MLS Power Rankings: Week 30

October 12, 10:28 PMReal Salt Lake ExaminerJeffrey Krotosky

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Week 30 was a slow week with few MLS matches due to the international schedule. After Week 30 RSL still has a shot at the playoffs but for the next three games it essentially win or go home. After all the action has played out let's take a look at the Power Rankings for Week 30.

1. Columbus Crew – A win against the Revolution put Columbus five points ahead of the next closest teams on the table and well on their way to their second straight Supporters' Shield.
2. Los Angeles Galaxy – The Galaxy had a bye week and watched as teammate Landon Donovan scored a goal in US National Team duty to clinch a spot in the 2010 World Cup for the United States.
3. Chivas USA (+2) – Chivas won a second straight game and after a midseason slump is now in position to take first place in the Western Conference. Chivas became the fourth team to clinch a playoff berth.
4. Houston Dynamo (-1) – The Dynamo were thankful to have a bye week with Brian Ching, Stuart Holden, and Ricardo Clark all away on National Team Duty.
5. Chicago Fire (-1) – Chicago finishes the season with two tough games against the Revolution who are fighting for a playoff spot and Chivas who will be fighting for first in the Western Conference.
6. Seattle Sounders – After a bye week Seattle sits on the edge of qualifying for the playoffs in their first season in Major League Soccer. One win would give Seattle the points needed for a playoff berth.
7. Colorado Rapids (+1) – The bye week gave the Rapids a chance to watch Connor Casey score two critical goals for the US National Team against Honduras allowing the United States to clinch a spot in the 2010 World Cup.
8. New England Revolution (-1) – New England fell to Columbus even after playing a man up for the last twenty five minutes and now sits in the eighth playoff position with its two final games against the Fire and the Crew.
9. FC Dallas (+2) – Unbelievably after another Jeff Cunningham goal, FC Dallas has put themselves on the verge of playoff qualification with games remaining against Colorado and Seattle, two of the teams ahead of them on the table. If Dallas does manage to qualify for the playoffs it would be hard to argue against voting for Cunningham as the league MVP.
10. Toronto FC (-1)  – Toronto was a minute away from getting a full three points in a game critical to their playoff aspirations but a goal by San Jose in second half extra time forced Toronto to settle for a draw.
11. Real Salt Lake (-1) – Real finishes an 18 day layoff on Wednesday when they square off with the Red Bulls. RSL did manage to stay fresh with a unusual “friendly” versus Chivas Guadalajara that featured five yellow cards and two reds in the first half.
12. D.C. United – United will need to find a way to win against Columbus or they'll be watching the playoffs from their homes.
13. Kansas City Wizards – With the loss to Chivas, Kansas City will only have pride to play for the remainder of the season.
14. San Jose Earthquakes – While most teams had a bye week due to the international matches, the Earthquakes played two matches first falling to Dallas and then drawing Toronto thanks to an extra time goal.
15. New York Red Bulls – Good thing the Red Bulls aren't a television show, no network would be ordering another season..

Check out MLS Examiner Charlie Corr for the official compiling of the Examiner.com's MLS Power Rankings.

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