Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. Rankings are voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff; words by Ben Baer and Matt Doyle.
BIGGEST MOVERS: DAL, CLB, NE, SEA, PHI, RSL, SJ +2; TOR -5
1
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
So they've made their statement. The Red Bulls – who might not even be in their final form – have just beaten NYCFC and Atlanta by multiple goals. Hard to argue against that.
Previous: Won at ATL, 3-1 | Next: vs. PHI on 5/26
2
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
Starting to look eerily like last season when they ran roughshod over the weaker teams, but struggled to beat the better ones. Now 1-2-1 against LAFC, NYCFC, SKC and RBNY. Flat track bullies, maybe?
Previous: Lost vs. RBNY, 3-1 | Next: at NE on 5/30
3
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 15
The attack has dried up over the past month and it's clear Yohan Croizet is no Felipe Gutierrez. They need the Chilean back and scoring goals in order to stay atop the West long-term.
Previous: Drew at MIN, 1-1 | Next: vs. CLB on 5/27
4
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 5
Kind of bummed they didn't lose David Villa to World Cup duty. We at the Power Rankings Politburo wish they did, not because we have anything against the Cityzens, but because it'd be most excellent to see El Guaje ride for La Roja one last time.
Previous: Won vs. COL, 4-0 | Next: at HOU on 5/25
5
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 11
Not a dominant performance, but a most clever one (and a potentially crucial one) in that 1-0 win over the Revs. Crew SC still need a second reliable goalscorer, but for now "Gyasi and set pieces" has mostly done the trick.
Previous: Won at NE, 1-0 | Next: at SKC on 5/27
6
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 17
The attack has lost quite a bit of explosiveness without Marco Ureña, and now they'll have to handle a handful of other World Cup-related losses. Big test for the Black and Gold, who nonetheless have a manageable June ahead of them.
Previous: Lost at POR, 2-1 | Next: vs. DC on 5/26
7
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 18
Timbers put in their most complete performance of the season in that 2-1 win over a good LAFC team, and the best part was that their defense held firm even after Liam Ridgewell went off injured. The slow start is well behind them at this point.
Previous: Won vs. LAFC, 1-0 | Next: at COL on 5/26
8
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 18
Horrible, horrible way to drop two points. The whole team – but especially Maxi Urruti and Matt Hedges – should've gotten the hairdryer treatment afterward.
Previous: Drew vs. VAN, 2-2 | Next: at TOR on 5/25
9
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
Turns out that as they approach even moderate health they'll start looking like what they are, which is literally the second-best team on the continent.
Previous: Won vs. ORL, 2-1 | Next: vs. DAL on 5/25
10
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 19
They missed Dom Dwyer and Yoshi Yotun, but that was a structurally sound if ultimately futile performance against TFC. The Purple Lions look like a more complete team than they were a month ago, which should stem the tide of concerns that they'll be facing the same sort of collapse that did them in a year ago.
Previous: Lost at TOR, 2-1 | Next: vs. CHI on 5/26
11
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 15
Let them get into space and they will still kill you dead because Alberth Elis is, hands down, the best open field player in MLS. We're still giving that defense the side eye, though.
Previous: Won at CHI, 3-2 | Next: vs. NYC on 5/25
12
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 22
That was a very tough result to drop against a team they'll likely be competing with for playoff positioning – if not a playoff spot outright – all season long. Teams have figured out that the Revs' Plan A is "press high and hard and fast and direct." Now they've got to find a Plan B.
Previous: Lost vs. CLB, 1-0 | Next: at VAN on 5/26
13
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 14
They snapped a four-game losing streak, but didn't answer many questions about their backline and Zlatan issues.
Previous: Won at MTL, 1-0 | Next: vs. SJ on 5/25
14
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15
The 'Caps were probably hoping for at least four points last week, but a draw at Dallas salvaged some good feelings heading into Week 13.
Previous: Drew vs. SJ 2-2; Drew at DAL, 2-2 | Next: vs. NE on 5/26
15
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 22
The attack looked outstanding against a subpar RSL defense, but a question is looming in Philly. What to do with David Accam?
Previous: Won vs. RSL, 4-1 | Next: at RBNY on 5/26
16
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 21
The Sounders got some much-needed rest ahead of two matches against RSL.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. RSL on 5/26
17
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 23
Bastian Schweinsteigerdoesn't seem very happy and the Fire are beginning to see their playoff hopes slip away.
Previous: Lost vs. HOU, 3-2 | Next: at ORL on 5/26
18
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 21
The back 6 continues to look suspect and you have to wonder how/why that will change.
Previous: Lost at PHI, 4-1 | Next: at SEA on 5/26
19
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 23
A point against the best team in the West at home is fine, but it's not going to get you to the playoffs.
Previous: Drew vs. SKC, 1-1 | Next: vs. MTL on 5/26
20
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 23
The Paul Arriola at No. 8 experiment is looking good, as his speed and tenacity has wreaked havoc over the past two games.
Previous: Won at SJ, 3-1 | Next: at LAFC on 5/26
21
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 22
Where is rock bottom? Did they hit it yet?
Previous: Drew at VAN, 2-2; Lost vs. DC, 3-1 | Next: at LA on 5/25
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 23
Tim Howard has looked like a statue between the pipes for Anthony Hudson. Is it Zac MacMath time?
Previous: Lost at NYC, 4-0 | Next: vs. POR on 5/26
23
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 23
Things are so bad in Montreal that the owner is mulling selling his best player.
Previous: Lost vs. LA, 1-0 | Next: at MIN on 5/26
