1. Sporting Kansas City — 25 pts. | 1-0 win at Portland Timbers FC; Week 17: vs. Chicago Fire
A 1-0 victory on the road against a Portland team that had been unbeaten in four of five was a fantastic way to resume League play for the defending champions.
2. D.C. United — 25 pts. | 1-0 loss vs. Seattle Sounders FC; Week 17: at Toronto FC
It's a virtual tie at the top, as D.C. United has an identical record as Sporting Kansas City. The second tiebreaker (goal differential) places the Red-and-Black second, but it's been an impressive season for the side that finished last in the League in 2013.
3. New England Revolution — 23 pts. | 3-1 loss vs. Philadelphia Union; Week 17: at Real Salt Lake
New England has followed up five straight victories with three straight losses, with the past two coming at home and to neighboring Eastern Conference sides. The League's parity continues.
4. Toronto FC — 20 pts. | 2-2 draw at New York Red Bulls; Week 17: at Chicago Fire, vs. D.C. United
Toronto FC continues to lead the Conference in points-per-game, as the Reds are just five points behind Sporting KC and D.C. United with four matches in hand on each.
5. New York Red Bulls — 19 pts. | 2-2 draw vs. Toronto FC; Week 17: at Houston Dynamo
New York needed a 93rd minute goal at home to draw Toronto FC, but the point it earned kept it in playoff position for now.
6. Columbus Crew— 19 pts. | 0-0 draw vs. FC Dallas; Week 17: at Colorado Rapids
It was an emotional weekend for the Crew, which earned another point to keep pace with the Red Bulls. Columbus and New York have identical records (4-5-7) along with identical goal differentials (even).
7. Philadelphia Union — 18 pts. | 3-1 win at New England Revolution; Week 17: at FC Dallas
It's fitting that Philadelphia defeated New England over the weekend, because these are two sides trending in opposite directions. The Union is now unbeaten in its last three matches, with Interim Manager Jim Curtin earning his first League victory.
8. Houston Dynamo — 17 pts. | 3-0 loss at Montreal Impact; Week 17: vs. New York Red Bulls
The Dynamo has failed to score a goal in five consecutive matches, although it did get a boost with the return of Boniek Garcia from the FIFA World Cup.
9. Montreal Impact — 14 pts. | 0-0 draw at Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 3-0 win vs. Houston Dynamo; Week 17: at Chivas USA
Jack McInerney has started to display the same type of form he had at the start of 2013 with Philadelphia: the recently traded striker has five goals in six matches.
10. Chicago Fire —14 pts. | Bye; Week 17: vs. Toronto FC, at Sporting Kansas City
Chicago hasn't played a League match since June 7, but it has a doubleheader this week against arguably the Conference's best two teams.
