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: POR +3; MIN -3
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 2
Another week without David Villa, and NYCFC battled back for a point in what is always a tricky fixture at Gillette Stadium. With Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scoring again, it seems like the concerns about Villa's backup up top are settled.
Previous: Drew 2-2 at NE | Next: at SJ on 3/31
2
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 11
Crew SC were expected to beat D.C. United at home and didn't disappoint. One of the underrated stories of the season so far is how Cristian Martinez had to wait until his third season to get a real look in the Columbus lineup, and the patience is now being rewarded.
Previous: Won 3-1 vs. DC | Next: vs. VAN on 3/31
3
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
No one would claim the Red Bulls beat anything close to a full-strength Minnesota United side, but they were impressive in their performance yet again — just like they've been in all of their MLS games this season, no matter the result.
Previous: Won 3-0 vs. MIN | Next: at ORL on 3/31
4
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
Toronto drop, after sitting out last week and starting the MLS campaign 0-2-0. The game against Real Salt Lake on Friday won't be a must-win occasion, but it will be an opportunity to get back on track in league play.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. RSL on 3/30
5
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
Atlanta appear to have righted the ship at home, but they haven't been out on the road since the shock 4-0 demolition by Houston on opening day. Could the Loons spring another surprise to compound Atlanta's road woes?
Previous: Idle | Next: at MIN on 3/31
6
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 17
Two games in, and two wins for the expansion side. The next big test comes with the first rivalry game against the Galaxy on Saturday. Will Bradley & Co. be able to wrestle the narrative away from Zlatanmania?
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. LA on 3/31
7
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 15
After the Revolution's improved performance over the weekend, calling the Dynamo's next match a potential "trap game" might be uncharitable. Still, after dropping points they shouldn't have in two straight, this is the kind of game in which Houston will want to post another dominant win at home.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. NE on 3/31
8
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 15
Sporting's games are fun to watch because they feature loads of goals and late dramatics. But are they adjusting to a new group and some tweaks in style, or will they struggle to contend this season? Stay tuned.
Previous: Drew 2-2 at COL | Next: vs. DC on 3/31
9
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 12
LA's draw in Vancouver wasn't a vintage performance, but considering how shorthanded they were (they only dressed 17 players, and three were goalkeepers!) and how potent Vancouver's attack appeared to be, a 0-0 result will work wonders for their confidence heading into the LAFC game.
Previous: Drew 0-0 at VAN | Next: vs. LAFC on 3/31
10
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 14
If the Galaxy draw was a morale boost, it was the opposite for the Whitecaps. Obviously a home loss would have been worse, but having a makeshift lineup hold a team that has at least four legit scoring options on the field at a given time is pretty disappointing.
Previous: Drew 0-0 vs. LA | Next: at CLB on 3/31
11
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 13
RSL got a week off, and will likely be studying tape of Toronto's losses this season to see where they can be got. It won't be easy, but the pressure will largely be off them on Viernes de Fútbol.
Previous: Idle | Next: at TOR on 3/30
12
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 20
The Union have a tricky game on the road against the Rapids coming up, but with a week off the hope is that they've worked on integrating Borek Dockal and getting the attack into form on their bye.
Previous: Idle | Next: at COL on 3/31
13
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 18
Roland Lamah remains hot, but Dallas gave up an equalizer against a previously-reeling Timbers side. The defense is admittedly almost totally remade, but questions remain if this year's group will turn out to be an upgrade in the long run.
Previous: Drew 1-1 vs. POR | Next: vs. COL on 4/7
14
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 16
The Quakes are back at home this week, but will face the top team in our rankings. Their defense has also been retooled, and will Anibal Godoy rebound from a poor outing two weeks ago against Sporting KC?
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. NYC on 3/31
15
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 18
The first big decision of Gio Savarese's tenure paid off, as Bill Tuiloma's MLS debut justified the decision to leave Liam Ridgewell at home. Can all the players build off that bold call?
Previous: Drew 1-1 at DAL | Next: at CHI on 3/31
16
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 21
The Impact got a week off and will likely use that time to hone their gameplan against a sputtering Sounders side. The long-distance road trip could slow down their progress, but don't be surprised if Montreal creep higher in the eyes of the voting panel moving forward.
Previous: Idle | Next: at SEA on 3/31
17
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 17
The Sounders got a week to rest, hopefully get Nico Lodeiro healthy, and plan for the loss of Clint Dempsey against Montreal. It feels like Seattle could use a good win and performance to stop their Murphy's Law skid to the season.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. MTL on 3/31
18
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 23
So the Loons couldn't make it three wins in a row for the first time in their MLS existence, but they were truly shorthanded with the lineup against the Red Bulls. Facing Atlanta at home will give Adrian Heath's men a chance to prove the doubters all wrong yet again.
Previous: Lost 3-0 at RBNY | Next: vs. ATL on 3/31
19
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 19
Speaking of the Red Bulls, Orlando get to face them at home this weekend. Will Sacha Kljestan attempt a one-man revenge quest against his former side? Perhaps more to the point, will the Lions post their first win of the season?
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. RBNY on 3/31
20
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 22
While the Revolution remain near the bottom of the Power Rankings, their performance against NYC offered plenty of promise moving forward. They still have some way to go in closing out games, but Brad Friedel may be putting pressure on foes with a developing press.
Previous: Drew 2-2 vs. NYC | Next: at HOU on 3/31
21
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 21
The Fire remain an enigma, but a game at home against a Timbers side still trying to figure things out could give Chicago a chance to post their first win of the season.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. POR on 3/31
22
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 22
Starting to envision all of D.C. United and their fanbase staring at a calendar, putting a big red line through each day as July 14 (and their opener at Audi Field) inches closer.
Previous: Lost 3-1 at CLB | Next: at SKC on 3/31
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 23
Good news: The Rapids can score! Not-so-good news: They couldn't focus for 90 minutes and dropped two points. They've yet to hang in for an entire game, and until they can, they'll be stuck near the bottom of the rankings.
Previous: Drew 2-2 vs. SKC | Next: vs. PHI on 3/31
