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 +4; MTL -4
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
They did it, the Red Bulls grabbed the Supporters' Shield on the final day. One notable item: The other high-performing teams whose managers either left (NYCFC) or will be leaving imminently (Atlanta, possibly Columbus) struggled down the stretch this season. The Red Bulls didn't under Chris Armas, and credit to him.
Previous: Won 1-0 vs. ORL | Next: at TBD on 11/11
2
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 16
Sporting capture the top seed in the Western Conference with another tough win over a fellow playoff team. With Daniel Salloi the sparkplug delivering them three points the last three games, this team looks capable of taking on anyone in the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. LAFC | Next: at TBD on 11/11
3
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 21
The Sounders had to ride some nerves to get a Knockout Round-bye, they got the job done against the hapless Quakes and turn their attention to the playoffs. D.C. United have taken much of the "bad to playoffs" narrative this season, but the Sounders' knack for turning it on continues to work for them.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. SJ | Next: at TBD on 11/8
4
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
What was that? Atlanta didn't have an easy assignment in going to Toronto on the final day, needing a win to clinch the Shield, but the capitulation to a team not going to the playoffs was still a surprise. Here's hoping this group rallies in time for the playoffs, or the Tata Martino era will be over in a flash.
Previous: Lost 4-1 at TOR | Next: at TBD on 11/11
5
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 23
D.C. managed a bore draw against the Fire, but they were back on the road and Chicago have been sneaky much improved the past several weeks. Now they have the chance to make some noise in the playoffs, or else their remarkable regular season will become a footnote in the story of the 2018 season.
Previous: Drew 0-0 at CHI | Next: vs. CLB on 11/1
6
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 17
LAFC played some of their worst soccer of the season in the first half against Sporting, before regrouping in the second half and making a game of it. Unfortunately, Sporting's battering approach seemed to throw LAFC totally off, something their playoff opponent RSL have to have noticed.
Previous: Lost 2-1 at SKC | Next: vs. RSL on 11/1
7
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 18
Dallas do tend to struggle in Colorado, and they did once again on Sunday, limping out on a losing streak to end the season. Oscar Pareja's team really seem to have lost their mojo, so they'll need to be ready for the Timbers' trip to town.
Previous: Lost 2-1 at COL | Next: vs. POR on 10/31
8
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 12
The yo-yo team of the Power Rankings goes back up, as Crew SC rode a hat trick from Gyasi Zardes to guarantee a place in the playoffs. They still have a lot of questions entering the postseason, but a win in Washington on Thursday would grab a lot of attention.
Previous: Won 3-2 vs. MIN | Next: at DC on 11/1
9
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 22
Some of the time-worn concerns for the Union emerged again in a road loss to NYCFC to close out the season. Is there enough cohesion on this squad? Enough talent to hang? An immediate return trip to Yankee Stadium will answer a lot of questions about Philadelphia's season.
Previous: Lost 3-1 at NYC | Next: at NYC on 10/31
10
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 18
Gio Savarese was the only playoff-bound manager to heavily rotate his lineup on Sunday, and the Timbers lost in Vancouver. Will the rest be the right formula to beat FC Dallas, or will the break in routine prove catastrophic in the postseason?
Previous: Lost 2-1 at VAN | Next: at DAL on 10/31
11
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 14
Signs of life from NYCFC, and not a moment too soon, as they thoroughly dispatched the Union to close the season. It does seem like Dome Torrent's men play like two different teams depending on the venue, so they'll have to like their chances on Wednesday in the reprise.
Previous: Won 3-1 vs. PHI | Next: vs. PHI on 10/31
12
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 21
They "did" it! Hey look, RSL may not have played their way into the playoffs on the final day, because they were idle, but they racked up one more point than the Galaxy, and therefore deserve their playoff berth. It won't be easy, but Mike Petke is playing with house money in the postseason this year.
Previous: Idle | Next: at LAFC on 11/1
13
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 18
The other "what was that?" game on Sunday was the Galaxy's performance to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, ultimately coming up a point short on the season. It's going to be a fascinating offseason at StubHub Center.
Previous: Lost 3-2 vs. HOU | Next: End of season
14
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20
Fitting that the Whitecaps centered their season finale around Alphonso Davies' last game before heading off to Bayern Munich, and the teenager shined with a brace. Best of luck to him as he leaves the metaphorical nest to the cutthroat world of Europe's elite.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. POR | Next: End of season
15
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 23
In the end, the Impact wouldn't have reached the playoffs even if they had won in New England, but their loss was a microcosm of the season, where it seemed for every statement win they posted, they put up a stinker alongside it. Will be interesting to see what changes and what remains for this team in the offseason.
Previous: Lost 1-0 at NE | Next: End of season
16
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 19
We're counting at least three teams (RSL, LAFC and oh yeah, Houston) that celebrated AJ DeLaGarza taking one for the team to draw a penalty that ended up tying the game against the Galaxy. Have to think he was pretty excited about that moment against his old team, too.
Previous: Won 3-2 at LA | Next: vs. ATL on 10/28
17
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
Toronto FC ended the season in 19th place in the Shield standings, so on record alone, you got us commenters, perhaps TFC are too high. That said, pulling the upset to deny Atlanta the Shield has to count for a little boost, right?
Previous: Won 4-1 vs. ATL | Next: End of season
18
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 22
Matt Turner had some ups and downs in his first season as a starter in MLS, but his return to the lineup was a big boost for the Revolution on the final day. Will he get the reins for 2019, and will he make a jump to be a premier goalkeeper in MLS?
Previous: Won 1-0 vs. MTL | Next: End of season
19
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 23
After holding D.C. to a stalemate, our impression of the Fire as this year's ultimate "What if?" team persists. How many starters on Sunday will be starting the 2019 regular season opener in March?
Previous: Drew 0-0 vs. DC | Next: End of season
20
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 23
The Loons end this season on the same number of points, 36, as their expansion season. Here's hoping their plan comes together, but they really do need a number of upgrades if they want to improve next year.
Previous: Lost 3-2 at CLB | Next: End of season
21
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 23
The Rapids ended the season on a 2-0-1 run, surprising since they had separate losing streaks of eight and seven games this year. Can't say the unique approach they used in building their team quite worked, but if they can find some scorers next year, they could be competitive.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. DAL | Next: End of season
22
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 23
Orlando again put up a fight, but can't spring the upset at Red Bull Arena. They definitely need some changes, but maybe some of the bad luck they encountered along the way will turn out in their favor in the future.
Previous: Lost 1-0 at RBNY | Next: End of season
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 23
Another late loss for the Quakes in a season filled with them. On the bright side, the Matias Almeyda era begins in earnest, and it will be fascinating to see how the team changes to reflect his arrival.
Previous: Lost 2-1 at SEA | Next: End of season
