A record breaking weekend of MLS action in the books. There were a total of eight matches played on Saturday, the most in MLS history. The biggest winners of the weekend were the New England Revolution and the Philadelphia Union.  The Revs came back from a 1-0 deficit to smash Toronto 4-1, thanks to a hat trick by rookie Schilawski.  The Union recorded their first home victory in franchise history in front of 34,000 fans.  The Union defeated DC United 3-2 thanks to a hat trick by Sebastian LeToux.

The LA Galaxy take the top spot in the rankings this week. They are undefeated in three matches and have yet to concede a goal.  Kansas moved to 2nd after posting another win at home against the Colorado Rapids.  Kansas travels to Seattle next week and hosts LA the week after, so we’ll see how long they can hold on to that 2nd spot. NY drops a spot after their frustrating 2-0 loss to Chivas.

Chivas stays in 12th despite their first win of the season.  Similarly, the Rapids hold on to the 8th spot after dropping a tough match at Kansas. They’ll plummet down the rankings if they get anything but a victory when they host Toronto next week. Columbus stays 4th after a 2-2 draw at Dallas.  Toronto and DC United remain at the bottom of the pack.  The good news is that United finally scored some goals and Toronto . . . didn’t lose by 5.

The big movers are the Philadelphia Union, San Jose Earthquakes, and the New England Revolution.  All posted big wins this weekend.  Struggling champs, Real Salt Lake, drop a few notches despite earning a tie at Seattle. Seattle, Dallas, and Houston both drop a few spots after struggling at home this weekend. Finally, the Chicago Fire, now winless in 3 matches, drop to 14th.

MLS Power Rankings after Week 3:

1.     ↑ (5) Los Angeles Galaxy: Buddle 5, opposing teams 0.

2.     ↑ (3) Kansas City: Home field advantage gets KC another W.

3.     ↓ (2) New York Red Bulls: Unlucky, and can’t connect up top.

4.     – (4) Columbus Crew: 2nd half surge and almost had a road win.

5.     ↓ (1) RSL: Champs fought back to earn a tie at Seattle.

6.     ↑ (11) NE Revolution: Rookie hat trick, Nicol is the Superdraft king.

7.      ↓ (7) Seattle: Home woes continue, at least Zakuani scored.

8.      - (8) Colorado Rapids: Attack is MIA.

9.      ↓ (6) Houston: No Ching and now no Landin, not looking good.

10.   ↑ (13) San Jose: Alvarez and Opara punished the Fire.

11.   ↑ (14) Philadelphia Union: LeToux hat-trick, 34,000 in the stands.

12.    - (12) Chivas USA: First win with a little help from NY’s keeper.

13.   ↓ (10) FC Dallas: Squeak out tie at home thanks to Avila.

14.   ↓ (9) Chicago: Pappa with a blast but not enough, still winless.

15.   – (15) Toronto FC:  Preki is feeling the heat, 4-1 loss to Revs.

16.   – (16) DC United: Moreno up top + Castillo on the bench = goals, but not Win.

Only five matches were played this weekend.  Columbus, Kansas, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Jose, and Toronto had a bye week.  The LA Galaxy, Houston Dynamo, and NY Red Bulls all secured victories over Chivas, Real Salt Lake, and Seattle Sounders respectively.  The Chicago Fire and the Colorado Rapids settled for a 2-2 tie.

Salt Lake hold on to the spot by a hair despite a disappointing 2-1 loss at Houston.  New England jumped up four spots after their 2-0 victory over an ineffective DC United.  The second biggest movers, up three spots, are Houston and New York. Both notched big victories over very good opponents. Because LA and Houston moved up the charts, Seattle, Colorado, and Chicago dropped a few spots.  Similarly, Kansas and Columbus dropped a spot to make way for New York. Chivas, San Jose, Philadelphia, and Toronto all dropped a spot.  Dallas holds on to the tenth spot. While DC United spends another week at the bottom.

MLS Power Rankings after Week 2:

1.     – (1) RSL: Bad day for Jamison Olave.

2.     ↑ (5) New York Red Bulls: Win at Seattle shows this team is for real.

3.     ↓ (2) Kansas City: Bye week; host Colorado on Saturday.

4.     ↓ (3) Columbus Crew: Bye week, at Dallas on Saturday

5.     ↑ (7) Los Angeles Galaxy: Edson Buddle could have a career year.

6.     ↑ (9) Houston: Victory marred by Ching injury.

7.     ↓ (4) Seattle: Played well but need more from their attackers.

8.     ↓ (6) Colorado Rapids: Tied Chicago but let the lead slip twice.

9.     ↓ (8) Chicago: Got their act together in 2nd half to tie Colorado.

10.   – (10) FC Dallas: Bye week, host Columbus on Saturday.

11.   ↑ (15) New England Revolution: Mansally scores a brace to down DC.

12.   ↓ (11) Chivas USA: Struggling to score and defense isn’t much better.

13.   ↓ (12) San Jose: Bye week, at Chicago Fire on Saturday.

14.   ↓ (13) Philadelphia Union: Bye week, host DC United.

15.   ↓ (14) Toronto FC:  Bye week, at New England on Saturday.

16.   – (16) DC United: Two games, negative six goal differential.