ProSoccerTalk’s weekly MLS rankings (in two parts)

Congratulations to Toronto FC for finally relinquishing the bottom spot following Round 17. Dallas and Portland, what say you? Here are Nos. 11-19 in the ProSoccerTalk’s rankings countdown.

(Nos. 1-10 are on deck …so check back)

19. FC Dallas – Signs abound that a David Ferreira appearance, the first in almost 14 months, is on the docket for Wednesday’s home game against Toronto. Not a moment too soon for a club that hasn’t won since April 14. Yes, April 14.

18. Portland Timbers – That win two weeks ago over Seattle took some heat out of the Jeld-Wen air, but the spirit of good feeling won’t last. Especially not after the meek performance in a subsequent 3-0 loss at Colorado.

17. Toronto FC – A huge week for Paul Mariner’s Reds, who are now 1-1-3 under their new boss. Round 17 brought a road win (a convincing one, 3-0 over Montreal) and a draw against one of the Eastern top dogs (New York). Danny Koevermans and Torsten Frings – those two are flat out getting it done at the moment.

16. Philadelphia Union – The visitors huffed and puffed but couldn’t push through a late one in Houston, where John Hackworth’s team put out a good effort in a 2-1 loss. Meanwhile, the front office reshuffle continues; the club booted scouting director Diego Gutierrez and youth director Alecko Eskandarian.

15. Montréal Impact – A pair of 3-0 defeats last week will make Jesse Marsch and Co. eager to put things right during Sporting Kansas City’s mid-week visit Wednesday. Meanwhile, this Alessandro Nesta business is terribly exciting; Reports out of Europe say an offer is on the table.

14. Chivas USA – Last week’s U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal win is surely good news in the land of the Goat, but it does jam up the schedule going forward. Now Robin Fraser’s men will play four matches in 15 days starting this weekend. That difficult dash includes next week’s Open Cup semifinal at Seattle.

13. Colorado Rapids – Midfielder Jaime Castrillon had perhaps his most outstanding match as a Rapids man in a 3-0 win over Portland. And more good news for Oscar Pareja’s team: veteran midfielder Jamie Smith (pictured) got 17 minutes (and even scored a goal) in Saturday’s contest.

12. New England Revolution – The New England side is becoming San Jose of the East. In other words, no lead is safe. For the second consecutive week, Jay Heaps’ men took it the last kick, equalizing at the whistle against Seattle. Diego Fagundez and Fernando Cardenas were both excellent off the bench.

11. Seattle Sounders – They lost a late lead to New England, extending the winless (and hapless) run in MLS games to eight. The central defense needs shoring up, something fierce. No one can complain about Eddie Johnson’s production, at least; the first-year Sounders striker leads his team with seven goals.