The playoffs are a week away but seven MLS clubs still remain in the running for three open spots, including one automatic birth from the eastern conference. This week’s rankings saw a few shifts including FC Dallas’ on-going run up the boards and possibly into the playoffs.

Elsewhere on the board we saw Toronto gain a little grown while Colorado and Chicago continue to slip. Even though both the Fire and Rapids would be in the playoffs today things don’t look so clear going into the final week of the season since neither have clinched a spot in the second season.

Team	Rank (Last Week)	Record (W-L-T)	Comments
	1 (1)	13-6-10 46 pts.	Didn’t clinch their second straight Supporter’s Shield but a home win this weekend will easily do it.
	2 (2)	11-6-12 45 pts.	Played it safe on the road and got a very respectable draw in Houston.
	3 (3)	12-8-9 45 pts.	Discipline wise this club is really hurting themselves going into the playoffs.
	4 (4)	13-9-6 45 pts.	Had to find a way to get a draw against the pesky Quakes. Two games left, they need a Crew loss and two wins to get a Supporter’s Shield in their trophy case.
	5 (5)	11-7-11 43 pts.	First expansion club since the Chicago Fire to clinch a playoff birth. I think we all recall how that turned out.
	6 (8)	11-12-6 39 pts.	Is Dallas really going to crash the playoff party? A win on the road in Seattle could bring one of the biggest turn around in league history.
	7 (6)	10-7-12 42 pts.	I haven’t liked where the Fire have been heading for a while now. A good draw against the Revs could end up bad if they fail to beat Chivas on Thursday. They could end up in a massive tiebreaker situation.
	8 (7)	10-10-9 39 pts.	They never seemed to cash in on those extra games in hand did they? Now they stand to not reach the playoffs as they are in the middle of a huge tiebreaker mess.
	9 (10)	10-10-9 39 pts.	Beat New York and they should be in the playoffs for the first time. They looked like they wanted it against RSL, can they do it against the lowly Red Bulls?
	10 (11)	9-8-12 39 pts.	It comes down to the final day of the year yet again for DC. Just wonder if they can do it this year or if it will be another repeat of last season.
	11 (9)	10-9-10 40 pts.	Currently in the playoffs if the season ended today but they do control their own destiny unlike others around them. Just as I mentioned a couple months ago it comes down to the final game of the year against rivals RSL.
	12 (12)	10-12-7 37 pts.	Couldn’t make the most of that extra game last week. Now the tough task is upon them, they need three points and a lot of other things to happen.
	13 (13)	7-13-9 30 pts.	This club continues to make good clubs look bad. Just have to wonder if this is a sign of what is to come next season.
	14 (14)	8-13-8 32 pts.	I believe the countdown to hiring Preki is upon this club. I really do believe he will be coaching in KC next year, that and this roster will be torn in half.
	15 (15)	4-19-6 18 pts.	One more game in Giants Stadium and this terrible season will be over. My question comes back, can they reach 20 points on the season and spoil TFC’s playoff dreams?

First off, sorry for not getting these posted earlier this morning. I had ever intention to do so but somehow I just never hit publish on this post probably because I was hooked on playing online bingo (seriously folks this bingo is addictive). Second of all this week’s rankings come with very little change at the top six or seven. Most of the clubs stayed right where they were at after week 29.

A couple teams did move around though as FC Dallas continues to shock people as they make their improbable run into the playoffs. Just wonder if Colorado cools them off this weekend here in Dallas or not.

