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: ORL, POR +3; RSL -5
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 2
It was another impressive week for NYCFC, who blew RSL away midweek before coming back to claim a point in a well-fought game in Atlanta. This team is going from strength to strength at the moment.
Previous: Tied 2-2 at ATL | Next: at POR on 4/22
2
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 7
Atlanta United proved their home bonafides once again with a draw against the Supporters' Shield leaders. It was a nice bonus that two players not known for their scoring in Greg Garza and Chris McCann chipped in goals against NYCFC.
Previous: Tied 2-2 vs. NYC | Next: at LA on 4/21
3
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
Power Rankings are about performance and promise, and that's why TFC remain so high, despite the struggles in league play so far. On the other hand, you never know which players will make a case to get more first-team playing time, and the loss against Colorado gave quite a few players a taste of MLS action.
Previous: Lost 2-0 at COL | Next: at HOU on 4/21
4
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
The Red Bulls ignored the CCL blues with a commanding win over the Impact at home. If they can secure full points in their games in hand, Jesse Marsch's team could be in the Shield reckoning in short order.
Previous: Won 3-1 vs. MTL | Next: vs. CHI on 4/21
5
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 15
Graham Zusi may be having his best season in five years, having settled fully into the right back role and gotten back into the goals this year. Sporting will be disappointed not to have beaten the Sounders at home, but they look like the class of an unpredictable Western Conference at the moment.
Previous: Tied 2-2 vs. SEA | Next: vs. VAN on 4/20
6
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 12
The Galaxy take advantage of an out-of-sorts Fire side to get a valuable road win. And sure, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is getting the headlines for scoring the winner, but Ashley Cole's cross to set it up is about as beautiful an assist as you're likely to see.
Previous: Won 1-0 at CHI | Next: vs. ATL on 4/21
7
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 18
Jacori Hayes' early-season success was rewarded with the winning goal against the Revs. The second-year pro looks like a transformed player as he's taking advantage of his chance in Oscar Pareja's lineup.
Previous: Won 1-0 at NE | Next: at PHI on 4/21
8
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 17
So far, LAFC seem to either hum along as a finely-oiled machine or sputter as a group. They were back to looking good in a road win over the Whitecaps, and with one more game on the road to go before they open the new stadium, the expansion team is in a good spot.
Previous: Won 2-0 at VAN | Next: at MTL on 4/21
9
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 11
After starting the season hot, Crew SC have dropped three games in a row. Their next game comes up against New England, and a game that would have been penciled in as a likely victory a short time ago will at the very least be a tougher task with New England playing well.
Previous: Lost 1-0 at DC | Next: vs. NE on 4/21
10
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 19
Orlando, meanwhile, have won three in a row and are growing in confidence. Among them is rookie Chris Mueller, who celebrated his second goal as a pro in Philly with by mimicking both Cristiano Ronaldo and throwing a "Pay me!" gesture in for good measure. Long may the wild celebrations continue for him.
Previous: Won 2-0 at PHI | Next: vs. SJ on 4/21
11
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 15
Houston's run of playing well enough and yet still failing to win cropped up again in their draw against the Earthquakes. There hasn't been a single culprit for this flaw, but the Dynamo have work to do on both sides of the ball to pick up more victories.
Previous: Tied 2-2 at SJ | Next: vs. TOR on 4/21
12
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 14
The Whitecaps missed Kei Kamara's contributions against LAFC. Carl Robinson's team may be near the top of the Western Conference, but they are starting to emerge as a Jekyll and Hyde team from week to week.
Previous: Lost 2-0 vs. LAFC | Next: at SKC on 4/20
13
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 22
New England hit a bit of a road block with the home loss against FC Dallas. But the heat check result should give them an assessment of what's working and what isn't, with a road trip against Columbus another good test in the second month of the season.
Previous: Lost 1-0 vs. DAL | Next: at CLB on 4/21
14
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 16
It might be the end of an era, as Chris Wondolowski was benched for the first time in three years over the weekend. But with the Quakes' attack not quite clicking at the moment, chances are Wondo will still get plenty of playing time, either from the start or off the bench.
Previous: Tied 2-2 vs. HOU | Next: at ORL on 4/21
15
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 18
The Timbers picking up the win in their first home game is a reminder, even in a weekend when road teams were fairly successful, that nothing beats playing in front of the home fans, and maybe that was an overlooked factor in their early woes.
Previous: Won 3-2 vs. MIN | Next: vs. NYC on 4/22
16
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 21
It was another tough week for the Impact, who ran into the Red Bulls' buzzsaw and seemed to never have a chance. Saphir Taider should be back for their next game, and it could be a chance to gauge just how valuable he may be for this team..
Previous: Lost 3-1 at RBNY | Next: vs. LAFC on 4/21
17
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 23
You can only play the team in front of you, and while the Rapids admittedly played a reserve-heavy TFC side, they dispatched them fairly easily. Colorado are now unbeaten in four and seem to be building chemistry in recent weeks.
Previous: Won 2-0 vs. TOR | Next: at RSL on 4/21
18
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 21
It was getting to the point where the quest for the Sounders was to show signs of life, and they certainly did that against Sporting KC. That rookie Alex Roldan helped set up older brother Cristian for a goal is a cool story, but it may also be a sign of another diamond in the rough on Seattle's roster.
Previous: Tied 2-2 at SKC | Next: vs. MIN on 4/22
19
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 20
The Union are an enigma at the moment, with players who should be more prolific in attack not doing anything of late. In spite of the optimism following their opening-day victory, there aren't many signs of hope at the moment for this team.
Previous: Lost 2-0 vs. ORL | Next: at DAL on 4/21
20
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 23
It turns out, Designated Players can be difference-makers. Darwin Quintero showed his quality in his MLS debut, and with some time to really connect with his teammates, the Loons could move back up the standings in the coming weeks.
Previous: Lost 3-2 at POR | Next: at SEA on 4/22
21
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 21
RSL were off at the weekend, and likely needed it after being crushed 4-0 at NYCFC, in a game where that scoreline still seemed to flatter them. A rivalry game against the Rapids may or may not be the kind of game that gets Mike Petke's crew to snap out of their funk.
Previous: Lost 4-0 at NYC | Next: vs. COL on 4/21
22
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 23
They did it, D.C. United won a game, but the match in Annapolis was D.C.'s last home game in league play until July 14. They'll get a bye week, but Ben Olsen may have some decisions to make, particularly in goal after Steve Clark stood on his head to clinch the victory.
Previous: Won 1-0 vs. CLB | Next: at PHI on 4/28
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 23
The preseason optimism for the Fire has evaporated. Right now, a few players are playing pretty well, but the rest of the group needs to get up to the level of 2017, or this will turn into a very long season.
Previous: Lost 1-0 vs. LA | Next: at RBNY on 4/21
