MLS Power Rankings (Week 3)

1. Real Salt Lake - The unquestioned best team in MLS now tries to make its presence felt on the world stage with a win in the CONCACAF semifinals in Costa Rica tonight.

2. Colorado - Best start in team history and drawing closer to RSL after another strong outing even with Conor Casey ailing and Omar Cummings coming off the bench in 4-1 beatdown of D.C. United.

3. L.A. Galaxy - Return of defender Omar Gonzalez and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts helped muzzle Philadelphia despite being a man down in second half. About that offense...

4. Philadelphia - The offensive firepower in 2010 is nowhere to be seen this season, but the defense is stingy. Danny Mwanga - substituted out at halftime against Galaxy - seems to be struggling with a big home game against New York Saturday looming.

5. New York - Added more star power by trading for Dewayne DeRosario and he steps in and immediately produces an impact by assisting on a goal. The bigger question is why hasn't Thierry Henry produced a similar impact.

6. San Jose - Coach Frank Yallop must be absolutely thrilled that someone - Khari Stephensen - other than Chris Wondolowski scored in last game.

7. Chicago - Started the season capturing four points in first two games and advancing in U.S. Open Cup after beating a Colorado team playing reserves. Trip to Seattle Saturday will provide better indication of whether Fire is for real.

8. New England - Not at all happy about draw against Portland, but Revolution has played much better defense this season.

9. Vancouver - By scoring seven goals in their first three games, the Whitecaps have dismissed all that preseason talk about no offense. They scored three goals without Eric Hassli against Kansas City.

10. Kansas City - Speaking of offense, this squad has found the net eight times, tied for the league lead with Colorado. Speaking of defense, opponents have found the net a league-leading eight times.

11. Seattle - Offense finally revived with two goals at San Jose. Mauro Rosales is making Sounders fans forget Blaise Nkufo pretty quickly and Steve Zakuani is rapidly becoming one of the league's best players.

12. Columbus - Finally got a big boost of confidence after first win of season against Dallas.

13. Houston - Goalkeeper Tally Hall is easily this squad's most valuable player so far this season. However, the downside is Hall is being forced to make saves after constant breakdowns on defense.

14. D.C. United - A 4-1 loss at Colorado last Saturday was nasty, especially after a 2-1 loss against New England. That's six goals allowed in past two games. Not good.

15. Toronto - Gained a solid result - 1-1 draw against Chivas - after the shocking trade of team captain and best player Dewayne DeRosario earlier in the day.

16. FC Dallas - From the look of each team's current status, the MLS Cup rematch with Colorado Friday could be ugly…for Dallas.

17. Portland - Timbers feeling a little wind at their backs after Open Cup win against Chivas USA, draw at New England and return of Darlington Nagbe last week.

18. Chivas USA - Coming off a draw at Toronto, a good result against Columbus Saturday could be the beginning of a turnaround for coach Robin Fraser.

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold follow him on Twitter.