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1 1 Their second-to-last three-game week of the season saw them take six points. Not bad, but they surely didn't look dominant against FC Dallas and had trouble generating quality chances vs. Vancouver. The Quakes need Steven Lenhart back. Last Week: Defeated FC Dallas, 2-1; Lost at Vancouver, 2-1

Defeated FC Dallas, 2-1; Lost at Vancouver, 2-1 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (DAL)

(DAL) WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (VAN)

(VAN) Last Five: L-T-W-W-L

L-T-W-W-L This Week: Saturday vs. Chicago (10:30 pm, MLS Live)

2 5 If the Tim Cahill rumors are true, the question must be asked: Do the Red Bulls really need to add such a big piece at midseason? They looked serious last week against Chicago and Philly, hardly letting either team breathe and generally bossing play. How and where the Aussie fits remains to be seen. Last Week: Defeated Chicago, 1-0; Defeated Philadelphia, 2-0

Defeated Chicago, 1-0; Defeated Philadelphia, 2-0 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (CHI)

(CHI) WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (PHI)

(PHI) Last Five: T-L-T-W-W

T-L-T-W-W This Week: Saturday at Montreal (7:30 pm, MLS Live)

3 3 RSL weren't perfect against Colorado, but they capitalized on errors and basically never looked like they were in danger of losing. That's quite an accomplishment in a rivalry game, especially against a team as desperate as the Rapids were. Last Week: Defeated Colorado, 2-0

Defeated Colorado, 2-0 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

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Last Five: L-T-W-L-W

L-T-W-L-W This Week: Friday vs. Vancouver (9 pm, MLS Live)

4 9 So much for feeling uninspired. The Dynamo just handed in a nine-point week, handling SKC fairly comfortably before getting their pound of flesh (and then some) from outmanned Montreal. The switch to the 4-3-3 has come faster than expected. Last Week: Defeated Sporting KC, 2-1; Defeated Montreal, 3-0

Defeated Sporting KC, 2-1; Defeated Montreal, 3-0 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (SKC)

(SKC) WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (MTL)

(MTL) Last Five: T-T-W-W-W

T-T-W-W-W This Week: Saturday at Toronto FC (4:30 pm, MLS Live)

5 2 They've won just once in their last five and are still having trouble generating the chances they thrived on early in the season. Even against a shorthanded Revs side, they very nearly lost it at the end. Sporting need breathing room at some point. Last Week: Lost at Houston, 2-1; Tied New England, 0-0

Lost at Houston, 2-1; Tied New England, 0-0 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (HOU)

(HOU) WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (NE)

(NE) Last Five: T-W-T-L-T

T-W-T-L-T This Week: Saturday vs. Columbus (8:30 pm, MLS Live)

6 8 They blew it midweek, failing to close down Jose Villarreal for the game-tying goal. The win over the Shield-leading Quakes will soothe some of the burn from that, as will the production from Barry Robson. Defense is still where it's at, though. Last Week: Tied LA, 2-2; Defeated San Jose, 2-1

Tied LA, 2-2; Defeated San Jose, 2-1 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (LA)

(LA) WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (SJ)

(SJ) Last Five: T-L-L-T-W

T-L-L-T-W This Week: Friday at Real Salt Lake (9 pm, MLS Live)

7 7 Much-needed time off for Seattle, who will have been happy to see Fredy Montero put in a vintage performance against Chelsea. The next step is helping Mauro Rosales rediscover his 2011 form — and stop turning the ball over in the process. Last Week: Bye

Bye Last Five: L-T-T-W-T

L-T-T-W-T This Week: Saturday at Colorado (9 pm, MLS Live)

8 10 Uh-oh. The Galaxy's Designated Players have scored 17 goals over the past seven games, a pretty stunning record coming off the FIFA international break. Add in Omar Gonzalez's steady return to health, and things are starting to look a bit 2011-ish. Last Week: Tied at Vancouver, 2-2; Defeated Chivas USA, 3-1

Tied at Vancouver, 2-2; Defeated Chivas USA, 3-1 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (VAN)

(VAN) WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (CHV)

(CHV) Last Five: L-W-W-T-W

L-W-W-T-W This Week: Saturday at FC Dallas (8 pm, NBCSN)

9 4 Where did the offense go? The 4-0 loss down to 10 men last weekend was acceptable, but their lack of punch against Columbus had to have been more than a bit worrying. It'd be very nice for United if Maicon Santos started playing hungry again. Last Week: Lost at Columbus, 1-0

