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: DAL, CLB, NE, SEA, PHI, RSL, SJ +2; TOR -5
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
Atlanta United lost a little bit of mojo with the shorthanded loss to Sporting KC, but bounced right back with a "don't call it a rivalry" win over Orlando City. They're still in great shape, but a marquee match against the Red Bulls is coming up, which should be a treat for partisans and neutrals alike.
Previous: Lost 2-0 vs. SKC; Won 2-1 at ORL | Next: vs. RBNY on 5/20
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 7
New York improved on their earlier road trip to the Rocky Mountains this season, grabbing a win over a sputtering, but game Rapids side. They may also have a supersub emerging, as Derrick Etienne, Jr. has three goals and an assist in just 255 minutes played so far.
Previous: Won 2-1 at COL | Next: at ATL on 5/20
3
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 15
We don't want to get ahead of ourselves here, but Sporting's win over Atlanta midweek had a playoff feel, even if it's only May and the Five Stripes picked up a red card. No matter, this is the kind of game SKC will try to draw from when the MLS Cup Playoffs really do roll around.
Previous: Won 2-0 at ATL | Next: at MIN on 5/20
4
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 17
LAFC capped off their opening homestead with a 2-0-2 record, and are off to the best start by any expansion team in league history. Losing two games in 10 is a good rate for any team, and LAFC are tied for second place in the league for fewest losses at the moment.
Previous: Won 2-0 vs. MIN; Drew 2-2 vs. NYC | Next: at POR on 5/19
5
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 5
The entertaining 2-2 draw against LAFC was a palate cleanser for NYCFC, even if two defensive breakdowns prevented a potential win for Patrick Vieira's men. They may be a half-step off their blazing start to the season, but NYCFC are likely to get back into gear soon, perhaps when they meet the Rapids on Saturday.
Previous: Drew 2-2 at LAFC | Next: vs. COL on 5/19
6
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 18
The Galaxy made it interesting, but FC Dallas showed their team chemistry was worlds ahead in a 10-man win. Mauro Diaz garnered the headlines, as he should, but Maxi Urruti did his thing yet again, and the opposing defense could not stop it, even if they've clearly seen plenty of tape on where he likes to shoot.
Previous: Won 3-2 vs. LA | Next: vs. VAN on 5/19
7
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 11
Columbus weathered the double-game week best, taking maximum points to surge up the standings. But they need to go to Fortress Foxborough next against a Revolution team that's already proved tricky for Gregg Berhalter's team.
Previous: Won 1-0 vs. PHI; Won 3-0 vs. CHI | Next: at NE on 5/19
8
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 19
The winning streak is over for the Lions after falling to the Atlanta buzzsaw, but Orlando's level is clearly better than it was in March, or last season. Now, they've got to deliver some hurt on reeling Toronto to get back on track.
Previous: Lost 2-1 vs. ATL | Next: at TOR on 5/18
9
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 18
The Timbers now possess the longest current winning streak in MLS at four. The bigger story is the defense, which had been Portland's Achilles heel the past couple seasons, but are on a 279-minute streak without conceding. Can they continue that against LAFC, who have only been shut out once?
Previous: Won 1-0 vs. SEA | Next: vs. LAFC on 5/19
10
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 22
Cristian Penilla is the real deal. The Revs have largely stayed away from imported attackers without MLS experience in recent seasons, after being burned on a series of flops in the past. But the Ecuadorian is consistently lighting up opposing defenses, and his four goals and four assists in 10 games shows consistency.
Previous: Won 3-2 vs. TOR | Next: vs. CLB on 5/19
11
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
Tough week for TFC, who lost both of their matches. They look like they could use a bye to deal with injuries and all-around fatigue. The bad news? Their league slate is busy until mid-June, so Greg Vanney's group is going to need to grind their way through the rough patch.
Previous: Lost 2-1 vs. SEA; Lost 3-2 at NE | Next: vs. ORL on 5/18
12
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 15
The story of Houston's season emerged yet against against Vancouver, as a go-ahead 90th-minute strike from Mauro Manotas was canceled out by an even later Whitecaps goal. The Dynamo are on the precipice of winning nearly every game, and they just keep on finding ways to drop points.
