Here's your team, Mister President

At just 21 years of age, rookie striker Chris Pontius (left) has integrated himself well into a mostly veteran D.C. United side. Mike Stobe/Getty Images for New York Red Bulls

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

Rooks and vets United

After three straight comebacks produced two victories and a tie, D.C. United rather quietly has climbed its way to the top of the Eastern Conference, and now sits tied with Toronto FC with a game in hand. Veterans Jaime Moreno and second-half sub Christian Gómez were the heroes of last weekend's 2-1 win over FC Dallas, but first-round draft picks Chris Pontius and Rodney Wallace have provided sparks as well during the young season. With Luciano Emilio and Ben Olsen also in the fold, United boasts an excellent mix of spry legs and cagey veterans who've been through the MLS wars before. If soccer fan Barack Obama needs a favorite team, he need not look beyond the District.

Dynamo awaken with a bang

Houston struggled to find itself over the first month and a half of the season, but a late-April bye looks to have turned things around for the Dynamo. Dom Kinnear's club went to New England and posted a convincing 2-0 win over a Revs team it hadn't beaten in six matches. It was the Dynamo's second straight victory and pushed the squad solidly into the middle of the pack in the Western Conference. While New England's injury troubles and a goalkeeping gaffe by returning Matt Reis undoubtedly contributed to the loss, Houston more than proved its mettle. It will look to continue its good fortune in a winnable match this weekend at home against Dallas.

L.A., D.C. double up

The games kick off early this week when United invades Kansas City and the L.A. Galaxy seek their second straight victory when they visit Salt Lake City on Wednesday. The marquee tilt, however, takes place on Saturday when Toronto and D.C. clash in Washington for bragging rights atop the East. Elsewhere, the Revs look to turn things around in Chicago, while L.A. plays two in five days, traveling on Sunday to Seattle, where the Sounders haven't lost all season.

Week 8 Power Rankings   New Rank Previous Rank Team 1 1 Chivas USA (6-1-1) Preki's club, six points clear in the Western Conference, keeps winning no matter what lineup the manager trots out. 2 3 Seattle Sounders FC (4-2-1) Battling back to draw with Chicago while down a man is the latest demonstration of the expansion club's considerable resolve. 3 2 Chicago Fire (2-0-5) The Fire managed to score on Kasey Keller -- a feat no other team has accomplished -- but still can't find a victory. 4 8 D.C. United (3-1-3) A well-deserved result in RFK Stadium shoots the boys from the nation's capital up the Power Rankings. 5 5 Toronto FC (3-2-3) Dwayne De Rosario returned to the lineup in the second half, but couldn't help an offense that managed only five total shots. 6 9 Colorado Rapids (3-2-2) The Rapids played a man up for the final 49 minutes and produced a convincing win in the Rocky Mountain Cup. 7 4 Real Salt Lake (3-3-0) It's a good thing Rio Tinto Stadium has been good to RSL, as the club has yet to score on the road this season. 8 6 Kansas City Wizards (3-3-1) The idle Wiz lose ground because of the solid performances from other teams but can regain their spot Wednesday vs. D.C. 9 10 Houston Dynamo (2-2-2) Stuart Holden found the back of the net -- albeit with some luck -- and Brian Ching scored an insurance goal to pace Houston. 10 7 New England Revolution (2-2-2) Despite no goals for 220 minutes, Steve Nicol's injury-ridden side is just four points out in the East with a game in hand on D.C. 11 13 Los Angeles Galaxy (1-1-4) Landon Donovan, who has figured in all of the Gals' seven goals this season, finally led his team to its first victory. 12 12 Columbus Crew (0-2-5) The Crew remain winless and gave up yet another late-game equalizer, but could be finding their form. 13 11 San Jose Earthquakes (1-4-2) The Quakes' terrible attack wasn't about to score on a Chivas side that has conceded only three goals all year. 14 15 New York Red Bulls (1-5-2) New York managed a single shot on net in a pitiful offensive display against the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center. 15 14 FC Dallas (1-5-1) Clearly outplayed throughout, the Hoops were lucky to grab a lead before inevitably succumbing to United's pressure.