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: SEA, LA, HOU +3; MTL, NE -3
1
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
There's a new leader, with the Red Bulls surging ahead of Atlanta United after their head-to-head win on Sunday. Of course, Atlanta still hold an edge in the Supporters' Shield, but the Red Bulls look like they're going to force Atlanta to win out in order to win the Shield.
Previous: Won 2-0 vs. ATL | Next: at SJ on 10/6
2
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
Did Atlanta rest on their laurels a bit against the Red Bulls with Bradley Wright-Phillips suspended? Has the speculation surrounding Gerardo "Tata" Martino's future affected the mindset, even a little? Maybe to both of those, but don't forget that for as good as Atlanta have been, road games remain hard in MLS.
Previous: Lost 2-0 at RBNY | Next: vs. NE on 10/6
3
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 18
Dallas remain atop the Western Conference and therefore the best of the rest in the eyes of the voting panel. FCD are four games unbeaten but they haven't won consecutive games in league play since the beginning of July. Technically, you could win MLS Cup without winning consecutive games, but it's a hard road.
Previous: Drew 0-0 at POR | Next: vs. ORL on 10/6
4
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 16
Sporting failed to capitalized on Dallas' road draw by posting a home draw, a decent but not remarkable result. It's pretty obvious the top three teams in the West will reach the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs, but none of those teams, including Sporting, seem prepared to take firm control of first place.
Previous: Drew 1-1 vs. RSL | Next: vs. LA on 10/6
5
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 21
The Sounders bounced back from a bad week with an overwhelming win against the Rapids. It really seems with the Sounders, if the team stays healthy enough, they'll go as far as Nicolas Lodeiro can take them. And bad news for MLS, but he seems to be over his World Cup snub hangover.
Previous: Won 4-0 vs. COL | Next: vs. HOU on 10/8
6
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 17
LAFC laid an egg against a resurgent Fire side in Chicago. As much as Bob Bradley has shrugged off the observation that Carlos Vela and Adama Diomande don't yet have chemistry in attack in the past, this game was the latest example of that issue rearing its head this season.
Previous: Lost 3-1 at CHI | Next: at COL on 10/6
7
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 22
U.S. Open Cup heartbreak midweek for the Union, but they bounced back well enough to grab a point in Columbus, and if not for a controversial foul called, probably should have won the game. Hosting Minnesota next, Philly could inch closer to a playoff berth — or possibly even clinch — with games to spare.
Previous: Drew 0-0 at CLB | Next: vs. MIN on 10/6
8
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 23
The voting panel was not unanimous in its assessment of D.C., but suffice it to say their convincing win over Montreal put them firmly in the Top 10 in Power Rankings. Momentum is on United's side to get into the playoffs, but they still have to pick up the wins to seal it.
Previous: Won 5-0 vs. MTL | Next: vs. CHI on 10/7
9
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 12
Columbus' form has been all over the place lately, as they haven't posted consecutive outcomes of any kind in their last seven games. A trip to Montreal to take on a desperate Impact side could end painfully, or could also move them in (or nearly in) the playoffs.
Previous: Drew 0-0 vs. PHI | Next: at MTL on 10/6
10
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 21
RSL keep their heads above water, two points ahead of the Galaxy and just above the playoff line. Three games to go, and what conclusion do we make of RSL? As ever, you never know what you're going to get from them game to game.
Previous: Drew 1-1 at SKC | Next: vs. POR on 10/6
11
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 18
Zlatan is coming up the standings like the shark in "Jaws." LA are still out of the playoff places, but somewhat similar to D.C., their momentum makes it seem like they can seal this and reach the postseason. Of course, the biggest test yet is up: a road game at Sporting KC.
Previous: Won 3-0 vs. VAN | Next: at SKC on 10/6
12
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 23
Well...that was awkward. Montreal had a tough game at Audi Field but they really got run over, the kind of game that could define their season. That said, hope is not lost, and if Montreal pick up points and D.C. fail to in their games in hand, the Impact could book a playoff ticket yet.
Previous: Lost 5-0 at DC | Next: vs. CLB on 10/6
13
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 18
The Timbers' scoreless draw against FC Dallas was hard to watch, although you could plausibly call it a "playoff-style" game. But with Portland holding off three teams below them in the standings who are within four points, it's feeling pretty nervy in the Rose City right now.
Previous: Drew 0-0 vs. DAL | Next: at RSL on 10/6
14
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 14
It was actually a mixed bag for NYCFC, who clinched their playoff spot with a midweek win over Chicago, but the lingering memory is likely to be the flat loss against Minnesota. As much as Dome Torrent's team has the personnel to turn it on, they seem like the group opponents will be hoping to get in the playoffs.
Previous: Won 2-0 vs. CHI; Lost 2-1 at MIN | Next: at DC on 10/21
15
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
TFC post a professional rout over New England, but surely it's too late for their playoff hopes? Mathematically, they're alive, but they need to win out and get a lot of help, and that seems unlikely in tandem. In spite of CCL and the Canadian Championship, 2018 will be a "What if?" year for TFC.
Previous: Won 4-1 vs. NE | Next: vs. VAN on 10/6
16
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 19
Good week for the Dynamo, who won the Open Cup at home and then fought back to pick up a last-minute win in league play against the Quakes. Similar to TFC, this year will go own in Dynamo lore for the trophy won, but will still be a year where league form severely underperformed most of the way.
Previous: Won 3-2 vs. SJ | Next: at SEA on 10/8
17
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 19
The Loons are good at home, with a 10-4-1 record to date. But this team needs upgrades in defense if they want to truly compete in year three in MLS. Otherwise, it will be another season full of some decent performances and a lot of subpar displays, again.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. NYC | Next: at PHI on 10/6
18
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 22
New England have won just three of their last 20 games in league play. For all of the optimism with Brad Friedel's arrival and initial games, that has to be long gone by now. Seems like a major overhaul is in order to give the Revolution hope of competing in the future.
Previous: Lost 4-1 at TOR | Next: at ATL on 10/6
19
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20
Vancouver's attempt at a "new manager bounce" backfired in LA, as they racked up their third straight loss. Maybe like LA, they need another game to see the effects, but then again, Vancouver don't have Zlatan Ibrahimovic on their side to take over games, either.
Previous: Lost 3-0 at LA | Next: at TOR on 10/6
20
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 23
Chicago actually played three good halves of soccer in Week 31, but missed out on more points with their second half at Yankee Stadium. That said, Djordje Mihailovic was dominant in the win over LAFC, and if he continues to put in showings like that, he'll be the next young American star.
Previous: Lost 2-0 at NYC; Won 3-1 vs. LAFC | Next: at DC on 10/7
21
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 23
San Jose showed again that no lead they hold is truly safe, and even the most dedicated professionals on the team have to be happy to see the end of the season approaching. Bad news: They have the Red Bulls next, but they will play them at Avaya Stadium, so you never know.
Previous: Lost 3-2 at HOU | Next: vs. RBNY on 10/6
22
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 23
Another week off for the Lions, and a road game against FC Dallas coming up. How will they finish the season? Five games to find wins, and they've captured just one in their last 20.
Previous: Idle | Next: at DAL on 10/6
23
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 23
The Rapids go into the basement after their hapless loss in Seattle. They had all of one shot on goal there, and sit in last for the season in the league in shots on goal. It's probably not a coincidence that they are last in scoring in the league, too, by a fairly large margin.
Previous: Lost 4-0 at SEA | Next: vs. LAFC on 10/6
