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: RSL +4; RBNY -6
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
LAFC showed their depth may not be spectacular in their first loss of the season, a midweek stumble in Vancouver, but the first unit came roaring back in a rout over the Sounders in their second game of the week. The next objective will be to make it two wins in two weeks over the Sounders, this time in Seattle.
Previous: 1-0 loss at VAN; 4-1 win vs. SEA | Next: at SEA on 4/28
2
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 12
The Galaxy are on the best form in the league right now, so it's no surprise they've moved up just behind their crosstown rivals. This team is not all Zlatan in terms of attack, but they are mostly playing like it right now. Don't want to break what's not broken, but at some point the other players will need to chip in.
Previous: 2-1 win vs. HOU | Next: at MIN on 4/24; vs. RSL on 4/28
3
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 5
Seattle were technically the last in MLS to lose, but the manner of their defeat to LAFC was rather chastening. The returns of Chad Marshall and Raul Ruidiaz will make a big difference, so Sunday's result should be taken with a grain of salt. But they get a chance at immediate redemption after a tricky Quakes match.
Previous: 4-1 loss at LAFC | Next: vs. SJ on 4/24; vs. LAFC on 4/28
4
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 19
After a setback the week before in Seattle, TFC get right back on track, albeit in a hectic goalfest against Minnesota. As we said last week, TFC will be in plenty of shootouts this season, but if they pick up points more often than not, they'll be back in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and could make some postseason damage.
Previous: 4-3 win vs. MIN | Next: vs. POR on 4/27
5
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 11
Every week this FC Dallas team seems to be rising to the occasion and their learning curve is truly off the charts. Even though 10 points separate them, their game against San Jose could be a good test, as the Quakes play an unorthodox style that could trip up FCD if they aren't prepared.
Previous: 2-1 win at ATL | Next: vs. SJ on 4/27
6
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 13
The Dynamo did lose for the first time in league play against the Galaxy but that game went down to the wire, and without two defensive breakdowns they could have won themselves. He's largely going under the radar, but Aljaz Struna has been a big addition for the Houston defense this year.
Previous: 2-1 loss at LA | Next: vs. CLB on 4/27
7
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
They seem like good value to come good, but D.C. United's current slump is a little concerning. The upcoming double-game week could be a blessing, or a curse, especially with both games on the road.
Previous: 2-0 loss vs. NYC | Next: at CLB on 4/24; at MIN on 4/28
8
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20
The Union have won four of five games and seem to have figured out their system. What's interesting is that new players seem to be stepping up every week or two, which given the way their roster is structured, should help them stay in a good spot in the standings.
Previous: 3-0 win vs. MTL | Next: at VAN on 4/27
9
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 9
On the other hand Sporting have tumbled below the playoff line and are suddenly three games without a win. This seems like a blip but we've seen the Concacaf Champions League hangover last for months with other teams. Stay tuned on how it will turn out for SKC.
Previous: 4-1 loss at SJ | Next: vs. NE on 4/27
10
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 10
One of the weekend's big surprises was Columbus getting thoroughly outplayed at home by the then-winless Timbers. The attacking parts still seem a bit limited but the big concern from the loss was the defensive breakdowns. They've got a double-game week to pick up points if they can quickly rebound.
Previous: 3-1 loss vs. POR | Next: vs. DC on 4/24; at HOU on 4/27
11
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 14
It's important for Ignacio Piatti to be healthy enough to really contribute, of course, but his sustained absence is clearly hurting the Impact. The sooner he comes back, the better Montreal's prospects for the season.
Previous: 3-0 loss at PHI | Next: at NE on 4/24; vs. CHI on 4/28
12
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15
On paper scoring three goals on the road should virtually guarantee a win, but Minnesota bucked the conventional wisdom by falling prey to two players scoring braces in Toronto. They've got two tricky games this week, but both are at home -- if they can win at least one that should alleviate some concerns.
Previous: 4-3 loss at TOR | Next: vs. LA on 4/24; vs. DC on 4/28
13
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 21
The Fire haven't lost in four games and are quietly rounding into form this year. If they keep playing like this, they're a shoo-in for the playoffs and could even become a dark horse, but first, two key interconference games this week, both on the road.
Previous: 4-1 win vs. COL | Next: at NYC on 4/24; at MTL on 4/28
14
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 19
Another surprise of the week was RSL's comprehensive dismantling of FC Cincinnati on the road. Mike Petke's side still looks susceptible to inconsistency, but they certainly have players capable of winning on their day. Now they need to make it their day more often than not.
Previous: 3-0 win at CIN | Next: at LA on 4/28
15
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 18
NYCFC got their first win, and Heber had a good game in leading that charge. Two home games this week is prime time to completely turn their season around and get into the playoff race after a poor opening to the campaign.
Previous: 2-0 win at DC | Next: vs. CHI on 4/24; vs. ORL on 4/27
16
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 21
The Lions have won three of their last five games, and while they seemed a bit lucky to get by the Whitecaps, after several seasons of futility in MLS Orlando will happily take some good fortune. If they can beat NYCFC on the road this week they'll really be cooking with fire.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. VAN | Next: at NYC on 4/27
17
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 24
The Earthquakes of the last three games are completely different than they were in the first four games. Some of that is time, and some is the lineup tweaks Matias Almeyda has made, but San Jose are starting to show that not only will they not be an easy out, they can score in bunches, too.
Previous: 4-1 win vs. SKC | Next: at SEA on 4/24; at DAL on 4/27
18
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 18
The contrast between Atlanta United's first two seasons, when they struggled at times but usually found a late breakthrough, and this season so far is that the current team doesn't look like they have a clear plan much of the time. On top of that, too many players seem to be playing new roles for no discernible reason.
Previous: 2-1 loss vs. DAL | Next: vs. COL on 4/27
19
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24
FC Cincinnati got through their first month of life in MLS in pretty good shape but so far April has been a struggle, with one point in three games. They seem capable of catching teams out, but they'll want to get a couple wins soon or the worry could really creep in.
Previous: 3-0 loss vs. RSL | Next: at RBNY on 4/27
20
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 23
The Revs grinded out a win, which we previously called their trademark in the past, and if they lock that identity down again consistently, then they can use that as a platform for bigger things. Brad Friedel's group has a big two-game week coming up.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. RBNY | Next: vs. MTL on 4/24; at SKC on 4/27
21
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
The Red Bulls were the victims of New England's grinding performance, and while it's far too soon to write off this team, the combined poor performances and bad results show there could be major fault lines on this team, and if so, some big decisions could be looming.
Previous: 1-0 loss at NE | Next: vs. CIN on 4/27
22
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 23
The Whitecaps put in a terrific performance to beat LAFC midweek, but that late goal conceded in Orlando doomed their chances of moving up in the Power Rankings. They remain in the middle of a rebuilding process, but they seem like they are starting to put it together with Marc Dos Santos.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. LAFC; 1-0 loss at ORL | Next: vs. PHI on 4/27
23
LAST WEEK: 24
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 24
The Timbers got that long-awaited win, and that has to be some relief after five straight losses. They've still got five road games ahead, with a match against Toronto up next, so plenty of work left to do for this group.
Previous: 3-1 win at CLB | Next: at TOR on 4/27
24
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 24
The Rapids are the last winless team in MLS and the offseason retooling doesn't seem to have worked. Last season, Colorado found a late boost after some reinforcements were brought in, but they have taken a step back since that point, and that's a huge concern.
Previous: 4-1 loss at CHI | Next: at ATL on 4/27
