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1 1 No Kyle Beckerman, no Nick Rimando, no Javier Morales, no Chris Wingert, no problem. They left it late — very, very late — against FC Dallas, but got the full three points they wanted. It's the best start in team history, the best record in the league and a deserved No. 1 in our rankings. Last Week: Beat FC Dallas, 3-2

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

W-W-T-W-W Next Game: June 16 at Chivas USA

2 2 Even the stoniest of hearts in section 101 had to soften a little when Juan Pablo Ángel got that spectacular midweek goal. Their old captain may have helped snap New York's winning streak, but "unbeaten in six and getting healthy" is a nice tag to wear right about now. Last Week: Tied Chivas USA 1-1

Tied Chivas USA 1-1 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

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

W-W-W-W-T Next Game: June 17 at Chicago

3 4 The defense still needs some work, but Brandon McDonald and Dejan Jakovic made up for some gaffes at the back by pushing up and getting goals of their own. With the offense in high gear as well, that makes D.C. the most exciting team in the league for neutrals. Last Week: Beat New England, 3-2

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

W-L-W-W-W Next Game: June 16 at Philadelphia

4 3 Their last five is pretty ugly, with one win, two losses and two draws. But the losses were both to quality opponents, and they managed all of it without Víctor Bernárdez (their best defender) and Shea Salinas (a key midfielder). They've passed the depth test and have a friendly schedule ahead. Last Week: Beat LA, 3-2; Lost at Sporting KC, 2-1

Beat LA, 3-2; Lost at Sporting KC, 2-1 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (LA)

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

L-T-T-W-L Next Game: June 20 at Colorado

5 7 Man, do they expend some energy out there. After a miserable six weeks they finally looked like their old selves, but only for 60 minutes before having to hang on for dear life at the finish. If they could be more clinical with the early chances they always generate, Sporting would be a juggernaut. Last Week: Beat San Jose, 2-1

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

L-L-L-T-W Next Game: June 16 vs. Toronto FC

6 5 Basically didn't show up midweek in that loss to Columbus. Yes, they dominated the ball, but they really only produced one great chance and took the foot off when down 2-0. A nice bounce-back point at Chivas, but this team is far from the force most figured they'd be. Last Week: Lost to Columbus, 2-0; Tied at Chivas USA, 1-1

Lost to Columbus, 2-0; Tied at Chivas USA, 1-1 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (CLB)

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

W-L-T-L-T Next Game: June 16 at Montreal

7 6 Nine games in 28 days. Yes, they only have two points from their last three, but coming through this brutal stretch with heads held high and solidly in the playoff hunt is plenty to build upon. Next step will be shaking off the disappointment of the ACC loss to Toronto. Last Week: Tied at Portland, 1-1

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

W-W-L-T-T Next Game: June 10 vs. Houston

8 8 The Dynamo still don't look clinical, but they were far less vulnerable without Geoff Cameron than many had feared. With seven of the next 10 at home, it's time for a serious surge up the ladder if they're serious about competing for the Eastern Conference title. Last Week: Beat LA, 2-1

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

L-W-T-T-W Next Game: June 10 at Vancouver

9 14 We at the Power Rankings politburo have preached patience with Robert Warzycha's rebuilding job. Even when the results weren't coming, it was clear that the pieces to compete were there. We just didn't expect it to come together this quickly. Question now is will it last? Last Week: Won at Seattle, 2-0; Beat Chicago, 2-1

Won at Seattle, 2-0; Beat Chicago, 2-1 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (SEA)

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

T-W-T-W-W Next Game: June 16 at New England

10 10 The Rapids are one of the more snake-bit teams in the league when it comes to injuries, particularly with regard to Conor Casey. If the big man is healthy, their ceiling is top three in the West. If he's sidelined with one malady after another, they'll struggle to make the MLS Cup Playoffs. Last Week: Beat Montreal, 3-2

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

L-W-L-T-W Next Game: June 16 at Vancouver

11 9 Austin Berry and Jalil Anibaba have a ton of potential — US national team potential, as a matter of fact. But they've still got a lot to learn, and the Crew were only too happy to teach the youngsters a thing or two on the weekend. It's overshadowed, though, by their first Brimsone Cup win since 2001. Last Week: Beat FC Dallas, 2-1; Lost at Columbus, 2-1

Beat FC Dallas, 2-1; Lost at Columbus, 2-1 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (FCD)

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

T-W-L-W-L Next Game: Saturday at New England (7:30 pm, MLS LIVE)

12 13 Excellent result on the road, "meh" result at home. That's the story of the season for the Rojiblancos, who have stayed in the Western Conference hunt almost in spite of themselves. How quickly they get the new faces on the same page will determine whether they're in the playoffs or watching them. Last Week: Tied at New York, 1-1; Tied Seattle, 1-1

Tied at New York, 1-1; Tied Seattle, 1-1 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (NY)

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

L-T-W-T-T Next Game: June 16 vs. Real Salt Lake

13 11 Yep, the defense still needs a lot of work. There's plenty to love about the New England team — beginning with Saer Sene's anarchic brilliance — but they're going to be outsiders until and unless they start learing to lock teams down. It's not in their arsenal yet. Last Week: Lost at DC, 3-2

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

W-L-W-T-L Next Game: Saturday vs. Chicago (7:30 pm, MLS LIVE)

14 12 Jesse Marsch has a fun new toy in Marco Di Vaio, but six weeks to wait until he can use him. The interim should be about sorting out the midfield, figuring out where possession and creativity will come from and how to best protect the defense. Last Week: Lost at Colorado, 3-2

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

W-W-T-L-L Next Game: June 16 vs. Seattle

15 16 That draw against Vancouver was gutting, but at least the Timbers can say they're unbeaten in four. And if Kris Boyd continues to be threatening in front of net, one point will begin turning into three. Will it be enough to get them back into the playoff hunt, though? Last Week: Tied Vancouver, 1-1

Tied Vancouver, 1-1 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

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

L-T-T-W-T Next Game: June 17 at LA

16 15 A brutal pair of road losses, but now Schellas Hyndman's troops have a couple of weeks to lick their wounds, get healthy and get back in the hunt. The talent is definitely there, but figuring out how to keep it on the field — and functional — seems to be this year's biggest test. Last Week: Lost at Chicago, 2-1; Lost at Real Salt Lake, 3-2

Lost at Chicago, 2-1; Lost at Real Salt Lake, 3-2 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (CHI)

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

L-L-T-L-L Next Game: June 16 at Houston

17 17 One week, two blown leads. This isn't the old Galaxy, is it? Getting Bryan Gaul and Kenney Walker on-the-job training is nice, but 2012 is beginning to look like a lost cause for Bruce Arena's men. They need to find some inspiration from somewhere, and quickly. Last Week: Lost to San Jose, 3-2; Lost at Houston, 2-1

Lost to San Jose, 3-2; Lost at Houston, 2-1 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCHCENTER (SJ)

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

L-T-L-L-L Next Game: June 17 vs.Portland

18 19 Red storm rising! Two wins in a row, comprising yet another Canadian Championship and their first points in league play. Is this the start of a miraculous, storybook turnaround after a start record-breaking in its futility? No, it's not. But they're certainly not as bad as they looked in March and April. Last Week: Beat Philadelphia, 1-0

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

L-L-L-L-W Next Game: June 16 at Sporting KC