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: MTL, ORL +4; PHI -6
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 2
Once again, NYCFC's youth and depth weather any challenges the team has faced. With a comeback victory on the opposite coast, they really do look like the frontrunner in the earlygoing this season.
Previous: Won 2-1 at SJ | Next: vs. RSL on 4/11
2
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
Of course, Toronto aren't yet ready to relinquish their claim as the best team in MLS. They got their first win in league play this week, and looked more or less back to their best in a comprehensive performance against RSL.
Previous: Won 3-1 vs. RSL | Next: at COL on 4/14
3
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
Ugliest win ever for Atlanta United? Their 1-0 win over Minnesota United while playing with 10 men was a little lucky, a little scrappy, and very, very frozen. It's also the kind of result contenders need to get every once in a while.
Previous: Won 1-0 at MIN | Next: vs. LAFC on 4/7
4
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 11
It was the second game of the season where Crew SC struggled in the second half at home, and this time the Whitecaps made them pay for it. On the bright side, Gyasi Zardes is still scoring to continue his hot start.
Previous: Lost 2-1 vs. VAN | Next: at CHI on 4/7
5
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
Once again, the Red Bulls did well in their league match despite prioritizing CCL, but they have a bit to work on as this was their least dominant performance to date. Still, if not for a disputed goal and a deflected goal, they still could have won this one.
Previous: Lost 4-3 at ORL | Next: vs. MTL on 4/14
6
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 15
Problems solved? Sporting returned to their recent trademark style in getting a goal and shutting up shop. Worth wondering if they can take it on the road and repeat the feat against the Galaxy at the weekend, however.
Previous: Won 1-0 vs. DC | Next: at LA on 4/8
7
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 12
Now that's what you call a comeback. The Galaxy's fairytale win over LAFC was the stuff of legend, but Sigi Schmid likely banned any thoughts of El Trafico to start the week in order to get ready for the next one, a showdown against Sporting KC.
Previous: Won 4-3 vs. LAFC | Next: vs. SKC on 4/8
8
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 17
On the flip side, how do LAFC move on after such a devastating rivalry loss? The good news is that the team is only three games into their season, and their next game is against...checks notes...dominant home team Atlanta United. Hmm.
Previous: Lost 4-3 vs. LA | Next: at ATL on 4/7
9
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 14
The Whitecaps look like a team better suited to the road, strangely, after beating another dominant home side in Columbus. They're likely to be licking their chops against a reeling RSL in the next game.
Previous: Won 2-1 at CLB | Next: at RSL on 4/7
10
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 18
FC Dallas move up despite sitting out the week due to the unusual number of road wins in Week 5. Next up for them is a home game against a suddenly resurgent Rapids side. Can Roland Lamah continue his scoring ways?
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. COL on 4/7
11
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 15
It turns out homefield advantage may not come so easily to the Dynamo this year after losing to the steadily improving Revolution. After the hot opening day win, Houston have been in a funk and need to snap out soon.
Previous: Lost 2-0 vs. NE | Next: at SJ on 4/14
12
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 21
The Impact have been sneaky good at Seattle over the years, and being up a man for more than a half helped their chances, but Jeisson Vargas and Ignacio Piatti teaming up in a non-forward forward line has been quite effective for Montreal.
Previous: Won 1-0 at SEA | Next: at NE on 4/6
13
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 18
Sebastian Blanco is turning into the player many expected when he joined the Timbers last year, but Portland have to be concerned about coughing up equalizers twice against Chicago.
Previous: Drew 2-2 at CHI | Next: at ORL on 4/8
14
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 16
San Jose still had the battling DNA in trying to claw back a result against NYCFC, but couldn't finish the deal. Given the personnel on the field, one expects they'll aim to be more proactive in their approach moving forward.
Previous: Lost 2-1 vs. NYC | Next: at PHI on 4/7
15
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 19
The first win is on the board for Orlando City, and no surprise it came with most of their key newcomers finally on the field together. If they can string a few wins together, their early struggles will be fully behind them.
Previous: Won 4-3 vs. RBNY | Next: vs. POR on 4/8
16
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 16
If Orlando look like they're starting to figure things out, RSL look like they don't yet have the answers. Perhaps the pressure to perform is getting to them this season? Either way, RSL's form is concerning on both sides of the ball right now.
Previous: Lost 3-1 at TOR | Next: vs. VAN on 4/7
17
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 22
Vindication for Brad Friedel and the Revs, who overturned what looked like the easiest result to call of the weekend. A Friday-night test against the Impact is going to be very interesting for both teams.
Previous: Won 2-0 at HOU | Next: vs. MTL on 4/6
18
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 20
The Union admitted there were going to be tough nights this season with the young defense they were going to play, and the loss to Colorado turned out to be just that. If they can bounce back against an inconsistent Quakes side, they won't be worried about it costing them the season at this point.
Previous: Lost 3-0 at COL | Next: vs. SJ on 4/7
19
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 19
Seattle's slide continues, and while Clint Dempsey's return is probably going to help, the spate of red cards for the Sounders seems to be more than a blip when it's costing them points. More than anyone, they can feel the clock ticking on the primary transfer window right now.
Previous: Lost 1-0 vs. MTL | Next: at SKC on 4/15
20
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 23
The Rapids' win is a big sign of improvement, and Dominique Badji is off to a very good start this season. But will they be able to do it in Frisco against an enigmatic FC Dallas side?
Previous: Won 3-0 vs. PHI | Next: at DAL on 4/7
21
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 23
It really felt like the Loons were going to find a goal or two to beat 10-man Atlanta United, but it never happened. Blame the weather -- the frigid wind literally halted their multitude of crosses from getting into the back of the net.
Previous: Lost 1-0 vs. ATL | Next: at POR on 4/14
22
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 22
Bastian Schweinsteiger showed why he's still class against the Timbers, but the Fire really seem out of sorts. Do they just need time to figure it out, or was their 2017 revival an anomaly?
Previous: Drew 2-2 vs. POR | Next: vs. CLB on 4/7
23
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 23
D.C. United get some much-needed R&R time, and have the second of their non-Audi Field home games coming up. It's only April, but it's getting damn close to being must-win time.
Previous: Lost 1-0 at SKC | Next: vs. CLB on 4/14
