MLS Examiner Week 12 Power Ranking: my ballot

June 9, 10:28 PMChicago Fire ExaminerRoman Kashuba

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The Revolution rise, as Toronto comes tumbling down
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Nathan Denette)

Houston continues its climb through the rankings as they knocked off the Fire at home, setting up a clash at the top of the Power Rankings as well as Western Conference tonight at 7:30 CT on ESPN2. Meanwhile, the crowded field in the Eastern Conference has a new contender in the resurgent New England Revolution, while Toronto FC continues to leak goals and plummets in the rankings as a result.  

1)  Chivas USA - The loss to the Fire was unfortunate, but getting outplayed by Seattle at home shows that Preki's magic is wearing off.  The bruises they inflict on their opponents, on the other hand, have a bit more staying power.  

2)  Houston Dynamo - The win at Toyota Park was impressive for the top to bottom disciplined defending, even if lady luck played a hand in the result.  Just six points back of the top of the table with two games in hand, if they beat Chivas at home MLS will have a new king of the mountain.  

3)  Chicago Fire - If you can put the sad showing against Dallas aside, the Fire have been consistently outplaying teams at home and on the road.  Should Houston's discipline and focus rub off on them, the Fire can finally replace their early season unbeaten streak with a winning streak.  

4)  D.C. United - Their only wins since the end of April have come against Dallas and New York.  Still, this squad sits just one home win away from the top of the Eastern Conference.  

5)  Columbus Crew - The ball is finally bouncing in Columbus' favor and the Crew are taking full advantage.  If they can get by Chivas, the Crew should be contributing to the logjam at the top of the Eastern Conference by the time Chicago gets back from their SuperLiga break.

6)  New England Revolution - Looked like a different club against New York, but a romp with the Red Bulls tends to do that.

7)  Colorado Rapids - My gut says that the Rapids are overachieving, but my head can't get by their place in the table.  Seventh seems like a good compromise.  

8)  Seattle Sounders FC - The chances were there for Seattle as they dictated their terms to Chivas, but there are no rewards for being the prettiest team on the field (just ask the Fire). 

9)  Kansas City Wizards - The stop-and-start Wizards have been caught in park lately, but this squad is too talented to stay out of the playoff hunt.  

10) LA Galaxy - Was Landon Donovan holding the Galaxy back? I don't tend to quote Bill Simmons, but Ewing Theory anyone?

11) Toronto FC -  The attack looked dangerous and deserved more than a goal against Toronto, but the back line is suspect and its hard to get results when you give up 1.6 goals a game.  

12) Real Salt Lake - The spirited effort against the Rapids was just minutes away from a win. This could be the bottom for Real, but for now they're just treading water.

13) FC Dallas - Proving that the win in Chicago was a fluke, Dallas needed a late equalizer against the Earthquakes.  The upside? Brek Shea's development can finally resume.   

14) San Jose Earthquakes - Here's hoping the Earthquakes are making cap room for a summer transfer window silver bullet - as if those exist in soccer or at MLS prices.  

15) New York Red Bulls - Four straight losses including a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of the Revs finds New York with the most league games played and the fewest points - clearly bottom of the table stats.  

LATER: Wednesday Morning Hot Links and Notes from Practice

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