Power Rankings - Week 4

So it's only taken me three weeks to realize RSL is a joke and Chivas is for real. I'm still not giving up on Real Salt Lake, but geez... what a lackluster performance on Saturday. We also have a new team on top of the power rankings.

1. (3) Red Bull New York
They are for real. Altidore could end up being an MVP finalist this year at this rate. Many experts (of which I am not one) are placing them as an early favorite to go all the way. Solid team from back to front.

2. (1) Colorado Rapids
The Rapids attack looked very weak against FC Dallas. Maybe Conor Casey's arrival can change things up top, but this team may have already peaked.

3. (6) Chivas USA
Ante Razov hit the 100-goal milestone on Saturday night in Chivas USA's 4-0 romp over RSL. Maykel Galindo and Panchito Mendoza looked especially potent in the attack. Brad Guzan is the best goalkeeper in MLS right now, hands down.

4. (2) Los Angeles Galaxy
Maybe a week off will be a good thing for the Galaxy. Several key players have sustained injuries in the first few weeks of the season, leaving the G's with just one point heading into the first Superclasico of the year. Against their rival, I expect them to come out firing, unlike last week's game against FC Dallas.

5. (5) Houston Dynamo
A loss to Red Bull New York on the road is nothing to panic about. Pat Onstad allowed his first goal of the season, but he should bounce back on Sunday against Chicago.

6. (4) D.C. United
Blame the poor start to this season mostly on their defense. They travel to Columbus this week, a Crew team that is severely underestimated. Could it be three losses in a row to start the season? It might happen...

7. (9) Chicago Fire
Another win for the Men in Red. They're making believers out of me and I can't wait to see Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Justin Mapp on the same pitch together. Still, I don't see this team quite making it to the MLS Cup.

8. (11) FC Dallas
Wins against two of the better teams in the West (L.A. & Colorado) in their first three games has me believing that this team could contend. Their defense/goalkeeping situation is shaky at best, but Dario Sala will be back soon, his suspension is half-over.

9. (10) Columbus Crew
Three ties to start the year off, what better time to get a win than this weekend at home against D.C. United? Saturday's game should be the last for the Crew before Guillermo Barros Schelotto arrives from Argentina. Ngwenya, Kamara and Grabavoy have this team ready to succeed this year.

10. (12) New England Revolution
Taylor Twellman continues to find ways to score. Sunday's game on the road in Dallas will be a good test as to how far this team can go in 2007. I'm still bearish on this team.

11. (8) Kansas City Wizards
K.C.'s slid downward this week is more a result of other teams moving up, not bad play by the Wizards. Eddie Johnson has cooled for the moment and will need to get hot again if this team intends to make the playoffs. Going on the road to Toronto could be dangerous for K.C. - I believe TFC will put all the pieces together for the first time this year, especially if Ronnie O'Brien is healthy enough to play.

12. (13) Toronto FC
They've had time to lick their wounds from New England's 4-0 beating, made some personnel changes and are ready to open BMO Field with their first home game. Alecko Eskandarian will finally wake up and find the back of the net for the first time this season against Kansas City and Toronto will be undefeated at home after one game.

13. (7) Real Salt Lake
If I could move them into 15th place on this list, I would. There is such promise for this team, but it all comes down to goalkeeping. Nick Rimando is horrible, absolutely horrible. Chris Seitz should see a lot of playing time this year, starting with Monday's home game against Colorado. Their showing against Chivas lacked any heart whatsoever. I still feel that this team has potential and can snap out of whatever slump they are in, but for now, they are bringing up the rear in my Power Rankings.