Power Rankings - Week 7

1. (3) New England Revolution
Clearly the best team in the league right now - Taylor Twellman is leading the Golden Boot and MVP races right now. They travel to Houston on Saturday before heading home for their next four games. Could be tough to beat this year.

2. (1) New York Red Bulls
Like their fans, the Red Bulls didn't show up last weekend and an unpredictable Columbus side rolls into town this weekend. Once Juan Pablo Angel gets to work with the team more, the man will be a monster in this league.

3. (2) Los Angeles Galaxy
Their up-and-down season continues. Central defense is become a huge problem for this team, as is defending on free kicks. Abel Xavier should provide some relief in both departments, but not until at least the middle of June.

4. (6) Colorado Rapids
Stole three points at New York but they host a good Wizards team this week. A win will put them back in first place in the West, at least until Dallas plays tomorrow.

5. (5) Kansas City Wizards
Without Jimmy Conrad organizing the back line, Kevin Hartman will be facing more and more shots. The all-time MLS shutout leader will have to come up with some big performances over the next few weeks if K.C. is to stay up with the rest of the East.

6. (4) Chicago Fire
On a three-game skid right now. Tough loss to FC Dallas on Thursday, but they were without Chris Rolfe. After watching that game, I wonder how Jim Curtin still has a job... The Fire will have a real chance to pick up some points when they play Real Salt Lake, Columbus and Chivas USA at home after next Thursday's trip to New York. Blanco could be in the lineup for the July 4th game versus L.A. Galaxy.

7. (8) Chivas USA
Ante Razov continues to rack up goals. He'd do well to come up with a few in Sunday's clash with rival L.A. Galaxy. The Goats are sporting a 1-8-1 record in Super Clasicos since coming into the league.

8. (7) Houston Dynamo
Tough loss in the homecoming for DeRosario and Onstad to Toronto. Houston should be in the market for a DP when the summer transfer window opens. AEG has basically offered a blank check to the club and given recent results, it would be wise if they found the right guy to spend the money on now instead of later.

9. (9) D.C. United
Still haven't really gotten the ball rolling in 2007. Moreno is showing his age and the defense is just not getting the job done. Heading to a hostile Toronto environment won't help them get on track any faster. Still, this team has the talent to turn things around and there is plenty of time for them to make up ground... as long as they don't fall much further behind.

10. (12) Toronto FC
What a difference a week makes. Heading into last weekend, TFC hadn't scored, was giving up 2.5 goals per game and had 0 points. Since then, they have put together a 2-game winning streak, outscoring their oppenents 4-1 in that time. D.C. United will be a good test as to how far this team has come in a short time.

11. (13) FC Dallas
Carlos Ruiz is looking less and less like he'll be in a Hoops uniform at the All-Star break. Rumors are swirling that he may be heading to Los Angeles or - more likely - Columbus. In the meantime, he appears to have lost his starting spot for now and is nursing a tight hammy. But the team keeps rolling, thanks mostly to the play of Kenny Cooper and Juan Carlos Toja.

12. (10) Columbus Crew
Didn't look bad at home against Chivas USA, but haven't looked lately like the improved side I had expected. To be fair, they have only lost one game all season, but they have also only won one. Thirty ties will not be enough points to make the playoffs, and I think this team lacks the clinical skill to finish off opponents.

13. (11) Real Salt Lake
If Jason Kreis' leadership can inspire RSL to play hard against Dallas on Sunday, they could walk out of Pizza Hut Park with their first win of the season. Despite all of this, the club needs to really improve defensively and spend the necessary money to get Kasey Keller to come to Utah. Until that happens, RSL will just be adrift in the sea that is MLS.