MLS Power Rankings: LA Galaxy Retains the Top Spot

It was a dramatic week in Major League Soccer as a few teams staked their claims with some emphatic results. These performances led to a significant bump up in the latest edition of the power rankings. As always, the following criteria were used to grade each team: Form over the last five games Injuries/absences Quality of a team's most recent performance Games in hand (if applicable) Here are the latest MLS power rankings.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: The Colorado Rapids’ Surprise Run Continues

There were some big surprise victories this week in Major League Soccer this week.   These victories skyrocketed some teams in the latest power rankings. As always, the following criteria were used to grade every team: Form over the last five games Injuries/absences Quality of a team's most recent performance Games in hand (if applicable) Here is where every team stands after the latest round of matches.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas Solidify the Top Spots

A jam-packed week in MLS has come to an end, and two teams in particular have reinforced their status in the latest power rankings. Six clubs played multiple games this week, so a few sides have games in hand on the rest of the league. Therefore, the following criteria will be used to grade every team: Form over the last five games Injuries/absences Quality of a team's most recent performance Games in hand (if applicable) Here are the latest MLS power rankings.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: The Western Conference Rules the Top 3

There were plenty of big results in MLS this past weekend, with a couple of rivalry games influencing the latest power rankings. A few teams were missing a few starters, and they also have games in hand this early in the campaign. Therefore, the following criteria will be used to grade each club: Form over the last five games Injuries/absences Quality of a team's most recent performance Games in hand (if applicable) Here is where every team stands after the weekend.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: Orlando City Surges into the Top 5

Eighteen teams were in action this past weekend in Major League Soccer. Once again, most matches were dominated by controversy, but a few results had a major impact in the standings and power rankings. As always, the following criteria were used to grade each club: Current form Injuries/absences Quality of a team's most recent performance Games in hand (if applicable) Here is where every MLS team stands after the weekend.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: Sporting Kansas City Still on Top After International Break

Only six teams were in action in Major League Soccer this past weekend due to the international break. However, there was still some movement in the power rankings. As always, the following criteria were used to grade every club: Current form Injuries/absences Quality of a team's most recent performance Here is where every MLS team stands after the international break.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: Sporting Kansas City Claim Top Honors

The third round of matches in Major League Soccer were shrouded in controversy. As a result, there has been a shake-up of the power rankings for this week.  Now that there is a larger sample size of games, last season's results will no longer affect the rankings. The following criteria will be used to grade each team: Current form Injuries Quality of a team's most recent performance Here is how every club stands after Week 3.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: Montreal Impact Capitalize on Portland Timbers’ Slip-Up

Upsets are to be expected in a wild league like Major League Soccer, especially in the early stages of the 2016 season. Therefore, the power rankings have undergone a drastic swing this week. Every team has played two matches thus far in 2016, so the criteria used to grade each club will be as follows: Last season's final standing Offseason player acquisitions Injuries Quality of a team's most recent performance Here is how every team stands after Week 2. Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: Portland Timbers Are Still the Team to Beat

Major League Soccer returned in entertaining fashion on Sunday, with a record 36 goals across 10 games. Now that the league is back, it's time for the first power rankings of the 2016 season. Due to the small sample size of games, the criteria used to grade each team will be as follows: Last season's final standing Off-season player acquisitions Injuries Quality of a team's performance Here are the MLS power rankings for Week 1.Begin Slideshow

Tim Howard Would Be an Unnecessary Signing for the Colorado Rapids

Everton and U.S. men's national team goalkeeper Tim Howard are nearing a deal with the Colorado Rapids, per Jeff Carlisle of ESPN FC. Despite his recent struggles in the Premier League, Howard would instantly become one of MLS' top shot-stoppers. However, this is still a curious move by the Rapids. Colorado finished last in Major League Soccer's Western Conference in 2015, although the Rapids defense was formidable. They conceded 43 goals, which was less than Sporting Kansas City and the LA Galaxy, who both made the playoffs. This still did not stop the Rapids from trading goalkeeper Clint Irwin to Toronto FC. Defender Drew Moor also joined TFC via free agency. Both players were defensive pillars for the past few seasons. Those two departures weren't even Colorado's strangest decisions. Homegrown defender Shane O'Neill was sold last August. Deshorn Brown, who led the Rapids in goalscoring in 2013 and 2014, transferred to Norwegian club Valerenga in March 2015. He scored 20 goals over those two seasons. The Rapids finished the 2015 campaign with 33. The likes of Kevin Doyle and Luis Solignac arrived last summer to provide a scoring boost, but it wasn't enough. The Rapids were a playoff team under ex-head coach Oscar Pareja in 2013. They were ...