Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. Rankings are voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff; words by Alicia Rodriguez.
BIGGEST MOVERS: N/A
1
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 1
It's not surprising to see TFC take top spot in the first Power Rankings of the season. That they've lost just one starter (Steven Beitashour, who missed a lot of their treble-winning season with injury) while adding Gregory van der Wiel and Ager Aketxe means they fully deserve No. 1.
Previous: N/A | Next: vs. CLB on 3/3
2
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 2
There are a lot of newcomers in the Bronx, but NYCFC appear to have strengthened where they needed to this offseason. Can David Villa hold off Father Time for another year?
Previous: N/A | Next: at SKC on 3/4
3
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 3
The most exciting team in MLS needs to figure out who is replacing Carlos Carmona. If that situation is sorted out, expect a lot of 3-0 wins this season. If not? Maybe quite a few 3-3 draws.
Previous: N/A | Next: at HOU on 3/3
4
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 4
Yes, the Sounders did pretty well last year with Jordan Morris hurt much of the season, but losing him for the entire MLS slate this year after he tore his ACL in Central America last week may be a real setback for Seattle.
Previous: N/A | Next: vs. LAFC on 3/4
5
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 5
New year, new look Timbers. Diego Valeri can't be expected to put the team on his back for a full season again, but there is a lot of intriguing talent joining Gio Savarese this offseason. Will they put it together in short order?
Previous: N/A | Next: at LA on 3/4
6
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 6
The voting panel could not find consensus on RSL's prospects, with votes ranging from No. 3 to No. 14. But the general opinion is that Mike Petke's group is going to be much better overall in 2018.
Previous: N/A | Next: at DAL on 3/3
7
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 7
The Red Bulls have sputtered out of the gates in recent seasons, but the voters think this may be the year they don't drop a ton of points early. The big question is whether Kaku is going to see the field right away or if Jesse Marsch will take his time in introducing the import.
Previous: N/A | Next: vs. POR on 3/10
8
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 8
The Lions have been wheeling and dealing this offseason and look much improved, but Sacha Kljestan's suspension and Dom Dwyer's injury is likely going to limit them to begin the season.
Previous: N/A | Next: vs. DC on 3/3
9
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 9
Sporting have gone under the radar leaguewide this offseason, but Peter Vermes has made substantial changes to the roster. If the defense remains stout, the attack may get a bit of time to find chemistry in the opening weeks.
Previous: N/A | Next: vs. NYC on 3/4
10
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 10
After the moves Gregg Berhalter has made in the offseason, 2018 could be the "Federico and Gyasi" show in Columbus.
Previous: N/A | Next: at TOR on 3/3
11
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 11
The Fire started so hot last season but more or less limped to the finish. They have to be hoping Bastian Schweinsteiger can stay healthy the whole way this time around.
Previous: N/A | Next: vs. SKC on 3/10
12
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 12
The wooden spoon holders appear to have upgraded a number of positions in the offseason, but the central question remains if Giovani dos Santos can be an MVP-level force all season.
Previous: N/A | Next: vs. POR on 3/4
13
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 13
Losing Kellyn Acosta for a few months after sports hernia surgery is a big blow, but this may give Victor Ulloa a chance to show his growth in Acosta's stead.
Previous: N/A | Next: vs. RSL on 3/3
14
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 14
The Whitecaps may have finished strong last season, but the trade rumors surrounding Tim Parker seems to leave voters feeling Vancouver won't be among the best teams to start this season.
Previous: N/A | Next: vs. MTL on 3/4
15
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 15
Speaking of sliding down the rankings, the Western Conference Championship finalists appear set to regress to the mean this year, says the voting panel. Cubo Torres is gone, and so is Ricardo Clark, but most of the rest of the lineup remains intact.
Previous: N/A | Next: vs. ATL on 3/3
16
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 16
Much like the Rapids, the Earthquakes have changed both their head coach and most of their roster within the past several months. Voters are content to see what Mikael Stahre can do with his side before placing the Quakes higher.
Previous: N/A | Next: vs. MIN on 3/3
17
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 17
The new kids on the block are really taking the time they are given to fill out their roster, which appears to make many voters nervous about their prospects of transcending the "expansion team" tag.
Previous: N/A | Next: at SEA on 3/4
18
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 18
Year to year, predicting D.C. United's prospects seems impossible, but playing mostly road games in the first half of the season seems to stack the deck against a full revival this time around.
Previous: N/A | Next: at ORL on 3/3
19
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 19 | LOW: 19
Things have been pretty quiet in Montreal since Remi Garde was appointed head coach. Will the Frenchman take to MLS as quickly as Patrick Vieira a few years back?
Previous: N/A | Next: at VAN on 3/4
20
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 20
Andre Blake told reporters this offseason to "trust the process" in Philly, and Jim Curtin appears to be serious about playing his kids. Will they blossom into the next FC Dallas or abandon the project midseason?
Previous: N/A | Next: vs. NE on 3/3
21
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 21
The Revolution hope Brad Friedel will be a breath of fresh air, but a roster that largely looks the same as last year's doesn't inspire a great deal of confidence in the voting panel.
Previous: N/A | Next: at PHI on 3/3
22
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 22 | LOW: 22
Coming off a rough 2017, with a raft of changes, the Rapids are a difficult team to handicap against the MLS competition right now, but our voters believe they'll need to earn the benefit of the doubt.
Previous: N/A | Next: at NE on 3/10
23
LAST WEEK: -
HIGH: 23 | LOW: 23
The voting panel doesn't believe the Loons' offseason moves vaulted them up even into mid-table, and so they get the best claim to "nobody believes in us" billboard material.
Previous: N/A | Next: at SJ on 3/3
