Landon Donovan set another record -- in this case, the MLS career assist mark -- Robbie Keane burnished his MVP credentials, and the L.A. Galaxy stayed atop this week's Power Rankings thanks to a 3-0 win over Toronto FC. This week also sees the continued rise of the New England Revolution, who move up three spots after an impressive win over the Columbus Crew.
1. L.A. Galaxy (no change)
Landon Donovan grabbed the spotlight, setting the all-time career assist record in a 3-0 win over Toronto, and Robbie Keane scored twice, but Marcelo Sarvas showed once again he's one of L.A.'s glue guys as his dead-eye pass set up Keane for his opener. The Galaxy looks unstoppable at the moment.
2. Seattle Sounders (no change)
With the Sounders obliterating Colorado 4-1, the focus is increasing on the home-and-home set with L.A. to finish the regular season that will likely decide the Supporters' Shield. Seattle's defense could will require some sharpening in order to edge out the Galaxy.
3. New England Revolution (+3)
The Revs' season MVP -- Lee Nguyen -- and its MVP of the last few weeks -- Jermaine Jones -- both scored to give New England a 2-1 win over Columbus. But the MVP of the game had to be goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth, who delivered several impressive saves to preserve the victory.
4. D.C. United (+1)
A year removed from one of the most dreadful seasons in MLS history, United clinched a playoff spot with a 0-0 tie against Sporting Kansas City. There's still a bit of work to do to clinch the top spot in the Eastern Conference, but 2014 has seen an impressive turnaround for DCU.
5. Real Salt Lake (-2)
Is possession overrated? RSL seemed to prove that Sunday, losing to lowly Chivas USA despite having a 74.2-25.8 edge in possession. In the process, RSL squandered a golden opportunity to solidify its hold on third place in the Western Conference. Now it could get drawn into the dreaded play-in game.
6. FC Dallas (-2)
If Dallas faces off against Vancouver in the playoffs, it should be dandy considering the feistiness that has characterized the two most recent encounters, including Saturday's 2-0 win by the Caps. A playoff spot is a near certainty, but to do some damage in the postseason, Dallas will need Fabian Castillo back in the lineup.
7. New York Red Bulls (+2)
The team may or may not be for sale. Thierry Henry may or may not be retiring. Who knows what the future holds for Tim Cahill, who has chosen country before club and was red-carded late against Houston? None of it was enough to distract the Red Bulls, who prevailed 1-0 thanks to Henry's goal.
8. Columbus Crew (-1)
One team's stellar goalkeeping is another side's bad finishing. The Crew certainly played well enough to get a draw against New England, but couldn't convert some clear chances. Waylon Francis' silly second yellow card for delaying a throw-in didn't help either, and Federico Higuain is suspended now as well.
9. Vancouver Whitecaps (+4)
At the time, Vancouver's August acquisition of Mauro Rosales seemed of the ho-hum variety. But on Saturday the Argentine was everywhere, setting up both of Sebastian Fernandez's goals in a 2-0 win over FC Dallas. The Caps remain just a point ahead of Portland for the final playoff spot in the west.
10. Philadelphia Union (-2)
The Union -- or goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi, to be precise -- threw away two points against Chicago, as the keeper's errant outlet pass gifted the Fire its equalizer. Four points out of fifth place with three games to play, Philly's playoff prospects are looking grim.
11. Sporting Kansas City (-1)
Sporting KC stopped the bleeding in a 0-0 tie with D.C United, and perhaps more importantly, it seemed to solve its recent defensive frailties. Alas, defender Seth Sinovic will be suspended for next week's tilt against Chicago. Given SKC's threadbare corps of defenders, that's the last thing Peter Vermes needs.
12. Toronto FC (-1)
TFC bore little resemblance to a playoff team in losing to the Galaxy, though L.A. has been doing that to a lot of teams lately. Now a four-game run-in beckons, and it is hoped that the sight of Jermain Defoe returning to the field will provide the necessary boost to TFC's attack.
13. Portland Timbers (+1)
Without the injured Will Johnson and the suspended Diego Valeri, Portland dug deep to carve out a 2-1 road win over San Jose thanks to two Rodney Wallace goals. Portland's last three opponents are tougher than Vancouver's, but the race for the last playoff spot should go down to the wire.
14. Houston Dynamo (-2)
Houston's playoff hopes were dealt a hammer blow thanks to a 1-0 defeat against New York, and only the crossbar prevented a larger margin of defeat. Not even a game in hand on most of the Dynamo's playoff rivals seems enough to save them now.
15. Chicago Fire (no change)
Rais M'Bolhi's aforementioned largesse combined with Robert Earnshaw's delightful chip saw Chicago snag a road point in midweek, and the Fire continued their tying ways against Montreal. Not that there was much doubt, but Chicago was officially eliminated from the postseason.
16. Montreal Impact (no change)
Marco Di Vaio officially announced his retirement, which further obscured the improved defense the Impact has been playing of late. Montreal has conceded just two goals in its last four games, including Sunday's 0-0 draw against Chicago.
17. Chivas USA (+2)
Was Sunday's 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake the last in Chivas USA history? It could very well be, but the Goats will take it just the same, their first victory since July. The announced crowd of 12,271 -- almost double the team's average -- provided a boost as well.
18. San Jose Earthquakes (-1)
The Quakes called Rodney Wallace's two deflected goals "dumb luck." It's about the the only kind San Jose has had of late. Pablo Pintos' late red card could also be classified under the "dumb" category, which may well result in a vacation for the rest of the season for the defender.
19. Colorado Rapids (-1)
Another capitulation, this time at home to Seattle, extended the Rapids' franchise-record winless streak to 11 games. Marvell Wynne's spread-eagle jump that resulted in a handball and a Seattle penalty was just one of several head-shaking moments.