Previous: Drew 2-2 at VAN | Next: at CHI on 5/20
13
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15
The surprise attacking performance from Week 11 came courtesy of Kendall Waston, who set up a goal on a set play with an endline cross, then scored the last-second equalizer to ensure a result for the Whitecaps. With performances like that, Vancouver will miss him while he's at the World Cup.
Previous: Drew 2-2 vs. HOU | Next: vs. SJ on 5/16; at DAL on 5/19
14
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 14
The Galaxy are tied with the Rapids for the longest current losing streak, at four games. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been upbeat about figuring out how to get out of LA's slump so far, but if form holds, it seems only a matter of time until he starts ranting to reporters.
Previous: Lost 3-2 at DAL | Next: at MTL on 5/21
15
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 23
It was a mixed bag for the Fire this week with a win and a loss, and based on their current form, that seems about right. They're only 10 games in, but Chicago already have a six-point gap to overcome to get above the playoff line in the Eastern Conference.
Previous: Won 1-0 vs. MTL; Lost 3-0 at CLB | Next: vs. HOU on 5/20
16
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 21
The Sounders picked up a nice road win at Toronto and lost a close game to their fiercest rival, and while they don't look great for the duration, Brian Schmetzer may be finding a system that works for his players. Of course, the elephant in the room is how Clint Dempsey can get back to changing games for Seattle?
Previous: Won 2-1 at TOR; Lost 1-0 at POR | Next: vs. RSL on 5/26
17
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 21
RSL needed a hand, and they got one in facing D.C. United, who then sweetened the deal with a first-half red card. At the same time, take nothing away from RSL, who continue to ride Corey Baird's sharp start to professional soccer.
Previous: Won 3-2 vs. DC | Next: at PHI on 5/19
18
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 22
The Union also got a boost with a road win over the Impact after losing in Columbus. Next up, they'll likely look to pick up wins at home, and a game against Real Salt Lake could be a good opportunity to go on a run that they really need right now.
Previous: Lost 1-0 at CLB; Won 2-0 at MTL | Next: vs. RSL on 5/19
19
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 23
After the momentum of the past couple weeks, Minnesota slid back down the Power Rankings with two losses in the double-game week. Injuries are hurting them right now, to be sure, but the Loons took one of the few games in their MLS era in which they were favored, against the Quakes, and laid an egg.
Previous: Lost 2-0 at LAFC; Lost 3-1 vs. SJ | Next: vs. SKC on 5/20
20
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 22
On the flipside, the Quakes' win in Minnesota was the big surprise of the weekend, but perhaps it shouldn't have been, considering both of San Jose's wins this season have been over the Loons. Now, Mikael Stahre's group will get a chance to make up ground with two games this week, and their odds are pretty good.
Previous: Won 3-1 at MIN | Next: at VAN on 5/16; vs. DC on 5/19
21
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 21
Back to the drawing board for the Impact, who lost both of their Week 11 games. The loss to Chicago was a heartbreaker, as a last-minute goal doomed them, but falling to a sluggish Philly side, who went down to 10 men, at Stade Saputo, is a tough result, no matter how you slice it.
Previous: Lost 1-0 at CHI; Lost 2-0 vs. PHI | Next: vs. LA on 5/21
22
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 23
The Rapids are now on a four-game losing streak, and while Anthony Hudson has a good point that the Rapids are not getting blown out of games, they just don't have quite enough to pick up wins lately. A Yankee Stadium showdown against NYCFC coming up doesn't portend good things, either.
Previous: Lost 2-1 vs. RBNY | Next: at NYC on 5/19
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 23
Yes, it was another loss for D.C., but here's the bright side: They were up for the game against RSL for the duration, and even a first-half red card didn't lead to them throwing in the towel. Ben Olsen has the hardest job in MLS right now, but the team still looks motivated, and Audi Field opens in two months.
Previous: Lost 3-2 at RSL | Next: at SJ on 5/19
