MLSnet.com Power Rankings: Week 16

We've officially passed the halfway point of the 2009 MLS season, and -- at least by the standards of our MLS experts -- we find ourselves at the same place we were when the 2008 MLS regular season came to an end.

The Houston Dynamo and Columbus Crew stand as the league's top two squads.

What have we learned from the first half of MLS league play? Several things. For one, success can come along very quickly. Look at Seattle Sounders FC, who've blown away previous notions of what an expansion club should be by staying in the thick of the Western Conference standings, thriving off the passion of one of the league's most ravenous fan bases (which turned its wrath on the MLSnet.com Power Rankings a week ago).

We've also seen that success can quickly flutter away. Look at the New York Red Bulls, who after a magical run to MLS Cup 2008 have struggled mightily in 2009, tumbling to the bottom of the MLS standings and Power Rankings.

Still, the race for the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs seems wide open as we enter the dog days of summer. So, with that in mind, this edition of the Power Rankings focuses on the key questions, issues and players for each MLS club as they enter the second half.

Here's a look at the latest MLSnet.com Power Rankings. As always, these rankings do not reflect any official stance of Major League Soccer.