Are you a fan of scoreless draws? If so, the past week of Major League Soccer action was for you! The New York Red Bulls fell in MLS power rankings once again, but such a slide should hopefully come to an end thanks to three straight home games and numerous lineup mainstays (hopefully) returning to action. The kings of league power rankings again remain at the top of the list this week despite their inability to eek out a winner at the death. Perhaps Chris Wondolowski really is human and not, as I was beginning to think, a superhero.
2012 Week 19 MLS power rankings
19. Toronto FC (2-11-4): Don't see how anybody can argue this one after their 3-0 loss at Philly. TFC really looked like the worst team in the world on Sunday.
18. FC Dallas (3-9-7): Couldn't beat the "worst team in the world" during a midweek contest, but did manage a point against San Jose. That draw would be more impressive had the match not taken place at FC Dallas Stadium, though.
17. Portland Timbers (5-8-4): I do feel somewhat bad for John Spencer, but I also completely understand why he lost his job. Portland should be better at this stage of the campaign.
16. Chivas USA (5-7-5): Yes, Chivas, scoring goals is necessary in order to win matches. They've now been shut out in four of their last five.
15. Philadelphia Union (5-9-2): Slapped around lowly TFC 3-0 at home on Sunday, and they earned a win while away to the Galaxy earlier this week. Will such victories prove to be "too little, too late" for Philly?
14. Colorado Rapids (7-10-1): It wasn't that long ago that the Rapids were an up and down squad. They're now just a down side, one that's earned a single victory in their past five contests.
13. Montreal Impact (6-11-3): The expansion team is a couple of favorable results away from a playoff spot after rallying against Columbus. Good for them.
12. Columbus Crew (6-6-4): What some have referred to as a harsh penalty late in Sunday's match cost the Crew a point up in Montreal. I think the ref could have allowed play to go on in that instance, but that's just one guy's opinion.
11. New England Revolution (6-7-4): Beat a New York side that was missing half of its starters, and did so at Gillette Stadium. Meh.
10. LA Galaxy (7-10-2): LA are again a playoff team after beating Chicago on Sunday, but rumors continue to swirl about big-name players both joining and exiting the team. Such stories don't do much for a team's chemistry.
9. Houston Dynamo (6-5-7): They weren't the better side during Saturday's match at KC, but the Dynamo managed to come away with a hard-earned point on the road. Job done.
8. Chicago Fire (8-6-4): Just when you thought you may be able to begin believing in Chicago, off-the-pitch drama overshadows the team's form. Let's see how the Fire respond against Vancouver.
7. Seattle Sounders (8-5-6): Sure, the 2-1 win over Colorado wasn't the most convincing performance you'll see from a team this season. The Sounders will be hoping that their first victory in ten contests will be a restart of sorts for their campaign.
6. Vancouver Whitecaps (8-4-6): The Whitecaps earned four points in two road games this past week. I remain confused as to why fans and analysts refuse to throw more respect toward Vancouver.
5. New York Red Bulls (9-5-4): I missed the press release announcing that the New York Mets training staff had made a move to Harrison, NJ. You'd think that joke would get old, but it still brings a smile to my face.
4. Sporting KC (10-5-3): A lack of quality finishing cost KC three points against Houston. Still, you can't ignore the fact that they're tied for first place in the Eastern Conference with DC.
3. Real Salt Lake (11-6-3): Survived a rough stretch of play and looked like the RSL of old against a lackluster Portland side. Maybe that losing streak was a needed slap in the face.
2. DC United (10-5-3): DC got some rest before beginning the second half of the season away to Houston.
1. San Jose Earthquakes (11-4-4): You can't win 'em all in the final minutes of play. Saturday night's home match against RSL will give San Jose a big opportunity to prove that they are, in fact, the best team in the league.
