BIGGEST MOVERS: Colorado, Columbus +4 spots | Houston -4 spots
1
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 15
They have some of the most exciting players in the league with Joao Plata and Burrito, but what's really put this team on top of the standings is a defense that has conceded just one goal in their past three games.
Latest result: Won vs. Vancouver, 1-0
Next MLS match: Saturday at LA Galaxy
2
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 5
Maximiliano Urruti showed that he has one of the highest work rates in MLS in Portland, and the other Mauro played hero in Dallas' six-point week.
Latest result: Won at Portland, 3-1; Won vs. Sporting KC, 2-1
Next MLS match: Saturday at Vancouver
3
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 8
It took Didier Drogba just six minutes to score against the Fire, and we should see him get his first start of the season in the 401 Derby.
Latest result: Won at Chicago, 2-1
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Toronto (TSN4, RDS)
4
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
Had their first downturn of the season, losing at home to Colorado and – though they followed that with a good performance – on the road in Dallas. One player they do need to return in short order is Soni Mustivar.
Latest result: Lost vs. Colorado, 2-1; Lost at Dallas, 2-1
Next MLS match: Sunday at San Jose (ESPN)
5
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 6
They can see the light at the end of the tunnel with just two more road games before returning home to BMO Field. They will be seeking revenge for last season's playoff loss against their rivals on Saturday.
Latest result: Won at D.C. United, 1-0
Next MLS match: Saturday at Montreal (TSN4, RDS)
6
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 19
Came close to getting a result after going cross-country and being a down a man. In years past, Union teams might have put up a lesser fight.
Latest result: Lost at Seattle, 2-1
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. NYCFC
7
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 9
Can Gio do this every week? He has a few more weeks without the presence of Robbie Keane to show that he can be a highly productive player in MLS.
Latest result: Won at Houston, 4-1
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Real Salt Lake
8
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 10
Had a rough go of it vs. Dallas, but got the result they needed against San Jose to remain afloat. With a weekend off, could we see Darlington Nagbe return next Wednesday?
Latest result: Lost vs. Dallas, 3-1; Won vs. San Jose, 3-1
Next MLS match: April 27 at New England
9
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 15
After going undefeated in their first four, Orlando City have to feel they let some points slip away in their last two games, whether that's the refs' fault or not.
Latest result: Drew vs. New England, 2-2
Next MLS match: Sunday at NY Red Bulls (FS1)
10
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 14
The Quakes have been a bit inconsistent, winning just one of their last five. One thing working in their favor is the continued strong play of Chris Wondolowski, who now has scored the fourth most goals in MLS history.
Latest result: Won vs. NY Red Bulls, 2-0; Lost at Portland, 3-1
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Sporting KC (ESPN)
11
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 20
Jermaine Jones is the talk of the town, but this is a team who have conceded just five goals in seven games. They will need to continue their strong form as Marco Pappa looks to be out a few weeks.
Latest result: Won at Sporting KC, 2-1; Won vs. NY Red Bulls, 2-1
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Seattle
12
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 17
Jordan Morris finally broke his duck, and the Sounders' new alignment appears to working out for everyone.
Latest result: Won vs. Philadelphia, 2-1
Next MLS match: Saturday at Colorado
13
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 15
Haven't been in top form yet this season, but Lee Nguyen looks like he did back in 2014.
Latest result: Drew at Orlando City, 2-2
Next MLS match: Saturday at D.C. United
14
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 14
Every week you get your hopes up that one of Vancouver's exciting attacking players is going to break through. And every week they do not. One of them will need to do so soon or the 'Caps could stay below the red line all season.
Latest result: Lost at Real Salt Lake, 1-0
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Dallas (TSN)
15
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 19
Finally got their first win of the season. Remind us again why Justin Meram didn't start the first few games of the season?
Latest result: Won vs. NYCFC, 3-2
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Houston
16
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 17
After an exciting start, things have not gone well for the Dynamo. They simply cannot find a way to stop opponents from scoring.
Latest result: Lost vs. LA Galaxy, 4-1
Next MLS match: Saturday at Columbus
17
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 20
They failed to score for the third time this season – but it wasn't for a lack of trying. They managed to take 18 shots, with three ending up on target.
Latest result: Lost vs. Toronto, 1-0
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. New England
18
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 18
Patrick Vieira's team have not won since the opening Soccer Sunday, and every week something new seems to be the problem.
Latest result: Lost at Columbus, 3-2
Next MLS match: Saturday at Philadelphia
19
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 19
Based on his chances this season, Bradley Wright-Phillips could be expected to have scored 4.62 goals. He has none. And that was before the Red Bulls' loss at Colorado.
Latest result: Lost at San Jose, 2-0; Lost at Colorado, 2-1
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Orlando City (FS1)
20
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 20
After Matt Lampson's performance with the ball at his feet against Montreal, Veljko Paunovic has to think about putting Sean Johnson back between the pipes.
Latest result: Lost vs. Montreal, 2-1
Next MLS match: April 30 vs. D.C. United
Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. Rankings are voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff and remarks were written by Associate Editor Ben Baer (@BenBaer89).
