by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

After eight hearty matches ended with New England's Taylor Twellman joining the Major League Soccer century club (and only two draws), we find plenty of shuffling in the latest thoroughly subjective style council single table.

The top two stay the same, but every other club shifted place. The Revs climbed highest, moving up three spots. Meanwhile, Kansas City's bad luck from the weekend continues with a harsh four-rung tumble.

#1- Chivas USA (1)

I only have one question: when is the league going to investigate Zach Thornton for time traveling? I have no doubt you will find an DeLorean in his garage and I want him suspended for flux capacitor abuse. Seriously though, remember back when the burly keeper would command the area like no MLS keeper? Such as, for instance, on Saturday? Yes, the Goats make more from the run of play they have than any team thus far in 2009, but it wouldn't mean first place without Thornton's resurrection. Next up comes perhaps the match of the season to date, a Wednesday visit to Houston.

#2- Houston Dynamo (2)

While everyone is busy remaining in awe of what Chivas USA is doing, not so many may have noticed that the Dynamo are actually within reach, six points back with two games in hand. They can cut that deficit in half while keeping their schedule advantage when the leaders invade on Wednesday. Between Kei Kamara's inspired play of late and the arrival of Cam Weaver, Houston now has full cover for when Brian Ching is injured or away on U.S. duty.

#3- Chicago Fire (4)

Perhaps fortunate to jump a spot after losing, the Fire were unlucky to fall to Houston this round. What is going on with Chicago at Toyota Park? They can't get fannies in the seats (down over 5,000 on average from last season) and they can't get the ball in the net (five in six home games). Maybe the players don't like hauling it out to Bridgeview either. A nice road trip to D.C. United should have them back in the chips!

#4- Seattle Sounders (3)

Now winless since April despite not playing poorly, the Sounders are officially facing their first slump due to rough edges. Fredy Montero has only scored once in seven, Freddie Ljungberg is busy griping at the refs and top gear is seemingly just out of reach. After being ready to pull their hair out (except Freddie, of course) at Chivas USA, a nice home tilt with San Jose provides a great opportunity to get back in the win column. 

#5- D.C. United (7)

Back in their traditional 3-5-2, I am starting to become a believer in this team. They still needed a top shelf Josh Wicks save at the end, but the close score at the time was misleading. Facing Chicago this week without Luciano Emilio will be a bit rough, but the rest of the attack now looks capable of picking up the slack. It will be interesting to see who gives at RFK on Saturday: United are 3-0-4 allowing only six goals at home and the Fire are 4-0-3 scoring 15 on the road.

#6- New England Revolution (9)

All engines are fit and firing now, so naturally Steve Nicol has the Revs on the move. As all of the stars have gradually returned, contributions from the rookies working the back have risen sharply. If Nicol had only been able to clone Shalrie Joseph 2-3 times for emergencies; it was the handyman's inch perfect deep cross that set Twellman up for his milestone goal. A trip to Kansas City tests New England's drive this week.

#7- Colorado Rapids (6)

Rescued against Real Salt Lake by a late Omar Cummings split-fingered fastball, the home side Rapids were fortunate to nick the draw against the visiting arch rivals. For a team only putting four-and-a-half shots on target per game, the Confederations Cup loss of Conor Casey may hurt quite a bit. One must ask: why isn't Gregory Richardson even dressing? They now have a weekend off before hosting D.C. United on the 20th.

#8- Columbus Crew (8)

One may wonder why no Crew jump after topping #5 K.C. away this weekend. Well, I must say, it was a pretty lucky win. Guillermo Barros Schelotto was gifted the opener, and then buried an extremely harshly given spot kick. It's possible Chad Marshall could be in trouble for his nutso red card moment, but I'm not holding my breath. Columbus returns home Sunday to face what could be a tired Chivas USA side.

#9- Kansas City Wizards (5)

Probably more tumble than they deserved, the Wizards fell victim to a sardine-packed middle of our little form table. First, they fell victim to another one of those odd Keystone Cops defending moments that seem to pop up every so often for them. They later ceded a penalty kick given because Matt Besler was trying to kick a ball an inch inside his area and Eddie Gaven came through with a studs-up high boot. Yeesh. Better luck when warming New England comes to town on Saturday.

#10- Los Angeles Galaxy (11)

Step-by-step, inch-by-inch... the Galaxy are working their way up the West table and now only trail third place Seattle by two points. Bruce Arena has slowly built a real team, and the strike duo of Edson Buddle and Alan Gordon are covering a certain absence admirably, but the real hero at the HDC these days is keeper Donovan Ricketts. The veteran keeper has proven to be one of the top pick-ups of the year. He will have his work cut out when Los Angeles welcome the swarming attack of RSL on Saturday.

#11- Toronto FC (10)

Oh, one day, I tells ya... one day, this team won't waste so many chances and commit so many flubs in defense (Marco, Marco, Marco!) and everyone will be sorry. Perhaps the deal to claim San Jose defender Nick Garcia and the rights to Canada forward Ali Gerba will shake things up. A BMO encounter with sad sack New York awaits.

#12- Real Salt Lake (12)

This has to be excruciating for coach Jason Kreis; no team in the league can boot it around on a string, supply dangerous crosses and fire shots at the rate RSL does... and yet, the finishing is abysmal. Apparently, they can only score the prettiest of goals. Like TFC, one can only assume better days are ahead. More fun awaits in a visit to Los Angeles, right?

#13- FC Dallas (14)

Like Los Angeles, FC Dallas seems to be gradually coming around... just a more slowly. The good news is Jeff Cunningham is supplying energy boosts again and the midfield is improving as a unit. And then, there's the back, which followed up their first shutout of the season by reverting to the more typical late form - the Texans have now leaked 14 of 19 goals after the break. On Saturday, FC Dallas will "welcome" the Dynamo.

#14- San Jose Earthquakes (15)

Having blown a win against FC Dallas, the Quakes shook up the squad on Tuesday, acquiring keeper Greg Sutton and attacker Chris Wondolowski. The defense remains the usual suspect, but at least the attack - particularly Arturo Alvarez - is starting to sow some oats. San Jose must now visit Seattle, who are a bit edgy these days.

#15- New York Red Bulls (13)

The funny thing is we all know this isn't the worst team in the league - well, funny depending on who you ask, I suppose. It's tough to know where to start with this bunch, so I'll simply go for the obvious: Juan Pablo Angel has to start making an impact. He leads the way when they are winning and he is the one they look to when they're not. Sure, he's not getting as many good looks at goal as last year, but he's still squandering some big chances at big moments in matches. The Red Bulls face a tricky Toronto FC trek this week.

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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