Are teams tiring down the stretch?

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Seattle hasn't had much to celebrate lately: The Sounders have failed to score a single goal in five of their past seven league games. Corky Trewin/MLS via Getty Images

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

Shutouts galore

A couple weeks back, Free Kicks pointed out the high number of clean sheets this season. The trend continues: In the 35 league matches played during the month of August, a team failed to score 30 times. Put it another way, there were just nine times when both squads found the back of the net (amazingly, four of these fixtures came on Aug. 23). Now compare those figures with those of June (28 matches, 13 shutouts, 15 games in which both teams scored) and July (27, 15 and 15). Something's up, no? Our best guess as to why: With MLS' small roster sizes, players are exhausted and can't get up for every game. This trend is especially prevalent road teams, who were held scoreless 18 times in August (though Seattle hasn't scored at home in three straight).

Spoiler time

Four clubs -- FC Dallas, New York, Kansas City and the San Jose -- effectively have been eliminated from playing contention. However, the quartet still has a role to play in the MLS playoff picture. With the remaining 11 teams fighting to make the postseason, dropping points to one of these four could cripple any aspirations. Case in point: Dane Richards and the Red Bulls, who put a hurt on Columbus' attempt to run away with the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Each of the non-contenders play at least four matches against a potential playoff outfit, meaning the road to the postseason goes through MLS' worst teams.

U.S. champ crowned as call-ups cause minimal damage

The U.S. Open Cup concludes on Wednesday night with either the Sounders or the home side (and reigning champion) D.C. United emerging victorious at RFK Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel). Elsewhere, the footballing world turns its focus to the international stage and, once again, MLS teams will suffer as their best players join their respective national teams. Fortunately for the league, only six sides -- Colorado, D.C., FC Dallas, Kansas City, New England and Toronto FC -- have matches during the week, so quality shouldn't suffer too much. The Rapids, fresh off a huge win against Houston, defend their turf as TFC comes to the Mile High City, while the Revs look to continue their assault up the league table at home against the Wizards. Finally, in a match where Tom Soehn's side needs to take all three points, FC Dallas plays host to United.

Week 25 Power Rankings   New Rank Previous Rank Team 1 1 Columbus Crew (10-4-9) After mustering a single shot on net and losing to Red Bulls, Robert Warzycha gets two weeks to fix what ails his tired squad. 2 2 Houston Dynamo (11-7-7) Houston, do we have a problem? Not yet, but you've scored just three goals and only won once in your last five outings. 3 4 Los Angeles Galaxy (9-4-11) David Beckham won the SuperClasico as he volleyed a loose ball past Chivas USA keeper Lance Parker in the 80th minute. 4 3 Chicago Fire (10-6-8) The Fire, struggling to find a replacement for departed Bakary Soumare, suffered another embarrassing home loss to D.C. 5 5 New England Revolution (9-6-6) Usually the box score reads, "Steve Ralston to Shalrie Joseph," but the reverse works just as well for Steve Nicol's club. 6 8 D.C. United (7-5-11) Could United's first road win since April 26 help push Christian Gómez, Jaime Moreno & Co. into the playoffs? 7 6 Seattle Sounders FC (8-6-10) Sounders D shut down Toronto's Dwayne De Rosario but couldn't break through in front of more than 32,000 supporters. 8 10 Colorado Rapids (9-7-6) Julien Baudet, who hadn't played in more than a month, replaced an injured Cory Gibbs and netted the game-winner vs. Houston. 9 11 Real Salt Lake (9-9-6) U.S. call-ups Kyle Beckerman, Robbie Findley had an excellent week as they helped RSL claw back into playoff contention. 10 9 Toronto FC (8-8-7) Despite sitting in 11th place, TFC remains just three points off fifth, and a solid draw in Seattle could spur on Amado Guevara & Co. 11 7 Chivas USA (10-9-3) Just a week after looking rejuvenated, the Goats tumbled twice as they conceded five goals without scoring one. 12 13 Kansas City Wizards (5-10-6) The Wiz posted a 17-5 shooting advantage at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, but couldn't slip a single ball past RSL's Chris Seitz. 13 14 FC Dallas (6-11-5) FCD returns home and will attempt to shatter its month-long losing streak against a D.C. club that's equally desperate for a victory. 14 12 San Jose Earthquakes (5-12-5) Newly capped El Salvador international Arturo Alvarez is playing like a world-beater. The rest of his club? Not so much. 15 15 New York Red Bulls (4-16-4) Sorry, New York: You're still in last position, but suddenly 14th doesn't look so far off.