MLS Power Rankings, Week 6

Last Week: Tied Monterrey, CONCACAF Champions League Final first leg, last Wednesday

This Week: vs. Monterrey, CONCACAF Champions League Final second leg, on Wednesday; at Portland on Saturday.

Outlook: RSL can make history on Wednesday night by becoming the first MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions League. It?s hard to bet against them after earning a draw in Mexico against the reigning Mexican champions.

Last Week: Beat Portland, 3-0, last Saturday.

This Week: at FC Dallas on Sunday.

Outlook: With a healthy Landon Donovan, and Chad Barrett scoring in his second straight match, the Galaxy looks like the title contender we expected before the season began. A tricky game awaits against an FC Dallas team playing without MVP David Ferreira. Could be a trap game ahead of showdown vs. New York.

Last Week: Beat D.C. United, 4-0, last Thursday.

This Week: vs. Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.

Outlook: The Red Bulls attack is riding high, having scored seven goals in the past two matches, and now comes a Sporting KC defense that has been vulnerable. The Red Bulls could put up a big number against KC a week before their big showdown vs. the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Last Week: Bye

This Week: vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.

Outlook: Union probably didn?t want a bye at this time of year, but rest can?t hurt the veteran bunch, especially injured midfielder Brian Carroll. Will be interesting to see if Danny Mwanga is any closer to earning a starting role. Reeling San Jose side a perfect candidate for Union romp.

Last Week: Beat Colorado Rapids, 1-0, last Friday.

This Week: vs. Toronto FC on Saturday.

Outlook: Having Fredy Montero break his goal-less streak and extending the team?s unbeaten streak to four games were important, but losing Steve Zakuani for the season with a broken leg is a devastating blue. Zakuani was vital to Seattle?s attack and now the Sounders will need others, including Erik Friberg and Alvaro Fernandez, to start stepping up.

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

This Week: vs. D.C. United on Friday.

Outlook: Dynamo gave up an early goal to the Fire, but battled back and played the better soccer despite being the road team against Chicago. Dynamo still lacking a bit of a midfield spark, but Spanish forward Sergio Koke should help the attack.

Last Week: Lost to the Seattle Sounders, 1-0, last Friday.

This Week: vs. Chicago Fire on Saturday.

Outlook: Losing a third straight match has to be cause for concern, but emotional impact of Brian Mullan?s horror tackle, and pending suspension, could take its toll. Rapids should respond with a home game against a struggling Chicago side.

Last Week: Tied Toronto FC, 1-1, last Saturday.

This Week: vs. Vancouver on Saturday.

Outlook: A road point should be considered a positive, but the Crew had to feel a little disappointed not taking all three points at BMO Field. Pushing their unbeaten streak to five is a positive, but the Columbus attack is still lacking punch.

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

This Week: vs. Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday.

Outlook: Schellas Hyndman?s team showed great heart and poise in battling back for a win without David Ferreira, but losing Ferreira to a broken ankle is truly devastating. Eric Avila will help pick up some of the slack, but Hyndman will need to do a very good job re-shaping his squad without Ferreira if Dallas is to stay in the mix in the Western Conference.

Last Week: Beat Sporting Kansas City, 3-2, last Saturday.

This Week: at Chivas USA on Saturday.

Outlook: Benny Feilhaber?s debut was a successful one, and an influential one. He helped Shalrie Joseph deliver his best game of the season and the attack was as good as it has been all season. Feilhaber gets to face the Chivas USA side that passed on him next.

Last Week: Lost, 4-0, to the New York Red Bulls last Thursday.

This Week: at Houston on Saturday.

Outlook: Thoroughly beaten by New York last week, D.C. did come away with some bright spots. most notably the play of Branko Boskovic. Houston?s offense isn?t nearly as dangerous as the Red Bulls, but the Dynamo defense will provide the United offense with a stiff test.

Last Week: Lost, 3-0, to Los Angeles last Saturday.

This Week: vs. Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

Outlook: Timbers were handily beaten by the Galaxy last week, with early goals dooming Portland on the road. The Timbers will have to wait a while to prove they can win on the road, but they do face a stiff test against an RSL side that just might rest some key starters after Wednesday?s CONCACAF Champions League Final.

Last Week: Tied Houston Dynamo, 1-1, last Saturday..

This Week: at Colorado Rapids on Saturday.

Outlook: Diego Chaves continued his goal-scoring ways, but he and Marco Pappa have been two of the few bright spots in a season that has quickly turned into the disappointing season we expected from the Fire. Being outplayed at home by Houston leaves you wondering if things are going to get better any time soon.

Last Week: Lost, 3-2, at New England Revolution last Saturday.

This Week: at New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

Outlook: The KC offense continues to score goals, but another questionable red card doomed Sporting to a loss. The red card didn?t help matters, but the defense continues to show flaws, something the Red Bulls high-powered attack could expose this weekend.

Last Week: Tied Columbus Crew, 1-1, last Saturday.

This Week: at Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

Outlook: Aron Winter?s squad has quietly been putting together respectable results, the blowout loss to D.C. United a week ago notwithstanding. Tony Tchani?s silly red card spoiled what had the makings to be a very strong home performance against Columbus.

Last Week: Beat San Jose Earthquakes, 2-1 last Saturday.

This Week: vs. New England Revolution on Saturday.

Outlook: The Rojiblanco offense finally got going, with Justin Braun playing the role of catalyst in the win against San Jose. The Chivas USA defense is playing very well, and will face a good challenge from an improving New England attack that will feature none other than Benny Feilhaber, the player Chivas USA passed on.

Last Week: Lost, 2-1, to Chivas USA last Saturday.

This Week: vs. Philadelphia on Saturday..

Outlook: Consider it officially crisis mode in San Jose, with a stunning loss against Chivas USA serving as rock bottom for a club that has suddenly gone four matches without a win. Frank Yallop has to be concerned with a defense that suddenly looks extremely shaky. A road trip to Philadelphia won?t make snapping that winless streak easy.

Last Week: Lost to FC Dallas, 2-1, last Saturday.

This Week: at Columbus Crew on Saturday .

Outlook: That promising start the Whitecaps got off to looks so far away now. Vancouver shows promise offensively, but defensive issues and the absence of Jay DeMerit, has left the Whitecaps struggling. Winless in six, Vancouver will be hard-pressed to post its first win in a month against a stingy Columbus team.