MLS Week 12 Power Rankings: Dynamo impressing, Red Bulls surging

Major League Soccer's longest winning streak and losing streak were both snapped in Week 12, with Atlanta United's momentum halted and the Colorado Rapids finally escaping the ranks of the winless.

The reigning champions saw their steady climb up Goal's MLS Power Rankings halted by the New York Red Bulls, who are suddenly on the move up after posting their second consecutive win without stars Bradley Wright-Phillips and Aaron Long. The Red Bulls have won four of five matches without Wright-Phillips in the lineup, and appear to have recovered from an early season slump.

The Rapids tasted victory for the first time in 2019 and it came courtesy of an LA Galaxy side in full free-fall mode. The Galaxy suffered their fourth straight loss, and were definitely missing suspended star Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Sunday.

The Houston Dynamo made a strong statement in Week 12, earning four points from two matches, including an impressive win against D.C. United that came despite Alberth Elis' early exit from the match.

Here are Goal's MLS Power Rankings after week 12 action:

1Colorado Rapids (1-9-2)
Tim Howard has had some rough outings in what is his last season before retirement, but his showing in Colorado's win against the LA Galaxy was vintage Howard. There's no denying the Rapids are playing better under interim coach Conor Casey, but the real rebuilding process in Colorado won't begin until the full-time head coach is hired.

2FC Cincinnati (3-8-2)
So much for the coaching-change bounce. FC Cincinnati looked atrocious in suffering a 5-1 loss to Orlando City, and all the possession and attractive play we saw a week earlier vanished in the Florida sun. We're still waiting for Cincinnati to name a new full-time coach, but it's clear the real change will come this summer, when the front office makes some much-needed changes to the FCC roster.
3New England Revolution (3-8-3)
A team that was bleeding goals just two weeks ago has suddenly allowed just one goal in two matches, the biggest change we have seen in the wake of Brad Friedel's firing as Revs coach. The announcement of Bruce Arena's hiring as head coach and sporting director is something that won't truly be felt until he formally begins in June, but it's clear Revs players know they're playing for their jobs now. Up next is a home date against a struggling but dangerous D.C. United side.

