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: NE +3; NYC, DC -2
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
How do you come back from a rare loss? With two blowout wins, one on the road, the other at home. LAFC look set to get stronger with the Gold Cup ending, hold a seven-point edge in the Supporters' Shield race at present, and do not look like they are willing to relinquish control at the top.
Previous: 5-1 win at SKC; 6-1 win vs. VAN | Next: at HOU on 7/12
2
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 24
The Timbers become the latest team to sit in the No. 2 slot, one that appears to be a hot potato this season. But being the team to get a rare road win at Yankee Stadium, Portland's trajectory is rising and they still have time to grow before the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Previous: 1-0 win at NYC | Next: vs. COL on 7/13
3
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 20
A good week, with four points across two games that featured weather delays surrounding both, but the Union were disappointed not to grab two wins over Orlando City. Yes, if they had grabbed the win on Sunday they'd be five points behind LAFC (having played two more games), but the battle for the East is sure to be pitched.
Previous: 3-1 win at ORL; 2-2 draw vs. ORL | Next: at RSL on 7/13
4
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 18
NYCFC are stunned at home after a comprehensive midweek win, so it was a mixed week for them as well. It will be interesting to see if they put their full energies toward the U.S. Open Cup against Orlando, and if they do, how that impacts their league games surrounding the cup competition.
Previous: 3-0 win vs. SEA; 1-0 loss vs. POR | Next: at RBNY on 7/14
5
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
New York only pick up a point, but they end the week on a high with a late equalizer in Atlanta. They're still sitting all the way down in 6th place in the East, but just three points out of 2nd at the moment so their run under the radar may end if they climb up, as they seem set to do. Their NY Derby clash is a big one.
Previous: 4-0 loss at HOU; 3-3 draw at ATL | Next: vs. NYC on 7/14
6
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 24
The Quakes had a tough week on the docket, but pulled out three points so it wasn't all bad. The second edition of the California Clasico is on tap, and this is certainly a hotly-anticipated clash, too. And guess, what? San Jose are above the playoff line, and seem like a good bet to stay there.
Previous: 3-1 loss at MIN; 1-0 win vs. RSL | Next: at LA on 7/12
7
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 19
The Five Stripes' hopes of ending up atop the Eastern Conference took a dent in Week 18 after picking up just one point in their double-game week. The return of players back from international duty should bolster the side, but they have a tricky clash against Seattle in Washington on tap.
Previous: 5-1 loss at CHI; 3-3 draw vs. RBNY | Next: at SEA on 7/14
8
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 15
FC Dallas get back in the win column with a Fourth of July win in front of the home fans. Their form is consistently inconsistent, so questions remain about their viability as anything more than probable playoff qualifiers at this point in the season.
Previous: 2-0 win vs. DC | Next: at MIN on 7/13
9
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 9
It wasn't always pretty but the Sounders also grabbed a win in their two road games for the week, and the win came in the second game which always feels a bit bigger emotionally. They do seem like one of the best teams in the West still, but there are some kinks to work out before the postseason.
Previous: 3-0 loss at NYC; 2-1 win at CLB | Next: vs. ATL on 7/14
10
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15
Aside from LAFC, the other team that can lay claim to best week is Minnesota, who grabbed wins at home and on the road in Week 18. They're up to the lofty heights of 4th in the West in July, have their best defense ever, and are making a plug-and-play set-up work in attack. Now, can they keep it up?
Previous: 3-1 win vs. SJ; 3-2 win at MTL | Next: vs. DAL on 7/13
11
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 13
Efrain Alvarez is being brought along slowly, which is sensible in light of the example of Alphonso Davies before him, but wow, he knows how to connect with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. If the Galaxy need to rely on single game-changing plays, which it seems like they do, Alvarez is making a credible claim for more time.
Previous: 2-0 win vs. TOR | Next: vs. SJ on 7/12
12
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 12
D.C. sink to their lowest point of the season in the Power Rankings, sitting in 2nd in the East but certainly not playing like it consistently of late. The guy is on a free and likely to have multiple suitors in MLS, but can United bring back Yamil Asad? Wouldn't be the worst idea.
