BIGGEST MOVERS: NYC, NY +2 spots | RSL, SKC -2 spots
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7
The Power Rankings Politburo put our heads together and decided to give Dallas a mulligan for the 5-0 loss. Over the last five games – and over the last two months – they have the best PPG in MLS...
Latest result: Lost at Seattle, 5-0; Won vs. Chicago, 3-1
Last five results: W-W-W-L-W
Next MLS match: Saturday at Colorado (MLS LIVE)
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 20
...that said, there's still a pretty darn strong argument to be made for Colorado, who picked up another late (ish) winner on Saturday. They're on a 14-game unbeaten run that stretches back to mid-April.
Latest result: Won vs. Sporting KC, 1-0
Last five results: W-D-D-D-W
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Dallas (MLS LIVE)
3
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 9
LA can't really crack the discussion for the top spot just yet, but their third straight win solidified them at No. 3 overall, and they have by far the best goal differential in the league. Steven Gerrard has been excellent since Bruce Arena moved him into a pure attacking midfield role.
Latest result: Won vs. Houston, 1-0
Last five results: D-D-W-W-W
Next MLS match: Saturday at Portland (ESPN)
4
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 20
The league record for road PPG over the course of an entire season was set by the 2010 LA Galaxy, who clocked in at 2 PPG away from Carson. So far this season NYCFC are at 1.9 PPG with no signs of slowing down. It's remarkable what they're doing.
Latest result: Won at Montreal, 3-1
Last five results: W-W-W-L-W
Next MLS match: Sunday at NY Red Bulls (FOX)
5
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 19
That was a ferocious rally on Sunday night, and Jim Curtin's right – Philly could have taken all three points. But they've got to figure out how they ended up in a 2-0 hole at home in the first place.
Latest result: Drew vs. NY Red Bulls, 2-2
Last five results: W-L-L-W-D
Next MLS match: Saturday at Montreal (MLS LIVE)
6
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 12
The league's second-longest unbeaten run belongs to the Timbers, who've now pushed it to nine on the heels of a four-point week. Diego Valeri's name should be brought up in any serious MVP discussion.
Latest result: Drew vs. Montreal, 1-1; Won vs. Seattle, 3-1
Last five results: W-D-D-D-W
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. LA Galaxy (ESPN)
7
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 15
RSL endured a long road trip and then had a home-heavy slate that should have been a ladder up to the top of the standings. They've not made the most of it, and probably need to start thinking about the red line that's creeping toward them.
Latest result: Lost at Vancouver, 2-0; Drew vs. New England, 0-0
Last five results: L-D-D-L-D
Next MLS match: Friday vs. San Jose (UniMás)
8
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 17
They blew a multi-goal lead and their weakness against fleet-footed wingers remains an Achilles' heel. That said, they took four points from two games against conference foes and the rumor mill says that reinforcements are on the way.
Latest result: Won vs. Orlando City, 2-0; Drew at Philadelphia, 2-2
Last five results: D-L-D-W-D
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. NYCFC (FOX)
9
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 9
Where have you gone Sebastian Giovinco? A franchise turns its lonely eyes to you.
Latest result: Drew at Columbus, 1-1; Lost at San Jose, 2-1
Last five results: L-D-W-D-L
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. D.C. United (MLS LIVE)
10
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 18
Either the back line is switching off or they're straight-up giving the ball away in the worst spots on the field. If Sporting could just stop with the sloppiness they'd be 10 points higher in the standings.
Latest result: Lost at Chicago, 1-0; Lost at Colorado, 1-0
Last five results: D-W-W-L-L
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Seattle (ESPN)
11
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
The offense just hasn't been good enough to cover up for a leaky defense whose goals against average continues to climb. And it's hurt, since the Impact have won just twice in their last 13 MLS games.
Latest result: Drew at Portland, 1-1; Lost vs. NYCFC, 3-1
Last five results: D-W-D-D-L
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Philadelphia (MLS LIVE)
12
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 14
Getting Masato Kudo back helped, but this was still a tough three-game stretch for the 'Caps, who managed to drop four home points over the past eight days. Five of the next six are away from home, and a prolonged slump could put Vancouver behind the eight ball entering the home stretch.
Latest result: Won vs. Real Salt Lake, 2-0; Drew vs. Orlando City, 2-2
Last five results: W-L-D-W-D
Next MLS match: Saturday at Houston (MLS LIVE in the US, TSN in Canada)
13
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 14
Saturday's remarkable, nine-man win was San Jose's first in two months, and was deadly necessary for a team that's in danger of sinking toward the bottom of the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
Latest result: Won vs. Toronto, 2-1
Last five results: D-D-L-L-W
Next MLS match: Friday at Real Salt Lake (UniMás)
14
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 17
A shutout and a point on the road is a solid step forward for this club, which has struggled so much defensively over the course of the season.
Latest result: Drew at Real Salt Lake, 0-0
Last five results: L-L-L-W-D
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Chicago (MLS LIVE)
15
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 20
Fabian Espindola was the right man in the right place at the right time, and produced the kind of goal that D.C. has had a knack for over the years. Expect them to hang in the playoff race until the very end.
Latest result: Drew at Columbus, 1-1
Last five results: D-W-D-L-D
Next MLS match: Saturday at Toronto (MLS LIVE)
16
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 17
Got a quality road point at Vancouver after a pretty emphatic loss at the Red Bulls. It's still not clear what the path forward is for this franchise, but whoever the next, full-time coach is has to identify the core and then stick with it.
Latest result: Lost at NY Red Bulls, 2-0; Drew at Vancouver, 2-2
Last five results: W-L-D-L-D
Next MLS match: Saturday at Columbus (MLS LIVE)
17
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 20
The Dynamo weren't pushovers in LA and did a good job of creating chances against one of the league's better defenses. They still lack the cutting edge that defines the league's best teams, and that they desperately need to add in either this window or January.
Latest result: Lost at LA Galaxy, 1-0
Last five results: D-L-W-D-L
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Vancouver (MLS LIVE in US, TSN in Canada)
18
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 19
The midweek high was lost under a torrent of missed chances and Portland counterattacks on Sunday. Seattle's season has just about slipped away, though the week ahead – with a US Open Cup quarterfinal and at least one potential new arrival – should provide some hope.
Latest result: Won vs. Dallas, 5-0; Lost at Portland, 3-1
Last five results: L-D-L-W-L
Next MLS match: Sunday at Sporting KC (ESPN)
19
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 19
Ola Kamara's goals/90 of .92 is pretty easily the best in the league. There's your ray of sunshine in a sky of perpetual gray, Crew SC fans.
Latest result: Drew vs. Toronto, 1-1; Drew vs. D.C. United, 1-1
Last five results: D-L-L-D-D
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Orlando (MLS LIVE)
20
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 20
Brandon Vincent has started eight games in the last two months. Over that time Chicago are 3-4-1 with a -2 goal differential when he's on the field, and 0-2-0 with a -3 GD when he sits. The sample size is small, but it confirms the eye test: Vincent has been mostly very good over the last two months.
Latest result: Won vs. Sporting KC, 1-0; Lost at Dallas, 3-1
Last five results: L-W-L-W-L
Next MLS match: Saturday at New England (MLS LIVE)
Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. Rankings are voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff and remarks were written by Senior Editor Matt Doyle (@MLSAnalyst).