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4Sporting Kansas City (2-4-5)
Winless in seven straight, Sporting KC can find some consolation from its draw against Vancouver because Matt Besler returned from injury. He should help SKC's defense regain some of its stability, while the attack continues to struggle without so many missing pieces. Some tough tests are up next on the schedule, starting with a visit from Seattle on Sunday.
5Vancouver Whitecaps (3-6-4)
One point from two matches won't make Marc Dos Santos happy, but his team continues to be one that is in every contest. The Whitecaps attack continues to struggle with consistency, something that needs to be addressed this summer. A visit to Red Bull Arena is normally difficult for visitors, but with Aaron Long injured and Tim Parker suspended, the Whitecaps could find some chances before returning home to face FC Dallas on Saturday.
6Orlando City (4-6-3)
The Lions turned in their best match of the season in demolishing FC Cincinnati, and it was Tesho Akindele turning in another standout performance as he has emerged as the complement to Nani the Lions’ attack needs. Orlando City's defense wasn't tested all that much, but should carry over some confidence as it prepares to face a Zlatan-less LA Galaxy side on Friday.
7Columbus Crew (5-8-1)
The Crew failed to record a single shot on goal in Saturday's 1-0 loss to Minnesota United, leaving Columbus with its seventh loss in eight matches. Newly-acquired winger David Accam wasn't able to provide much of a boost to an attack that is just flat lately. A road trip to Colorado sounds like it could be what Columbus needs to break out of its slump, but the Rapids are at home and coming off their first win of the season.
8San Jose Earthquakes (4-6-2)
It was a day for the ages in San Jose, with Chris Wondolowski making history, and also leading the Earthquakes to a convincing home victory. Wondolowski's four-goal barrage leaves Matias Almeyda with an interesting dilemma now regarding who to start at striker. It will be tough to bench Wondolowski after that performance, and he could put up some more big numbers against a vulnerable Toronto defense.
9Portland Timbers (3-6-2)
The Timbers went to Houston and played a very good game in a 1-1 draw against the Dynamo, earning another valuable road point in a match Portland could have actually won. Brian Fernandez wasted no time making an impact, scoring in his Timbers debut. Some much-needed rest should help the Timbers as they take another cross-country trip, this time to take on an in-form Philadelphia Union side.
10Chicago Fire (4-5-4)
A week after their best defensive showing of the season, the Fire turn around and lay an egg in Saturday's 4-1 meltdown against San Jose. Consider it a clear example of just how important Bastian Schweinsteiger is to the Fire's setup, though that still doesn't excuse some of the terrible individual performances, or David Ousted's blunder on Chris Wondolowski's history-making goal. Up next is a match against a rested NYCFC side unbeaten in seven.
11Real Salt Lake (5-6-1)
The Real Salt Lake attack is heating up at the right time, having scored six goals in its past two matches, both victories that have RSL quietly climbing up the West standings. Sebastian Saucedo led the attack, while RSL's defense limited TFC to just three shots on goal. A tougher challenge awaits on Friday in the form of an Atlanta United side coming off a loss.
12Montreal Impact (6-5-3)
A goalless draw at home against New England was disappointing, but the good news was Ignacio Piatti made his long-awaited return from injury. The Impact attack will need him back in the starting lineup if they are going to have a chance of knocking off LAFC at Banc of California Stadium on Friday.
13FC Dallas (5-5-3)
One point from two matches isn't a great haul, but Luchi Gonzalez will feel good about his team competing against LAFC in the second meeting between the teams last week. The 1-1 draw was a match that showed FC Dallas' heart, to hold on for a point despite Matt Hedges' 49th-minute red card. Of course, consistent production from the FC Dallas attack remains elusive, and goals won't be easy to come by when FCD travels to Vancouver.
14Toronto FC (5-5-2)
A frustrating week turned downright miserable for TFC, which watched two points go wasted in last week's draw against D.C. United, a match it dominated. Things only got worse against Real Salt Lake, which saw TFC's shaky defense exposed again. The match also saw Alejandro Pozuelo pick up a needless red card. Up next is a tricky test against the San Jose Earthquakes, a team capable of punishing TFC's defense if it doesn't tighten up.
15Minnesota United (5-4-3)
Rebounded from a tough loss to Chicago in a big way, posting a shutout despite Ike Opara being sidelined and with Kevin Molino taking another step in his return to action. Darwin Quintero failed to snap his personal five-match goalless drought, but created plenty of chances and looks primed for a breakout. Minnesota United will need it against a tough Houston side.
16LA Galaxy (7-5-1)
Zlatan or no Zlatan, the Galaxy have no excuse for losing to the previously-winless Colorado Rapids. The lack of forward options behind Ibrahimovic is no secret, but Sunday's loss also showed what can happen to the Galaxy when Jonathan dos Santos has an off day. Up next is a trip to Orlando City, once again without Ibrahimovic.
17New York Red Bulls (5-5-2)
Beating Atlanta United without Bradley Wright-Phillips and Aaron Long, and with Tim Parker drawing a first-half red card, made it the sweetest victory of the season for a Red Bulls side that has flashed some impressive depth in winning four of five matches. Amro Tarek has stepped up admirably, while the team's patchwork strike force has helped pick up the slack in BWP's absence. A home match against Vancouver followed by a trip to Cincinnati presents an opportunity for the Red Bulls to build a winning streak and close the gap on the current East leaders.
18New York City FC (4-1-6)
Enjoyed a bye week in the midst of a four-match road swing, though you wonder if Domenec Torrent would have preferred to have a game for his team, which is unbeaten in seven matches. A road trip to face the struggling Chicago Fire is next.
19D.C. United (7-4-3)
It was a week to forget for Ben Olsen's side, who were lucky to earn a point against Toronto FC last Wednesday in a match that saw them outshot 36-3. The loss in Houston was a gut punch because D.C. took the early lead and watched Alberth Elis leave the match early. Paul Arriola's red card compounded that loss, and now comes a road game against a New England side that has improved since Brad Friedel's firing.
20Atlanta United (6-4-2)
Five matches in 14 days was a workload that was bound to catch up to Atlanta United and it showed against the Red Bulls, when the Five Stripes ran out of gas despite a man advantage for more than a half. Pity Martinez continues to struggle with consistency, and Ezequiel Barco's absence was definitely felt in Sunday's loss. Things don't get easier, with a visit to Real Salt Lake, at altitude, up next on Friday.
21Seattle Sounders (7-1-5)
A four-point week was an impressive accomplishment considering the rash of injuries the Sounders are enduring. Roman Torres stepped up his play when Seattle needed it most, helping offset the absence of captain Chad Marshall. Unbeaten in six, the Sounders have a three straight road matches before the Gold Cup break, starting with a visit to Sporting Kansas City on Sunday.
22Philadelphia Union (7-3-3)
Created plenty of chances, but couldn't convert in what was a well-played 0-0 draw with Seattle. Brenden Aaronson flashed the qualities that have him drawing so much praise for his potential, but the teenager will need to make way for Marco Fabian, who should be back soon.
23Houston Dynamo (7-2-2)
Memo Rodriguez continues to have a breakout season, and his heroics against D.C. United showed that the Dynamo have more than just Alberth Elis for opposing teams to deal with. Up next is a tough trip to Minnesota, where the Dynamo seek their first road win since March.
24Los Angeles FC (9-1-4)
The Carlos Vela goal parade continued with two more to raise his season total to 14. Andre Horta failed to impress in his first start in two months and LAFC's depth will be tested in the coming weeks as Gold Cup call-ups loom for Walker Zimmerman and Mark-Anthony Kaye.

1Colorado Rapids (1-9-2)

2FC Cincinnati (3-8-2)

3New England Revolution (3-8-3)

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4Sporting Kansas City (2-4-5)

5Vancouver Whitecaps (3-6-4)

6Orlando City (4-6-3)

7Columbus Crew (5-8-1)

8San Jose Earthquakes (4-6-2)

9Portland Timbers (3-6-2)

10Chicago Fire (4-5-4)

11Real Salt Lake (5-6-1)

12Montreal Impact (6-5-3)

13FC Dallas (5-5-3)

14Toronto FC (5-5-2)

15Minnesota United (5-4-3)

16LA Galaxy (7-5-1)

17New York Red Bulls (5-5-2)

18New York City FC (4-1-6)

19D.C. United (7-4-3)

20Atlanta United (6-4-2)

21Seattle Sounders (7-1-5)

22Philadelphia Union (7-3-3)

23Houston Dynamo (7-2-2)

24Los Angeles FC (9-1-4)