MLS Week 9 Power Rankings: Union surging, Loons and Timbers rebounding

The Philadelphia Union have overcome injuries to climb atop the Eastern Conference and rise in the latest Goal MLS Power Rankings

Of all the teams that could have been expected to be sitting on top of Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference at the start of May, the Philadelphia Union wouldn't have made many people's lists.

That's where the Union are though, having climbed to the top of the East standings after Wednesday's 2-0 win against FC Cincinnati. Jim Curtin's side recorded its fifth win in seven matches to pull even on points with D.C. United and Montreal, nudging past them both on goal difference.

The Union are the highest-rated East team in the latest Goal MLS Power Rankings, which are topped by five Western Conference teams. The LA powerhouses, Los Angeles FC and the LA Galaxy, continue to stand tall at the top while Seattle's gutsy draw against LAFC allowed the Sounders to retain the third spot.

Rock bottom belongs to the Colorado Rapids, who fired head coach Anthony Hudson after Saturday's 1-0 loss to Atlanta United, and after Hudson ripped the quality of his own roster. Now interim head coach Conor Casey will try to help the league's worst defense, and lone remaining winless team, climb out of the basement.

Here are Goal's MLS Power Rankings after week 9 action:

1Colorado Rapids (0-7-2)
The Rapids played for the draw in Atlanta and nearly pulled it off, but suffered another loss that sealed Anthony Hudson's fate as head coach. Actually, it was more likely his post-game rant criticizing the quality of his roster that probably pushed the Rapids to make a change that was needed. Conor Casey takes over and will have a winnable debut at home against Vancouver.

2Vancouver Whitecaps (1-5-3)
The good news for the Whitecaps is their defense continues to show signs of being a top-level unit, particularly with Doneil Henry playing at a Best XI level, but the issue continues to be the Whitecaps' inability to generate goals. A road draw against Philadelphia was a decent result, but the Whitecaps need wins to start climbing up the standings and anything less than a win in Colorado this weekend will be disappointing.
3FC Cincinnati (2-6-2)
What a difference a month can make. At one point FC Cincinnati was flirting with setting a new expansion record for points to start an inaugural campaign, but Wednesday's loss to the Philadelphia Union has FC Cincinnati mired in a six-match winless slide and there aren't clear signs of a looming turnaround. Head coach Alan Koch could be the next MLS coach to get the boot if Cincinnati doesn't start generating some points.

