Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. Rankings are voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff and remarks were written by the editorial staff.
BIGGEST MOVERS: LA +4 spots | NY, MTL, DC -3 spots
1
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 8
Six games. Twenty-three days. Six wins. With apologies to unbeaten FC Dallas, these rankings are about form, and there’s no one hotter than the Reds right now.
Previous: Won at CLB, 2-1; Won vs. MIN, 3-2 | Next: at NY on 5/19
2
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 3
The unbeaten run to start the season is now at nine and counting. It’s clearly going to take something special to defeat a Dallas team that's deep, gritty, balanced and stoic with quality all around the field. They may be six points off the Supporters’ Shield lead, but they have three games in hand on Toronto.
Previous: Drew vs. NYC, 1-1 | Next: vs. SJ on 5/20
3
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 8
FC Dallas have been the best team at home in MLS since the start of 2015, so getting a point there is quite a feat. This week should be very challenging for Patrick Vieira's team, with road games at RSL and Orlando, who they have lost twice to already this year.
Previous: Drew at DAL, 1-1 | Next: at RSL on 5/17; at ORL on 5/21
4
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 9
Their defense (and defensive midfielder Ilie Sanchez) has looked suddenly fallible over the last two games, but at least the attack got them a very good road point in Florida. We assume Dom Dwyer will be fully rested and ready to go when the Sounders visit on Wednesday.
Previous: Drew at ORL, 2-2 | Next: vs. SEA on 5/17; at VAN on 5/20
5
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 18
They finally dropped points at home, and it's right back on the road. Can they crack that nut?
Previous: Drew vs. SKC, 2-2 | Next: at SJ on 5/17; vs. NYC on 5/21
6
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 11
Downside: Most of last weekend’s match at Providence Park proved dull and marked by clumsy defending. Upside: Ridgy returned with a splash. A draw with Atlanta ought to be the kick in the pants to tighten it up next time around.
Previous: Drew vs. ATL, 1-1 | Next: at MTL on 5/20
7
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 19
Crew SC went on the road, went up 2-0 and then blew the lead. Be honest, you thought they were gonna drop all three points. That they took three back to Columbus is thanks to hat-trick hero Justin Meram, who may just be the best winger in MLS.
Previous: Lost vs. TOR, 2-1; Won at MTL, 3-2 | Next: at NE on 5/21
8
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 19
It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win and the Dynamo now have the most home victories in MLS this year. With five of their next six on the road, we will learn if this team is truly a contender.
Previous: Won vs. VAN, 2-1 | Next: at PHI on 5/17; at ATL on 5/20
9
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 17
Reports of Atlanta’s death were greatly exaggerated after a couple of less-than-stellar outings. A draw with mighty Portland, at Providence Park, shows these expansioneers may not be too shabby on the road, after all.
Previous: Drew at POR, 1-1 | Next: vs. HOU on 5/20
10
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 21
It seemed like a cathartic win for the Fire on Saturday night. In what was just their second sell-out since 2015, they spanked Seattle and looked good doing it – solid on defense, multi-faceted in the final third and devastating on the break.
Previous: Won vs. SEA, 4-1 | Next: vs. COL on 5/17; at DC on 5/20
11
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 13
Sorry, Red Bulls fans, but it takes a team particularly in crisis to drop home points to the current version of the LA Galaxy. The visitors comprehensively ended the home side’s unbeaten streak at Red Bull Arena, and it’s time for a swift turnaround to preserve morale.
Previous: Lost vs. LA, 3-1 | Next: vs. TOR on 5/19
12
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 12
Something’s not right in Seattle (and it’s probably their injury-ravaged backline). If anything, the Sounders' recent run goes to show that MLS success is no cakewalk, despite their efforts to prove otherwise in the second half of 2016.
Previous: Lost at CHI, 4-1 | Next: at SKC on 5/17; vs. RSL on 5/20
13
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 21
Which squad is real - the 3-0 victors vs. Portland, or the 3-0 losers in Colorado? Avaya is likely a sight for sore eyes after 4-of-5 away ...
Previous: Lost at COL, 3-0 | Next: vs. ORL on 5/17; at DAL on 5/20
14
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 21
The penalty call on Kendall Waston was iffy, and the 'Caps mostly held the Dynamo's potent attack in check. This team is clearly much stronger defensively than they were a year ago, but are still looking for the right mix going forward.
Previous: Lost at HOU, 2-1 | Next: vs. SKC on 5/20
15
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 20
Let's all give Curt Onalfo a round of applause for what was one of the gutsiest subs in MLS history last week. He yanked Jelle Van Damme, his captain and best defender, as a punitive measure before the break against Chicago, and his team has responded with their three best halves of the season. It was a huge risk – Onalfo could've lost the locker room entirely. Instead it seems like he won his team's attention, and now they're winning points.
Previous: Won at NY, 3-1 | Next: at MIN on 5/21
16
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 22
That was a fun, if fruitless, second half against red-hot Toronto FC. Can they put together the full 90 on national TV (again)?
Previous: Lost at TOR, 3-2 | Next: vs. LA on 5/21
17
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 20
Is it a coincidence that Kei Kamara bagged a goal and an assist on his return to the New England lineup just hours after his son was born? Probably not. Banged-up RSL was the perfect remedy for a team that hadn’t won in five games.
Previous: Won vs. RSL, 4-0 | Next: vs. CLB on 5/21
18
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 18
Don’t sleep on the Impact. They may have started slowly, but Nacho was coming back from injury and Blerim Dzemaili had yet to arrive. Now that both are in the fold, Mauro Biello must find a way inspire this team like he did at the end of 2016.
Previous: Lost vs. CLB, 3-2 | Next: vs. POR on 5/20
19
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 22
The confidence is building in Philly after a second straight rotund victory. The Union have now gone four games unbeaten and are finally scoring goals at will. But past all the offense is a commitment and fight that has never left this side.
Previous: Won at DC, 4-0 | Next: vs. HOU on 5/17; vs. COL on 5/20
20
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 20
United are only four points out of the last playoff spot, so no one's panicking... yet. D.C. did not look up for the fight against Philly, and the Power Rankings Politburo is guessing Ben Olsen may have used one or two naughty words in expressing his displeasure postgame.
Previous: Lost vs. PHI, 4-0 | Next: vs. CHI on 5/20
21
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 22
Airtight defense, patience and opportune goals. That formula sound familiar? The Rapids (and Shkelzen Gashi) rediscovered their 2016 magic in a match which saw the Quakes dominate in possession at DSG Park. Two road matches in four days will test their conviction in their system (and their depth).
Previous: Won vs. SJ, 3-0 | Next: at CHI on 5/17; at PHI on 5/20
22
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 22
Injuries, international absences, and just about everything else has gone wrong for RSL in the last few weeks. We figure they’ll be better when the dust starts to settle on a miserable spring, but will the season be too far gone by then?
Previous: Lost at NE, 4-0 | Next: vs. NYC on 5/17; at SEA on 5/20
