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: RSL +5 spots | Toronto, New England -5 spots
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 3
Defending Supporters’ Shield champions FCD haven’t really done much to give anyone a reason to doubt they’re still the best team in MLS. But that title is being threatened by Sporting KC and the Timbers — their next two opponents — in this early part of the year. With both matches coming at home, it’s a great chance to remind the rest of the league who’s No. 1.
Previous: Drew at SJ, 1-1 | Next: vs. SKC on 04/22
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 11
Sure, they dropped some points – at home, no less! – to Kansas City, which stings. It still wasn’t enough, though, to knock them from the top of the hotly contested West.
Previous: Lost vs SKC, 1-0 | Next: vs. VAN on 04/22
3
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 9
So they go on the road, get their 4th shutout in 6 – against the highest-scoring team in the league – outplaying the hosts for 75 minutes, and we've only got 'em at No. 3? Okey doke.
Previous: Won at POR, 1-0 | Next: at DAL on 04/22
4
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 8
If we had Goal of the Year Power Rankings, David Villa would be the runaway leader. But NYCFC fans will be happy to see a nice bump in the real Power Rankings after a hard-earned away win.
Previous: Won at PHI, 2-0 | Next: vs. ORL on 04/23
5
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 18
There’s an edge to this 2017 Lions team and its top scorer Cyle Larin. The squad has personified the tenacity of its manager, Jason Kreis, and the intensity of its captain, Will Johnson. Now they just have to prove they can also grind out results on the road.
Previous: Won vs LA, 2-1 | Next: at NYC on 04/23
6
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 19
Justin Meram's an MVP candidate, Pipa Higuain is looking like his old self (they'll still have to manage his minutes a bit, right?) and two rookies (Alex Crognale and Niko Hansen) are looking indispensable. Things aren't perfect for Crew SC, but they've won four of five after that ugly start.
Previous: Won vs TOR, 2-1 | Next: at NY on 04/22
7
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 17
Miguel Almiron still looks like one of the 2-3 best players in the league and they looked strong before the red card but they will have to continue their four-game road trip without Leandro Gonzalez Pirez. How will Tata Martino cope without his top center back?
Previous: Lost at MTL, 2-1 | Next: at RSL on 04/22
8
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 8
OK, we're officially asking, "When is Giovinco gonna start looking like himself again?" He's been wasteful in front of net and his touch hasn't been Giovinco-esque. This isn't a crisis or anything – it's still too early for that – but for TFC to hit last year's heights, they need their best player to look at least 80% of his old self.
Previous: Lost at CLB, 2-1 | Next: vs. CHI on 04/21
9
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 9
There will, of course, be bumps in the road for the reigning champs, but falling to Vancouver is a big bruise to the ego in Cascadia.
Previous: Lost at VAN, 2-1 | Next: at LA on 04/23
10
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 21
Luis Solignac looks like a different player this year and looks like he will provide quality attacking depth for the Fire. Still need to see the center midfield get more time 11-v-11 before passing judgment.
Previous: Won vs NE, 3-0 | Next: at TOR on 04/21
11
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 19
Woah there, Dynamo. Up 2-0 at home against a struggling expansion team, and you failed to get all three points? Not great, but an early-season reality check is not necessarily a bad thing.
Previous: Drew vs MIN, 2-2 | Next: vs. SJ on 04/22
12
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 13
Week 7 saw the Red Bulls pull off a gritty, workmanlike win and fans saw signs of that on-field team spirit slowly returning. It helped to have an inspired Alex Muyl for the first time this year— it can’t always be Bradley Wright-Phillips carrying the load.
Previous: Won vs DC, 2-0 | Next: vs. CLB on 04/22
13
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 21
Drawing with Dallas, one of the toughest teams in the league, is not bad at all for a team in semi-rebuild mode.
Previous: Drew vs DAL, 1-1 | Next: at NE on 04/19, at HOU on 04/22
14
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 22
Getting two straight wins with all the injuries they are dealing with is quite a feat. This stretch will help Mike Petke's team down the line as some of the starters return.
Previous: Won at COL, 2-1 | Next: vs. ATL on 04/22
15
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 18
Got Ignacio Piatti back, which is nice. Got a significant contribution from Anthony Jackson-Hamel, which is also very nice (we'd like to see him get more minutes, please). Biggest thing, though, was the very, very very good backline performance against one of the league's best attacks.
Previous: Won vs ATL, 2-1 | Next: at PHI on 04/22
16
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 20
Thanks to Je-Vaughn Watson’s reckless red card, the Revs missed an opportunity to build some momentum on the road after looking competitive early on. The loss to Chicago only builds the pressure to get maximum points from the two home games on tap this week.
Previous: Lost at CHI, 3-0 | Next: vs. SJ on 04/19, vs. DC on 04/22
17
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 17
The Rapids’ legendary defense of 2016 looks dangerously destined to stay in the annals of last season’s history. It’s time to stop conceding goals, by any means necessary.
Previous: Lost vs RSL, 2-1 | Next: at MIN on 04/23
18
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 19
Something is still off with this team, with Giovani dos Santos unable to get off the mark so far this season. The right back issue is also not going away as it looks like Robbie Rogers might be out for the season.
Previous: Lost at ORL, 2-1 | Next: vs. SEA on 04/23
19
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 20
When Bill Hamid has a shocker or two, you know it’s probably not going to be your night. It’s not quite back to the drawing board for D.C., but the performance at Red Bull Arena will leave head coach Ben Olsen with plenty of food for thought.
Previous: Lost at NY, 2-0 | Next: at NE on 04/22
20
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 21
Ready, Fredy! With the ‘Caps desperate for a win, their big offseason signing came through in the clutch. Still plenty of questions to answer, but Vancouver can sleep a little easier this week.
Previous: Won vs SEA, 2-1 | Next: at POR on 04/22
21
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 22
At this point, there's little doubt that this team can score goals. As they continue to build their defensive posture, it's important to track the quality of chances that are conceded.
Previous: Drew at HOU, 2-2 | Next: vs. COL on 04/23
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 22
It's pretty clear Philly need a final third difference-maker – that's step one. Step two is figuring out that central defense, which has been sleepy and disappointing.
Previous: Lost vs NYC, 2-0 | Next: vs. PHI on 04/22
