BIGGEST MOVERS: San Jose +6 spots | Orlando City -3 spots
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
They've been a buzzsaw, especially at home. They've also won their last two on the road, albeit in much less convincing fashion. Friday's trip to San Jose? That should be a chance to learn plenty about both teams.
Latest result: Won vs. NYCFC, 5-1
Last five results: L-W-W-W-W
Next MLS match: Friday at San Jose (UniMás)
2
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
A nice bounce-back after last week's late collapse and a much-needed home shutout against a quality opponent. The 'Caps are young and talented, and they've grown up a lot over the course of the season.
Latest result: Won vs. Dallas, 1-0
Last five results: W-W-W-L-W
Next MLS match: Saturday at Houston
3
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 17
Wednesday's game at Chicago - where they never play well - is a classic trap game. Sunday's game against D.C. is a classic rivalry. It's therefore a crucial week for the Red Bulls, who can emerge from it with the league lead in points per game.
Latest result: None
Last five results: W-W-D-W-W
Next MLS match: Wednesday at Chicago; Sunday vs. D.C. United (FOX Sports 1)
4
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 14
That 5-0 home loss - they were previously unbeaten at Sporting Park this year - against San Jose was one of the most MLS results ever. Absolutely shocking week on the defensive side of the ball from this team.
Latest result: Lost vs. San Jose, 5-0; Lost at Columbus 3-2
Last five results: D-W-W-L-L
Next MLS match: Saturday at Colorado
5
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
United lost just one of their first 10. They've since lost eight of their last 17, including the last two against teams below the red line. The biggest worry? Only one shutout in their last seven games.
Latest result: Lost vs. San Jose, 2-0
Last five results: W-W-W-L-L
Next MLS match: Sunday at New York (FOX Sports 1)
6
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 16
TFC have been looking forward to this strech of home games all season, and they started off on the best possible foot.
Latest result: Won vs. Orlando City, 5-0
Last five results: L-W-L-L-W
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Montreal
7
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 16
Had four straight games against non-playoff teams and got eight points. Now things get tougher, with six of the next seven against teams above the red line. Lucas Melano will have to continue to produce for Portland to keep up their current pace.
Latest result: Drew vs. Houston, 2-2
Last five results: L-D-W-W-D
Next MLS match: Sunday at Seattle (ESPN)
8
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
Stop us if you've heard this before: They miss Mauro Díaz. They're also missing some production up top, as Blas Pérez has lost the spring in his step and David Texeira hasn't been able to pull his own weight.
Latest result: Lost at Vancouver, 1-0
Last five results: W-W-L-L-L
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Real Salt Lake
9
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 15
Nearly had a disastrous week, but a late rally vs. Sporting turned it into "meh, good enough." Columbus are fun to watch, but they also look like they're fun to play against.
Latest result: Drew vs. NYCFC, 2-2; Won vs. Sporting KC, 3-2
Last five results: D-L-W-D-W
Next MLS match: Saturday at NYCFC
10
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 14
Got bossed and looked idea-less in the midfield. The new signings have to be better, and Ozzie & Deuce have to be healthy. Otherwise Seattle's season is going to end in October.
Latest result: Lost at Real Salt Lake, 2-0
Last five results: L-L-L-W-L
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Portland (ESPN)
11
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 18
Two new faces (Godoy & Amarikwa) and a switch to the classic 4-4-2 have the Quakes rolling. If they beat LA on Friday, the rest of the West will officially be frightened.
Latest result: Won at Sporting KC, 5-0; Won at D.C. United, 2-0
Last five results: D-L-W-W-W
Next MLS match: Friday vs. LA Galaxy (UniMás)
12
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20
Gut-punch of a home loss on Didier Drogba's debut. Montreal still have their playoff fate in their own hands, but they're entirely capable of fumbling it away.
Latest result: Lost vs. Philadelphia, 1-0
Last five results: W-W-D-L-L
Next MLS match: Saturday at Toronto
13
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 20
Got pushed down a notch by San Jose's big jump, but are working on a nice, four-game unbeaten run.
Latest result: None
Last five results: L-W-D-W-W
Next MLS match: Saturday at Philadelphia
14
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 18
A draw on the road against a conference foe is always a good result. Except when you cough up a two-goal lead with 15 minutes left. Then it's a bad result that severely dents your playoff hopes.
Latest result: Drew at Portland, 2-2
Last five results: W-D-W-L-D
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Vancouver
15
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 17
Found themselves in a must-win game and won it with a little bit of style. They'll need to keep playing that well to have any shot at keeping their playoff streak alive.
Latest result: Won vs. Seattle, 2-0
Last five results: W-L-L-L-W
Next MLS match: Saturday at Dallas
16
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 20
The Power Rankings Politburo are more impressed by the draw at Columbus than we are discouraged by the loss in LA. They were never, ever going to take points out of StubHub Center.
Latest result: Drew at Columbus, 2-2; Lost at LA Galaxy, 5-1
Last five results: L-L-W-D-L
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Columbus
17
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 20
Went on the road and got the type of gutty, defensive win that's largely eluded them over the past two seasons.
Latest result: Won at Montreal, 1-0
Last five results: L-L-D-D-W
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. New England
18
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 18
They've been outscored 25-10 over their last nine games, with only one win in that stretch. The defense is tragic, the attack is sputtering, and the midfield can't do enough to slow things down on one side or open it up on the other.
Latest result: Lost at Toronto, 5-0
Last five results: W-L-D-L-L
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Chicago
19
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 20
Was nice to see the kids back in the attack, but once again seven of Colorado's 10 field starters were 30 or over. What are they building toward, and for when?
Latest result: Won at Chicago, 1-0
Last five results: W-L-L-L-W
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Sporting KC
20
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 20
It looks like they're going to have a metric ton of allocation cash, an open DP slot, and a very high draft pick this offseason. Add that to a young core of Harry Shipp, Matt Polster, David Accam, Joevin Jones, Sean Johnson and Gilberto … It's a bit of a silver lining, right? We're reaching, here.
Latest result: Lost vs. Colorado, 1-0
Last five results: D-W-L-D-L
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. New York; Saturday at Orlando City
Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. Rankings are voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff and remarks are written by Senior Editor Matt Doyle (@MLSAnalyst).
