The Back of the Net

MLS’s seventh week of 2008 has come to a close. This weeks results are as follows:

Thursday, May 8:

• Chicago Fire 2-1 DC United

And here are the Power Rankings:

1.  Chicago Fire: Absolutely dominated a struggling DCU team. Cuatehmoc Blanco’s goal will win GOTW easily. Chicago just seems to be doing everything right at this point. (Next Game: May 17 vs. Houston)
2.  Columbus Crew: Robbie Rogers scores to for his 21st birthday. The Crew are the surprise of the year for me thus far. Their offense is just killing the rest of the league, although it did take them a while to pick a goal up against the Quakes. (Next Game: May 17 @ Toronto FC)
3. Kansas City: No game this week, but the Wiz have done plenty to earn this spot. (Next Game: May 17 @ New York)
4. New York Red Bulls: It took some late game heroics from the legend Juan Pablo Angel to preserve a win vs. LA this week, but that’s just what makes this team so good. Angel/Altidore is easily the best forward tandem in the league. (Next Game: May 17 vs. KC Wizards)
5. Toronto FC: I’m amazed to say that Toronto may be half way decent this year. Their new acquisitions Laurent Robert, Amado Guevara, Rohan Ricketts, etc. give this team an offensive prowess they haven’t had before. (Next Game: May 17 vs. Columbus)
6. New England Revolution: A good win, but over a crumbling Chivas side. Anyone could have scored two goals on that defense. The return of Taylor Twellman is big news, he already scored 14 minutes into his season. (Next Game: May 17 vs. San Jose)
7. Colorado Rapids: Not a good thing to give up Houston’s first win of the season, but Colorado was just unlucky that it happened to them. They’ll get back on their horse eventually. (Next Game: May 15 vs. RSL)
8. Real Salt Lake: Kind of a flukey win over FCD, but RSL’s had plenty of those against them in the past. This is a solid possession team that is way too often underestimated. They’ve done well at home, but can they do it on the road? (Next Game: May 15 @ Colorado)
9. FC Dallas: The only thing that keeps them below RSL is this weekend’s game. The midfield is kinda  shaky, and the bench isn’t very strong, and yet Dallas seems to get it done.  (Next Game: May 18 vs. LA Galaxy)
10. Los Angeles Galaxy: I’ve always thought this LA team was incredibly shallow in every way, but they’re doing well with what they have. Backham and Donovan didn’t do much against New York this week. Alan Gordon’s goal proved that he may be worth having in the league. (Next Game: May 18 @ FC Dallas)
11. San Jose Earthquakes: This is the best expansion side we’ve seen in a while. Their defense fell victim to the speed of Columbus’ midfield too easily, and their front line lacks a true striker, but overall they’re not too shabby. (Next Game: May 17 @ New England)
12. Houston Dynamo: Finally got a win, but were a bit lucky to get a PK so late in the game. But at least we know that Ching and DeRo can score somehow. (Next Game: May 17 @ Fire)
13. DC United: During pre-season, I really thought DC would be at the top of the league. However they just can’t get any good play out of their talented roster. What’s up? (Next Game: May 17 @ Chivas)
14. Chivas USA: Their defense is crumbling down to nothingness. So many injuries are plaguing them, and they may never get out of this hole. And now they transfer Carey Talley over? Good luck. (Next Game: May 17 vs. DCU)