Soccer Power Rankings - What You Need to Know

Back when I was in college ESPN.com used to generate a Top 25 List of the best soccer teams in the world. Over time they got away from that, but finally, it's back. It's only a Top 10 this time, but still, it's exciting. ESPN soccer writer Leander Schaerlaeckens generated his list using the following criteria:

The continental competitions and top-tier leagues from the following countries were included for consideration in the above rankings: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, CONCACAF Champions League, Copa Libertadores, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Ukraine, United States.

Here's some things to know about the teams he has in this week's Top 10.

(1) Barcelona - Spain - #1
18-1-1 in League Play
Goal Differential +53
Leading Scorer: Lionel Messi - 19 goals, 14 assists
Next Game: Copa del Rey - vs Almeria 1/26

(2) Manchester United - England - #1
14-0-9 in League Play
Goal Differential +30
Leading Scorer: Dimitar Berbatov - 17 goals 2 assists
Next Game: FA Cup - @ Southampton 1/29

(3) Real Madrid - Spain - #2
16-1-3 in League Play
Goal Differential +31
Leading Scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo - 22 goals 7 assists
Next Game: Copa del Rey - @ Sevilla 1/26

(4) Borussia Dortmund - Germany - #1
15-2-2 in League Play
Goal Differential +31
Leading Scorers: Shinji Kagawa & Lucas Barrios - 8 goals 1 assist
Next Game: @ Wolfsburg 1/29

(5) AC Milan - Italy - #1
13-3-5 in League Play
Goal Differential +19
Leading Scorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 12 goals 8 assists
Next Game: Coppa Italia - @ Sampdoria 1/26

(6) Tottenham Hotspur - England - #5
10-5-8 in League Play
Goal Differential +6
Leading Scorer: Rafael Van der Vaart - 9 goals 5 assists
Next Game: FA Cup - @ Fulham 1/30

(7) Inter Milan - Italy - #5
10-5-5 in League Play
Goal Differential +11
Leading Scorer: Samuel Eto'o - 12 goals 3 assists
Next Game: Coppa Italia - @ Napoli 1/26

(8) Shakhtar Donetsk - Ukraine - #1 (Russian League)
17-1-1 in League Play
Goal Differential +31

Leading Scorer: couldn't find this, but here's their website - Shakhtar Donetsk Website

Next Game: Champions League - @ AS Roma 2/16

(9) Manchester City - England - #3

13-5-6 in League Play

Goal Differential +17

Leading Scorer: Carlos Tevez - 14 goals 5 assists

Next Game: FA Cup - @ Notts County 1/30

(10) FC Porto - Portugal - #1

15-0-2 in League Play

Goal Differential +33

Leading Scorer: Hulk - 17 goals 4 assists

Next Game: vs Nacional Med 1/26