BIGGEST MOVERS: Orlando City +6 spots | Portland -5 spots
1
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 5
More a case of Sporting losing rather than anything Dallas did. Regardless, this week's draw provides yet another reminder of how crucial Mauro Diaz is to FCD's success.
Latest result: Drew vs. Columbus, 1-1
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. San Jose
2
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
Got one World Cup veteran back, but paid the price without two others. Despite the good record things aren't really quite clicking just yet.
Latest result: Lost vs. Real Salt Lake, 2-1
Next MLS match: Saturday at NY Red Bulls
3
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 15
Under-manned team missing 10 players travels to a hated rival and gets a win? Perfect MLS script. Now let's hope that Justen Glad keeps his starting role.
Latest result: Won at Sporting KC, 2-1
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Rapids
4
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 8
Had their chances, but a lack of precision from Lucas Ontivero wide on the right limited their attacking effectiveness. He's quite obviously still adjusting to the speed of the game in MLS.
Latest result: Lost at Seattle, 1-0
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Columbus
5
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 6
Four points from four games is fine, and given the back-loaded home schedule, TFC can afford to spend a little time below the red line. Getting Jozy Altidore into the starting XI this coming weekend should give a better look at what the Reds expect to be.
Latest result: Lost at Colorado, 1-0
Next MLS match: Saturday at New England (TSN4)
6
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 15
Kaka was awesome, as was Cristian Higuita. Let's also give a bit of applause to Joe Bendik, who produced a couple of big saves from the run of play as well as a clutch PK stop.
Latest result: Won vs. Portland, 4-1
Next MLS match: Friday at Philadelphia (UniMás)
7
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 9
Win at home, draw on the road. It's ugly, but for the Galaxy it's been working well enough.
Latest result: Drew at Vancouver, 0-0
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Portland (FS1)
8
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 8
The absence of Liam Ridgewell has clearly taken its toll, but the sleepwalking from Alvas Powell was stunning on two of the Orlando City goals. If Portland are going to repeat, he's going to have to grow into a focused, 90-minute player.
Latest result: Lost at Orlando City, 4-1
Next MLS match: Sunday at LA Galaxy (FS1)
9
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 14
No doubt about it: Those are two points lost this past weekend, not a point won. The Quakes can't afford to drop results at home if they're going to keep on pace with the rest of the Western Conference.
Latest result: Drew vs. D.C. United, 1-1
Next MLS match: Saturday at Dallas
10
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 12
In their last 16 matches across all competitions, Vancouver forwards have scored just one goal. It was by the since-retired Robert Earnshaw to cap a 3-0 blowout at the end of last year. 'Caps fans, this is not great.
Latest result: Drew vs. LA Galaxy, 0-0
Next MLS match: Saturday at D.C. United (TSN)
11
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 12
The hits to the backline just keep on coming. Forget the red card and "play on" controversy - the real question is who'll start in central defense this week.
Latest result: Lost at New England, 1-0
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Sporting KC
12
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 19
Philly looked like the better team until Warren Creavalle was -- justifiably -- sent off. They have some pieces and an identity, but questions remain about their goal-scoring ability.
Latest result: Lost at Chicago, 1-0
Next MLS match: Friday vs. Orlando City (UniMás)
13
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 17
A bye week has given them time to figure out what has went right with the attack and what has gone wrong with the defense.
Latest result: None
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Seattle (ESPN)
14
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 17
Their first win of the season was courtesy of solid defense and an opportunistic set piece. Can that keep them afloat until attacking reinforcements arrive?
Latest result: Won vs. Montreal, 1-0
Next MLS match: Sunday at Houston (ESPN)
15
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 15
The Power Rankings Politburo admit that we would have played on as well.
Latest result: Won vs. NY Red Bulls, 1-0
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Toronto (TSN4)
16
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 20
The Rapids aren't playing jogo bonito out there, but they've got seven points from four games and a red-hot Marco Pappa getting things done. The defense has also been rock solid, with just two goals allowed thus far.
Latest result: Won vs. Toronto, 1-0
Next MLS match: Saturday at Real Salt Lake
17
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 17
Is it time to worry just a little bit? Crew SC are winless in four and have scored just three goals thus far. They had their chances this past weekend, but remained ice cold in front of net.
Latest result: Drew at Dallas, 1-1
Next MLS match: Saturday at Montreal
18
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 18
Does another home game mean another experimental lineup from Patrick Vieira & Co? Or perhaps a return to the Week 1 set-up that saw NYCFC hang four goals on the Fire...
Latest result: None
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Chicago (FS1)
19
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 20
Braved snow squalls and the frigid cold to register their first win of the Veljko Paunovic era. Center back Jonathan Campbell is probably the Rookie of the Year favorite at this early juncture.
Latest result: Won vs. Philadelphia, 1-0
Next MLS match: Sunday at NYCFC (FS1)
20
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 20
A good point for a team that's going to have to go on the road and grind out results just like that one. D.C. still don't create much, but when their defense is whole they're tough to break down -- and so far, Travis Worra looks like a gem.
Latest result: Drew at San Jose, 1-1
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Vancouver
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).