Team	Rank (Last Week)	Record (W-L-T)	Comments
	1 (1)	13-5-10 46 pts.	Went on the road with a few missing starters and clinched their second eastern conference crown. They’ve pretty much wrapped up the Supporter’s Shield for a second straight season too.
	2 (2)	11-6-11 44 pts.	Two key games left will determine if this club hosts playoff games or if they will be on the road.
	3 (3)	12-8-8 44 pts.	Two massive games left against LA and Chivas. We will know if the Dynamo are heading into the playoffs strong or if they are backing in.
	4 (4)	13-9-5 44 pts.	I think Chivas is hitting their peak at the right time, they are the lone reason why Columbus hasn’t clinched the Supporter’s Shield. That extra game in hand will come in handy against LA and Houston too.
	5 (5)	10-7-11 41 pts.	A game in KC and then back home against Dallas. Should only need a draw in KC to get into the playoffs but Sigi Schmid will want more than that.
	6 (6)	10-7-11 41 pts.	Now if they can only get Blanco to get going for their last couple games into the playoffs this club could be fine yet again. If not look for them to flame out early in the playoffs. (yes pun intended)
	7 (7)	10-10-8 38 pts.	I’ve been saying it for weeks, the injuries this club has is going to be very tough to overcome. They are holding on be a tiny margin over teams like Dallas, Toronto and DC.
	8 (10)	10-12-6 36 pts.	Still needs to win the final two games to even have a shot at being the eight and final club in the playoffs. If Jeff Cunningham has anything to say about it this club will do it.
	9 (8)	10-8-10 40 pts.	Not the best time to face the league’s hottest side on the road, if they can cool off Dallas their playoff hopes will no longer be in doubt.
	10 (9)	9-10-9 36 pts.	The Reds only have themselves to blame for dropping the ball at home against San Jose.
	11 (11)	8-8-12 36 pts.	The clock continues to click on Tom Soehn’s job status in DC.
	12 (12)	9-11-7 34 pts.	Three big games left, two against win-able teams and one against a rival on the final day of the season. Its put up for shut up time for this bunch. They need all nine points to get in, anything less just will not do.
	13 (14)	7-13-8 29 pts.	This team is a headache despite their eliminated status.
	14 (12)	8-12-8 32 pts.	Now eliminated from playoff contention the Wizards turn their attention on rebuilding under Peter Vermes. Just wonder if he will remain as head coach there.
	15 (15)	4-18-6 18 pts.	Can this bunch spoil RSL’s playoff hopes? Honestly it wouldn’t shock me if they did.

As mentioned yesterday the playoff race has gotten pretty clear for me. Aside from two or three clubs I pretty much have a good understanding of who will be in the second season and who will not. The rankings sort of reflect that this week and there was some movement across the board.

First up I think LA has finished climbing the charts for now. They possibly even peaked too soon for that matter and now they are dropping games and sparking some defensive questions as they nearly back their way into the playoffs. Chicago isn’t much off that as far as backing into the post season but with another game at home that they fail to get three points you pretty much have to think that way.

In the middle of the order New England jumps up big time thanks to another win over Seattle. I think New England has a shot at Chicago’s second place seating in the eastern conference but I’ll again point out that Steve Ralston injury worries the hell out of me for them. I know even with the way that Shalrie Joseph is playing right now, which is MVP form, the loss of Ralston is a big one to their offense that is already not one of the best in the league.

Near the bottom I shook some things up with Dallas getting a nod up thanks to a big win over Salt Lake. I pretty much think that clubs ranked 10 and below have no shot at the playoffs now. We knew Dallas, KC, San Jose and New York were in that boat for a while but now I am adding Salt Lake and very close to adding DC to that mix.

As always feel free to take  your shots at my rankings below.

Team	Rank (Last Week)	Record (W-L-T)	Comments
	1 (1)	12-4-10 46 pts.	Just a couple wins shy of their second straight Supporter’s Shield trophies. Think most of us second guessed this club back in May.
	2 (3)	12-8-7 43 pts.	They get the bump up not because of LA and Chicago lack the ability to move up but because I like the fact the club re-signed Brian Ching to a long-term deal.
	3 (4)	10-6-11 41 pts.	Fire drop points at home again but their offense is showing more signs of life now that Brian McBride is back and good to go.
	4 (2)	10-6-11 41 pts.	Did LA peak too soon here? Starting to wonder if they are backing their way into the playoffs here.
	5 (8)	10-8-7 37 pts.	Shalrie Joseph better get some MVP votes (he’ll probably get mine if he stays on this form) but this season ending injury to Steve Ralston will do a number on their playoff chances.
	6 (6)	11-9-5 38 pts.	Draw at home against New York causes some concerns but their final slate is still fairly easy. I just don’t know if they will challenge LA or Houston for an automatic bid anymore from the west.
	7 (5)	9-7-11 38 pts.	Boy this club is dangerously close to falling out of contention here. Thankfully for them those battling below them aren’t doing well at the moment either.
	8 (7)	10-8-9 39 pts.	Another club I really battle back and forth with over their current playoff position. With a couple road games left I really question their chances.
	9 (10)	9-10-8 35 pts.	The own-goal wasn’t the only issue. Defensive mistakes cost this club a serious road win in Chicago. I still believe however their schedule sets them up nicely for a chance into the playoffs.
	10 (9)	8-7-12 36 pts.	With the injury to Josh Wicks I just don’t see this club reaching the playoffs this year.
	11 (13)	8-12-6 30 pts.	I said last year when Jeff Cunningham was traded from Toronto to Dallas that it was a deal that would really pay off in the long run for Dallas. Turns out it is.
	12 (11)	9-11-7 34 pts.	The playoff dream isn’t totally dead but it is dead in my eyes. Just too many clubs to over come with so little left.
	13 (12)	8-11-7 31 pts.	Not getting the result against Colorado pretty much summed up the season for this bunch. A whole lotta nothing.
	14 (14)	6-12-6 23 pts.	Some may forget that Ryan Johnson has scored nine goals this year for this offensively-challenged bunch.
	15 (15)	4-17-6 18 pts.	Two more points from 20 points. Can they do it? Two more road games and a home finale against a playoff hungry Toronto will certainly be tough.

