Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. Rankings are voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff; words by Alicia Rodriguez.
BIGGEST MOVERS: RBNY +6; SKC, CLB -6
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
There's panic running through parts of the LAFC fanbase after the team has been held to one goal in 180 minutes, but the staff and squad probably don't feel that. If they can pick up a win on the road against a struggling Columbus side at the weekend, concerns will probably be allayed.
Previous: 0-0 draw vs. CHI | Next: at CLB on 5/11
2
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 13
The Dynamo jump up to their highest mark of the season to date, and while the Texas Derby win was pretty, pretty tight, rivalry games often need to be evaluated a bit differently than run-of-the-mill matches. A road game against the Sounders is a fixture league watchers should be circling for Week 11.
Previous: 2-1 win vs. DAL | Next: at SEA on 5/11
3
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 12
The Galaxy drop a spot after losing a topsy-turvy match at Red Bull Arena, but if they can grab six points this week they'll move ahead of LAFC in the Supporters' Shield race, regardless of what their El Trafico rival does. They seem to be in good shape even before they add any potential deadline-day signings.
Previous: 3-2 loss at RBNY | Next: at CLB on 5/8; vs. NYC on 5/11
4
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 5
The Sounders may be falling ever so slightly in the standings and Power Rankings, but picking up three straight draws with their nightmare of an injury situation lately is pretty good. If they can beat the Dynamo, however, the hype will likely start returning in the Emerald City.
Previous: 1-1 draw at MIN | Next: vs. HOU on 5/11
5
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 19
Credit to TFC for stepping up on both ends of the field for a good road win in Orlando. Now, they have two huge interconference games this week, one on the road, one at home, so we'll see how they are looking after that, and whether Jozy Altidore will be in line for a return soon.
Previous: 2-0 win at ORL | Next: at ATL on 5/8; vs. PHI on 5/11
6
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 20
The Union had the best week, with two games they ought to have won and two that they did win. Sitting atop the Eastern Conference, are they elite? We'll see, but credit to the staff for fielding three goalkeepers this year (Andre Blake, Matt Freese, Carlos Coronel) who are truly MLS-caliber. Not many teams can boast that.
Previous: 2-0 win vs. CIN; 6-1 win vs. NE | Next: at TOR on 5/11
7
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
D.C. have gotten back on track in recent weeks with a season sweep over Columbus. Can they keep it up? They may see good timing with a battered Sporting KC coming to town next.
Previous: 3-1 win vs. CLB | Next: vs. SKC on 5/12
8
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 11
It may seem a bit steep for Dallas to drop three spots after a pretty narrow loss to Houston, but the voting panel seemed to favor the victors. Their next concern is weathering the extended absence of Paxton Pomykal, but "next man up" certainly seems to be working.
Previous: 2-1 loss at HOU | Next: vs. RBNY on 5/11
9
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 18
Heber and the formation change have definitely provided a spark for the Cityzens as they now are on pace for a 51-point season. A trip to LA should provide a good litmus test to see if this run of form will be sustainable.
Previous: 2-0 win at MTL | Next: at LA on 5/11
10
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15
Minnesota are three games unbeaten and are in a good spot in the standings right now, but they still seem like a team figuring things out. There are certainly signs of promise, but a winning run would set them on the path to success in year three.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. SEA | Next: at CHI on 5/11
11
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 14
Two steps forward, one step back. It's the same story for the Impact, who followed up a two-win week with a home loss. It doesn't get easier, with a two-game week on the road, but they have been getting results away for the most part, so we'll see if they take another step forward this week.
Previous: 2-0 loss vs. NYC | Next: at RBNY on 5/8; at CIN on 5/11
12
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24
The Quakes are above the playoff line(!) and are unbeaten in four games. Most promising, they are playing better than the sum of their parts right now. If they keep playing like this, they'll be not only a Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoff team but one that other sides won't want to face in the postseason.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. CIN | Next: at NE on 5/11
13
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 24
The Timbers have emerged from their early-season doldrums to fire off three straight wins, and with their first home game less than a month away, their prospects are looking much brighter. It will be interesting to see how new striker Brian Fernandez takes to MLS.
Previous: 2-1 win at RSL | Next: at VAN on 5/10
14
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
This strata of the Power Rankings should be "sleeping giants emerging from their slumber," as the Red Bulls have won two in a row and are a point below the playoff line. They haven't been altogether convincing in those wins, but two big games this week will be a good test of New York's revival.
Previous: 3-2 win vs. LA | Next: vs. MTL on 5/8; at DAL on 5/11
15
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 19
I'm sure Atlanta fans can agree that there couldn't have been a worse time for Ezequiel Barco to leave for the U-20 World Cup, as he had just hit his first real good run of form in MLS.
Previous: 3-0 win at SKC | Next: vs. TOR on 5/8; vs. ORL on 5/12
16
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 21
Things seemed to be a bit brighter in Orlando over the last few weeks, but another home loss will be sure to dampen the mood. Now they head to Atlanta to face off against their rivals, who they have never beat.
Previous: 2-0 loss vs. TOR | Next: at ATL on 5/12
17
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 17
Sporting tumble after another big loss and on a five-game winless run, it was coming. Truthfully, they have a game in hand on most of the Western Conference, but they'll hope they are healthy enough when it comes around, because now is not a good time.
Previous: 3-0 loss vs. ATL | Next: at DC on 5/12
18
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 18
The Crew also take a plunge in the rankings, and it's little surprise, as they've lost five straight. The good news? They have two home games this week. The bad news? Columbus host both L.A. teams. A good set-piece routine could work wonders against the Western sides.
Previous: 3-1 loss at DC | Next: vs. LA on 5/8; vs. LAFC on 5/11
19
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 21
The Fire rebound a bit from losing two in a week to take a shutout draw in Los Angeles. They've also got another double-game week, with both games at SeatGeek Stadium, so no time like the present to rack up some wins.
Previous: 0-0 draw at LAFC | Next: vs. NE on 5/8; vs. MIN on 5/11
20
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 20
Sam Johnson has gotten off to a pretty good start to life in MLS, with three goals in less than 500 minutes of play, but his comments postgame demanding his teammates give him the time of day on the field were certainly eye-opening. Stay tuned to see if he's a quote machine or if his words will be heeded.
Previous: 2-1 loss vs. POR | Next: at COL on 5/12
21
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 23
While there are definitely some positives to take away from this road win, it did come against a team who has just two points this year and were just two days removed from firing their coach. At this point, it's probably best to take what you can get.
Previous: 3-2 win at COL | Next: vs. POR on 5/10
22
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24
The big news was dropped on Tuesday morning, as head coach Alan Koch was dismissed. We can't be too surprised considering the coach's recent comments and the team's complete inability to score.
Previous: 2-0 loss at PHI; 1-0 loss at SJ | Next: at MTL on 5/11
23
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 23
The Revolution were right that they were certainly in their game at Philadelphia in the first half, when the score was 1-1, and Philly didn't fully go off until the final 20 minutes or so. But when you're struggling as much as New England have this season, it's hard to shrug off a bad half.
Previous: 6-1 loss at PHI | Next: at CHI on 5/8; vs. SJ on 5/11
24
LAST WEEK: 24
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 24
Conor Casey's first game in charge did not turn out as hoped, with the Rapids fighting back from 2-0 down to tie it up, only to allow a late winner against the Whitecaps. With a bit more time, it will be interesting to see what tactical and lineup changes Casey makes, as a Rocky Mountain Cup clash looms.
Previous: 3-2 loss vs. VAN | Next: vs. RSL on 5/11
