———————————————————->

 Gomez’s trade left Gallardo and his monster salary to run the DC United midfield. The early returns have been promising for Colorado and mixed for DC United/SI photos. 

Let me state it is early in the season and these rankings are not to be taken too seriously. Every team from 1-11 is playing at a level or shows signs of playing at a level that could see them compete for a title. The bottom three teams, two expansion teams and a team sucking up half its salary cap on three players are not at this point serious competitors for anything. DC United ranked first in our initial power ratings plummeting to tenth may seem harsh but based on three road games in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and MLS, I don’t think DC United is together enough to be even competitive away from RFK Stadium. That may change with time, and some benefit of the doubt should be given by fans because Dave Kasper and Kevin Payne have for years shown an ability to pick better players than any other team in the league despite being restricted by the same salary cap and player limits as everyone else. However this season in dumping Christian Gomez it is possible DC United finally out thought themselves. Again only time will tell but based on the early reviews and poor road form they fall at least for now towards the  bottom of the ratings.

1- Chivas USA

Right now the class of the league despite some warning signs against Real Salt Lake

2- Kansas City

Carlos Marinelli is finding his niche in MLS

3- Chicago

Blanco, Blanco, Blanco. This team does need to get Chris Rolfe and Justin Mapp on track though.

4- New England

Losing Ralston and Twellman is devastating, but any team with Shalrie Joseph in a league with as little depth as MLS will be competitive.

5- Houston

Why did the Dynamo trade for Bobby Boswell again? The two time defending champions look a year older and slower at the back.

6- Colorado

Christian Gomez has transformed this side into a genuine playoff contender. DC United should never have let him go.

7- Red Bull NY

I’m still unconvinced simply because of what franchise this is, the long time underachiever of MLS. But the early reviews are good.

8- Real Salt Lake

RSL deserved more than a point for playing such a cultured attacking game in both of its first two matches

9- FC Dallas

The bad luck continues for Steve Morrow’s bunch. I personally felt sick for the Hoops after giving up the stoppage time goal to Houston.

10- DC United

Gallardo and Neill have transformed this side from the MLS best to one of the worst almost overnight. Maybe this will change as the team gels, and if Santino Quaranta wonderful comeback story continues, look out because the black and red will be back.

11- Columbus

This side shows flashes of brilliance and Hesmer is 2 for 2 on PK saves. Eddie Gaven FINALLY looks like the player we expected him to be.

12- Los Angeles Galaxy

David Beckham is world class. Landon Donovan is sometimes world class. The rest of the team is USL-2 class.

13- San Jose

Tough break having the goal called off early against the Galaxy. Ramiro Corrales looks comfortable back in MLS, but Ned Grabavoy showed why Sigi Schmid and Columbus dumped him.

14- Toronto FC

The Championship playoff race is heating up but TFC is trying to currently avoid the drop.