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: CLB +3; DAL, LA -3
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
Only eight teams were in action in Week 33, so most of MLS got to rest up before the furious finish to the regular season. The Red Bulls maintain their place atop the Power Rankings, despite being a point behind Atlanta, but they'll almost certainly need to keep winning to keep the top spot.
Previous: Idle | Next: at PHI on 10/21
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
No guarantees that Ezequiel Barco will take Miguel Almiron's place in the Atlanta XI for the final matches this month, but it seems likely. Time to see if Barco can take on the mantle of pushing Atlanta's attack forward, or being a good secondary scoring option. Big shoes to fill.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. CHI on 10/21
3
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 16
Dallas' loss moves Sporting up and gives them hope of jumping to the top of the Western Conference. But with their final three games coming against Vancouver, desperate for a playoff berth, and fellow top of the West contenders Dallas and LAFC, Sporting's playoff run has effectively started.
Previous: Idle | Next: at VAN on 10/17; at DAL on 10/21
4
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 21
Seattle haven't booked their ticket to the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs yet, but they're close and they're playing two teams eliminated already this week. At the same time, both games are on the road, so if they aren't totally buttoned up, it could be very nervous days ahead.
Previous: Idle | Next: at ORL on 10/17; at HOU on 10/21
5
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 18
Yes, Dallas lost, but their defeat at Audi Field was the result of one rather fluky breakdown. Still, with the postseason approaching, it felt like a grinding playoff game, and should give Oscar Pareja some lessons before the big games arrive.
Previous: Lost 1-0 at DC | Next: vs. SKC on 10/21
6
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 17
Perhaps this is a season of destiny for LAFC. Consider Friday's win over Houston, when LAFC skated around their box like a bunch of SoCal drivers in the rain in conceding first, before a very rare weather delay in California gave them time to regroup and for Carlos Vela to put up a monster performance. Coincidence, or fate?
Previous: Won 4-2 vs. HOU | Next: vs. VAN on 10/21
7
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 23
United's win over FC Dallas was a game in which the star attackers struggled mightily, and they still found a way to get three points. Moving above the playoff line for the first time, they have also moved to their highest point in the Power Rankings this season.
Previous: Won 1-0 vs. DAL | Next: vs. TOR on 10/17; vs. NYC on 10/21
8
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 22
The Union have a huge home game on Sunday against the Red Bulls. This could be a literal playoff preview, and with the Red Bulls gunning for the Shield, it's going to be a major test for Philadelphia, even if the stakes aren't life or death.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. RBNY on 10/21
9
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 12
The voting panel doesn't submit comments along with their votes, but there's a solid chance that the voters are more optimistic about Columbus' chances this season after the news broke that the team could remain in the city. Don't be surprised if that becomes a rallying cry for this Crew SC group.
Previous: Idle | Next: at ORL on 10/21
10
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 18
The Timbers haven't clinched their playoff berth yet, but face the return leg of their impromptu home-and-away set against RSL this week. An interesting wrinkle: If RSL themselves win their midweek game, they'll be just two points behind the Timbers, and that Sunday showdown will be a real six-pointer.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. RSL on 10/21
11
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 23
The ball is now in the Impact's court with D.C. jumping ahead of them for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and with D.C. able to put more distance if they win midweek. But with a clash against Toronto on the docket, you can be assured Montreal will be up for their game.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. TOR on 10/21
12
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 21
No lie, this week is more consequential for RSL than any other team in the league, both because of their sixth-place standing right now in the West and because they will be sitting out Decision Day. They have to post their points now, and then see how the final week goes without them.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. NE on 10/18; at POR on 10/21
13
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 18
Minnesota United have hyped this game up like crazy, but laying an egg against the Rapids should give the Galaxy plenty of hope. Don't be surprised if this game, with the Galaxy chasing to get above the playoff line, ends 5-4.
Previous: Idle | Next: at MIN on 10/21
14
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 14
Remember NYCFC? They've been off for three weeks and with a game at Audi Field coming up, we'll likely see some combination of tired D.C. and rusty NYCFC. Will it show in the action? Tune in to find out.
Previous: Idle | Next: at DC on 10/21
15
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20
The Whitecaps are running under the radar in the playoff chase, but this week is make-or-break for them, with massive games against Sporting KC and LAFC. They're another team that has effectively started the playoffs already.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. SKC on 10/17; at LAFC on 10/21
16
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
Toronto FC are in a position they haven't been in four years: Out of the playoffs, can they play spoilers to D.C., Montreal and Atlanta in their final three games? They could lack the cutting edge with nothing tangible to play for, but all of their opponents have real stakes, and they could play a big role.
Previous: Idle | Next: at DC on 10/17; at MTL on 10/21
17
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 19
Back-to-back losses in which they conceded four goals, Houston's difficult season continues. Safe to say, however, that Mauro Manotas has had a monster season and if he can follow up with another strong campaign next year, could draw genuine transfer interest abroad.
Previous: Lost 4-2 at LAFC | Next: vs. SEA on 10/21
18
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 22
New England finally won again, but their third straight season without playoff soccer was confirmed before they even hit the field. Cristian Penilla remains a bright spot on the season, but there hasn't been enough where that came from this season.
Previous: Won 2-0 vs. ORL | Next: at RSL on 10/18
19
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 23
Minnesota posted a strong home record and were set to face a team that had one just one road game this season, they put in an awful performance. A game is 90 minutes, but Angelo Rodriguez being offside on both Loons goals, thus negating them both, summed up a brutal day (to say nothing of the late melee!).
Previous: Lost 2-0 vs. COL | Next: vs. LA on 10/21
20
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 23
Tough assignment for the Fire, who have to go to Mercedes-Benz Stadium with Atlanta looking to keep their edge in the Shield race. Still, if Veljko Paunovic is making a case to return next year, he could do worse than have his team put in another late-season upset.
Previous: Idle | Next: at ATL on 10/21
21
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 23
Moving on up for the Rapids, who lucked out on those offside goals by Minnesota but were fair value for their rare win. Niki Jackson has three goals in 401 minutes for Colorado, joint-second on the team this season. It's a small sample size but he may have more to give with more time in the future.
Previous: Won 2-0 at MIN | Next: at SJ on 10/21
22
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 23
The Quakes were idle in league play but played Liga MX leaders Cruz Azul to a scoreless draw in a home friendly this weekend. The Almeyda effect already in action?
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. COL on 10/21
23
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 23
If Orlando let in one more goal this season, they will break the all-time MLS record for goals conceded in a season. A tough two-game week ahead, albeit at home, with the Lions looking to post their first win since July -- can they do that before Decision Day?
Previous: Lost 2-0 at NE | Next: vs. SEA on 10/17; vs. CLB on 10/21
