Week 27 of MLS has come and gone and the riveting storylines of the season continue to unfold before our eyes. Here are the Week 27 MLS Power Rankings, in which change has come at the top.

The MLS season rumbles on. With it, comes the anticipation of a hotly contested playoff race, a wonderfully balanced postseason, and a historic late-season run for the MLS Cup from one of the stalwarts of the league.

There has been great drama, confusion, turmoil and turbulence, but we are now in the home stretch, when points are precious and losses devastating.

Here are the Week 27 MLS Power Rankings.

Bottom of the Barrel

23 San Jose EarthQuakes 4-15-8 Last week: 1-2 Loss @ Vancouver Whitecaps

Last rank: 21 The Quakes are the first team officially eliminated from playoff contention. It comes as no surprise. A couple of results to end August were the last gasp for a fragile squad. Most of the blame must be attributed to manager Mikael Stahre. Jackson Yueill did not misplace a pass at all in his 30 minutes of action. And yet, he has not started a game in months. At this rate, San Jose will fail to even get Wondolowski the goal-scoring record. The team must be playing more for Wondolowski than Stahre. According to the official line-ups page, Stahre believes Wondolowski is most able to achieve the record from the left-wing position. Wondolowski has been one of the best poachers in MLS history, 88th minute aside. Meanwhile, Andrew Tarbell might want to pack his bags, for he is soon to be run out of town.

22 Colorado Rapids 6-14-6 Last week: 3-2 v Tulsa in a Friendly

Last rank: 23 The Rapids spent their idle week in Memphis playing Tulsa. Tim Howard and hat-trick hero Niki Jackson both claim Memphis connections. The Rapids face the Timbers this week, with everyone understanding that pride and playing time is on the line. Colorado is all but eliminated from playoff contention and even winning out might not be enough. Manager Anthony Hudson said as much when explaining his lineup and reasoning for playing the friendly. In other worries, Edgar Castillo picked up a knock in training and Hudson is looking to sign another New Zealand international. That approach to signings has not worked at all this season.

21 Chicago Fire 6-15-6 Last week: IDLE

Last rank: 20 Bastian Schweinsteiger received a testimonial game. In the middle of the MLS season, halfway across the world. And then he told German reporters that he could maybe play a couple more years. Not sure which league this exemplifies more, the retirement stigma MLS is trying to shed or the bush league stigma the Fire ownership continues to push to market? Orlando City and New England await in the next ten days. All three of those teams need maximum points to have any hope. The Fire can likely keep their vacation bags packed and passports at the ready. This season is all but extinguished.

20 Orlando City SC 7-16-3 Last week: 2-2 vs Philadelphia Union

Last rank: 22 Scott Sutter earned a point? Scott Sutter earned a point! Scott Sutter earned a point? Scott Sutter earned a point! This is not the type of excitement the Orlando City faithful expected coming into the season. Dom Dwyer opening the scoring but then did little else. Orlando City found themselves down 2-1 after conceding an 88th minute goal to Fafa Picault. But after such a long miserable losing streak, Orlando City fans might as well find some silver linings to the season that will yet again fall short of the playoff standard. They have a player for the future. Scott Sutter earned a point.

19 Houston Dynamo Last rank: 17 The Dynamo did well to go into halftime facing only a 0-1 deficit. Six minutes after the second half started, the game was all but over. Houston gave up two quick goals, scored two to make the scoreline respectable, and then let FC Dallas put a cherry on top of the Texas Derby desserts. Houston are winless in ten and the U.S. Open Cup Final cannot come soon enough. A couple more weeks of negative momentum and that cup game might just have the mood of a season’s funeral. The Dynamo did well to go into halftime facing only a 0-1 deficit. Six minutes after the second half started, the game was all but over. Houston gave up two quick goals, scored two to make the scoreline respectable, and then let FC Dallas put a cherry on top of the Texas Derby desserts. Houston are winless in ten and the U.S. Open Cup Final cannot come soon enough. A couple more weeks of negative momentum and that cup game might just have the mood of a season’s funeral.

18 Minnesota United 9-15-2 Last week: IDLE

Last rank: 19 The Loons next game is away to Audi Field. Without a win, the playoff chances will blow away just as the summer ends in the land of all those lakes. Minnesota United has a few players that earned call-ups to their respective national teams. That time away will hurt as United prepares for such a crucial away game. Adrian Heath can be fired on this season’s away record alone (1-11-1). Four points from 13 games is a pitiful return on the investments this team made.

17 New England Revolution 7-10-9 Last week: 1-1 vs Portland Timbers

Last rank: 18 The Revolution were rested. The Timbers were coming off a game in another time zone just days before. The Revs have devolved as the season progressed. Brad Freidel’s team is resorting increasingly to conservative play in all facets of the game. Hence, the first shot on goal in this game was the 58th minute Scott Caldwell goal. The Revs are six points back, with two games in hand. They visit a reeling NYCFC next and have only three home games left. Road points are crucial.