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.

I’m back from the long weekend in Austin. I decided to go a head and catch up on this last night instead of just writing a bunch of posts about the weekend that I missed. Now that I am caught up on everything thanks to some highlights and some DVR I felt like starting with the weekly power rankings before I got into anything else. I’ll probably do a post in a little while about the current playoff race but don’t look for much else on this past weekend from me since I missed a good chunk of it.

Anyways, this week’s rankings saw a decent bit of moving around by some clubs. As two more clubs clinched playoff spots (LA and Houston) it was easier to see near the bottom who really wasn’t going to reach the playoffs (San Jose and KC). Right now DC and RSL really look like they have no playoff shot what so ever, while Dallas and Toronto continue to hold onto very slim hopes.

Seattle got a huge boost to their playoff hopes with the win in Columbus. Chivas USA scored a win in DC which makes me believe they may be able to pass Houston after all for one of the automatic bids out of the west.

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

Team	Rank (Last Week)	Record (W-L-T)	Comments
	1 (1)	12-5-10 46 pts.	Just wonder if this club took the foot off the pedal with the playoff spot cliched last week. Still the result given Sigi Schmids recent success over his former clubs makes the loss not surprising.
	2 (4)	11-6-11 44 pts.	Back in the playoffs after a three year hiatus. Boy of they play like they did on Friday against Chicago we will see this team at MLS Cup 2009.
	3 (2)	12-8-8 43 pts.	The lack of discipline is really hurting this club right now. They are in the playoffs but their Supporter’s Shield hopes are going away with every red card handed out.
	4 (3)	12-9-5 41 pts.	LA and Houston still need to watch out for this bunch…with a game in hand they could easily over take one of them for an automatic bid out of the west.
	5 (7)	10-7-11 41 pts.	Sigi Schmid always gets revenge against former clubs, we know that. Now the playoffs look back on track for this bunch. I’d imagine they’ll clinch this week.
	6 (3)	10-7-11 41 pts.	Backing into the playoffs is this year’s Fire. They’ll probably clinch a spot this week but don’t look for this bunch to make a deep run.
	7 (5)	10-9-8 38 pts.	I just wonder how much longer this bunch can hold out without so many key players.
	8 (8)	10-8-10 40 pts.	Another club limping into the playoffs with injuries and suspension building.
	9 (9)	9-10-8 35 pts.	I’d be very worried about this club if I were a Chicago or New England fan. Their schedule is really easy from here out.
	10 (11)	9-12-6 33 pts.	Jeff Cunningham’s MVP chances continue to grow as he keeps Dallas barely in the playoff hunt.
	11 (10)	8-8-12 36 pts.	Go ahead…kiss the playoffs good bye. While you’re at it kiss Tom Soehn good bye because we won’t see him in DC next year.
	12 (12)	9-11-7 34 pts.	They have a shot but the playoffs look to be a bit beyond reach for this bunch.
	13 (13)	8-11-8 32 pts.	The elimination pretty much came down for good with the draw in Houston.
	14 (14)	7-12-6 28 pts.	4-1-4 since July…interesting. I suppose there is hope for next year after all in San Jose.
	15 (15)	4-18-6 18 pts.	Ouch, 18 losses in 28 games that is just sad.

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.

Yes indeed there is a new number one this week. I decided that you just can’t be the top team in the land and lose to New York. You just can’t, so the Columbus Crew had to get bump down. So did the Chicago Fire and the Houston Dynamo, who both lost this past week. The club who got the nod at the top is kind of shocking based on how things started out this season.

Yes the LA Galaxy are my new number one club. Their recent form is rather impressive and I will continue to say what I’ve been saying about them for the last month or so, I can easily see them winning the Supporter’s Shield crown here this season.

The middle of the pack continues to get more jumbled up by the week. New England is starting to look like they may crash the automatic bid party in the east, probably taking over Chicago for that spot as I still believe Columbus will get one of the two auto spots from that conference.

The bottom remains the same from last week. Even though Real Salt Lake won twice last week I just need to see more than a win at home and a road win in KC (who can’t score these days). They do have two slumping teams ahead (at home with Chicago and on the road in Houston). Those two games would certainly prove to me that they are playoff worthy if they win them. Big if though.

Feel free to post your thoughts below on this week’s rankings.

Team	Rank (Last Week)	Record (W-L-T)	Comments
	1 (4)	9-4-11 38 pts.	Amazing that the Galaxy are 7-1-2 since June. Before that they were tying every game they played and looked nothing like a Supporter’s Shield contending club.
	2 (1)	10-4-9 39 pts.	Rough week but then again no American clubs win in Mexico and apparently no Crew teams win in Giant’s Stadium. Still they should have at least gotten a point in New York.
	3 (2)	11-7-7 40 pts.	Colorado is never an easy place to win but Houston just looked gassed in the 1-0 loss to the Rapids.
	4 (3)	10-6-8 38 pts.	Just when you think this club is going to start getting on a roll they forget to show up yet again. Why can’t the Fire score at home too? In 12 games they’ve only gotten 11 goals, that has to change in a hurry.
	5 (5)	8-6-10 34 pts.	Yes a point is a point but this club cannot drop points at home. They need wins at this point at Qwest, not draws.
	6 (7)	9-7-6 33 pts.	So the way things are going the next game will be a loss? This win, then lose, then win pattern that this club gets themselves in has to stop sooner rather than later.
	7 (8)	9-6-6 33 pts.	I think Steve Nicol’s club has the best chance to crash the automatic bid race in the east.
	8 (6)	10-9-3 33 pts.	Nine losses now after such a promising start. If they hit double-digit losses on the year I just don’t see them reaching the playoffs.
	9 (10)	7-5-11 32 pts.	Too bad DC can’t play in Toyota Park for all their games here out.
	10 (9)	8-8-7 31 pts.	It really should have been three points in Seattle but when you are unlucky like Dwayne DeRosario was on that open-goal miss of his, that just explains a lot on how things are going for a club.
	11 (11)	9-9-6 33 pts.	Great week for this club and I know I will get hammered for not moving them up at all. But this club still has a long, long way to go here to reach the playoffs.
	12 (12)	6-11-5 23 pts.	No game this past week and now they get DC coming into town this weekend.
	13 (13)	5-12-5 20 pts.	You know decent play just isn’t good enough.
	14 (14)	5-10-6 21 pts.	Now this club isn’t scoring under Peter Vermes. I guess they are just waiting things out before they begin an actual coaching search?
	15 (15)	4-16-4 16 pts.	Well congrats, they got over the 15 point mark with another solid win at home. Sad to say I just don’t see this club being smart enough to remove the interim lable from Richie Williams’ job title.