by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

With only six games on the Major League Soccer slate last week, we find precious little movement on our thoroughly subjective style council single table. Sadly, there is still just as much attitude as in a normal round.

With four clubs off in SuperLiga action and another pair idle, Real Salt Lake was the only active team to jump as much as one rung. Meanwhile, Colorado and Toronto FC each drop a place after suffering matching 3-0 defeats.

Though the order mostly stayed the same, the week's results did tighten ranks a bit, giving outfits such as Columbus, Los Angeles, RSL and Seattle chart momentum.

#1- Houston Dynamo (1)

That nice penthouse cushion from two weeks ago has all but disappeared since Chivas USA went off to SuperLiga. I mean, you lost on a short corner this time! I can hardly look it you... until Saturday's visit to Kansas City.

#2- Chivas USA (2)

Another week off from league play due to an Open Cup date.

#3- Seattle Sounders (3)

What would you say the odds are against an first-year club running out the best strike tandem in their league? Sometimes, it seems as though the bullish Nate Jaqua and matador Fredy Montero share a brain on the field - and I mean that in a good way. The two of them completely demolished Colorado's unbeaten run and now get a week off from the league grind.

#4- Chicago Fire (5)

The Men in Red return temporarily from SuperLiga with an Independence Day trip to Colorado.

#5- Colorado Rapids (4)

All good things come to an end, and though Omar Cummings can come to the rescue, he can also apparently ping the post on a spot kick. This was not a week of fortune for the Rapids, who should have beaten FC Dallas but had to rally for a draw and were done in but good by Seattle's attack. Next up is a visit from Chicago on Saturday.

#6- D.C. United (6)

The capital crew had the week off ahead of a July 4th Eastern clash with holders Columbus.

#7- Kansas City Wizards (7)

Back from SuperLiga, the Wizards host #1 Houston on July 4th.

#8- Columbus Crew (8)

A win is a win, they say, but a squeaker over New York isn't going to turn any heads these days. Nevertheless, the Crew now stands second in the confusing Eastern mash at the top and finally has their top backline together. Still unbeaten at home, Columbus "welcomes" conference leaders D.C. United on July 4th.

#9- New England Revolution (9)

The Revs are momentarily back from SuperLiga in time to visit L.A. for some fireworks on the 4th.

#10- Real Salt Lake (11)

Having recently solved their road problems, the Rio Tinto wild bunch look poised to climb this chart quickly. A Friday night visit from San Jose isn't likely to threaten that. The main reason this team has underachieved thus far is a failure toadequately  use their outstanding depth (which is second only to Houston's on paper in my book). Forced into some tweaks by international duty, bans and injuries, RSL grabbed eight of 12 points from an unbeaten June slate. Happily, the surge has been keyed by suddenly hot front man Yura Movsisyan.

#11- Toronto FC (10)

The Canadian roller coaster was both up and down last week. After completely strangling off the Red Bulls, they went out to Salt Lake and got whooped due to defensive errors from veteran midfielders Amado Guevara and Carl Robinson. Well... at least Pablo Vitti finally got his deserved first Major League Soccer goal.

#12- Los Angeles Galaxy (12)

Though generally having played fairly solid ball for a while, the Galaxy were reminded the importance of starting well with a win over Houston. Even with Todd Dunivant's lobe goal winner midway through the first half, Los Angeles has still score more goal (9) in the last 15 minutes of a game than they have in the first 75 (8). Unsurprisingly, they have only scored first four time in 15 tries this season, but it has gotten them all three of their wins and a draw. Seeing as how July 4th visitors New England have scored the fewest first half goals in the league and rally well, the sunshine boys may wish to grab a couple early ones this week.

#13- FC Dallas (13)

Despite a largely vacant performance at Colorado, the Texans grabbed a share thanks to a delicious combo goal served up by Kenny Cooper and devoured by Davide Ferreira. A quick check shows this team has now lost only once in eight, but they will need to improve overall performance to continue on that track - even against July 4th guests New York. Of course, this team still needs a veteran central defender, so Drew Moor can stay right and Pablo Ricchetti can go back to midfield.

#14- San Jose Earthquakes (14)

The Quakes had a round off to prepare for Friday's scary visit to RSL.

#15- New York Red Bulls (15)

Wouldn't you know it? Just when the Red Bulls play some solid ball, and despite missing the three-headed Angel/Kandji/Richards attack monster against the Crew, sporadically heroic keeper Danny Cepero leaks a pair of soft winners. Bouna Time, indeed. Will he be in goal when the Red Bulls suit up at FC Dallas on Saturday?

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners. Questions, comments, kudos or complaints? Email him at greg@noshortcorners.com.


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