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4New England Revolution (2-6-2)
It isn't often that a team scores four goals on the road and comes away disappointed, but the Revolution should feel like they wasted a great opportunity in Saturday's 4-4 draw against Sporting Kansas City. The Revs defense surrendered seven goals last week, and must now stay on the road for a pair of matches against Philadelphia and Chicago. The big question is will Brad Friedel survive this road trip?
5Chicago Fire (2-4-3)
Two matches and two shutout losses made for a forgettable week for Veljko Paunovic's men. The surprise is how the Fire attack has gone cold just as Nico Gaitan has settled into the starting lineup. Things won't get any easier as the Fire head West to face mighty Los Angeles FC.
6New York Red Bulls (2-4-2)
It was by no means pretty, but the Red Bulls will take the three points from Saturday's win, especially considering it came without Bradley Wright-Phillips and Kaku. The team's need for more difference-makers in attack continues to be clear to see though, and they will need a much better effort on Saturday against the LA Galaxy if they are going to start the climb up the East standings.
7Portland Timbers (2-5-1)
A second straight road win against a good opponent has the Timbers suddenly feeling much better and looking like MLS Cup finalists again. Sebastian Blanco has been instrumental in the recent surge, and so has Jeremy Ebobisse, who is making a strong case to remain the team's leading striker even after the expected arrival of Argentinian forward/winger Brian Fernandez. Up next is a tough trip to take on Real Salt Lake.
8Atlanta United (2-3-2)
Julian Gressel's winner helped spare Atlanta United the embarrassment of dropping points against lowly Colorado, but the reigning MLS Cup champions won't complain about the sorely-needed three points. Darlington Nagbe continues to play well, but Josef Martinez still hasn't gotten going and Gonzalo Martinez's post-substitution tantrum definitely raised more questions about the state of the team under Frank DeBoer. This weekend's visit to Sporting Kansas City should give us a good idea whether Atlanta is starting to turn things around, or in danger of losing more ground in the East.
9San Jose Earthquakes (2-5-2)
The Earthquakes didn't register a win, but still finished an impressive week with road draws against two tough opponents in Seattle and FC Dallas. Daniel Vega enjoyed a strong week in goal, while Nick Lima has settled in at left back after a stint on the bench. Matias Almeyda's system appears to be taking hold, though we will find out for sure in the coming weeks, when a stretch of winnable games against FC Cincinnati, New England and Chicago await.
10New York City FC (2-1-6)
A disappointing home draw against Orlando City spoiled NYCFC's chances for a six-point week, a reality made tougher by the fact NYCFC outplayed Orlando City and very easily could be riding a three-match winning streak right now. The good news is Heber is looking like the striker the team needed, which is good news for a squad ready to spend the next month playing on the road.
11Real Salt Lake (3-5-1)
Mike Petke's side saw a two-match winning streak halted by the LA Galaxy in a match RSL played well enough to win. The RSL attack generated chances, but didn't convert enough of them, while the defense held up relatively well before Zlatan Ibrahimovic's late winner. The Ibrahimovic-Nedum Onuoha dust-up stole the spotlight, which should set up a tasty rematch in September. A home match against surging Portland looms large this weekend.
12Columbus Crew (4-5-1)
The Crew are in free fall, having lost four straight, even if it has been a slump of matches where Columbus could have earned results. The main issue is an attack that simply isn't generation enough goals, with just one in the past four. It was a problem covered up earlier in the year by set-piece conversions, but now that those have dried up, the goals are scarce. Things don't get much easier, with D.C. United, the LA Galaxy and LAFC up next on the schedule.
13Orlando City (3-3-3)
Nani continues to deliver for the Lions, netting his fifth goal in seven matches to help Orlando City earn a road point against New York City FC. James O'Connor has seen his defense tighten up in its most recent matches, but some very tough challenges await, with Toronto FC, Atlanta United and Seattle up next on the schedule.
14Sporting Kansas City (2-2-4)
A post-CCL hangover coupled with a recent rash of injuries has tested Sporting Kansas City's depth and resolve, but Saturday's dramatic 4-4 draw could be a turning point for an SKC side that responded well to nearly being routed at home by an inferior opponent. It might be time to admit Sporting KC is missing Ike Opara, especially if Peter Vermes' defense can't straighten up against Atlanta United on Sunday.
15Minnesota United (4-3-2)
Just when we thought Minnesota's defense was looking shaky once again, the Loons post a pair of shutouts against two of the league's better attacks in the LA Galaxy and D.C. United. Romain Metanire is emerging as a standout addition, while Ike Opara is providing exactly what Minnesota United hoped for when he was acquired. That improving defense will face another tough challenge at home on Saturday against Seattle.
16Montreal Impact (5-3-2)
Newly-acquired forward Omar Browne made a big splash, scoring the winner for the Impact in Saturday's 1-0 win against the Chicago Fire. Remi Garde's men posted two shutout wins last week, including an impressive 3-0 victory at New England that came after a travel nightmare forced them to play shortly after arriving in Massachusetts. With Ignacio Piatti edging closer to a return, the Impact play host to NYCFC with a chance of grabbing first place in the East.
17D.C. United (5-3-2)
Managing just one goal in two matches made for a disappointing week for Ben Olsen's squad, but there were some positives from the 1-1 week. Rookie Donovan Pines continues to impress, while Chris Durkin is making the most of his opportunities. A rematch with the Crew awaits just a week after beating Columbus at MAPFRE Stadium.
18Toronto FC (4-2-1)
Jozy Altidore's absence hurt TFC's attack even more than expected, with Greg Vanney's side mustering just six total shots against a Portland defense few would consider imposing. However, the bigger issue was a TFC defense that continues to leak goals, which is a concern heading into road games against Orlando City and Atlanta United.
19Philadelphia Union (5-3-2)
Wednesday night's win against FC Cincinnati makes it five wins in seven for Jim Curtin's side, which moved into first place in the East with their latest win. Philly's bench has been tested in recent weeks, and the Union appear to have better depth than in recent years. Saturday's match against New England will give the Union a chance to open up a lead atop the East.
20Houston Dynamo (5-1-1)
Houston looked sharp in their 2-0 victory against the Columbus Crew, with Tomas Martinez playing very well to take some of the pressure off Alberth Elis. Their defense looks good heading into this week's Texas Derby, which will be the Dynamo's chance to show they are for real.
21FC Dallas (5-2-2)
FC Dallas put in a strong defensive performance against the Earthquakes, limiting them to two shots on goal, but dropping points at home was still disappointing for Luchi Gonzaliez's men, as was losing Paxton Pomykal to an injury. Up next is what should be the best installment of the Texas Derby in several years, on the road against an improved Houston Dynamo side.
22Seattle Sounders (5-1-3)
Settling for two home draws is certainly a disappointment, but the fight the Sounders showed in overcoming Cristian Roldan's red card to earn a draw against LAFC gives Seattle something to build on from the week. Winless in three straight, the Sounders next travel to Minnesota to face a surging Loons side.
23LA Galaxy (7-1-1)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's winning-goal helped the Galaxy edge Real Salt Lake, and prevent a winless week for an LA side now riding a seven-match unbeaten streak. A road trip to Red Bull Arena will be a good test on Saturday.
24Los Angeles FC (7-1-2)
LAFC wasted a golden opportunity to grab a big road win in Seattle, where an early Cristian Roldan red card gave LAFC an advantage it couldn't capitalize on.

1Colorado Rapids (0-7-2)

2Vancouver Whitecaps (1-5-3)

3FC Cincinnati (2-6-2)

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4New England Revolution (2-6-2)

5Chicago Fire (2-4-3)

6New York Red Bulls (2-4-2)

7Portland Timbers (2-5-1)

8Atlanta United (2-3-2)

9San Jose Earthquakes (2-5-2)

10New York City FC (2-1-6)

11Real Salt Lake (3-5-1)

12Columbus Crew (4-5-1)

13Orlando City (3-3-3)

14Sporting Kansas City (2-2-4)

15Minnesota United (4-3-2)

16Montreal Impact (5-3-2)

17D.C. United (5-3-2)

18Toronto FC (4-2-1)

19Philadelphia Union (5-3-2)

20Houston Dynamo (5-1-1)

21FC Dallas (5-2-2)

22Seattle Sounders (5-1-3)

23LA Galaxy (7-1-1)

24Los Angeles FC (7-1-2)