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, TOR +4; MIN -4
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
Josef Martinez keeps rolling and Atlanta remain atop the standings and Power Rankings. Can they continue to deliver after a hectic All-Star week in town, and against a resurgent Toronto FC next?
Previous: Won 2-1 at MTL | Next: vs. TOR on 8/4
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 6
It was a split week for NYCFC, but while they lost an opportunity to limit Atlanta's lead to one point, picking up three points in a brutal two-road game week is solid. Missing David Villa against Vancouver may hurt a bit, but it will give the veteran another week to rest up for the homestretch.
Previous: Won 2-0 at ORL; Lost 3-1 at SEA | Next: vs. VAN on 8/4
3
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 18
It's now 14 games unbeaten in league play for Portland, and it's still kind of going under the radar leaguewide. The Timbers ending for Fanendo Adi was storybook. Kudos to the club for how they handled his exit against the Dynamo.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. HOU | Next: vs. PHI on 8/4
4
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 18
Dallas continued their reign atop the Western Conference with an impressive win at Sporting KC. Hard to imagine Michael Barrios will go on a tear after his hat trick, but it may unlock his scoring touch more the rest of the way.
Previous: Won 3-2 at SKC | Next: vs. SJ on 8/4
5
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
It was a mixed week for the Red Bulls, as they picked up a road win in the Atlantic Cup, but lost at home to a surging Crew SC side. At the moment, they're winning three of every four games over the past two months, which isn't bad form at all.
Previous: Won 1-0 at DC; Lost 3-2 vs. CLB | Next: vs. LAFC on 8/5
6
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 17
LAFC tied the Galaxy in their first home edition of El Trafico, but it sure seemed like a loss afterwards. Andre Horta had about as bad a debut as a high-profile youngster can have as LAFC let a late two-goal lead slip away.
Previous: Drew 2-2 vs. LA | Next: at RBNY on 8/5
7
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 14
The Galaxy's unbeaten streak in MLS is now nine games, and while they seem to be settling into the same "score a lot and let in a lot" blueprint as their Trafico neighbors, it's working right now. Zlatan Ibrahimovic possibly, maybe making a late Golden Boot chase doesn't hurt, either.
Previous: Drew 2-2 at LAFC; Won 4-3 vs. ORL | Next: at COL on 8/4
8
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 12
Two wins in a row for Crew SC seem to have snapped them out of the doldrums, and the latest one against the Red Bulls is particularly impressive. They've got a bye and then can really put some distance between themselves and the chasing pack.
Previous: Won 3-2 at RBNY | Next: vs. HOU on 8/11
9
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 15
Another tough result for Sporting, who have now dropped to fifth place in the Western Conference. Their next game, at Houston, isn't a six-pointer, exactly, but already on a five-game winless run, a loss could really hurt their playoff quest.
Previous: Lost 3-2 vs. DAL | Next: at HOU on 8/4
10
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 15
Tough week for the Dynamo, who lost two games and are now four games winless. Power Rankings voters remain high on Wilmer Cabrera's group, despite them sitting in ninth place in the West right now.
Previous: Lost 3-1 vs. PHI; Lost 2-1 at POR | Next: vs. SKC on 8/4
11
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 23
The Impact couldn't stop the Five Stripes hype train, but to give them a bit of credit, Atlanta had to grind for their goals. Could Fanendo Adi be their short-term answer at striker? Seems like an intriguing possibility if they can get him from Cincy for the rest of 2018.
Previous: Lost 2-1 vs. ATL | Next: vs. DC on 8/4
12
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 21
The Sounders had the best week around the league, with two victories in two games they needed to win. They're still in 10th place with a lot of work to do, but they're on the ascent, with an absolutely vital road game against Minnesota United on tap.
Previous: Won 1-0 at SJ; Won 3-1 vs. NYC | Next: at MIN on 8/4
13
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 22
Philly had the weekend off, but picked up a good road win over Houston midweek. With a match against the Timbers coming up followed by a U.S. Open Cup semifinal showdown with the Fire a few days later, it will be interesting to see if Jim Curtin rests any starters in Portland.
Previous: Won 3-1 at HOU | Next: at POR on 8/4
14
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
The Sounders aren't the only MLS Cup finalist springing to life, as TFC have won two in a row in league play, while reaching the Canadian Championship final. They're just six points out of the final playoff spot right now, but also have three teams between them and sixth place.
Previous: Won 3-0 vs. CHI | Next: at ATL on 8/4
15
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 22
It was a week off for the Revolution, who have been sputtering but seem to have a winnable game against another struggling outfit, Orlando City, up next. The big thing is figuring out how to stay above the playoff line for Brad Friedel's men.
Previous: Idle | Next: at ORL on 8/4
16
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 21
In context, a road draw is always decent, although a drab performance for RSL in San Jose takes the shine off a little. It's still hard to know if this team has what it takes to reach the playoffs this year, as they show a different vibe pretty much every week.
Previous: Drew 0-0 at SJ | Next: vs. CHI on 8/4
17
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 23
D.C.'s hail mary of a back half of the season is still alive, barely, after picking up one win at Audi Field. August is definitely a make-or-break month, but even if United fall short, it certainly feels like they are going to get better as the end of the season approaches.
Previous: Lost 1-0 vs RBNY; Won 2-1 vs. COL | Next: at MTL on 8/4
18
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 23
Minnesota seem to have found their sea legs (or is it lake legs?) at home this year, but they are still dreadful on the road, with nine losses in 10 games. The showdown at home against the Sounders this week is shaping up to be vital for both teams' playoff hopes.
Previous: Lost 4-2 at VAN | Next: vs. SEA on 8/4
19
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 23
The Fire are really struggling right now, on the longest current losing streak in the league at five games. It feels like the vitality has drained out of the team, and they may be pinning all their hopes on the U.S. Open Cup before long.
Previous: Lost 3-0 at TOR | Next: at RSL on 8/4
20
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20
Well, Alphonso Davies gave us a show, and he's not only providing the exciting moments for the Whitecaps, he's leading the way for his team right now. Enjoy him in MLS while you can.
Previous: Won 4-2 vs. MIN | Next: at NYC on 8/4
21
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 23
Orlando have improved under James O'Connor, but they keep coming up short. At this point, it seems like a bit of bad luck that struggling teams often have, as well as errors in defense. One wonders how they'll look when Jonathan Spector and Lamine Sane are healthy again.
Previous: Lost 2-0 vs. NYC; Lost 4-3 at LA | Next: vs. NE on 8/4
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 23
Kellyn Acosta offered an immediate boost for the Rapids, but the lineup still feels several players short of being regularly competitive. Are any more reinforcements on the way?
Previous: Lost 2-1 at DC | Next: vs. LA on 8/4
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 23
San Jose are at the point that a scoreless draw at home is a solid result. Gotta start somewhere, but their 12-game winless run means they have a lot of questions and very few answers right now.
Previous: Lost 1-0 vs. SEA; Drew 0-0 vs. RSL | Next: at DAL on 8/4
