The top five keeps shuffling around, and we're not 100-percent convinced that there is a "right order" at this point. And there's probably no "right order" in the middle, either – too many draws, too many hot goalkeepers, too many misfiring strikers to sort it all out. But as usual, we're here to give it a really, really good shot. Because we're gamers, folks.
Note: Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. The Power Rankings are voted on by the editorial staff at MLSsoccer.com, and all comments were written by Matthew Doyle. All game times are Eastern.
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
<strong>Rank</strong> |
<strong>Trending</strong> |
<strong>Club</strong> |
<strong>Comment</strong> |
<strong>1</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 2</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dallas_150.png" style="width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>They've conceded just seven goals in seven games, and despite being wildly unorthodox, Raúl Fernández looks like the right man for them in net. In attack, as long as they've got David Ferreira, they'll create chances.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-20-DAL-v-VAN/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Vancouver, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-D-W-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Vancouver (6 pm, Univision Deportes)</li></ul> |
<strong>2</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 1</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sportingkc_logo.png" style="width: 100px; height: 111px;"> |
<p>A couple of unkind cuts to SKC last weekend. The Sarvas goal should have been nullified because of the handball, and the whole thing was a pretty steep climb since they had to fly coast-to-coast for their second game in four days.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-17-NY-v-SKC/recap" target="_blank">Won at NY, 1-0</a>; <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-20-LA-v-SKC/recap" target="_blank">Lost at LA, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Portland (8:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>3</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 5</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.png" style="width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>OK, we just made a lot of excuses for Sporting, but let's face it: The Galaxy severely outplayed them on Saturday. They looked fast, confident and dangerous from minute 1 to 90, and could have won this one going away.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-20-LA-v-SKC/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. KC, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-D-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday at Real Salt Lake (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>4</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 4</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imapact-logo-3.png" style="width: 80px; height: 93px;"> |
<p>Holding steady during the bye week, which included what could be a very nice signing in <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/04/19/italian-influx-continues-trialist-daniele-paponi-tweets-deal-stay-montreal-i" target="_blank">Daniele Poponi</a>. Could end up resting some regulars this coming weekend as the focus is now on the Canadian Championship – and a spot in the CCL.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-W-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Chicago (4 pm, NBCSN, TSN/RDS)</li></ul> |
<strong>5</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 3</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_150.png" style="width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>Credit to the Dynamo for gutting out a point on the road, but their form was worrying up until Warren Creavalle headed home that equalizer. Even more of a concern has to be the health of Brad Davis. Watching him limp off ... that's a big "ouch."</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-20-TOR-v-HOU/recap" target="_blank">Drew at Toronto FC, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-W-L-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong> Sunday vs. Colorado (5 pm, UniMas)</li></ul> |
<strong>6</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 9</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" style="width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>RSL very quietly had a brutal schedule to start the season, but now they're entering a very friendly stretch where seven of the next 10 are at Rio Tinto. No better way to start it off than with a shutout win over a conference foe.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-20-RSL-v-CHV/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Chivas USA, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five</strong>: L-W-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>: </strong>Saturday vs. LA (9 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>7</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 7</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" style="width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>One of only two teams in the league unbeaten in their last five, and came very, very close to making it three wins in a row before the San Jose mosh pit got the best of them. Let's credit Donovan Ricketts with a solid bounce-back spring after an awful 2012, by the way.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-21-SJ-v-POR/recap" target="_blank">Drew at San Jose, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-D-W-W-D</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong> Saturday at Kansas City (8:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>8</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 12</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/philadelphia_150.png" style="width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>Solid central defense, a no-frills central midfield and a couple of forwards who look like they were born to play together. That's a pretty good recipe being whipped up in Philly right now. Some stuff needs to get worked out, still, but as long as Jack Mac and Conor Casey keep doing their thing, the Union will pick up points.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-21-DC-v-PHI/recap" target="_blank">Won at D.C. United, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-D-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week:</strong> Saturday at New England (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>9</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 8</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chivas_150.png" style="width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>Even when they're getting shut out, Chivas keep it interesting. Edgar Mejía's late elbow was both nasty and unnecessary, and Chelís' decision to leave for the locker room before the final whistle even sounded was ... let's say "theatrical."</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-20-RSL-v-CHV/recap" target="_blank">Lost at RSL, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-W-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. San Jose (10:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul><ul></ul> |
