MLS Examiner Week 9 Power Ranking: my ballot

May 21, 7:27 AMChicago Fire ExaminerRoman Kashuba

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Wizards rising (Rich Schultz, AP)

WIth each passing draw the Fire slipped farther down the rankings, bottoming out at seventh in some power rankings.  But just a week and a win later, the Fire clawed their way back into the top three.  You can chalk that up to being one of only two teams to win last week.  Here are the compiled MLS Examiner Power Rankings and below is my ballot.

1)  Chivas USA - With the help of a shy linesman, Chivas built a lead early, but D.C. had the better of the play throughout the second half. It's starting to look like Chivas has been feasting on a soft schedule, but with road games against Kansas CIty, Houston, and Columbus and home games against Chicago and Seattle we will know if this team is for real by mid-June.

2)  D.C. United - D.C.'s gutsy draw away to Chivas shows the refuse-to-lose attitude that title contenders need. United's attack leads the league with 17 goals, but can their defense keep up with the talent going forward?

3)  Chicago Fire - A win on the road against a conference power proves the Fire can match up well against any team.  A few more wins will prove they are the class of the league.   

4)  Toronto FC - Coming through 8 games in 28 days and climbing the table is impressive, but a home loss to another Eastern Conference contender sees TFC drop.

5)  Seattle Sounders FC - Two draws in a row to two bottom feeders and Seattle drops back down to earth. Their points still keep them second in the table, but the glossy finish of the media darling is quickly eroding.

6)  Houston Dynamo - After 5 clean sheets in a row, Houston finally gave up a fluky goal while a man up. The offense needs to catch up, but with this stingy defense a goal a game is often enough.

7)  Kansas City Wizards - This stop-and-go club belongs in the middle of rankings. If they can find some consistency the Wizards will be the team in the playoffs that no one wants to play. Until then, they are the team that will surprise a good club every once in a while.

8)  New England Revolution - New England has scored 2 goals in their last 4 games and 7 goals in their 8 league games this year. I can't think of any winning clubs that average less than a goal a game.  

9)  Colorado Rapids - A week off keeps the Rapids stable, but as the East is looking stronger it will be harder to keep Colorado and RSL this high in the rankings. Beating New England at home will help their cause. 

10) Columbus Crew - This team continues to create numerous dangerous chances with ease, but finding that finishing touch has been harder. You have to think that a team that has dominated the run of play in so many games will start winning soon. For the good of the league's overall quality I hope so.

11) Real Salt Lake - Real Salt Lake has lost 4 of their last 6 games, a downward trend that merely hit a hiccup with their 6-0 thrashing of New England. Playing away at RFK won't make it any easier to turn the ship around.

12) LA Galaxy - Seven draws in nine games, while even on goal difference means the Galaxy can match any team in the league . . . they just can't beat any team in the league.

13) New York Red Bulls - Two wins against San Jose means the Red Bulls are better than the Earthquakes. It's just a shame that everyone is better than the Earthquakes.

14) FC Dallas - Defense, not offense was supposed to be this team's weakness. It turns out both are weaknesses.  A team that's second in the league in shots fired (119) and fifth in the league in shots on goal (46) should be higher up the goal scoring charts (tied for 12th).

15) San Jose Earthquakes - The week off will burn their 4-1 loss to New York into San Jose's memory. Their last draw was over a month ago and their only win was at the end of March. There's nowhere to go but up . . . well, sideways is an option.

What's your ranking look like? Let me hear it.  Comment below.

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