1. Sporting Kansas City — 14 pts. | 2-0 win vs. Columbus Crew; Week 10: at Montreal
On a day when Sporting Kansas City received their championship rings from 2013, a defeat of Columbus moved them back atop the East in 2014, thanks to a goal differential tiebreaker over New England and a wins tiebreaker over New York. They also have one game in hand over the Revolution, and two on the Red Bulls.
2. New England Revolution — 14 pts. | 2-1 win at Toronto FC; Week 10: vs. Seattle
New England has taken 10 of their last 12 possible points to move into a tie atop the East, but their minus-1 goal differential holds them back, as they are the only club across either conference in playoff position to sport a negative goal differential. A tough test with league-leading Seattle awaits.
3. New York Red Bulls — 14 pts. | 1-0 win at FC Dallas; Week 10: vs. Chicago
Through 10 matches, the Red Bulls have five draws, slotting them in third in the East for now. Bradley Wright-Phillips' tremendous run of form (five goals over his last three matches) is an exciting development for New York, especially in the wake of seeing former striker Fabian Espindola get off to a similarly strong start for D.C. United.
4. Columbus Crew — 12 pts. | 2-0 loss at Sporting Kansas City; Week 10: at Houston, vs. Vancouver
A two-match week brings a tremendous opportunity for Columbus to vault up the standings, but it will have to do it without Wil Trapp on Wednesday at Houston. The match against Vancouver on Saturday is the club's third in seven days.
5. D.C. United — 11 pts. | 3-2 loss at Portland; Week 10: at Philadelphia
A 94th minute game-winning goal by Maximiliano Urruti prevented United from earning a draw in Portland, which, despite the Timbers' early struggles, is never an easy place to play. Ben Olsen's side will get a chance at atonement with a match at Philadelphia in a rivalry that has featured physical, chippy games of late.
6. Houston Dynamo — 11 pts. | 4-1 win at Chivas USA; Week 10: vs. Columbus, vs. Real Salt Lake
A goal differential tiebreaker sees Houston below the red line in the Eastern Conference at the moment, but it has a two-match week in Round 10, joining the Crew (its opponent on Wednesday) as one of two Eastern Conference sides set to play two this week. A four-goal explosion against Chivas was the second time Houston reached that lofty plateau in 2014, equalizing their effort from Week One against New England.
7. Toronto FC — 9 pts. | 2-1 loss vs. New England; Week 10: Bye
Toronto got Jermain Defoe back in the lineup for the first time since March 29, but another disappointing result left the Reds with their second home loss in three matches. Toronto's second bye in three weeks will allow the English striker additional time to strengthen after returning from his hamstring injury, ahead of a huge clash with New York in Week 11.
8. Philadelphia Union — 8 pts. | 2-1 loss at Seattle; Week 10: vs. D.C. United
It's probably too early to call any one match "must-win," but as far as early May matches go, the Union's Week 10 tilt against D.C. United may be as close as they come. An eight-game winless stretch has stymied John Hackworth's side in the early going.
9. Montreal Impact — 6 pts. | Bye: Week 10: vs. Sporting Kansas City
Marco Di Vaio has gone scoreless in four matches since returning from suspension with a phenomenal goal at Philadelphia. Additionally, recent acquisition Jack McInerney has also not factored on the scoresheet since tallying in his club debut. The Impact figure to need both to come up huge in a tough match with the defending champions this weekend.
10. Chicago Fire — 6 pts. | 3-2 loss at Real Salt Lake; Week 10: at New York
Chicago suffered one of the most heartbreaking losses of the season, conceding in the 72nd, 90th, and 93rd minutes to fall at Real Salt Lake after opening up a 2-0 lead at Rio Tinto Stadium. The Fire are the last remaining winless team in MLS.
