move of the week came from the Colorado Rapids, who jumped up from No. 6 last week to No. 3 this week after soundly defeating D.C. United, 3-0. D.C. slipped from No. 2 to 4.

EXAMINER.COM MLS POWER RANKINGS

Through games played June 21 (last week's rankings in parentheses)

1. Houston Dynamo (1): "Although they only managed a draw against a shorthanded RSL team, the Dynamo still have a game in hand and are still 1 point better than Chivas USA. A trip to L.A. this weekend should extend the unbeaten streak to 12 games. The additions of (Andrew) Hainault and (Cam) Weaver, and moving (Geoff) Cameron to center back make (Dominic) Kinnear look like a genius." ~ Joshua Villarreal / "On a pace to get 60 points this season, unless the rest of the league can figure them out." ~ David Falk

2. Chivas USA (3): "Out of league play until July 11, Chivas was beat by a second-string Tigres UANL side in SuperLiga action - a blow to their pride, if not to their standing here." ~ Roman Kashuba / "Preki can start treating the rest of this week as an actual bye now that Chivas has a pair of SuperLiga losses." ~ Charlie Corr

3. Colorado Rapids (6): "Omar Cummings was the Bandit to United's Smokey." ~ Ed Morgans / "The Rapids looked entirely dependent on (Conor) Casey for goals, but Omar Cummings has risen to the challenge." ~ Deron White

4. D.C. United (2): "They were horrible at Colorado, and that's no surprise. They've been horrible at Western teams since 2007." ~ Ed Morgans / "Two tough road games in four days. D.C.'s 'never die' attitude got them a point in Seattle, but sapped their energy for a comeback in Colorado." ~ Deron White / "Six goals allowed in two games. That's not championship defense." ~ Giovanni Albanese Jr.

5. Chicago Fire (4): "With five games in a two-week span, Denis Hamlett will have to work some unfamiliar faces into the lineup just to keep everyone fresh. The win over San Luis on Saturday featured a full-strength squad, but will that same squad be able to chase United at the top of the conference when league play resumes?" ~ Roman Kashuba / "It's too bad for the Fire that SuperLiga matches aren't factored in here. They already have more wins at Toyota Park in this tournament than they do during MLS home games." ~ Charlie Corr

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6. Seattle Sounders FC (7): "Those were two very unlucky draws against D.C. and N.Y." ~ David Falk / "So much for this past week defining a few things for me about this team. They're talented, but two draws against opposite ends of the spectrum (D.C. on the high end, N.Y. on the low) didn't stir the pot." ~ Charlie Corr

7. Columbus Crew (5): "A major hiccup against FC Dallas after a big win against Chivas USA has inquiring minds wondering who the Crew really is." ~ Giovanni Albanese Jr.

8. Kansas City Wizards (8): "The Wizards pulled a 0-0 draw with San Luis and smoked the Revolution in league play the week before. The odds are with them when they meet the Revs in SuperLiga, without seven of their starters lost to injury. There's a rumor circulating that Mass General is opening a special unit just for Revolution players." ~ L.E. Eisenmenger / "Do they have enough depth to bounce back after SuperLiga diversion?" ~ David Falk

9. Real Salt Lake (11): "Starting to claw back, slightly." ~ Jeff Kassouf / "Leveling Houston, 1-1, is more than a fluke, because Houston is letting nothing go easy." ~ L.E. Eisenmenger

10. Toronto FC (9): "Sometimes the only winning move is not to play." ~ Ed Morgans / "This club is struggling to find an identity. Fortunately, they have a glorious opportunity at three points with a match against New York before heading to Utah to take on RSL on Saturday." ~ Giovanni Albanese Jr.

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11. New England Revolution (10): "Fortunately, the Revolution have a bye week with SuperLiga, from which they pulled a good-looking 4-2 win over Santos Laguna. New England is missing Shalrie Joseph, Taylor Twellman, Gabriel Badilla, Chris Albright, Mauricio Castro, Steve Ralston and Kevin Alston, all to injuries. That's right, they're missing seven of their 11 starters, and season ticket holders are drinking heavily." ~ L.E. Eisenmenger / "In need of a new direction. Yes, that means head coach." ~ David Falk

12. FC Dallas (13): "Kenny Cooper continues to lead the league in shots on goal, and still Dallas is struggling to find the back of the net. It's time to help Cooper out and start Brek Shea. The speedy 19-year-old continues to trouble defenses coming off the bench, but can't seem to break into the lineup." ~ Roman Kashuba

13. Los Angeles Galaxy (12): "I have been so high on this team all season, but Saturday's loss is egg on the faces of all Galaxians." ~ Jeff Kassouf / "Who can blame David Beckham for not wanting to rejoin the mess in Carson, Calif.? Hopefully (Landon) Donovan was too preoccupied with the Confederations Cup to keep up with the Galaxy, or he too might be looking to buy out his own contract." ~ Roman Kashuba

14. San Jose Earthquakes (14): "At the end of every Quakes game, there seems to be an opportunity for the opposition to tie, or take the lead. The Earthquakes need to sure up their defense in end-of-the-game situations. And, ongoing curiosity is will Joe Cannon ever earn a clean sheet in 2009?" ~ Giovanni Albanese Jr. / "Where has Darren Huckerby been all season? San Jose had a convincing 2-1 win over L.A., and now they have a bye week to figure out what they did right." ~ L.E. Eisenmenger

15. New York Red Bulls (15): "Shall we pen the Red Bulls into this spot for the rest of the season?" ~ Jeff Kassouf / "Tied Seattle, but still the opposite of Secretariat." ~ Ed Morgans

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The Examiner.com MLS Power Rankings are a compilation built among nine Major League Soccer Examiners. Each writer submits his or her own list and individual commentary. The top-ranked team is awarded 15 points, and the last-place team 1 point. Here are the full numbers: 1. Houston Dynamo (135); 2. Chivas USA (122); 3. Colorado Rapids (116); 4. D.C. United (104); 5. Chicago Fire (99); 6. Seattle Sounders FC (93); 7. Columbus Crew (79); 8. Kansas City Wizards (74); 9. Real Salt Lake (62); 10. Toronto FC (59); 11. New England Revolution (46); 12. FC Dallas (32); 13. Los Angeles Galaxy (27); 14. San Jose Earthquakes (23); 15. New York Red Bulls (9).

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Send a message: E-mail your comments or thoughts to charliecorr@gmail.com.

Charlie Corr is a freelance sports writer based in Chicago. In addition to his Major League Soccer duties, he is the Chicago Sports Examiner and the creator of a Chicago-based soccer Web site, SlideTackles.net.

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