MLS Power Rankings: Week 5 - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

Coming out of Week 5, the MLS picture is getting a little bit clearer, at least near the bottom of the table. The shine is off of teams like RSL and Colorado, while heavyweights like DC United and Houston Dynamo attempt to get back into our good graces. Meanwhile, the rankings are crowded at the top, as strength of schedule and future potential weigh heavily the top spots.

It may not always be fair, it may not always be right, but it's this week's MLS Power Rankings, ripe for comments and discussion.

The full table, minus one Cavernous Gaping Hole, after the jump.

#(LW)	Team	The Table
1(5)	New England Revolution	Last Week: W 1-0 vs Dallas Season: 3-2-1, 10pts
		New England has had a tough schedule, made all the more difficult by their rash of injuries, and yet they're challenging for the top of the East.
2(-)	FC Dallas	Last Week: L 0-1 at New England Season: 2-1-2, 8 pts
		Dallas is still looking like the tops of the West this season, and after a tough loss at New England, we can't drop them too far.
3(-)	Columbus Crew	Last Week: W 1-0 vs Houston Season: 4-1-0, 12 pts
		Again, no respect for the Crew. Beating Houston like this last season would have been impressive, but it still hard for us to place them ahead of two teams playing so well, especially the Revs.
4(-)	Chicago Fire	Last Week: W 2-1 vs Colorado Season: 3-1-1, 10 pts
		The Fire may have found an extra dimension in their attack this weekend, but they will need more than John Thorrington to step it up in the East.
5(6)	Toronto FC	Last Week: W 2-0 vs Kansas City Season: 3-2-0, 9 pts
		TFC continues its tear, dismantling a formidable KC side. Just more proof that the Eastern Conference is stacked this season.
6(1)	Kansas City Wizards	Last Week: L 1-0 at TFC Season: 3-2-1, 10 pts
		We're hedging our bets ahead of time with this call. KC will need some serious improvement in their road form if they want to stay this high at the end of the month. Their road struggles may have only just begun.
7(11)	LA Galaxy	Last Week: W 5-2 vs CD Chivas USA Season: 2-2-1, 7 pts
		The so-called SuperClub were certainly firing on all cylinders against Chivas. A top spot in the West is theirs for the taking if they can keep it up.
8(10)	Red Bull New York	Last Week: W 2-0 vs San Jose Season: 2-1-1, 7 pts
		RBNY slugged it out with an injured side against the expansion 'Quakes, scraping out a win at home.
9(7)	Colorado Rapids	Last Week: L 1-2 at Chicago Season: 2-3-0, 6 pts
		Colorado looked decidedly average against the Fire defense with their only goal coming off a questionable free kick in the second half.
10(8)	Real Salt Lake	Last Week: L 1-4 at DC United Season: 1-3-1, 4 pts
		Can't say we didn't see this coming. RSL gets a taste of DC's revenge at RFK.
11(9)	CD Chivas USA	Last Week: L 2-5 at LA Galaxy Season: 1-3-1, 4 pts
		Chivas' defense has been truly awful this season, and last weekend's "SuperClasico" should be held as a prime example.
12(14)	DC United	Last Week: W 1-4 vs RSL Season: 2-3-0, 6pts
		We're not ready to let DC off the hook that easily. They'll need a few more quality wins before we start believing in them again.
13(12)	San Jose Earthquakes	Last Week: L 0-2 at Red Bull New York Season: 1-3-0, 3 pts
		A difficult loss for the Earthquakes. They need to find an answer on offense to pair with their experienced midfield if they want to make any progress in 2008.
14(13)	Houston Dynamo	Last Week: L 0-1 at Columbus Season: 0-2-3, 3 pts
		It's hard to tell which side is the expansion team down here. Houston may have the chamipionship experience, but this year they are looking downright green.