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: POR +8; TOR -8
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
LAFC continue to cruise, and now have a relatively comfortable lead atop the Supporters' Shield standings. While there will be plenty of tough games ahead, their next one, the home opener for the Timbers, is sure to be a good test, and could be another chapter in a rivalry that LAFC are feeling (even if the Timbers aren't yet).
Previous: 4-2 win vs. MTL | Next: at POR on 6/1
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 5
More injuries, as Kim Kee-hee goes down after the midseason retirement of Chad Marshall. With a cadre of players likely to head out on international duty, too, the worst may be yet to come for Brian Schmetzer's squad. Yet amid all of this, Seattle have lost just two games in their first 14.
Previous: 3-2 loss at SKC | Next: at DAL on 6/1
3
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 18
NYCFC maintain the unlikely mark of being tied for fewest losses in the league, alongside LAFC, with just one to date. And yet, they sit a full 15 points behind LAFC right now. Maybe some of that is games in hand (NYCFC have three) but they appear to be a team where stats and viewing are at cross-purposes.
Previous: 1-1 draw at CHI | Next: at CLB on 6/1
4
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 20
The Union drop a bit after hitting their season high in these rankings, and the loss against Portland was the first in seven and first home loss since the season opener. With two games coming up it's probably a good time for Marco Fabian to return, if healthy, and put a positive imprint on a game.
Previous: 3-1 loss vs. POR | Next: vs. COL on 5/29; at MIN on 6/2
5
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
It was a decent week for the Red Bulls, who picked up four points, including a road win in Cincinnati. Chris Armas seems to be improvising a bit at the moment, filling in holes with the next man up, trying things out to see what's working, but while they're unlikely to win out, they seem to be on the right path.
Previous: 2-2 draw vs. VAN; 2-0 win at CIN | Next: vs. RSL on 6/1
6
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 24
Portland take a leap up the Power Rankings after a good win in Philly. While they still remain below the playoff line in the Western Conference, a long-awaited homecoming and improved form after a putrid opening six games leaves the voting panel to conclude they are in good shape, although the LAFC clash is a big one.
Previous: 3-1 win at PHI | Next: vs. LAFC on 6/1
7
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 13
The Dynamo had a call-back to the 2018 season with a night of futility in Minnesota. They'll return home for their next game but they'll have to be sharper in coming road games. It will also be interesting to see how Wilmer Cabrera rotates DaMarcus Beasley in his last go-round with the emerging Adam Lundkvist.
Previous: 1-0 loss at MIN | Next: vs SKC on 6/1
8
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 8
Strange to continually say D.C. are sputtering when they sit atop the Eastern Conference, but it's true. They've had a lot of lineup changes this year from necessity, and the summer call-ups won't help, but they seem like they could use a run of four or five games with the same group, if possible.
Previous: 1-1 draw at NE | Next: vs. CHI on 5/29; vs. SJ on 6/1
9
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15
While Romain Metanire's winning goal had the favorable deflection to end all favorable deflections, it has to be said that the right back has arguably been the best in MLS so far this season. It may not make headlines, even in the Twin Cities, but additions like his really elevate the talent base of MLS.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. HOU | Next: at ATL on 5/29; vs. PHI on 6/2
10
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 19
Tough break for Atlanta to lose at the death, but the good news is they still have games in hand on most of the East. If they can win those games they'll vault up the standings and could be atop the East before long. Next up, two home games this week against decent but not invincible opponents.
Previous: 2-1 loss at RSL | Next: vs. MIN on 5/29; vs. CHI on 6/1
11
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 12
Thank you, next. LA won in Orlando by the seat of their pants but a win is a win around this club these days. They've also got a pivotal double-game week, and it will be interesting to see if Zlatan Ibrahimovic can get back to business after sitting out the last two games.
Previous: 1-0 win at ORL | Next: at SKC on 5/29; vs. NE on 6/2
12
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24
Chris Wondolowski is averaging a hat trick in his last two games. That pace is likely not sustainable (but we won't second-guess the man!) but he really seems to be playing with more freedom and San Jose are in fine form right now.
