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: LAFC +7; RSL -7
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 2
NYCFC remain at the head of the pack after starting the season 2-0-0. Their win over the Galaxy on Sunday was rather nervy at the end, but they held on to start the Yankee Stadium slate in a satisfactory way.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. LA | Next: vs. ORL on 3/17
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 2
Toronto FC didn't play in MLS, instead getting the weekend to focus on their Concacaf Champions League series against Tigres UANL. If they advance on Tuesday, they'll be flying high. If not? TFC may look to take it out on their rivals in Montreal.
Previous: Idle | Next: at MTL on 3/17
3
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
Cross-country road trips are always difficult, but looking at the lineups on Saturday, it appeared the Timbers would have a big edge on the Red Bulls, who rotated their lineup with CCL considerations in mind. It didn't matter, as a youth-heavy Red Bulls side crushed Portland and gave a glimpse that the next phase in the project at Red Bull Arena is here.
Previous: Won 4-0 vs. POR | Next: at RSL on 3/17
4
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 11
It was a tale of two halves for Crew SC in their win over Montreal, as a sparkling first half gave way to the Impact imposing themselves in the second 45. But the Gyasi Zardes rejuvenation project picked up more momentum with a last-minute PK winner.
Previous: Won 3-2 vs. MTL | Next: vs. PHI on 3/17
5
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 17
The expansion side picked up the biggest surprise of the weekend, with a road blowout against an RSL team that had been moderately hyped as contenders. Two games into their history, LAFC do not look like an expansion team.
Previous: Won 5-1 at RSL | Next: at LA on 3/31
6
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 6
The Sounders were off this week to concentrate on CCL, but a road game next weekend against an also-idle FC Dallas team could offer a glimpse as to the state of the Sounders in the first month of the season.
Previous: Idle | Next: at DAL on 3/18
7
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
Atlanta finally got the bogeyman off their backs by vanquishing D.C. United for the first time. Tata changed up hist tactics and allowed Jeff Larentowicz to play the position he's most comfortable in, which could account for the loss of Carlos Carmona.
Previous: Won 3-1 vs. DC | Next: vs. VAN on 3/17
8
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 14
Kei Kamara is legit: As Matt Doyle noted, the Whitecaps were basically built for him, and a goal (his 100th in MLS) and assist in a smash-and-grab road win over Houston gives Carl Robinson's side an edge they haven't had before.
Previous: Won 2-1 at HOU | Next: at ATL on 3/17
9
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 15
The voting panel kept Houston in the same spot this week, and probably for good reason. They outplayed the Whitecaps in a home loss, but just didn't get the bounces to go their way for a result. They'll head out for their first road game of the season next weekend against a D.C. United team that is eager for points. Should be a good test.
Previous: Lost 2-1 vs. VAN | Next: at DC on 3/17
10
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 12
Losing Giovani dos Santos and Michael Ciani in the course of their loss at NYCFC appeared to offer some addition by subtraction, as the Galaxy played much better in the final minutes. The concern, of course, is if Gio will ever get to the level that would make him one of the best players in MLS.
Previous: Lost 2-1 at NYC | Next: at VAN on 3/24
11
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 15
How about them goals?! Sporting quieted the critics, for one week anyway, with a four-goal explosion in a topsy-turvy win over the Fire. Maybe most promising was the final goal, where great passing and a subtle backheel gave Felipe Gutierrez the chance to win the game...and he made no mistake.
Previous: Won 4-3 at CHI | Next: vs. SJ on 3/17
12
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 16
The Quakes were off this week, but they'll have a pretty significant test on the road against Sporting KC next week. Hopefully San Jose have worked on staying in a game mentally for a full 90 minutes.
Previous: Idle | Next: at SKC on 3/17
13
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 13
RSL take a dive after an awful defensive performance embarrassed them at home against an expansion team. Any chance Danny Acosta gets the next start after Demar Phillips' struggles vs. LAFC?
Previous: Lost 5-1 vs. LAFC | Next: at TOR on 3/30
14
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 14
The Lions have started the season slowly after seeming to have done tons of work in the offseason to rebuild the roster. Remember, though, that Sacha Kljestan can make his long-awaited debut for Orlando next week, and that should make a difference.
Previous: Lost 2-1 vs. MIN | Next: at NYC on 3/17
15
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 20
The Union were off this week, but they were no doubt paying close attention to how the Impact played their next opponent, Columbus. The bye may give Borek Dockal the time to get ready for his MLS debut.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. CLB on 3/17
16
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 16
Chicago hold firm after a wild loss to open the season. Veljko Paunovic looks like he'll need to work on defending numbers crashing the Fire's box, but getting goals from Aleksandar Katai and Nemanja Nikolic shows the attack is off to a good start.
Previous: Lost 4-3 vs. SKC | Next: at MIN on 3/17
17
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 17
Probably no team has had as rough of a start to the season as the Timbers. New coaches usually need time to get their style established and players integrated, but Gio Savarese's homecoming to New York was not one he'll want to remember.
Previous: Lost 4-0 at RBNY | Next: at DAL on 3/24
18
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 18
Dallas had the week off, and are probably just now rounding into form with CCL out of the way and the players fit. Still, they may want to see their upcoming opponent Seattle advance in CCL this week to keep the distraction factor high in MLS play.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. SEA on 3/18
19
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 19 | LOW: 23
Minnesota's attack looked pretty sharp, and maybe deeper than we thought, in a good road win over Orlando City. Kevin Molino going down for the season is a big loss, as he was the Loons' best player so far, but Ethan Finlay, Mason Toye, and Miguel Ibarra looked very good on Saturday.
Previous: Won 2-1 at ORL | Next: vs. CHI on 3/17
20
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 20
A decent first half gave way to a poor second half on Sunday for D.C. It's the same story two weeks in a row, and with the first home game of the season coming up, Ben Olsen has to be looking for a 90-minute performance against Houston.
Previous: Lost 3-1 at ATL | Next: vs. HOU on 3/17
21
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 19 | LOW: 21
Montreal have a brutal start to the season, but they showed signs of life against Columbus before ultimately losing in the end. Remi Garde will also likely need some time to get everyone on the same page, but after a tough early run, the Impact may be ready to take MLS by surprise.
Previous: Lost 3-2 at CLB | Next: vs. TOR on 3/17
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 22
It wasn't easy, but the Revs got a needed win over the Rapids courtesy of Matt Turner's PK save and a last-minute Chris Tierney free kick. Will they be able to bring it against some of the more coherent teams, however?
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. COL | Next: vs. NYC on 3/24
23
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 23
It was technically just the first MLS game of the season for Colorado, and the road trip to Gillette Stadium is notoriously tough for everyone. But the Rapids' rebuild looks like it needs more time to take. Anthony Hudson will get two weeks to work with his team before the next game.
Previous: Lost 2-1 at NE | Next: vs. SKC on 3/24