Lost at Columbus, 1-0 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

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Last Five: W-L-W-L-L

W-L-W-L-L This Week: Bye

10 6 The Power Rankings Politburo don't really know what to make of this Chicago team. They never really threatened New York at midweek, they're integrating a new playmaker in Alex, and the Sebastián Grazzini saga is still unresolved. Tough to figure them out. Last Week: Lost at New York, 1-0

Lost at New York, 1-0 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

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Last Five: W-T-L-W-L

W-T-L-W-L This Week: Saturday at San Jose (10:30 pm, MLS Live)

11 13 Dilly Duka makes a huge difference for Columbus, giving them a bit of pace and trickery in the midfield they otherwise lack. Keeping him healthy and finding a forward — any forward — who wants to put the ball in the net consistently would make them a playoff team. Last Week: Defeated D.C. United, 1-0

Defeated D.C. United, 1-0 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

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Last Five: L-W-L-L-W

L-W-L-L-W This Week: Saturday at Sporting KC (8:30 pm, MLS Live)

12 11 Two weeks ago the Revs were on the verge of fighting for a playoff spot; now they've sunk down almost to the bottom of the table. What happened to Saer Sene's goals? Where has José Moreno been? It can't all be long-range bombs from the midfield every week. Last Week: Lost at Montreal, 2-1; Tied at Sporting KC, 0-0

Lost at Montreal, 2-1; Tied at Sporting KC, 0-0 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (MTL)

(MTL) WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (SKC)

(SKC) Last Five: T-W-L-L-T

T-W-L-L-T This Week: Sunday at Philadelphia (7 pm, NBCSN)

13 12 The Union are a young team who got well and truly schooled by the Red Bulls over the weekend. There's plenty of lessons to take from it — including, hopefully, a couple for the absent Mr. Adu. Last Week: Lost at New York, 2-0

Lost at New York, 2-0 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

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Last Five: L-W-W-W-L

L-W-W-W-L This Week: Sunday vs. New England (7 pm, NBCSN)

14 15 Chivas are doing just enough to hang in the playoff race, but not convincing anyone they're in the mix for good. It was a six-pointer they dropped against LA over the weekend, and a loss at Portland this Saturday could be another nail in the coffin. Last Week: Defeated Portland, 1-0; Lost at LA, 3-1

Defeated Portland, 1-0; Lost at LA, 3-1 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (POR)

/ (POR) WATCH HIGLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (LA)

(LA) Last Five: W-T-T-W-L

W-T-T-W-L This Week: Saturday at Portland (11 pm, MLS Live)

15 17 Paul Mariner for Coach of the Year, maybe? This is as good an in-season turnaround as last year's SKC side, with the addition of a season-ending injury to a key DP thrown in for good measure. Last Week: Defeated Colorado, 2-1

Defeated Colorado, 2-1 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

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Last Five: T-L-W-W-W

T-L-W-W-W This Week: Saturday vs. Houston (4:30 pm, MLS Live)

16 14 The bottom's dropped out. It's hard to believe that this team has so many of the same pieces that put together their MLS Cup 2010 run, because they simply can not get on the same page out there. Panic time for Oscar Pareja & Co. Last Week: Lost at Toronto, 2-1; Lost at Real Salt Lake, 2-0

Lost at Toronto, 2-1; Lost at Real Salt Lake, 2-0 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (TOR)

(TOR) WATCH HIGHLIGHTS/ FULL MATCHCENTER (RSL)

(RSL) Last Five: L-L-L-L-L

L-L-L-L-L This Week: Saturday vs. Seattle (9 pm, MLS Live)

17 16 Alessandro Nesta should, in theory, help with one of the league's leakiest defenses. They surely could have used him against Houston this past weekend as Mac Kandji roasted them again and again. Last Week: Defeated New England, 2-1; Lost at Houston, 3-0

Defeated New England, 2-1; Lost at Houston, 3-0 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (MTL)

(MTL) WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (HOU)

(HOU) Last Five: L-W-L-W-L

L-W-L-W-L This Week: Saturday vs. New York (7:30 pm, MLS Live)

18 18 Winning two of three is a decent stretch coming off that three month nightmare. Getting David Ferreira back — and more or less fit, to boot — is obviously the key. Finding another consistent goal scorer would be nice, though. Last Week: Lost to San Jose, 2-1; Defeated Portland, 5-0

Lost to San Jose, 2-1; Defeated Portland, 5-0 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (SJ)

(SJ) WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (POR)

(POR) Last Five: T-T-W-L-W

T-T-W-L-W This Week: Saturday vs. LA (8 pm, NBCSN)