Week 27 is down and in the books. Only a few weeks left to go and this regular season will be finished. This weeks rankings saw yet another shift around the middle of the order but for the most part a good chunk of clubs stayed put from last week’s table.

Still, the top four and the bottom four are the same that we’ve seen for the last few months that’s one thing that has remained consistent here. The middle continues to remix itself each week but this week we did see a few in the middle stay put for once. That just means things are coming closer to an end here.

Team	Rank (Last Week)	Record (W-L-T)	Comments
	1 (1)	11-4-10 43 pts.	Yeah I think Guillermo Barros Schelotto put himself back into the MVP race after that two-goal effort against Chicago.
	2 (2)	10-5-11 41 pts.	After losing 6-3 to Dallas in the previous week, LA made sure to put that loss behind them with a win over Toronto.
	3 (3)	12-8-7 43 pts.	Nothing like a visit from Salt Lake to get you back on the winning track.
	4 (4)	10-6-10 40 pts.	Chicago may have gotten screwed on that PK call but still their home record (4-4-5)doesn’t set them up well for the playoffs.
	5 (5)	9-6-11 38 pts.	Why can’t this club score at home? Four games in a row at Qwest without a goal. They are treading very lightly right now on the playoff waters.
	6 (6)	11-9-4 37 pts.	Big time draw for Chivas on the road in Seattle. Also gotta give a load of credit to Zach Thornton for his performance in that game. He’s gotten himself in the MVP discussion I would think.
	7 (8)	10-8-7 37 pts.	Boy that late penalty by Conor Casey really helped the Rapids turn a bad night into something remotely decent.
	8 (10)	9-8-7 34 pts.	Should have gotten three points in New York but with so many games at hand left on their plate it may not hurt them as much as some think.
	9 (9)	8-6-12 36 pts.	No where to move this club for the third week in a row. Still in the playoff zone but for how much longer?
	10 (7)	9-10-7 34 pts.	Julian de Guzman is just too little too late for this bunch. Their schedule is nice from here out but it still is going to take a lot to get this bunch into the playoffs for the first time in club history.
	11 (11)	9-10-7 34 pts.	Discipline continues to be an issue for this bunch. With four games left they nearly have to win out to reach the playoffs here.
	12 (13)	8-11-6 30 pts.	The win over Dallas gives the Wizards three straight but let’s be honest it won’t help them get to the playoffs here. They too would pretty much have to win out to reach the playoffs, and let’s be honest this club isn’t going to win eight straight any year.
	13 (12)	7-12-6 27 pts.	Sloppy defense once again costs this club three points. The story of their season.
	14 (14)	5-12-6 20 pts.	They have plenty of games left but their playoff chances took a serious hit by just tying Colorado this past week. Even winning their last seven may not even get them into the playoffs.
	15 (15)	4-17-5 17 pts.	Three of their last four are on the road. Tough way to end a season that has already been very long.

After a week off due to a low number of games (three), the power rankings return in full force. We have some change all around this week after a slew of games this past week. The top changes, as does some near the bottom.

Right now it appears that clubs 1-5 are pretty much set. After that 6-11 are a real mess each week with clubs moving all around that area left and right. Lastly, the bottom four remains what it has been pretty much since May.

