1. DC United | WWDWD | Next: SAT-Fire
Took the game to KC and were unfortunate to get bitten by the Wiz on the counter. Still played well despite missing Fred and Moreno for most of the match, dealing with half of the squad feeling under the weather after the Mexico jaunt, and getting "Marufo-ed" on several occasions. The unbeaten run continues but will be under severe threat at home against the rejuvenated Fire this weekend.
2. (+1) Chivas USA | WDWDW | Next: THR@Dallas, SUN-Rapids
A tough battle in Salt Lake, but Chivas emerge with three points and their title dreams still intact. This week they use up their game in hand with two win-able matches - Thursday Night Futbol in Dallas, followed by a visit from the suspension-weakened Clavijo's Clown Posse. It's really down to a two-horse race for the title now.
3. (-1) Houston Dynamo | DWWWL | Next: MON@RSL
Houston's unbeaten run comes to an abrupt end against the "charmed" Galaxy. Can you say Beckspiracy? I thought you could. Next up is a visit to an improved RSL on Monday Night Futbol, with three points a necessity if Kinnear's men hope to make a bid for the top spot in the West, a task made all the more difficult as the influential Ricardo Clark will be on the bench for a while as he serves his massive suspension sentence for going all "Kovalenko" on Carlos Ruiz.
4. New England Revolution | LWDWL | Next: SAT-Crew
Looked promising early, but the Fire stormed back to snatch the valuable points and leave New England's Supporters' Shield and Eastern Conference dreams all but shattered. If they want to keep the pressure on DC, they'll need three points off the visiting Crew this weekend.
5. Chicago Fire | DDDDW | Next: SAT@DC
The unbeaten surge continues, but this time the Fire finally find all three points as they recover from going down early to the Revs to almost certainly cementing their playoff place. The going doesn't get any easier as they move from hosting the number two side in the East to visiting the top dogs, DC United, this weekend in RFK.
6. (+2) LA Galaxy | DWWWW | Next: SAT-TFC
Four wins in a row and five unbeaten as the Beckspiracy continues apace against the Dynamo. It's almost painful to give them their due and rate them this high, but results don't lie (even if they do stretch the truth a bit). Do the Gals have enough in the tank to pull off a miracle run to the playoffs? They'll most likely have to win all three of their remaining games and hope for results to continue to fall their way with the others involved in the playoff chase. If there is karmic justice alive in the universe, it couldn't be more sweetly served then to see Lalas' Abomination have their playoff dreams dashed and the season of infinite promise brought to final ruin - not with a bang, but a whimper - at home this weekend against a miserable TFC side that barely qualifies as a speedbump when they hit the road.
7. FC Dallas | LDLLW | Next: THR-Chivas
Burse pulls a "superkeeper" to keep the Hoops alive until the offense starts clicking and finally halts the late-season slide by punishing an unlucky Crew. Thursday night brings a visit from high-flying Chivas in what could be a "statement" game going into the playoffs for whichever side manages a win.
8. (-2) Red Bull NY | LDDDL | Next: SAT-KC
The Bulls are playoff bound, but they're backing in rather than storming in and a loss to TFC is just the latest in a string of poor results. Unless they find some sort of defensive stability, it'll be two matches and out for Arena's boys and Metro Playoff Failure will permeate the Swamp for yet another year. This week sees an important visit from KC, as the Wiz would vault right over the Bulls with a victory.
9. (+1) Kansas City Wizards | DWLLD | Next: SAT@NYRB
A tiny mincing step towards the playoffs while hampered by missing some key cogs against DC. Next up is a vital weekend visit to the Swamp, where KC can book their playoff ticket with a win and move up in the standings and away from a dangerous opening round match against DC United.
10. (-1) Real Salt Lake | DDWDL | Next: MON-Dynamo
RSL are a changed side and gave a great battle to Chivas, one of the best sides in MLS. Despite all of their valiant effort, they still fall and are back on the foot of the table courtesy of their head-to-head lameness against TFC. Nevertheless, the signs are there for a competitive 2008, and they'll be playing without pressure on Monday against a Dynamo side trying to position itself for a playoff run.
11. (+1) Colorado Rapids | LDLLW | Next: SUN@Chivas
A narrow victory against TFC to keep hope alive, but they'll now be missing half of their starting midfield to suspension with just two games remaining, and they'll need results in both matches if they hope to nip into a playoff spot. It will be anything but easy as they face a weekend visit to the Toolbox, where Chivas just don't lose.
12. (-1) Columbus Crew | LLWLL | Next: SAT@Revs
Dominated early but frustrated by great Hoops' goalkeeping. Then things fell apart defensively in the late going to leave the Crew's playoff hopes all but extinguished. That tiny flicker of hope should be snuffed out this weekend as the Crew pay a visit to the Revs at the Big Razor.
13. Toronto FC | LDLLWL | Next: SAT@LA
Two goals in a game? That Red Bulls back line must be really miserable. However, TFC is a different side away from home as they proved against the Rapids on Sunday, unable to break down 10-, and then 9-man Colorado. They'll try to improve on that woeful road form against the streaking Galaxy this weekend.
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