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, VAN +4; CLB, RSL -3
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
Still a point behind Atlanta in the Supporters’ Shield, the Red Bulls continue to put pressure on their Shield rivals with a comfortable win in San Jose, where they hadn’t won in regular-season play in 15 years. It’s going to be a fascinating race to the finish.
Previous: Won 3-1 at SJ | Next: at PHI on 10/21
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
Atlanta bounced back from their loss to the Red Bulls with a grinding win over the Revolution. Any way you slice it, Atlanta has had a good season, but will they maintain the results in the final weeks to capture their first trophy? It seems the voting panel is a bit skeptical with Miguel Almiron's injury.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. NE | Next: vs. CHI on 10/21
3
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 18
Dallas took care of business against Orlando, with Maxi Urruti’s two assists showing the playmaking role he’s taken on is producing. They’ve got four points on the two teams behind them, but there’s work to do to wrap up the No. 1 seed in the West.
Previous: Won 2-0 vs. ORL | Next: at DC on 10/13
4
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 16
Déjà vu for Sporting, as they post another draw at home, and now move level with LAFC. Those teams have a head-to-head match on Decision Day, but will Sporting keep hold of the Knockout Round bye or let it slip away?
Previous: Drew 1-1 vs. LA | Next: at VAN on 10/17
5
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 21
The Sounders, once the lowest scoring team in MLS by a long shot, have scored eight goals in their last two games. Yes, those wins came against Colorado and Houston, but that may be priming the pump for postseason fireworks.
Previous: Won 4-1 vs. HOU | Next: at ORL on 10/17
6
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 17
Speaking of beating the Rapids, LAFC did just that and made history in becoming the fifth expansion team in league history to make the playoffs. Can they jump up to grab a Knockout Round bye in the final weeks?
Previous: Won 3-0 at COL | Next: vs. HOU on 10/12
7
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 22
The routs kept coming for the teams in this strata of the Power Rankings, as the Union blew away Minnesota United at home and booked their ticket to the postseason. It’s safe to say this is the best Union team ever, now how can they extend that claim in 2018?
Previous: Won 5-1 vs. MIN | Next: vs. RBNY on 10/21
8
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 23
D.C. keep working and picking up results in all manner of ways, but the Impact are making them work for the No. 6 seed. Still, United have two games in hand and are just two points behind. Their destiny is still in their hands, with a huge game against FC Dallas on the weekend.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. CHI | Next: vs. DAL on 10/13
9
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 18
The Timbers make a big jump up after their third three-goal margin of victory of the season. On the cusp of making the playoffs, Portland are a team that remain an enigma in October.
Previous: Won 4-1 at RSL | Next: vs. RSL on 10/21
10
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 23
The Impact came back from their loss in D.C. with a routine home win over Columbus to keep their sixth-place standing for now. The stars are getting the job done, but that word…consistency…comes up again for this team in the homestretch.
Previous: Won 3-0 vs. CLB | Next: vs. TOR on 10/21
11
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 18
The Galaxy couldn’t manage a win in Kansas City, a place they’ve had a terrible record, but their draw and RSL’s loss means their playoff hopes remain alive. Two games to go, one point back, can they seal the deal?
Previous: Drew 1-1 at SKC | Next: at MIN on 10/21
12
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 12
Columbus’ inconsistent form continues with a flat loss in Montreal. They’ve got the international break off to find some traction before the final two regular-season games.
Previous: Lost 3-0 at MTL | Next: at ORL on 10/21
13
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 21
What just happened? That’s what Mike Petke and Real Salt Lake were thinking after being blown away at home by the Timbers. Like Columbus, it’s nearly impossible to gauge the projection for RSL from game to game.
Previous: Lost 4-1 vs. POR | Next: vs. NE on 10/18
14
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 14
Out of sight for NYCFC, who have a very long break between the bye and the international window. If they jump into form in the final weeks and the playoffs, one thinks this will be the time cited as the turning point in their campaign under Dome Torrent.
Previous: Idle | Next: at DC on 10/21
15
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20
Hope remains alive for the Whitecaps, as the new manager bounce needed a second game to take in B.C. They’re playing from behind, but have a game in hand to make a shock push on RSL and the Galaxy.
Previous: Won 2-1 at TOR | Next: vs. SKC on 10/17
16
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
Out with a whimper for TFC, as their playoff exit at the hands of the other Canadian rival, Vancouver, adds a little more salt to the wound. Of more intrigue, at least from the outside, is what the future holds for Jozy Altidore after his postgame comments.
Previous: Lost 2-1 vs. VAN | Next: at MTL on 10/21
17
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 19
The good vibes are over rather quickly for the Dynamo, who followed up their U.S. Open Cup-winning week by getting run over by the Sounders in Seattle. Where will they look to upgrade in the offseason? It seems like defense is an area ripe for improvement.
Previous: Lost 4-1 at SEA | Next: at LAFC on 10/12
18
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 22
Another game, another gritty performance with nothing to show for it for the Revolution. It’s now three wins in their last 21 games.
Previous: Lost 2-1 at ATL | Next: vs. ORL on 10/13
19
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 23
We cited Minnesota’s good home record last week, and on the road we saw the flipside, as the Loons have a putrid 1-13-2 record away from home. With just a few wins on the road, they would actually be in the playoff running for the first time.
Previous: Lost 5-1 at PHI | Next: vs. COL on 10/13
20
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 23
The Fire are back at the “moral victories” stage of the season, after failing to hold onto a lead at Audi Field. Two games left to complete a disappointing season.
Previous: Lost 2-1 at DC | Next: at ATL on 10/21
21
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 23
Matias Almeyda! The most intriguing head coaching hire in MLS since Gerardo Martino arrived, but we need to wait until 2019 to see him in action. Over/under on shots of him watching in the stands on broadcasts this year?
Previous: Lost 3-1 vs. RBNY | Next: vs. COL on 10/21
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 23
There’s no way to sugarcoat it: James O’Connor’s run at Orlando has been awful, posting a 1-9-3 mark since jumping in midseason. That said, the issues this season for the Lions don't start and stop with him, far from it.
Previous: Lost 2-0 at DAL | Next: at NE on 10/13
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 23
The Rapids are on a seven-game losing streak and have scored one goal in that run. It’s not even their worst losing streak of the season, as they posted an eight-game skid early on.
Previous: Lost 3-0 vs. LAFC | Next: at MIN on 10/13
