Galarcep: MLS Power Rankings, Week 7

Last Week: Lost, 1-0, to Monterrey, CONCACAF Champions League Final second leg, last Wednesday; lost to Portland, 1-0, last Saturday.

This Week: vs. Chivas USA on Saturday

Outlook: Losing to Portland with several key starters missing didn't hurt nearly as badly as falling to Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions League Final. The Red Bulls are a worthy contender to the top spot, but until an MLS team beats, or even takes points, from a full RSL squad, Jason Kreis' team remains No. 1.

Last Week: Beat Sporting Kansas City, 1-0, last Saturday.

This Week: at Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.

Outlook: Had more trouble against Sporting KC than most would have expected. We saw pretty clearly how important Teemu Tainio is to Red Bulls success when he missed the second half. We'll see just how strong the Red Bulls are when they try to become the first team to beat the LA Galaxy at Home Depot Center this season.

Last Week: Beat San Jose Earthquakes, 1-0, last Saturday.

This Week: at Portland Timbers on Friday.

Outlook: The Union showed heart and toughness playing a man down and earning a late winner against San Jose, but Philly must now travel to Portland and try and win where three teams have failed. The match-up between the Union's defense and Portland's high-powered offense should be one of the best of the upcoming weekend.

Last Week: Lost, 1-0, to FC Dallas last Sunday.

This Week: vs. New York Red Bulls on Saturday

Outlook: The Galaxy endured the elements and a beautiful/lucky game-winner from FC Dallas and must now face off against the hottest team in MLS. Juan Pablo Angel worked his way into the starting lineup but didn't find the net. It's a safe bet he will be even more motivated to face off against the team that dumped him after four years of stellar service.

Last Week: Beat Toronto FC, 3-0, last Saturday.

This Week: at D.C. United on Wednesday; vs. Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Outlook: Brad Evans and Alvaro Fernandez stepped up to lead a short-handed Sounders attack while Seattle's defense looked good as well. Fredy Montero is starting to find his rhythm and will look to rip apart a struggling D.C. defense, but Columbus should pose a much tougher test this weekend.

Last Week: Beat D.C. United, 4-1, last Friday.

This Week: vs. Colorado Rapids on Wednesday; vs. Toronto FC on Saturday.

Outlook: Will Bruin's hat-trick was a coming out party, but also a reminder of just how dangerous the Dynamo attack can be. To be fair, D.C. isn't playing well, but Houston can show just how strong it is right now when the Dynamo plays host to Colorado.

Last Week: Beat Vancouver Whitecaps, 2-1, last Saturday.

This Week: vs. Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

Outlook: Emilio Renteria stepped up in the Crew's latest win, but the defense continues to be the key to Columbus' success. A very tough test awaits at Qwest Field, where the Sounders offense thrives.

Last Week: Tied the Chicago Fire, 1-1, last Saturday.

This Week: at Houston Dynamo on Wednesday.

Outlook: A draw against Chicago had to be considered disappointing for a Rapids side that has now gone four matches without a victory. The winless streak looks likely to continue against a red-hot Houston Dynamo.

Last Week: Beat Real Salt Lake, 1-0, last Saturday.

This Week: vs. Philadelphia on Friday.

Outlook: RSL may have rested some starters, but that doesn't take away from an impressive defensive performance from a Portland side that had yet to show it can really keep a team off the scoreboard. Now comes another stiff test in a Philly team with a defense that will make things difficult for Kenny Cooper and Co.

Last Week: Beat Los Angeles Galaxy, 2-1, last Sunday.

This Week: at D.C. United on Saturday.

Outlook: Whether it was a lucky shot or a cross that wound up in the net, Brek Shea's winner pushed Dallas to a two-game winning streak and suddenly the MLS Cup finalists don't look so desperate without MVP David Ferreira. There are still some questions about the defense, but the offense should have a chance to shine against a reeling D.C. defense.

Last Week: Beat New England Revolution, 3-0, last Saturday.

This Week: at Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

Outlook: The Chivas USA defense is downright stingy, having allowed just one goal in four, and rattling off three goals on the visiting Revs makes you wonder if the Rojiblanco offense might actually be ready to start producing on a regular basis. Head coach Robin Fraser knows a tougher test awaits as he returns to Rio Tinto Stadium to face the team he served as an assistant coach for.

Last Week: Tied Colorado Rapids, 1-1, last Saturday

This Week: vs. Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.

Outlook: Coming away with a road point against a traditionally tough home team in the Colorado Rapids is a positive step for the Fire, but questions about the attack remain. There will be no excuses this weekend, with a home game against lowly Vancouver.

Last Week: Lost, 3-0, to Chivas USA last Saturday.

This Week: vs. Colorado Rapids on Saturday.

Outlook: The Revs were expected to give Chivas USA a real battle and show off newly-signed Benny Feilhaber, but instead were sent home after a thorough beating by Chivas USA. New England is chalking the loss up to a team still coming together with so many new faces, but that excuse rings hollow in a league where many teams are doing well despite having so many new faces.

Last Week: Lost, 1-0, to New York Red Bulls last Saturday.

This Week: Bye

Outlook: Kansas City probably wishes it didn't have a week off after playing arguably its best half of soccer since March. With Omar Bravo set to return, and Ryan Smith working his way back to full fitness, Sporting KC is a team that should not be written off despite a five-match winless streak.

Last Week: Lost, 4-1, at Houston last Saturday.

This Week: vs. Seattle Sounders on Wednesday; vs. FC Dallas on Saturday.

Outlook: As if giving up eight goals in their past two matches wasn't bad enough, now D.C. United's young defense must also face Seattle and Dallas teams with plenty of weapons. Ben Olsen had better sort out his defense quickly because if D.C. doesn't get some points in this two-game week, a team that looked like such a good playoff bet will suddenly be well behind a strong pack of playoff contenders in the East.

Last Week: Lost, 1-0, to Philadelphia last Saturday.

This Week: Bye

Outlook: If there's a team that needs a week off to regroup it's San Jose, which is winless in five and just wasted a chance to beat a team playing a man down. Yes, you can argue the late penalty against Jason Hernandez vs. Philadelphia was questionable, but you can't question the fact that the Earthquakes failed to take advantage of being up a man.

Last Week: Lost, 2-1, to Columbus Crew last Saturday.

This Week: at Chicago Fire on Saturday.

Outlook: Omar Salgado scoring his first professional goal was a nice footnote, but it's tough to get too excited when the Whitecaps made it seven straight matches without a win after losing to the Crew. There is clearly some attacking talent on the Whitecaps, but unless the defense can piece together a better effort, Chicago will be a good bet to increase Vancouver's winless streak.

Last Week: Lost, 3-0, to Seattle Sounders last Saturday.

This Week: vs. Houston on Saturday.

Outlook: Just when you want to think Toronto FC is ready to turn things around, TFC drops a stinker like its 3-0 loss to the Sounders. Aron Winter's rebuilding project is going to take some time, but with each passing week it is becoming clear that we shouldn't expect too many positives from Toronto this season.