1. Steve Zakuani (Seattle)

Proved to everyone exactly why he should be starting over Sebastian Le Toux (although Le Toux put on a great display, 2g, 2a, vs. Real Salt Lake in Open Cup play last night). A goal and an assist were enough to help Seattle find its' stride again. Zakuani looked virtually unstoppable on the wings, a bit like Dane Richards when he is in good form (haven't seen that yet).

2. Pablo Vitti (Toronto FC)

Vitti looked fantastic in his two games this past week but one thing remained troublesome for the big Argentine striker - his finishing. He probably created these same chances with his former clubs but there's a reason he has rarely scored in the past couple of years - inconsistent finishing. He looked great out wide vs the Wizards, especially with target man Dichio in the middle, but you can tell his forte is taking on defense with his great technical skill and strength on the ball.

3. Chris Pontius (DC United)




Better finishing, better results. United scored 2 in the last couple minutes to give the Red and Black a huge win over conference rivals New York. Pontius was the provider of a dramatic last-gasp gamewinner while his compatriot Rodney was able to contribute as well.

4. Stefan Frei (Toronto FC)

Two wins on the week, it doesn't look like Frei is giving up his starting spot anytime soon. Quieter vs. Chivas USA, Frei was easily the star of the game in a close one vs. Kansas City, repeatedly shutting down a relentless Wizards attack. That's two consecutive shutouts for the rookie - continuing to make his point about getting dropped to the end of the first round in the Superdraft.

5. Rodney Wallace (DC United)

United and Toronto FC look like the draft winners so far this season as names like Wallace, Pontius, Frei, Cronin, Barklage, and Kocic continue to contribute. This week was was special because Wallace, one of United's two first round picks was able to register his first professional goal to open up United's scoring vs. the Red Bulls. Barklage could have been on here as well but Wallace's consistent play in the early going has been a huge boost to a United with an aging core of players.

6. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (Seattle)




An absolute beast once again in the back. It's possible not one San Jose attacker beat Hurtado one-on-one the whole game and that's saying something considering the physicality and size of strikers like Pablo Campos and Cam Weaver. Hurtado's pairing wit h Tyrone Marshall (a good signing so far...go figure) is starting to solidify an extremely tough back four. MLS officials did take a little bit out of Hurtado's great play this past weekend, however...taking away his first MLS point.

7. Sam Cronin (Toronto FC)

New coaches, new set-up, new position? No problem! Cronin is proving to be - along with Chris Pontius - an invaluable, versatile part of his squad. He moved into the middle for Toronto's late Sunday win, helping to bring down a confident Kansas City bunch with an assist on Danny Dichio's gamewinning goal. Earlier in the week, before John Carver took the lame road, he was integral in ending the unbeaten run of the Western Conference leaders, Chivas USA. Not bad a week's work.

8. Kasey Keller (Seattle)

Keller would probably be higher, especially if this past week was like Week 5 (no amazing newcomer performances). Back in after the red-card suspension, Keller was able to pass Ronald Waterreus for longest shutout streak by a keeper (now at 389 minutes at counting). His biggest contribution against San Jose was an absolutely ridiculous save that not many 39-year olds on this planet could get away with. Clip below:

9. Luis Miguel Escalada (Real Salt Lake)




His first MLS goal was a thing of far panel beauty. It was a clinical finish, low, far post, driven hard, and yet it was almost lost in the crowd of goals that poured into Brad Knighton's goal that night. The 23-year old Argentine only got 10 minutes of play vs. New England but if he can deliver this weekly, RSL has found yet another Argentine gem to go with Morales and - once again RSLer - Espindola.

10. Matt Besler (Kansas City)

Though the Wizards went 1-1 this week, Besler continues to give seasoned performances on the backline. He did all he could to slow Vitti down vs. Toronto FC. The Argentine striker might have tormented KC's backline but he wasn't the one that did the damage, right? Could it be the hometown atmosphere? (Besler grew up only 20 minutes away from former KC stadium Arrowhead).

STOCK RISING: Brandon Barklage (DCU)

DEBUT: Eric Brunner (CMB)

AWAITING DEBUT: Kyle Davies (FCD), Ade Akinbiyi (HOU), Andrew Hainault (HOU), Emmanuel Gomez (TFC), Emmanuel Osei (NER), Stephane Assengue Ombiogno (NER)

BAD WEEK: Alfredo Pacheco (RBNY), Carlos Johnson (RBNY)

Scoring goes 10 pts. for first spot, 9 pts. for second spot, 8 pts. for third spot, etc.

OVERALL [pts/wk]

1. Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle - 23 pts.) [4-0-10-5-4-0]
Steve Zakuani (Seattle - 23 pts.) [0-5-8-0-0-10]
2. Chris Pontius (DC United - 22 pts.) [6-6-0-2-0-8]
3. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (Seattle - 21 pts.) [9-0-0-7-0-5]
4. Freddy Montero (Seattle - 19 pts.) [10-9-0-0-0-0]
Donovan Ricketts (Los Angeles - 19 pts.) [0-0-0-10-9-0]
5. Kasey Keller (Seattle - 17 pts.) [0-10-4-0-0-3]
6. Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle - 16 pts.) [0-7-9-0-0-0]
7. Stefan Frei (Toronto FC - 12 pts.)
8. Brad Knighton (New England - 11 pts.)
9. Pablo Vitti (Toronto FC - 10 pts.)
10. Sam Cronin (Toronto FC - 9 pts.)
Eduardo Lillingston (Chivas USA - 9 pts.)
Kevin Alston (New England - 9 pts.)
Bobby Convey (San Jose - 9 pts.)
Gerson Mayen (Chivas USA - 9 pts.)
11. Cam Weaver (San Jose - 8 pts.)
Sebastian Le Toux (Seattle - 8 pts.)
Mariano Trujillo (Chivas USA - 8 pts.)
David Ferreira (FC Dallas - 8 pts.)
12. Santiago Hirsig (Kansas City - 7 pts.)
Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles - 7 pts.)
Alfredo Pacheco (Red Bull New York - 7 pts.)
Matt Besler (Kansas City - 7 pts.)
Rodney Wallace (DC United - 7 pts.)
13. Pablo Campos (San Jose - 5 pts.)
Darrius Barnes (New England - 5 pts.)
14. Bojan Stepanovic (Chivas USA - 4 pts.)
15. Luis Miguel Escalada (Real Salt Lake - 2 pts.)
16. Alec Dufty (New York - 1 pt.)

Should we count Fabian Espindola as an MLS newcomer? Were there any other risers? How about those falling off? What has happened to Fredy Montero? See you in week 7...