<strong>10</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 6</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/columbus_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>Columbus were listless against Chicago in the first half, and totally overrun in the second. If not for Andy Gruenebaum's heroics, they'd have been blown right out of Toyota Park.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-20-CHI-v-CLB/recap" target="_blank">Lost at Chicago, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-W-D-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. D.C. United (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>11</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 11</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sanjose_150.png" style="width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>"Goonie magic" is a little less potent in 2013. They were stoked to take that late point out of the Portland game, but those were turning into wins in 2012. San Jose now face a bunch of games on the road as they try to locate Wondo's scoring boots.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-21-SJ-v-POR/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Portland, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five:</strong> W-L-D-L-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Chivas USA (10:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>12</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 13</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newyork_150.png" style="width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>The Red Bulls are such a weird team, and our guess is that you're shocked to see that they've won three of their last five. Looks good on the face of it, but their schedule has been pillowy soft thus far.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-17-NY-v-SKC/recap" target="_blank">Lost vs. KC, 1-0</a>; <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-20-NY-v-NE/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. New England, 4-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>W-L-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Toronto FC (2 pm, TSN/RDS, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>13</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 10</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/vancouver_150.png" style="width: 90px; height: 132px;"> |
<p>Where's the midfield creativity going to come from, again? Right now, the 'Caps don't hold the ball particularly well, and don't create many chances one way or the other. The defense, without Jay DeMerit, has been a step slow as well.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-20-DAL-v-VAN/recap" target="_blank">Lost at FC Dallas, 2-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-L-D-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. FC Dallas (6 pm, Univision Deportes)</li></ul> |
<strong>14</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 17</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/seattle_150.png" style="width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>More relief than joy from that win in Colorado, largely because they looked like they were hanging on for dear life at the end against a team that's missing half the squad to injury. If the Sounders finally get healthy during this bye week, however, their ceiling is very, very high.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-20-COL-v-SEA/recap" target="_blank">Won at Colorado, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-L-D-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Bye</li></ul> |
<strong>15</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 15</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/toronto_150.png" style="width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>Credit to them for taking a deserved lead against the Dynamo, and then largely outplaying the visitors for 90 minutes. But then we had a dose of the usual: a late breakdown on a set piece to cough up valuable points. TFC are much improved, but still miles from where they need to be.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-20-TOR-v-HOU/recap" target="_blank">Drew vs. Houston, 1-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-D-D-D</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. New York (2 pm, TSN/RDS, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>16</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 14</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/colorado_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>Based on the fight they showed against Seattle, they probably don't deserve to drop. But we can't ignore either that record, or the fact that they're now missing more than half their starters to injury. This is looking like a cursed season for the Rapids.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-20-COL-v-SEA/recap" target="_blank">Lost vs. Seattle, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-W-W-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at Houston (5 pm, UniMas)</li></ul> |
<strong>17</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" style="width: 30px; height: 32px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 18</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/chicago_150.png" style="width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>Starting to come to life a little bit, and they could have won by multiple goals against the Crew. Should have, really – which tells some of the story as to why they're this low in the first place. The Fire still don't have a consistent goalscorer, and it's going to be very, very difficult to climb in the standings without one.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-20-CHI-v-CLB/recap" target="_blank">Won vs. Columbus, 1-0</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-W-L-W</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Montreal (4 pm, NBCSN, TSN/RDS)</li></ul> |
<strong>18</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 30px; height: 30px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 16</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/dc_150.png" style="width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
United simply look nothing like the team that made last fall's Eastern Conference Championship. Without Nick DeLeon and Andy Najar, they're not as dynamic on the dribble, and defensively they've been both soft and error prone.<br><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-21-DC-v-PHI/recap" target="_blank">Lost vs. Philadelphia, 3-2</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>D-L-L-L-L</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Columbus (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
<strong>19</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" style="width: 30px; height: 14px;"><p class="rtecenter">Last: 19</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newengland_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 100px; height: 100px;"> |
<p>Those early goals killed the Revs, who ended up having to chase the game with a team that's still in the process of figuring out how to play. New York spread 'em out, then picked 'em apart – and in all honesty, 4-1 was probably a little bit kind.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-20-NY-v-NE/recap" target="_blank">Lost at New York, 4-1</a></li><li><strong>Last Five: </strong>L-D-L-D-L</li><li><strong>This Week</strong><strong>:</strong> Saturday vs. Philadelphia (7:30 pm, <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS Live</a>)</li></ul> |
