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: MIN +5; CHI, VAN -3
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
Josef Martinez is officially the hat-trick king in MLS, and Atlanta United roll over a road-weary D.C. United squad. While the New York teams are still breathing down their necks, ATLUTD are in a good spot right now.
Previous: Won 3-1 vs. DC | Next: at MTL on 7/28
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 6
NYCFC get a week off, and will look to pick up where they left off, when they won two games in a week. David Villa, Jo Inge Berget and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi could be back on the field soon? Sounds pretty good for the Cityzens.
Previous: Idle | Next: at ORL on 7/26; at SEA on 7/29
3
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
The Red Bulls are still winning, and they seem to be altering their playing style ever so slightly under Chris Armas. As long as it's working, it could make them even stronger for the Supporters' Shield chase and beyond.
Previous: Won 2-0 vs. NE | Next: at DC on 7/25; vs. CLB on 7/28
4
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 18
Full credit to the Timbers for not looking a gift horse in the mouth, as they duly capitalized on two mistakes by the Impact in a comeback draw. Their league unbeaten streak is now extended to 13 games -- will that prove lucky for them as the host the Dynamo this week?
Previous: Drew 2-2 vs. MTL | Next: vs. HOU on 7/28
5
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 17
LAFC suffered a real heat check with their blowout loss in Minnesota. Bob Bradley, who hadn't been rotating his lineup much this season, rotated pretty heavily and it backfired. Will they shake it off for the first edition of El Trafico at The Banc?
Previous: Lost 5-1 at MIN | Next: vs. LA on 7/26
6
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 18
Interesting that FC Dallas pick up Dominique Badji, a streaky scorer whose game in many ways resembles Maxi Urruti. Will this trade help Oscar Pareja's group keep hold of first place in the West?
Previous: Drew 1-1 at HOU | Next: at SKC on 7/28
7
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 14
The Galaxy have the second-longest unbeaten streak in the league right now, and seem to have turned a corner. They're still going to play some nervy games in the back, but if they can score three goals, they should be in good shape much of the time.
Previous: Won 3-1 at PHI | Next: at LAFC on 7/26; vs. ORL on 7/29
8
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 15
Sporting get a week off and the rest should probably do them good at this point in the season. If Felipe Gutierrez, who came off the bench for his return from injury in their last game, can get match fit quickly, that should provide a major boost.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. DAL on 7/28
9
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 15
The Dynamo conceded in the first minute in the Texas Derby yet rallied to earn a draw. In the lead up to the game, Houston acknowledged they didn't always think they could carry their weight vs. Dallas; Perhaps this result will strengthen that resolve.
Previous: Drew 1-1 vs DAL | Next: vs. PHI on 7/25; at POR on 7/28
10
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 23
Evan Bush may have made seven saves, but two gaffes cost the Impact three points on the road. We'll have to see if this game proves to be catastrophic to Montreal's playoff hopes come season's end.
Previous: Drew 2-2 at POR | Next: vs. ATL on 7/28
11
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 12
In the karma rankings, Crew SC may not have deserved to beat Orlando with help from a quizzical penalty, but full credit to Wil Trapp for stepping up to blast the winning goal at the death. This result was immediately hailed as a classic in Columbus -- maybe it will help them turn their fortunes around.
Previous: Won 3-2 vs. ORL | Next: at RBNY on 7/28
12
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 22
The Revs' slump continues, albeit with two road games on a double-game week. Still, the early season freshness Brad Friedel brought seems to have fully worn off, but a bye could help get the team rejuvenated.
Previous: Lost 2-1 at MIN; Lost 2-0 at RBNY | Next: at ORL on 8/4
13
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 22
Sure, the Union faced a talent imbalance against the Galaxy, but dropping another road game? We can see the evolution taking place for Philly, but it seems like a killer edge in home games in particular needs to be a priority moving forward.
Previous: Lost 3-1 vs. LA | Next: at HOU on 7/25
14
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 23
The Loons had the best week, with two home wins against teams above the playoff line in their respective conferences. If Darwin Quintero continues to play at such a high level, the Loons could really make a playoff push themselves, and he could be a stealth MLS MVP candidate.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. NE; Won 5-1 vs. LAFC | Next: at VAN on 7/28
15
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 21
RSL got pegged back in a weather-delayed Rocky Mountain Cup match. There's a lot of the season to come, but the Western Conference may be solidifying a Top 5...and RSL could be in the battle royale to get the final playoff spot.
Previous: Drew 2-2 vs. COL | Next: at SJ on 7/28
16
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 21
Speaking of the final playoff spot...the Sounders are still 10 points back, but they have games in hand and finally look like something approaching their expected level. They're in must-win territory from now on but hopes are starting to flicker in the Emerald City.
Previous: Won 2-0 vs. VAN | Next: at SJ on 7/25; vs. NYC on 7/29
17
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 23
Well, D.C.'s voodoo over Atlanta from 2017 is well and truly dead, as they lost for the second time this season against the Five Stripes. But they're back at home in a double-game week, complete with an Atlantic Cup showdown. This is a big stretch.
Previous: Lost 3-1 at ATL | Next: vs. RBNY on 7/25; vs. COL on 7/28
18
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
TFC pick up a decent road win against a conference foe, and they'll have a rematch against the Fire at the weekend. In the middle is the Canadian Championship, which could be a game to galvanize Greg Vanney's group or lead to trouble again in league play.
Previous: Won 2-1 at CHI | Next: vs. CHI on 7/28
19
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 23
The Fire are also playing in two competitions at the moment, but can focus on flipping their loss at home against Toronto in the return fixture. Five points out of the final playoff space, Chicago definitely have to pick up wins ASAP.
Previous: Lost 2-1 vs. TOR | Next: at TOR on 7/28
20
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20
The Whitecaps have lost four in five. If Alphonso Davies is sold, it's great for the reputation of the Whitecaps and MLS, but will certainly hurt the team in the short term on the field.
Previous: Lost 2-0 at SEA | Next: vs. MIN on 7/28
21
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 23
Orlando have to feel a little aggrieved by how a 2-1 lead turned to a 3-2 loss in Columbus. That said, it was yet another game in which the Lions played well for most of the match, and now they need to figure out how to put together a complete performance, whistle to whistle.
Previous: Lost 3-2 at CLB | Next: vs. NYC on 7/26; at LA on 7/29
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 23
Was the trade to acquire Kellyn Acosta just the first domino? While the US international will likely be a young-yet-experienced upgrade in midfield, the Rapids gave up their only productive striker in the deal.
Previous: Drew 2-2 at RSL | Next: at DC on 7/28
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 23
The Quakes became the latest MLS team to play Manchester United to a result in a stateside friendly. Their fanbase has to hope they're capable of taking something from that and leveraging improvement in league play.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. SEA on 7/25; vs. RSL on 7/28