Previous: 2-0 loss at DAL | Next: vs. NE on 7/12
13
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20
Saturday's home loss was our continual talking point about the Impact in microcosm: Get off to a fantastic start then slowly come down from it until you lose outright. They have a derby against Toronto coming up -- will that bring the best out of them? They could use a jolt.
Previous: 3-2 loss vs. MIN | Next: vs. TOR on 7/13
14
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 24
The Rapids stumble in what has to be one of the longest games in MLS history. Not to make an excuse for the weather delays, but it had to hurt their rhythm. Still, they can turn heads all over again if they manage to get a result in Portland up next, and if they recover from the Fourth of July marathon, it's certainly possible.
Previous: 2-1 loss vs. NE | Next: at POR on 7/13
15
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 23
Full credit to New England for winning that game over the Rapids, and their approach went some way to mitigating the effects of the weather, going ahead early and weathering the (on-field) storm late. The Revs are just below the playoff line, and given state of the rest of the East, they absolutely are in the playoff chase.
Previous: 2-1 win at COL | Next: at DC on 7/12
16
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 21
The midweek loss came with Orlando down two men by the end, both legitimate red cards, but those games can be shrugged off as far as long-ranging analysis. Their draw in Philly was a good way to end the week, even if they could have won it, but the Lions have a solid game coming up against the Crew in Florida.
Previous: 3-1 loss vs. PHI; 2-2 draw at PHI | Next: vs. CLB on 7/13
17
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 17
The Dynamo are an example of why winning big midweek just doesn't feel as good when the weekend is capped off with a loss to the worst team in the league. They're on the cusp of falling below the playoff line, and it's looking like this season may not be nearly as hopeful as it looked in the opening weeks.
Previous: 4-0 win vs. RBNY; 3-2 loss at CIN | Next: vs. LAFC on 7/12
18
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 20
Three points in a double-game week is par for the course for RSL, who like the Dynamo are emerging as a very different team home vs. road. We've seen them battle for a postseason berth, but RSL have to fight off the teams below them and jump above the playoff line, and that's going to be tough, though not impossible.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. CLB; 1-0 loss at SJ | Next: vs. PHI on 7/13
19
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 21
TFC played very well in the holiday game against the Galaxy, but came up empty-handed. Omar Gonzalez officially joined up with the team on Tuesday and he was joined by new TAM winger Erickson Gallardo. Those additions could be what helps them lockdown a playoff spot.
Previous: 2-0 loss at LA | Next: at MTL on 7/13
20
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 23
The Whitecaps played LAFC very well for a half, then folded like a lawn chair after the break. Short of a remarkable run, their role is going to be as spoilers for other teams the rest of the way in 2019, although the Canadian Championship is an intriguing competition if they can make a run.
Previous: 6-1 loss at LAFC | Next: vs. SKC on 7/13
21
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 21
The good and bad of the 2019 vintage of Sporting was on display, with a bad home loss followed by a gritty narrow win, also at home. They are still within range of the playoff line, but fans are getting restless in a way we haven't seen there in some time, and SKC seem to be reaching a "make or break" moment.
Previous: Lost 5-1 vs. LAFC; Won 1-0 vs. CHI | Next: at VAN on 7/13
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 22
Chicago's loss to Sporting to end the week wouldn't look so bad except it showed just how badly they were playing compared to the midweek rout over Atlanta. And while it's interesting to see Veljko Paunovic give young players a chance at fullback, it seems settling on some starters would be best for the team.
Previous: 5-1 win vs. ATL; 1-0 loss at SKC | Next: vs. CIN on 7/13
23
LAST WEEK: 24
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24
Big win for FC Cincy, who snapped a six-game losing streak with a rousing home win over Houston. It remains to be seen who will be the next head coach hired, and will say a lot about the direction the club wants to go in moving forward.
Previous: 3-2 win vs. HOU | Next: at CHI on 7/13
24
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 23
Have to figure the Crew are going to remain willing trading partners at this stage to rack up some allocation money, and a few teams could find some really intriguing players as a result this summer.
Previous: 1-0 loss at RSL; 2-1 loss vs. SEA | Next: at ORL on 7/13
