1. Fredy Montero (Seattle)

Two goals and an assist in a winless week for the Sounders is probably not what Montero had in mind. The scoring was, the tying wasn't. The Sounders were booed off the pitch after an ugly Tyrone Marshall own goal led to a 3-3 tie at home. Bring in the struggling Red Bulls - especially on the road - and you have yourself a sure win, right? Not so fast. If it wasn't for Montero, the Sounders would have been even more disappointed going forward. That's three in the last three games for the little Colombian.

2. Scott Palguta (Colorado)

The Rapids are really starting to gain momentum and Palguta has been a mainstay in a defense that helped blank a fatigued DC United squad this past weekend. The former Rochester Rhino has nothing but start for the Rapids and surprisingly, he hasn't made the list yet this season. Steve Goff said the United defense made Omar Cummings look like Samuel Eto'o. Well - to add to that - United's offense made Palguta look like Carlos Puyol. Palguta's head was on everything, turning each United attack back. It's clear he has the chops to stay within the league.

3. Pablo Campos (San Jose)



A goal and an assist. Hey Pablo - what took you so long? I remember earlier in the season he had a similar game only to disappear into the the depths of obscurity for good two months. Can Campos become another go-to guy like Huckerby or are the Quakes destined to hope that somebody steps up day-in, day-out? At least they can count on him against the Galaxy...

4. Kyle Davies (FC Dallas)



Davies has been earning rave reviews since his first start in a 3-1 loss to in-state rivals Houston. The 20-year old had an even better showing this past weekend as the Hoops surprised Columbus 2-1. His time came partially for his work vs. Herediano in a mid-week friendly but moreso for injuries to both Costa Rican international Daniel Torres and Steve Purdy. He should get the call again tonight vs. the Colorado Rapids as the Hoops try and get some sort of momentum going.

5. Chris Pontius (DC United)

Let's forget about the fiasco in Colorado and United's inability to win away vs. the Rapids. Pontius was his usual dangerous self vs. Colorado but a better performance was shown mid-week in the thriller vs. Seattle. He had a couple chances on Kasey Keller's net right off the bat and finally put a pretty one home at around the 8th minute - a true goal of the week candidate. On top of that, to complete the United comeback, it was a Pontius cross that found Seattle centreback Tyrone Marshall's head that nestled into the Sounders net, deadlocking it at 3-3. Still the favorite for rookie of the year (inching above Zakuani this week according to this list), I can see why many were hoping he made that Gold Cup roster.

6. Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle)



It was clear the Sounders were missing Alonso while he was out injured and his return - though it didn't yield any victories - confirmed that sentiment. His fire (evident in his altercation with Kandji on Saturday), tenacity, and determination makes him a vital addition to the Sounders midfield. Now the Sounders get to play a trio of matches at home with Alonso and hopefully, Freddie Ljungberg back in the mix. And I forgot, Alonso announced his return vs. DC United with a 30-yard rocket for his first Major League Soccer goal.

7. Nick Zimmerman (New York)

The young right winger and Danny Cepero's play continue to be the only bright spots in New York's camp as they continue their campaign. They ended a five game losing streak but continue to get in their own way (as Jeremy Hall's gaffe will tell you). Zimmerman's day could have ended better with one of his strikes hitting the back of the net but it wasn't to be as Keller was on point and ready. If the winger can connect more often and continue to hone his crossing ability (something which Dane Richards refuses to do), he won't see that bench anymore.

8. Eric Brunner (Columbus)

He's a defender of course and the Crew lost to one of the worst teams in the league, losing grip on their Eastern Conference lead, but a goal is a goal (even if it did deflect off of Dallas' Pablo Ricchetti in the process). Brunner beat two defenders to get on the end of a Schelotto cross to nod home his first career professional goal, taking a page out of Chad Marshall's book. The best part of his first goal was probably who he scored it on, former teammate at Ohio State, Ray Burse, Jr.