Let me get back to that middle though. Chivas, RSL, New England, DC, Toronto and Colorado all have a shot at the playoffs right now. Each could even pass up the lowest of the top five in Seattle if they really want to but for now it seems like all six are content at being jumbled up each week as they all push for the playoffs. Right now I see the odd-three out being RSL, DC and Toronto. Something just tells me New England will make it and Colorado will get their act together towards the end. I could be wrong but DC’s schedule is too packed, RSL just doesn’t strike me as a playoff club and Toronto has really no defense that makes me like them.

The top five mixes things up a bit with Columbus regaining the top spot after LA gets creamed at home by Dallas. I know some will call me crazy for just moving LA down to number two but I really had no one else to put there as Houston has gone cold, Seattle just isn’t there, and Chicago is too iffy still. I still see the Galaxy as a big contender for the Supporter’s Shield so maybe that is another reason too.

Anyways, here is this week’s rankings, feel free to leave your thoughts below.

Team	Rank (Last Week)	Record (W-L-T)	Comments
	1 (2)	11-4-9 42 pts.	Even with a tough remaining stretch the Crew still look like the heavy favorites to repeat as Supporter’s Shield winners once again this year.
	2 (1)	9-5-11 38 pts.	Okay, that was ugly on all counts against Dallas. Blame the ref if you will, this club shouldn’t be giving up 6 goals that easily. For once they reminded me how old they really are here in the midfield.
	3 (3)	11-8-7 40 pts.	Hard to bump them down for losing on a late PK call on the road. Still with four games left on the season I doubt we will be seeing this club win the Supporter’s Shield.
	4 (4)	10-6-9 39 pts.	Picked up a huge road draw in Salt Lake, a place not many get points in. Best of all Brian McBride is on the way back. Can he refuel this club with five games to go?
	5 (5)	9-6-10 37 pts.	Found a way to win in DC yet again. Too bad they can’t play all their road games in RFK. Still that win provided to be a big one.
	6 (8)	11-9-3 36 pts.	Big home win over New England. Chivas still has plenty of games in hand with a fairly easy schedule left too, we may see them take a run at the top of the west before it is too long.
	7 (10)	9-7-9 34 pts.	Picked up a big win at home, not the question is will Julian de Guzman really be worth the signing this late in the year?
	8 (6)	10-6-8 36 pts.	This back and forth between winning and losing really hurts their playoff chances.
	9 (9)	8-6-12 36 pts.	The past week or so has been alright for DC. A win, a loss and a draw pretty much means they stay in the same place as last time though. You just can’t drop points at home right now.
	10 (7)	9-6-8 33 pts.	Rough stretch of games for the Revs as of late. They do still have plenty of games in hand on everyone so hope is still there…for now.
	11 (11)	9-9-7 34 pts.	There was a reason why I didn’t pump them up a couple weeks ago, they just don’t look like a playoff club to me. Dropping points at home just doesn’t help their cause.
	12 (12)	7-11-6 27 pts.	A 6-3 win usually gives up a bump up but not in this case, just no one to pass anymore for Dallas. Things are getting better in Dallas but its been too little too late.
	13 (14)	7-11-6 27 pts.	Two straight wins seems nice but can we really credit them for winning in New York? I guess so. Just wonder what these two wins means for Peter Vermes.
	14 (13)	5-12-4 20 pts.	Feel like I haven’t seen this club play in over a month. Eight games to go with very little hope of anything left. Plus their roster keeps changing by the second, who can keep up with these guys?
	15 (15)	4-17-4 16 pts.	That 20 point mark still seems so far away, especially with three more road games left.

Week 23 in Major League Soccer proved to be a big one for some clubs. New York finally got off the losing end of things, New England won two straight to move into playoff contention, San Jose finally turned the tide late in the games, and LA got four quality road points in the week.

Yes, week 23 changed a decent bit of things in the rankings. Chivas USA and New England continue to be the big movers here while Toronto and DC continue to find themselves falling down and out here.

The top remains nearly the same as last week while the bottom five seem to have no where to go right now (though San Jose did swap places with KC for a change).

Feel free to leave your thoughts below about this week’s rankings.

