Sudden Impact

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2013 Power Rankings: March 18
 RK (LW)TEAMRECCOMMENT
Montreal Impact1 (1)Montreal Impact3-0-0The Impact made it three wins in as many tries, surviving a tepid second half to beat rival Toronto 2-1. Marco Di Vaio scored the game winner, but more impressive was the play of Montreal's back line, which coped well with Alessandro Nesta's injury.
Vancouver Whitecaps2 (3)Vancouver Whitecaps2-0-0After two home wins, the Whitecaps had the weekend off. Martin Rennie will now take his revamped attack on the road against a Houston side whose defense looked vulnerable against FC Dallas.
Los Angeles3 (2)Los Angeles1-0-1The Galaxy appeared to have survived a below-par effort against Chivas USA when Jack McBean put the home side up 1-0 with a late goal. But L.A.'s normally air-tight defense couldn't make the lead stand, and the champs settled for a draw.
DC United4 (6)DC United1-1-1United had goalkeeper Bill Hamid to thank for walking out of Red Bull Arena with a scoreless tie instead of a heavy defeat. Hamid made seven saves, including a late effort from a Brandon Barklage header that nearly crossed the line.
Kansas City5 (5)Kansas City1-1-1On a day when Kansas City had nearly three times as much possession as Chicago, the home side couldn't find a way past the Fire's bunker defense. SKC might have even lost the match, only for goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen to snuff out a late threat.
Real Salt Lake6 (7)Real Salt Lake1-1-1RSL snagged a point at home to Colorado with Alvaro Saborio's late equalizer. Ned Grabavoy's halftime insertion turned a territorial advantage into sheer dominance, and Joao Plata was influential off the bench again. Nick Rimando came to RSL's rescue.
San Jose7 (8)San Jose1-1-1The Quakes didn't leave things as late as they normally do but rallied again from a second-half deficit thanks to Justin Morrow's goal. As for Chris Wondolowski, he clearly looks out of sorts. Is the DP tag weighing on him?
Philadelphia Union8 (11)Philadelphia Union2-1-0John Hackworth's switch to a 4-3-3 in the second half generated the momentum for Jack McInerney's game-winner in a 1-0 victory over New England. Now the Philly manager will have two weeks to determine if that's how the Union should line up.
FC Dallas9 (15)FC Dallas2-1-0Dallas' defense still looks highly suspect, but Kenny Cooper's late goal -- tainted by an unspotted handball -- enabled FCD to turn a second-half meltdown into a thrilling victory.
Houston10 (4)Houston1-1-0Manager Dominic Kinnear has reasons to be bitter beyond the perceived cheating by FC Dallas. Ousted from the CONCACAF Champions League in midweek because of sloppy defense, the Dynamo endured more of the same in losing late at Dallas.
New England11 (9)New England1-1-0The Revs delivered another rugged road performance but couldn't turn their newfound steel into victory this week. In fact, a weakness from last year -- set pieces -- proved to be their undoing against Philly. A tough home opener against SKC looms.
Seattle Sounders FC12 (10)Seattle Sounders FC0-1-1The Sounders couldn't duplicate their CCL heroics from midweek, fading against Cascadia rival Portland in a 1-1 tie. The match saw the MLS debut of Obafemi Martins, who in time should form an imposing partnership with Eddie Johnson.
Columbus13 (13)Columbus1-1-1Columbus also failed to make a second-half lead at home stand up, surrendering a 73rd minute equalizer to San Jose after Glauber's opener five minutes earlier. Injured midfielder Eddie Gaven should be able to play next week against D.C. United.
Chivas USA14 (14)Chivas USA1-1-1Maybe new manager Chelis was right to tout his side's mental strength. Down a goal and a man after Joaquin Velasquez's first-half ejection, Chivas rallied behind Carlos Alvarez's first MLS goal, making this a Clasico to remember for the Goats.
Toronto FC15 (12)Toronto FC1-2-0The loss to rival Montreal stings, but it's evident that Toronto is at last heading in the right direction after delivering a competitive performance. If Ryan Nelsen's batch of promised signings pan out, who knows what might happen?
New York Red Bulls16 (16)New York Red Bulls0-1-2The Red Bulls, with 24 shots, couldn't translate a dominant performance into victory against D.C. United. Things won't get easier for New York either. Up next is an away match at red-hot Montreal.
Portland Timbers17 (17)Portland Timbers0-1-2Two points in three games is nothing to crow about, but Saturday's 1-1 tie against Seattle -- thanks to Rodney Wallace's 90th minute equalizer -- will go down as a point gained. The only down note was the Timbers' continued penchant for turnovers.
Chicago18 (18)Chicago0-2-1The Fire's defense has shown considerable improvement from the First Kick debacle and kept Kansas City at bay in a 0-0 tie. The offense continues to be a nonfactor however, something Frank Klopas will be keen to fix next week against Chivas USA.
Colorado19 (19)Colorado0-2-1Colorado managed to earn its first point. The Rapids looked overwhelmed at times yet nearly won via late counterattacks. Special mention should go to Clint Irwin, who came in early for injured keeper Matt Pickens and acquitted himself well.