Goal.com MLS Rankings: One Last Time Before The Fun Starts

1. Columbus – After losing three of four heading into the playoffs, the Crew suddenly looks a bit wobbly. (1)

2. Los Angeles – The Galaxy might face a local derby in the Western Conference semifinals, but there is a positive to the playoff pairing. Chivas USA probably presents the best possible matchup despite the added rancor. (2)

3. Houston – Dominic Kinnear has a fair and just point about having to play three games in a week when no one else has to do so. Here's an idea: the Dynamo should just swap hosting privileges with Seattle. Houston can't host on Thursday night, so the Dynamo would get a few extra days of rest for the first leg and travel to Qwest Field for the decisive match. Sound like a plan, Dom? (4)

4. Chivas USA – Consider the last week a giant opportunity lost. (3)

5. Seattle – Freddie Ljungberg and Fredy Montero could carry Sounders FC to a title. (5)

6. Chicago – For the fifth consecutive year, the Fire will meet... (6)

7. New England – ...the Revolution in the Eastern Conference playoffs. (11)

8. Real Salt Lake – If there is a right time to play Columbus, RSL may just have found it. (12)

9. FC Dallas – The Hoops can be proud of their late-season run, but it ultimately went for naught when they couldn't extend their winning streak to five matches at Seattle. (7)

10. D.C. United – Changes are coming. The most important task: constructing a solid defense. (10)

11. Toronto FC – Poor season-ending performance in New York once again revealed an Achilles heel at the back that the Reds can't seem to fix. (8)

12. Colorado – No wide players, no playoffs. (9)

13. Kansas City – After the past few weeks, it's fairly clear that Peter Vermes is a viable candidate for the full-time Kansas City gig. The question is whether he wants to swap a fairly stable front-office position for one that is far more volatile. (13)

14. San Jose – Time to go shopping for a central defender or two and a striker or three, Messrs. Doyle and Yallop. (14)

15. New York – The Red Bulls have a serious decision to make regarding interim coach Richie Williams. Is he the man to take the team forward or is he better suited to another situation? (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.

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