Team	Rank (Last Week)	Record (W-L-T)	Comments
	1 (1)	10-3-9 39 pts.	They won their opening game in the CCL this past week. Now for the fun, travel to Mexico on Wednesday followed by a trip to New York on Sunday.
	2 (2)	11-6-7 40 pts.	Also won their opening CCL group stage game this past week. This week they travel to Panama to play some club no one has ever heard of, CD Arabe Unido.
	3 (3)	10-4-8 38 pts.	Great come back against Colorado, maybe have given them new life going into the stretch run. Is a Supporter’s Shield run still in line without Bakary Soumare and Brian McBride? We will have to see.
	4 (5)	8-4-11 35 pts.	A four point week always looks good when they are all on the road.
	5 (3)	8-6-9 33 pts.	Very well should have had three points against New England and could have easily gotten three in Houston. This past week they ended up with just a single point. Too many blown chances by this club.
	6 (9)	10-7-3 33 pts.	And just like that, in two games Chivas has new life and very good hope for a playoff run. By the way, anyone notice Sacha Kljestan come back from the dead this week?
	7 (6)	8-7-6 30 pts.	Could have bumped them further down for blowing a 2-0 lead but didn’t due to those below them. Omar Cummings continues to prove to me that he is one of the most underrated players in the league today.
	8 (11)	8-6-6 30 pts.	Those games in hand are starting to come in very handy as the Revs move up the table here. They went from out of playoff contention to in with two big wins this past week.
	9 (7)	8-8-6 30 pts.	The playoffs just won’t happen for this club if they can’t find a way to win on the road.
	10 (8)	6-5-11 29 pts.	Should they have won against LA? Probably. Fact is this club is just dropping games left and right. It is too late in the season to be doing such a thing.
	11 (11)	7-9-6 27 pts.	Defensive struggles once again on the road as this club continues to prove to me they don’t have what it takes to be a playoff team this season.
	12 (12)	6-11-5 23 pts.	Just embarrassing for Dallas to lose to a team as pathetic as New York.
	13 (14)	5-11-5 20 pts.	Finally a result late in the game for this bunch.
	14 (13)	5-9-6 21 pts.	This club is gonna need a big overhaul this off season. Too bad there are still plenty of games left to go this season.
	15 (15)	3-16-4 13 pts.	With seven games to go, the question still remains…will they get to 20 points?

Another week is in the books for Major League Soccer, this time however we have a new number one. Due to Houston’s recent form and Columbus’ recent stellar play it was only fitting to finally switch the two conference leaders around in the order.

Elsewhere there was plenty of movement. DC fell further down the list after a listless performance in Toronto. Speaking of the Reds they gained a lot in that win in the standings and in the rankings here. Seattle found a road win which helped move them back up.

Dallas had a nice couple weeks but their 10th loss of the season stung a good bit, they are back down in their old spot at number 12.

Feel free as always to leave your thoughts below on this week’s rankings.

Team	Rank (Last Week)	Record (W-L-T)	Comments
	1 (2)	10-3-9 39 pts.	Finally giving them their due at the top. When you got five straight while missing some of your best talent it really speaks to as how good this club really is.
	2 (1)	11-6-6 39 pts.	I’m not knocking how the Dynamo have done this season but lately they have been slipping. The road point in Salt Lake will prove to be big later on I think though.
	3 (4)	9-4-8 35 pts.	Best road team in the league without a doubt. Just wonder if this bunch will realize just how good they really are here though.
	4 (6)	8-5-8 32 pts.	Sure LA was down a man for most of the match, even down two at one point but it was good to see Sigi Schmid’s group find a way to win a tough road game here.
	5 (3)	7-4-10 31 pts.	You can’t win with nine men on most days. Still this was one of those chances the Galaxy stumbled on.
	6 (7)	8-6-6 30 pts.	This group always seems to get a buy week after a big win, let’s see if they can carry momentum this time around into their next game at Chicago.
	7 (8)	8-7-6 30 pts.	TFC finally gave me a reason to think they’d be in the playoffs this season with that win over DC.
	8 (5)	6-5-10 28 pts.	Starting to get the sense that this could be a very long two month stretch for Tom Soehn’s club.
	9 (10)	9-7-3 30 pts.	Nothing like a trip to New York to cure the blues of a two month skid.
	10 (9)	7-8-6 27 pts.	Dropping points at home this late in the season is not an option for this club.
	11 (12)	6-6-6 24 pts.	No games but got the nod back up the list. Big 10 day stretch ahead with three games.
	12 (11)	6-10-5 23 pts.	Hello double-digit loss column.
	13 (13)	5-8-6 21 pts.	New coach, same old story.
	14 (14)	4-11-5 17 pts.	At least this club is trying to make changes to get better. They’ve added a couple more parts over the last couple weeks.
	15 (15)	2-16-4 10 pts.	Only eight more games left.