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: NE +6; POR -5
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 2
NYCFC were off this past weekend, but the unanimous top team according to the voting panel has their first two-game week on tap. Can they get maximum points against RSL and Atlanta to stay on top?
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. RSL on 4/11
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
TFC also had the weekend off, but they spent it in Mexico getting ready for CCL play. Win or lose that semifinal series, they'll face a rematch against their first CCL opponent this year in Colorado, who are proving to be a tougher out than many expected.
Previous: Idle | Next: at COL on 4/14
3
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
You know times are good when fans are arguing how Atlanta United will even get the most expensive player in MLS history on the field when he's fully healthy. Even Miles Robinson, who had to wait over a year to get his MLS debut, impressed in his first appearance vs. LAFC.
Previous: Won 5-0 vs. LAFC | Next: vs. NYC on 4/15
4
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 15
As you were with Sporting, who have locked it down in the back and are scoring, too. Tim Melia and Ike Opara do not look ready to relinquish their respective Goalkeeper of the Year and Defender of the Year crowns just yet.
Previous: Won 2-0 at LA | Next: vs. SEA on 4/15
5
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
The Red Bulls had the weekend off for CCL considerations but have a tricky match in Montreal awaiting them when the semifinals are over. Will be interesting to see if the likes of Ben Mines, Derrick Etienne, Jr and Kaku will get more time in the coming weeks.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. MTL on 4/14
6
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 11
Crew SC suffered a bit of a hard-luck loss in Chicago with the blame focusing on Zack Steffen's poor pass out of the back leading to the only goal. It's a fair call, although worth noting that playing out of the back is hard and probably why most teams didn't bother to force their goalkeepers to play precise passes in the past.
Previous: Lost 1-0 at CHI | Next: at DC on 4/14
7
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 18
Cristian Colman's late equalizer showed that he may have a future yet in MLS and with Dallas. One question, though, is whether Dallas should be crowing about an unbeaten start. Technically true, but they've yet to beat a full-strength team this season.
Previous: Tied 1-1 vs. COL | Next: at NE on 4/14
8
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 12
The Galaxy struggled to repeat their almost-unprecedented comeback the previous week, reminding everyone that Zlatan won't paper over their defensive issues or the lack of cohesion. On the latter point, things should be looking up, with most of the key contributors now rounding into some form.
Previous: Lost 2-0 vs. SKC | Next: at CHI on 4/14
9
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 14
After being feted as road warriors, the Whitecaps were a bit flat in Utah and a late consolation goal flattered them in the end. Their concern is their home form, although a trip from a reeling LAFC may be just what they're looking for.
Previous: Lost 2-1 at RSL | Next: vs. LAFC on 4/13
10
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 17
The tide has turned for LAFC, who went from scoring six and conceding one in their first two games to scoring three and conceding nine in the last two. The defense will be shuffled out of necessity in Vancouver on Friday, but will Bob Bradley make any more changes to his lineup?
Previous: Lost 5-0 at ATL | Next: at VAN on 4/13
11
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 22
The big jump up the Power Rankings this week comes from the Revolution. A four-game unbeaten run is mighty nice, but their last two opponents picked up first-half red cards. How will they look in full-strength games moving forward?
Previous: Won 4-0 vs MTL | Next: vs. DAL on 4/14
12
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 15
Three games without a win for the Dynamo, but a bye week might have given Houston some time to reset. They struggled on the road last year but maybe they will flip their home/road form this season?
Previous: Idle | Next: at SJ on 4/14
13
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 19
The Lions move up a bit after a comeback over the Timbers few saw coming in the 75th minute. Don't sleep on Stefano Pinho, who looked very good in his substitute shift in helping to orchestrate the comeback.
Previous: Won 3-2 vs. POR | Next: at PHI on 4/13
14
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 21
Saphir Taider definitely had a red-card tackle against the Revolution, even if he didn't appear to try to hurt an opponent. But the Impact's wind was completely gone by the 14th minute, and if they can muster another effort against the Red Bulls like their win over Toronto a few weeks back they'll be just fine.
Previous: Lost 4-0 at NE | Next: at RBNY on 4/14
15
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 16
San Jose took the advice to play on the front foot to heart, but their remade defense is still coming together, and that cost them a valuable road win in Philly. It's a bit concerning, too, that Vako, Wondo and Danny Hoesen are struggling to score right now.
Previous: Tied 1-1 at PHI | Next: vs. HOU on 4/14
16
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 16
RSL are starting to get the hang of grinding out wins. Sure, they did that at home again, but solid team play in defense and taking advantage of a couple of decent chances means they can regroup and get ready for a big challenge on the road against NYCFC midweek.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. VAN | Next: at NYC on 4/11
17
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 20
Fafa Picault continues to do the soccer equivalent of the midrange jumper in basketball, finding a precise spot near the endline in the box and helping to produce a goal from it once again. Problem is there isn't a lot more beyond that for the Union attack right now.
Previous: Tied 1-1 vs. SJ | Next: vs. ORL on 4/13
18
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 18
If you're feeling down on the Timbers, after they coughed up a late two-goal lead to lose, they will be playing their first home game on Saturday. They'll probably feel pretty good about facing Minnesota United, too, although the Loons are in better form at the moment.
Previous: Lost 3-2 at ORL | Next: vs. MIN on 4/14
19
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 19 | LOW: 23
We are starting to figure out who this Rapids team is, and while they're continuing to zig when most of MLS zags on a tactical front, they could find success over time if the project comes together. Still, the voting panel would have been far more impressed if Colorado had clinched the win over Dallas instead of letting in a late equalizer.
Previous: Tied 1-1 at DAL | Next: vs. TOR on 4/14
20
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 22
One way MLS has grown substantially in recent years? Nemanja Nikolic said the Chicago Fire coaching staff fully vetted the team on the wonders of pressing Crew SC deep, and it paid off in their first win of the season. Video has long been part of prep, but these days teams can't afford not to study opponents carefully.
Previous: Won 1-0 vs. CLB | Next: vs. LA on 4/14
21
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 21
The Sounders slipped further this week while on a bye. A road game against Sporting KC, where they have struggled in recent seasons, seems even more concerning for a slumping squad. On the other hand, the unpredictability of MLS has come back to the forefront the past two weeks and that could be very good for Seattle.
Previous: Idle | Next: at SKC on 4/15
22
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 23
Minnesota also slipped, but if Darwin Quintero can make his debut against a Timbers side still trying to get sorted, the Loons may be back on the "proving the doubters wrong!" train once again.
Previous: Idle | Next: at POR on 4/14
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 23
The last home game for D.C. before mid-July is coming up. They basically need to beat Columbus if they want to get any kind of traction in their season.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. CLB on 4/14
