BIGGEST MOVERS: NYCFC +5 spots | D.C. United -4 spots
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 17
Traveled cross-country on short rest without two suspended starters and got a win against a playoff team, earning three points and control of the Supporters' Shield race. That's pretty convincing.
Latest result: Lost at New England, 2-1; Won at Portland, 2-0
Last five results: L-W-W-L-W
Next MLS match: Friday vs. Orlando City (UniMás)
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
Holding on for dear life while they wait for Mauro Diaz to get healthy. They can win without him - they've shown that much - but they're an elite team with him.
Latest result: Lost at Sporting KC, 3-1
Last five results: L-W-W-W-L
Next MLS match: Sunday at LA Galaxy (FS1)
3
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 15
Any road win is a quality win, even if the opponent is slumping (badly, in D.C.'s case). Columbus play what is maybe the most exciting soccer in the league, and it's proved to be high-risk, high-reward.
Latest result: Won at D.C. United, 2-1
Last five results: W-W-L-W-W
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Portland
4
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
What was previously the league's most consistent team have now lost three-of-five, and didn't look overly competitive in the loss to Seattle. They'll have the return date for that in CCL action on Wednesday before next Saturday's visit from NYCFC - which the 'Caps absolutely should win.
Latest result: Lost vs. Seattle, 3-0
Last five results: L-W-L-W-L
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. NYCFC (TSN1)
5
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 20
It's hard to put together an extended winning streak in this league, so bravo to the Revs for their six-gamer. And a word of warning about fatigue and their lack of defensive depth after what happened in Montreal to end the streak.
Latest result: Won vs. NY Red Bulls, 2-1; Lost at Montreal, 3-0
Last five results: W-W-W-W-L
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Philadelphia
6
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
Won six of seven, and now they've been shut out in three straight. LA are +27 at home and -14 on the road, which is A) an almost unfathomable differential, and B) reason for them to try really, really hard to get home-field advantage in the playoffs.
Latest result: Lost at RSL, 3-0
Last five results: W-W-L-D-L
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Dallas (FS1)
7
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 14
Needed an MVP-caliber performance from Benny Feilhaber and got one. Huge week ahead - one that can basically sew up a playoff spot if they get things right, or hurt their chances badly if things go wrong.
Latest result: Won vs. Dallas, 3-1
Last five results: L-L-D-L-W
Next MLS match: Wednesday at Houston; Sunday vs. Seattle (ESPN)
8
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 14
ObaDeuce in full effect, and Andreas Ivanschitz looks like a worthy addition to the group. Important beyond everything else, though, is keeping Ozzie Alonso healthy (and fixing that set piece defense).
Latest result: Won at Vancouver, 3-0
Last five results: L-W-W-D-W
Next MLS match: Sunday at Sporting KC (ESPN)
9
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 16
Looked miserable in the midweek loss, then seemed to finally find the right formation and approach in the weekend win over Colorado. Now they have a bunch of home games to work out the kinks ahead of the postseason (yes, folks, TFC's making the playoffs).
Latest result: Lost at NYCFC, 2-0; Won vs. Colorado, 3-1
Last five results: W-L-L-L-W
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Chicago (TSN)
10
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20
They look revitalized and purposeful under Mauro Biello, and obviously that Drogba guy can play a little bit. They'll make it 3-for-3 in terms of Canadian clubs qualifying for the playoffs.
Latest result: Drew at San Jose, 1-1; Won vs. New England, 3-0
Last five results: L-W-D-D-W
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Chicago (TSN, RDS); Saturday vs. D.C. United (TSN2, RDS)
11
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
They were 10-5-5 at the end of June, and have gone 3-6-1 since. The Power Rankings Politburo believes PRO's mid-summer crackdown on tactical fouling and persistent infringement are big reasons why.
Latest result: Lost vs. Columbus, 2-1
Last five results: L-L-L-D-L
Next MLS match: Saturday at Montreal (TSN2, RDS)
12
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 17
Somehow only three points out of a playoff spot, and there's reason for optimism since the 4-3-3 is finally starting to work. The addition of Juan Manuel Martinez is the obvious turning point in their season.
Latest result: Won vs. LA Galaxy, 3-0
Last five results: L-W-L-W-W
Next MLS match: Sunday at San Jose (FS1)
13
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 16
Had every chance to lock up a playoff spot over the last month, but have taken two points out of four games - three of them at home. It looks and feels like the Timbers are in big trouble. Which, since this is MLS, means they'll probably go on the road and score four against a good Columbus team.
Latest result: Lost vs. NY Red Bulls, 2-0
Last five results: W-D-L-D-L
Next MLS match: Saturday at Columbus
14
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 20
That was a fun week, showcasing the young (Patrick Mullins), the old (Pirlo's best game in light blue) and the perpetually unheralded (Ned Grabavoy!). We do not expect it to continue at Vancouver.
Latest result: Won vs. Toronto, 2-0; Won vs. San Jose, 3-2
Last five results: L-L-L-W-W
Next MLS match: Saturday at Vancouver (TSN1)
15
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 18
Like Portland they've seen their form and fortunes sink just as the door to the postseason was opening. This Sunday's home game against RSL is suddenly gigantic.
Latest result: Drew vs. Montreal, 1-1; Lost at NYCFC, 3-2
Last five results: W-L-D-D-L
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. RSL (FS1)
16
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 20
They've won three of five, they have pretty much their entire lineup healthy and available, and Tranquillo Barnetta seems to be figuring MLS out. The playoffs are not likely, but they have their eyes on the US Open Cup trophy.
Latest result: Won vs. Houston, 2-0
Last five results: W-L-W-L-W
Next MLS match: Saturday at New England
17
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 20
Brek Shea's return has obviously made a huge difference, and Bryan Rochez's ascent has OCSC suddenly one of the deepest teams in the league at center forward. The opens up the possibility of some offseason wheeling and dealing.
Latest result: Won at Chicago, 1-0
Last five results: L-D-L-W-W
Next MLS match: Friday at NY Red Bulls (UniMás)
18
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 18
One win in six, and three losses in four. It seems like they're dead men walking... but a six-point week at home can change that in a hurry. It's make-or-break for the Dynamo over the next six days.
Latest result: Lost at Philadelphia, 2-0
Last five results: D-L-W-L-L
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Sporting KC; Saturday vs. Colorado
19
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 20
The Rapids made moves in winter and summer, but none of the new additions have really lived up to expectations, and it's hard to argue that they've been better than the guys who were shipped out or relegated to the bench.
Latest result: Lost at Toronto, 3-1
Last five results: W-W-L-D-L
Next MLS match: Saturday at Houston
20
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 20
Change was clearly necessary. The big question now is whether the new powers that be will build from within, or demand a complete teardown before starting anew. The Power Rankings Politburo recommends the former.
Latest result: Lost vs. Orlando City, 1-0
Last five results: W-D-L-L-L
Next MLS match: Wednesday at Montreal (TSN, RDS); Saturday at Toronto (TSN)
Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. Rankings are voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff and remarks are written by Senior Editor Matt Doyle (@MLSAnalyst).
