Goal.com MLS Rankings: A New Leader Emerges

1. Houston – Unbeaten in ten and unblemished in five, the Dynamo are cruising. The secret to success lies, as per usual, in the defense: three goals conceded in its past ten games. (2)

2. Chivas USA – It's not time to hit the panic button after losing away matches in Houston and Columbus this week, especially without the services of Jonathan Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan and with SuperLiga on the horizon. (1)

3. D.C. United – For once, United closed out a game to ensure all three points instead of a mere consolation point. A 2-1 win over Chicago vaults United atop the East with a difficult trip to Seattle ahead in midweek. (5)

4. Chicago – SuperLiga couldn't come at a more favorable time for the Fire. Cuauhtemoc Blanco (rested against United) and Brian McBride could use a break. (3)

5. Columbus – A Guillermo Barros Schelotto inspired late show over Chivas USA extended Crew's unbeaten streak to nine (4-0-5) with a visit to FC Dallas and a home match against New York in the next two matches.  (7)

6. Colorado – Somewhere in the suburban Denver area, Rapids head coach Gary Smith is hoping Bob Bradley doesn't use Conor Casey at the Confederations Cup and sends him home ahead of the Gold Cup. (4)

7. Seattle – Job done – with the panache of a Freddie Ljungberg chip – in a 2-1 win over the Earthquakes. United's visit will present a far sterner test, but one Seattle can handle if it reproduces its first half performance against San Jose. (6)

8. Kansas City – The Wizards exorcised the demons of a 2-0 loss to ten-man Columbus by thumping ten-man New England 3-1 ahead of their maiden SuperLiga voyage. (10)

9. Toronto FC – Defeating the road-challenged Red Bulls erased TFC's three-game slide in the league. With that unfortunate streak in the past, all focus can now turn to the Canadian Championship decider in Montreal on Thursday. (11)

10. New England – Need to avoid putting yourself in a situation where the referee can send you off, Emmanuel Osei. The margin for error is razor thin when Taylor Twellman's not available. (8)

11. Real Salt Lake – RSL head coach Jason Kreis said Yura Movsisyan had a nice week of training. It certainly showed in Saturday night's 2-0 win in Los Angeles. (12)

12. Los Angeles – In typical Galaxy fashion, L.A. flubs a winnable home game against perennial road strugglers Real Salt Lake one week after winning in Toronto. Some things never change. (9)

13. San Jose – Darren Huckerby's return is worth upward movement even after a 2-1 loss in Seattle. (14)

14. FC Dallas – Does it seem like David Ferreira is enjoying his MLS experience? (13)

15. New York – Moral victories and close calls won't save Juan Carlos Osorio's job. (15)

Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. He also covers the New England Revolution for the Boston Herald and MLSnet.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kyle.mccarthy@goal.com and follow him on Twitter by clicking here.