MLS power rankings: week 3

Time for those rankings again.

The Columbus and Houston dynasties appear to be fading at the beginning of the year, but the season is young.

I still can't watch the highlights on MLSnet.com's website with my Mac. I have to switch to the girlfriend's PC.

Though I have embedded all the week's highlights at the bottom.

As always, thoughts and comments are welcome. Enjoy!

1. (1) Seattle Sounders FC 3-0-0
I thought I was overrating them a bit last week, but the average ranking from six independent sources (ESPN, Goal.com, SBI, The Touchline, MLSnet.com, WV Hooligan) had Seattle on top too. What happens when both Freds are on the field...?

2. (2) Chicago Fire 2-0-1
Beat New York with just 10 men after Thorrington was sent off. Everyone is lauding the team's depth, and Blanco hasn't even started yet. All give goals this season have been scored by different players. Nice.

3. (5) New England Revolution 2-0-1
Surely they would've liked a more convincing win over cellar-dwelling Dallas, but this team is unbeaten despite not playing nearly its best soccer. Once they hit full strength (Reis, Twellman, etc.) they'll be even tougher.

4. (6) Chivas USA 3-0-0
This might be a bit harsh still. Nine points in three games is as good as it gets, but no result this year has really impressed me. They keep plugging away with a makeshift lineup and keep winning. So kudos.

5. (3) Toronto FC 1-1-1
Not a good performance at all against Seattle over the weekend and the team deserved the lashing it got from Coach Carver. With that lineup, I think the goals and results aren't far away. Dallas is next, fortunately.

6. (7) D.C. United 1-0-2
Like New England, D.C. is unbeaten without playing that well (e.g. has anyone seen Christian Gomez?). Moreno getting ridiculous red cards isn't helping. But the youngsters are playing well to start and the defense has looked solid.

7. (10) Colorado Rapids 2-1-0
Conor Casey (cliche alert) scored early and often in a great performance against L.A. -- though that defense will flatter many this year. People are talking about a national team call-up for Casey, and luckily the foundering Crew are next.

8. (11) Real Salt Lake 1-1-0
I have these guys ranked below most others out there. For me a dominating performance against a less than vintage Columbus, coupled with a flat performance in Seattle leaves this club with much to prove still.

9. (14) Kansas City Wiz 1-2-0
A nice win against San Jose gives the Harry Potters (Wizards, get it?) their first points. Claudio Lopez is looking better in the DP role but winning at home against S.J. is a different beast than on the road at Seattle this weekend...

10. (8) San Jose 'Quakes 1-2-0
One shot on goal, that's ugly. This team is in dire need of a consistent finisher, something they've been spoiled with in the past (Donovan, Ching, DeRo). They need some consistency all over the place. The road might be rough for them.

11. (4) Columbus Crew 0-2-2
I've ranked the defending champs too high for two weeks. With zero wins in four games, it's down the chute for Columbus. Some of these losses have been embarrassing. The only way to go has to be up, right...?

12. (9) Houston Dynamo 0-2-1
Another team that many had high expectations for. The reality: only one point in three games. The absense of a playmaker like DeRosario is glaring, but this is a team that has often started slow.

13. (12) L.A. Galaxy 0-1-1
Getting Gregg Berhalter must have seemed like a gift from the heavens for the dreadful L.A. defense. This team is becoming an embarrassment. It's too bad they have the rights to two of the league's biggest stars.

14. (13) N.Y. Red Bulls 0-2-1
Here we are, three weeks into the season and New York still doesn't have a goal of its own. JPA can't get any service up front, not even playing against 10 men. Was this team really in the final last year?

15. (15) F.C. Dallas 0-3-0
Surprisingly put in a decent showing on the road at New England, but are still the only team without a point in the standings. I'm not a Kenny Cooper fan, but he's done well so far. What happens if they lose him?