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: PHI +3; HOU, NE -3
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
10 more games...can Atlanta United maintain their lead on top and clinch the Supporters' Shield? They're technically behind the Red Bulls in points per game, so it probably won't be easy, but the Five Stripes need at least one trophy to really commemorate this initial spell for the club.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. CLB on 8/19
2
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
But the Red Bulls don't look like they'll be going quietly in order to pave the way for Atlanta. They're 8-2-0 in their last 10 games, so if they keep up that stellar pace they could be lifting their third Shield in late October. A grueling road game in Vancouver will be a good test this week.
Previous: Won 1-0 at CHI | Next: at VAN on 8/18
3
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 6
NYCFC post a good win in Toronto, which, yes, did include a very early red card to Jozy Altidore. But credit to the front office for picking up the likes of Ismael Tajouri-Shradi – he may not have the name recognition of previous signings, but he's on a scoring pace of a tick under a goal every other game.
Previous: Won 3-2 at TOR | Next: at PHI on 8/18
4
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 18
The streak had to end at some point, and Vancouver's battling performance (and a wayward penalty by the usually reliable Diego Valeri) snapped Portland's unbeaten run at 15. With a big two-game week here, it could be a pivotal juncture in the Timbers' campaign.
Previous: Lost 2-1 vs. VAN | Next: at DC on 8/15; vs. SKC on 8/18
5
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 15
If at first you don't succeed, go back on the road? Sporting have won their last two away from home, on conference opponents, and an efficient victory against a rotated LAFC lineup shows Peter Vermes' group may be out of their summer slump for good.
Previous: Won 2-0 at LAFC | Next: at POR on 8/18
6
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 18
Two losses in a row, although the latest, on the road against a surging Sounders team, isn't a huge upset. But Dallas' cushion at the top of the Western Conference is down to three points, so they can't afford to keep dropping points.
Previous: Lost 2-1 at SEA | Next: vs. MIN on 8/18
7
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 12
The week off seemed to do Columbus good, as they returned to action and defeated the Dynamo, albeit by the skin of their teeth. Questions persist about whether this team is truly a contender, but might their game in Atlanta at the weekend be a preview for another playoff clash between the teams?
Previous: Won 1-0 vs. HOU | Next: at ATL on 8/19
8
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 17
LAFC are only three points out of second place in their conference, but five games winless in league play leaves them drifting just above the playoff line. Once thought to be a sure thing for the playoffs in their first year, if they stumble in a double-game week, that certainty may vanish.
Previous: Lost 2-0 vs. SKC | Next: vs. RSL on 8/15; vs. COL on 8/19
9
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 21
The Sounders' rally isn't quite done, but unbeaten in eight, with five wins in a row, they're just three points out of the playoff spots now. A home game against the Galaxy remains a marquee match-up, and a win there could move them above the playoff line.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. DAL | Next: vs. LA on 8/18
10
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 14
The Galaxy posted a home draw against Minnesota that feels like a loss, and yet more injury concerns for key players could set them back again. The voters still believe LA are a top 10 team, but they may not find a way to climb much higher as their inconsistency continues.
Previous: Drew 2-2 vs. MIN | Next: vs. COL on 8/14; at SEA on 8/18
11
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 23
Montreal have settled into this spot at No. 11, and are on the right side of the playoff line. A home game against a reeling Chicago side screams "Impact win," but we've seen some wacky results in recent weeks, so we'll see if Remi Garde's group can keep picking up points.
Previous: Drew 1-1 at RSL | Next: vs. CHI on 8/18
12
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 22
The Union are also above the playoff line in the Eastern Conference, and their rousing last-minute road win capped off a terrific week. Philadelphia's margins remain razor-thin, but if they can continue to score by committee and hold it down in the back, they could be headed back to the playoffs.
Previous: Won 3-2 at NE | Next: vs. NYC on 8/18
13
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 21
RSL are on a four-game unbeaten streak, but only one of those results was a win. They have to be the team most nervous about Seattle's push up the standings, and a double-game week on the road is going to be a tall order.
Previous: Drew 1-1 vs. MTL | Next: at LAFC on 8/15; at HOU on 8/18
14
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
TFC battled, but suffered a frustrating loss to NYCFC. These kind of games, with early red cards changing the setup, happen, but they don't have room to spare. The bright side is they have 11 games and are still only six points out of the playoffs, so there's hope yet, if TFC do win.
Previous: Lost 3-2 vs. NYC | Next: at SJ on 8/18
15
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 23
Well, Audi Field now has a truly legendary finish in its confines, after Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta combined for a memorable winner. Two more home games this week for D.C. United – two more wins and they would move substantially closer to the postseason mix.
Previous: Won 3-2 vs. ORL | Next: vs. POR on 8/15; vs. NE on 8/19
16
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20
The Whitecaps are riding high after their Cascadia Cup win, but their immediate attention will be on the Canadian Championship final this week, where they hope to beat TFC to their second-ever title. Can Carl Robinson's men buck the odds on the road and lift the Voyageurs Cup?
Previous: Won 2-1 at POR | Next: vs. RBNY on 8/18
17
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 17
The Dynamo, meanwhile, have clinched their home date in their own domestic cup final, which could be consolation as their playoff hopes sink. They're not out of it, but after returning from suspension Wilmer Cabrera and his squad have plenty of work to do in their league campaign.
Previous: Lost 1-0 at CLB | Next: vs. RSL on 8/18
18
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 23
Minnesota began the post-Christian Ramirez era by scoring twice and earning a road point against the Galaxy. Michael Boxall probably won't turn into a regular scoring option at this point, but Romario Ibarra getting off the mark could be a good omen to help Darwin Quintero on the scoring front.
Previous: Drew 2-2 at LA | Next: at DAL on 8/18
19
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 22
The Revolution have dipped below the playoff line, and it's easy to see why, as they've gone six games without a win. Only two wins since the start of June will sink a team's fortunes, and this is the first big test of Brad Friedel's coaching career.
Previous: Lost 3-2 vs. PHI | Next: at DC on 8/19
20
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 23
Two wins in a row for the Rapids! They've got a big week against the Los Angeles teams, but with Kellyn Acosta providing a major boost since arriving via trade, one has to wonder why the Rapids weren't a bit more active in the summer trade market.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. SJ | Next: at LA on 8/14; at LAFC on 8/19
21
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 23
Sure, teams can make their own luck, but when it rains, it pours for Orlando City this season, metaphorically speaking. James O'Connor has reportedly taken his group away for the bye week, likely to regroup, work on their game plan and come back to finish the season strong. That seems like the best strategy right now.
Previous: Lost 3-2 at DC | Next: vs. ATL on 8/24
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 23
San Jose conceded very late in Colorado to snap a budding away-points run. The transfer window is closed, so unless they sign a free agent, this is Mikael Stahre's group for the season, and they have 11 games to make an improvement on a dreadful season.
Previous: Lost 2-1 at COL | Next: vs. TOR on 8/18
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 23
Chicago remain in the basement for a second consecutive week, after losing their sixth in a row in league play. They are around the same spot as playoff aspirants Toronto and D.C., but the Fire just don't look like they'll be able to fully turn the season around.
Previous: Lost 1-0 vs. RBNY | Next: at MTL on 8/18
