San Jose strengthened its lead atop the Western Conference by rallying with two late goals to win, 2-1, and Cascadia Cup rivals Seattle and Vancouver also won to keep pace. Eastern leader Sporting Kansas City held the No. 1 spot through its bye week, and closest pursuer, D.C. United, extended its unbeaten streak to seven by downing Houston, 3-2.

Another close call went against Real Salt Lake Wednesday in its 1-1 tie Wednesday, and another pointed criticism from Coach Jason Kreis followed.

San Jose moved into second place by knocking off Real Salt Lake, 3-1, in one of several dramatic matches played during Week 7 of the MLS season. Sporting Kansas City held the top spot despite a 1-0 loss in Portland that ended its perfect start to the season.

Four-time MLS Cup champion D.C. United is trying to break a four-year playoff drought and despite problems in several areas, there's sufficient promise and potential to believe this feat can be accomplished in 2012.

Of the upper sector, only Real Salt Lake lost, and that defeat to No. 1 Sporting Kansas City left the Power Rankings' top places unchanged. Further down the ladder D.C. United, Chivas USA and FC Dallas improved their standing by winning.

The MLS season is barely underway and already the Western Conference is barely recognizable compared to last year's version.

Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake swept their league games last weekend to retain their places atop the Power Rankings heading into their meeting Saturday at Livestrong Sporting Park.

Claims of inconsistency have arisen in the wake of MLS imposing harsher punishments for players' transgressions, but critics miss the point that such reviews will increase consistency in the long run.

D.C. United got its first win by pounding FC Dallas, 4-1, and San Jose handed Seattle its first loss in a very volatile week of MLS action that lifted and dropped a number of teams several places in the standings. Here's how MLS teams rate from top to bottom after Week 4 action ...