Fire stumble in Week 7 Power Rankings

May 6, 4:09 PMChicago Fire ExaminerRoman Kashuba

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Blanco and the Fire's MLS Cup aspiration
have been frustrated (AP)

The top 3 squads retained their spots in the Week 7 Examiner Power Rankings, but not in my own ballot.  The frustration of the Seattle draw saw the Fire fall below D.C., who put together their third strong performance in as many weeks and look to be playing at their peak.  If the Fire start getting result they pop back up my rankings.  But right now they look to be the stronger side.  

1)  Chivas USA - I'm aching to drop Chivas from the top spot, but the goats continue to get results as the no one stands out from the rest of the league. Thornton has seen the most shots in the league (36) and has turned all but 3 of them back.

2)  Seattle Sounders FC - Seattle was outplayed in Chicago from beginning to end, but the Sounders loaded the box and made it hard for the Fire to find McBride. Still, the shine is coming off the Sounders and their star Fedy Montero. If Sigi doesn't bring the flow back to Seattle's attack the Sounders are headed for a drop down the table.

3)  D.C. United - Looking stronger by the day, but games @ KC, v. TFC, and @ Chivas should tell us just how good this United team is.

4)  Chicago Fire - Consistently playing some of the most attractive soccer in the league, but dropping points early and often will catch up to this team.

5)  Toronto FC - TFC looked lost for long stretches against Columbus, who took the game to Toronto early and often. Some better finishing from the Crew would have secured a victory. The question marks in the back for Toronto are glaring, but working De Rosario back into the lineup should take some pressure off the back four.

6)  Houston Dynamo - Back-to-back wins and a soft schedule should see Houston charging up the table. And just like that, everyone is afraid of the Dynamo again.

7)  Real Salt Lake - RSL looked shaky against Colorado, but that had more to do with playing a man down than being out-classed. Facing LA should put the spring back in the Royal's step.

8)  Colorado Rapids - Middle of the table seems about right for a team that has yet to beat a top of the table club.

9)  K.C. Wizards - A week off left the bad taste of the TFC game to linger. K.C. faces some tough challenges ahead (v. DC, @ Crew, @ RSL, v. Chivas) put playing in that tiny outfield at home should keep the Wiz competitive.

10) New England Revolution - The offense looks anemic and Matt Reis looks rusty. New England's grind-it-out style has thankfully lost its effectiveness.

11) Columbus Crew - Looking dangerous in the attack, just haven't been able to put their chances away. The dude's return from injury should have the defending champs climbing the table.

12) San Jose Earthquakes - The quakes have the talent to make waves in this league, but just can't seem to put a complete game together.

13) LA Galaxy - A dubious penalty separated LA from NY. The less dubious standings separates the Galaxy from the rest of the league.

14) New York Red Bulls - Losing to the Galaxy is bad enough. Managing just one shot on goal has the Red Bulls vying for worst club in MLS.

15) FC Dallas - Still floundering around, but New York's play is making it hard to keep Dallas at the bottom.

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