9. David Ferreira (FC Dallas)

I hate to reward a flop but Ferreira had his hand in both of the Hoops goals vs. Columbus. The real hero of the day was Eric Avila but Ferreira was an easy second, providing Avila with the pass that led to his curling beauty and showing his acting chops in the aftermath of an errant Chad Marshall tackle. For all of the work Ferreira does each week, it's nice - even if you're not a FC Dallas fan - to see a guy have some success.

10. Donovan Ricketts (Los Angeles)

The Galaxy lost and continue to slide but Ricketts is the only reason they continually are kept within the games always giving the Donovan-less side a chance. The loss of Eddie Lewis and Gregg Berhalter's lack of speed killed them this past weekend vs. San Jose but Ricketts was there to do what he's been doing all year. Will somebody start scoring goals for this guy!

New additions: Ali Gerba (TFC) - Say goodbye to both Rohan Ricketts and Johann Smith. The big Canadian striker had 10 goals to his name even for an off year at MK Dons, that's pretty good. Can he find his way quickly onto the list?

OVERALL [pts/wk]

1. Freddy Montero (Seattle - 44 pts.)
2. Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle - 43 pts.)
3. Donovan Ricketts (Los Angeles - 42 pts.)
4. Chris Pontius (DC United - 41 pts.) - Rookie of the Year
5. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (Seattle - 38 pts.)
6. Steve Zakuani (Seattle - 37 pts.)
7. Andrew Hainault (Houston - 34 pts.)
8. Eduardo Lillingston (Chivas USA - 33 pts.)
9. Kasey Keller (Seattle - 25 pts.)
Stefan Frei (Toronto FC - 25 pts.)
10. Mariano Trujillo (Chivas USA - 22 pts.)
11. Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle - 21 pts.)
12. David Ferreira (FC Dallas - 20 pts.)
13. Emmanuel Osei (New England - 19 pts.)
Rodney Wallace (DC United - 19 pts.)
14. Cam Weaver (Houston - 18 pts.)
15. Dejan Jakovic (DC United - 17 pts.)
16. Brad Knighton (New England - 16 pts.)
Kevin Alston (New England - 16 pts.)
Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles - 16 pts.)
Eric Brunner (Columbus - 16 pts.)
17. Alfredo Pacheco (Red Bull New York - 14 pts.)
Sam Cronin (Toronto FC - 14 pts.)
18. Pablo Campos (San Jose - 13 pts.)
19. Pablo Vitti (Toronto FC - 12 pts.)
20. Albert Celades (New York - 10 pts.)
Matt Besler (Kansas City - 10 pts.)
Cornell Glen (San Jose - 10 pts.)
Alvaro Sanchez (FC Dallas - 10 pts.)
Santiago Hirsig (Kansas City - 10 pts.)
21. Bobby Convey (San Jose - 9 pts.)
Gerson Mayen (Chivas USA - 9 pts.)
Scott Palguta (Colorado - 9 pts.)
22. Sebastian Le Toux (Seattle - 8 pts.)
23. Jeremy Hall (New York - 7 pts.)
Darrius Barnes (New England - 7 pts.)
Kyle Davies (FC Dallas - 7 pts.)
24. Gregg Berhalter (Los Angeles - 6 pts.)
Michael Lahoud (Chivas USA - 6 pts.)
25. Nick Zimmerman (New York - 5 pts.)
26. Bojan Stepanovic (Chivas USA - 4 pts.)
Stephane Assengue (New England - 4 pts.)
27. Luis Miguel Escalada (Real Salt Lake - 2 pts.)
Milos Kocic (DC United - 2 pts.)
Carlos Johnson (New York - 2 pts.)
Quincy Amarikwa (San Jose - 2 pts.)
28. Alec Dufty (New York - 1 pt.)
Kyle Reynish (Real Salt Lake - 1 pt.)
A.J. DeLaGarza (Los Angeles - 1 pt.)
Tony Sanneh (Los Angeles - 1 pt.)