- Keith Hickey
After the first week of play, we've got a slightly better idea of the strength of some teams. While some results were fully expected (Colorado beating Portland at home) some were surprising (New England coming away from the Home Depot Center with a point against the Galaxy). Here's this week's power rankings.
1st: Real Salt Lake (1)
RSL topped our pre-season rankings, and with a 1-0 away win against the always dangerous San Jose 'Quakes, that's where they stay.
2nd: New York Red Bulls (4)
That's a goal for Juan Agudelo on both his USMNT and NYRB debuts, if I'm not mistaken. A win against Seattle sees them take second spot.
3rd: Los Angeles Galaxy (2)
Goals from Juninho masked problems as the Galaxy won against Seattle despite not playing at their best and tied the Revolution at home. Giving up points at the HDC to New England will not make Bruce Arena too happy.
4th: Colorado Rapids (5)
The defending MLS Cup Champions beat an expansion team at home. Hardly a shock, but enough to move up this week.
5th: Seattle Sounders (3)
Not a great week for the Sounders, losing twice, but the losses were to New York and Los Angeles, two of the best teams in the league. Seattle should start picking up wins soon.
6th: Sporting Kansas City (9)
A dream debut for Omar Bravo, and the artists formerly known as the Wizards could be a dark horse come playoff time, especially in the East.
7th: Philadelphia Union (8)
Before the season, I said there were two things the Union needed to do to improve: concede fewer goals and get wins away. Both were accomplished with a 1-0 over Houston.
8th: FC Dallas (7)
They were MLS Cup Finalists last year, but dropping points in your home opener to a mostly Chicago Fire is hardly the way to go about getting back there.
9th: San Jose Earthquakes (6)
If you have to lose in your home opener, at least it was to the best team in the league.
10th: D.C. United (12)
Two goals for Charlie Davies and D.C. look like a club destined for a much healthier campaign than last season's debacle.
11th: Chicago Fire (10)
More results like the draw away to Dallas, and the Fire will have overcome their slight demotion this week.
12th: Vancouver Whitecaps (15)
Not every expansion team gets to greet their first season with a win. To win emphatically over their Canadian rivals makes the game even more special.
13th: Houston Dynamo (11)
If Brian Ching misses any long periods of time, the Dynamo could be in serious trouble. Will Bruin needs time to improve, and Jason Garey and Dominic Oduro are Jason Garey and Dominic Oduro.
14th: New England Revolution (18)
A point away to Los Angeles is a good start, but the Revs have a long way to go to improve.
15th: Columbus Crew (13)
Repeat after me, Crew fans: This is a rebuilding year, this is a rebuilding year, this is a...
16th: Chivas USA (14)
At least with two expansion teams in the conference, the Goats probably won't finish last.
17th: Toronto FC (16)
Long-term projects take time, but just one week in, Toronto are already looking like contenders for the wooden spoon.
18th: Portland Timbers (17)
It's tough being the new kid. Welcome to Major League Soccer, Timbers.
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