Previous: 2-1 win at TOR | Next: at DC on 6/1
13
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 20
RSL have won three straight, and they seem to be gaining confidence and chemistry game by game. Next up is two games this week on the road, however, which is arguably the toughest slate in the league. If they can pick up three or more points, it will be a good swing.
Previous: 2-1 win vs. ATL | Next: at MTL on 5/29; at RBNY on 6/1
14
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 23
Very good week for the Whitecaps, pulling out a road draw against the Red Bulls midweek before running the show in the home win against Dallas. They still look a bit shaky in spots, but just a point below the playoff line the resurgence under Marc Dos Santos looks to be truly on at this point.
Previous: 2-2 draw at RBNY; 2-1 win vs. DAL | Next: vs. TOR on 5/31
15
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 15
It's been over a month since FC Dallas won. They are far from a one-man team, but they really look much weaker without Paxton Pomykal in the lineup. The summer doldrums may have hit earlier than anyone expected this year.
Previous: 2-1 loss at VAN | Next: vs. SEA on 6/1
16
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 19
TFC also have games in hand, but the defensive frailties come to the fore again against the Quakes. One of the underrated fixtures of Week 14 will be their road trip to take on the Whitecaps in the Other Canadian Derby. A win for either side could be a huge boost ahead of the Gold Cup break.
Previous: 2-1 loss vs. SJ | Next: at VAN on 5/31
17
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 17
The Impact run into the LAFC buzzsaw and their run of not having a run of any kind continues. Last time they had a double-game week they went atop the East -- could they do that again this week with two decent home games?
Previous: Lost 4-2 at LAFC | Next: vs. RSL on 5/29; vs. ORL on 6/1
18
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 21
The Fire bounced back from a bad loss with a battling home draw. They've also got a double-game week ahead and their slate is a tough one. Given Chicago's topsy-turvy form, don't be surprised if they do well in spite of their struggles.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. NYC | Next: at DC on 5/29; at ATL on 6/1
19
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 21
Sporting have done well to use a system under Peter Vermes, but look, sometimes you need a player to just carry the load. That's what Johnny Russell did, with a hat trick to beat the Sounders. It's impressive to see teams continue to fail to stop his trademark move (dribble diagonally from the right, hit a hard, low shot).
Previous: 3-2 win vs. SEA | Next: vs. LA on 5/29; at HOU on 6/1
20
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 21
An unlucky evening for Orlando against the Galaxy, but while the general level is arguably better than it's ever been in the MLS era for the Lions, they still haven't figured out how to be consistently good. On the bright side, there's plenty more soccer to play this season.
Previous: 1-0 loss vs. LA | Next: at MTL on 6/1
21
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 24
Two in a row for the Rapids, who followed up their first win of the season with a terrific late winner that turned the tables on many of their one-goal losses earlier this year. They're still playing with house money this year, might as well let it roll and see if they can really find a vein of form to get back into the playoff mix.
Previous: 3-2 win vs. CLB | Next: at PHI on 5/29; vs. CIN on 6/1
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 23
Impressive to see New England go down a man and go right down to the other end and take the lead. Less impressive to give up that lead with a late penalty. There's work to be done but this game paradoxically showed that Bruce Arena has a base to work with and harnessing the talent on the roster is the first target.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. DC | Next: at LA on 6/2
23
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 23
Columbus winning four of their first six games looks to be the most misleading run since Orlando won six in a row in 2018. They have a more capable roster for turning it around, but the holes are being laid bare more and more seemingly every week.
Previous: 3-2 loss at COL | Next: vs. NYC on 6/1
24
LAST WEEK: 24
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24
A battling performance for FC Cincinnati, but more disappointment with a home loss. Mistakes happen, but Kaku stripping Mathieu Deplagne to score the late winner is the kind of backbreaking play that marks long, long seasons in MLS.
Previous: 2-0 loss vs. RBNY | Next: at COL on 6/1
