Red Bull revival, home teams rule

It took Juan Pablo Ángel (9) and New York five games to get on track, but the '08 MLS Cup finalists looked dangerous at Salt Lake. Mike Stobe/Getty Images for New York Red Bull

Our weekly dose of Major League Soccer quick takes, plotlines to watch and Power Rankings.

Red Bull revival?

Real Salt Lake's trip to New York was just what the doctor ordered for the reeling Red Bulls. With the 2-0 victory in Giants Stadium, the team named for Austria's finest energy drink improved its all-time record against RSL to 4-0-6, including a 1-0 victory in last year's Western Conference final. It took only two minutes for Juan Carlos Osorio's side to break through, and the defense -- shored up by the return of goalkeeper Jon Conway and the presence of newly signed Alfredo Pacheco -- held tight. Juan Pablo Ángel opened his 2009 account with a well-taken goal in the 57th minute and the Red Bulls held on, despite Jeremy Hall's red card in the 66th. The season begins anew in East Rutherford, N.J.

Safe at home

After the season's opening kick, we noted how teams enjoyed success on the road, posting a 2-3-2 record. Since then, however, home sides have steadily improved (with the exception of Week Four's tie-filled debacle) and finished the past weekend undefeated, including the first wins for FC Dallas, Houston and New. Check out the splits:

Week Two: 3-1-3
Week Three: 6-2-0
Week Four: 1-1-5
Week Five: 4-0-3

As the proliferation of soccer-specific stadiums slowly spreads across the country, MLS' home-field advantage will only increase. (Imagine the noise in Seattle if the Sounders played in a 35,000-seat dedicated venue.) It's another way the league draws ever closer to mimicking Europe.

Full slate

The busiest week of the season so far -- nine games take place between Wednesday and Sunday -- should start to separate the quality from the also-rans. With victories in two imminently winnable matches (at Toronto, against Dallas), Chivas USA could put a stranglehold on the Western Conference. Given the Goats' injury problems, however, it remains to be seen if their legs can hold up through three matches in seven days. Elsewhere, Seattle's return home for a date against San Jose will help the Sounders get back on track, and the RSL-Revs match at Rio Tinto Stadium will say a great deal about both squads.

Week 6 Power Rankings   New Rank Previous Rank Team 1 1 Chivas USA (4-0-1) Sitting four points clear of its nearest rival, Preki's club is clearly the class of the league at this early juncture. 2 2 Chicago Fire (2-0-3) The team perhaps was unlucky not to earn three points in Cuauhtémoc Blanco's first game back in the starting lineup. 3 6 New England Revolution (2-0-2) Nearly had three points at D.C., but were forced to settle for a draw after Ben Olsen found the net in second-half injury time. 4 3 Seattle Sounders FC (3-2-0) The honeymoon has come crashing to an end and now the real season begins. Still, second place isn't a bad place to be. 5 7 Kansas City Wizards (2-2-1) Two goals from MLS Player of the Week Josh Wolff in the final 12 earned the Wiz, who were 2-13-1 all-time in Chicago, a draw. 6 4 Real Salt Lake (2-2-0) RSL would do best to forget this match ever happened and regroup at home against New England on Saturday. 7 5 Colorado Rapids (2-2-1) Conor Casey -- who almost scored from 40 and drew a PK -- is becoming an offensive powerhouse, but he needs help. 8 8 San Jose Earthquakes (1-2-2) The Quakes have to start winning at home if they hope to make a playoff run. Tying the Gals won't help. 9 10 D.C. United (1-1-3) Dominated possession but barely grabbed a point against Revs as Jaime Moreno became league's first 100-goal, 100-assist man. 10 11 Houston Dynamo (1-2-2) Brian Ching ended his team's goalless streak of 234 minutes and Pat Onstad preserved the win by saving a penalty kick. 11 9 Toronto FC (1-2-2) Can a reeling TFC fix what ails it against the Goats? Not unless the magic of BMO Field returns. 12 15 New York Red Bulls (1-2-2) An improving defense that's allowed two goals in the past four matches didn't surrender a shot on net in the first half. 13 14 FC Dallas (1-3-1) A win is a win and Kenny Cooper continues to channel his impressive form from last season. 14 12 Columbus Crew (0-2-3) One hopes the Crew are using their off-week to regain their swagger. We'll see on Saturday when the Fire visit. 15 13 Los Angeles Galaxy (0-1-3) Landon Donovan exacted some revenge against his former team, delivering the game-tying assist to steal a point on the road.