Note: After just three games in Week 32, all with unsurprising results, the Power Rankings Politburo came to a consensus about leaving the rankings where they stood in Week 31.
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 17
If they get things right over these last three games, the Red Bulls can end up with 60+ points and a +20 – or better – goal differential, as well as their second Supporters' Shield in three years. Historically speaking, that puts this RBNY group into very, very good company.
Latest result: Won vs. Montreal, 2-1
Last five results: L-W-L-W-W
Next MLS match: Wednesday at Toronto, Sunday vs. Philadelphia
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
Got a very nice road point at Vancouver despite missing Fabián Castillo. The Kellyn Acosta injury is, however, a potential game-changer. This team's ceiling is lower without their prize Homegrown Player.
Latest result: Drew at Vancouver, 0-0
Last five results: W-L-L-W-D
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Vancouver (TSN); Saturday at RSL
3
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
The extra day of rest will do some good for Robbie Keane, who traditionally struggles in his first game back from international duty. It could help Gyasi Zardes as well. Good thing Omar got some rest!
Latest result: None
Last five results: L-D-L-W-D
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Portland (FS1)
4
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 14
SKC nation let out a giant cheer when Matt Besler and Graham Zusi were released from US national team camp. A win at San Jose on Friday not only clinches a playoff spot, but also gives Sporting a fighting chance at climbing into the top two, thus avoiding the Knockout Round.
Latest result: None
Last five results: L-W-L-D-W
Next MLS match: Friday at San Jose (UniMás)
5
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 14
Anything but a win in Houston on Sunday probably means the Sounders end up in the fifth or sixth spot out West. MLS teams are notoriously cagey on the road, but Seattle can't afford to be against the Dynamo – they have to go for it.
Latest result: None
Last five results: W-D-W-D-D
Next MLS match: Sunday at Houston (ESPN)
6
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 20
All that momentum has gone up in smoke as the defense has come apart at the seams. Didier Drogba wrecked New England last time these two teams played – let's see if the Revs have learned from the tapes in the interim.
Latest result: None
Last five results: W-W-L-D-L
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Montreal
7
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 15
This year hasn't gone according to plan for Columbus, but the opportunity remains for them to crawl up to No. 2 in the East.
Latest result: None
Last five results: L-W-W-L-L
Next MLS match: Saturday at Toronto
8
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 16
Those last three Ws all look nice, but they came against the softest part of their 2015 schedule. Things change – drastically – starting on Wednesday.
Latest result: None
Last five results: L-L-W-W-W
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. NY Red Bulls (TSN); Saturday vs. Columbus (TSN1,4)
9
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
One win in their last six, and only four goals in that run. They can still see the top of the West, but they won't get there unless somebody can start to finish.
Latest result: Drew vs. Dallas, 0-0
Last five results: W-L-L-D-D
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Dallas (TSN)
10
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20
Drogba is having one of the greatest half-seasons in MLS history. Given the way Montreal gave RBNY hell in the second half of last week's loss, don't expect this team to be easy meat in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs despite a low seed.
Latest result: Lost at NY Red Bulls, 2-1; Won at Colorado, 1-0
Last five results: W-W-L-L-W
Next MLS match: Saturday at New England
11
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 15
Got their first win in nearly two months their last time out. When United get their wide midfielders to drive forward with the ball and force the defense to collapse, they can play some beautiful soccer.
Latest result: None
Last five results: L-D-L-L-W
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Chicago
12
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 17
Still have a fighting chance if they get the job done on Wednesday. Definitely need to get Burrito in the open field – and to punish the Timbers on set pieces.
Latest result: None
Last five results: L-W-W-L-W
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Portland; Saturday vs. Dallas
13
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 20
If they win out and Montreal slips up, they can make the playoffs. Only thing to do from an Orlando perspective is make certain to hold up their end of the bargain.
Latest result: None
Last five results: L-W-W-W-W
Next MLS match: Friday vs. NYCFC (UniMás)
14
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 18
If RSL win on Wednesday the Quakes control their own destiny in the hunt for the final Western Conference playoff spot. But with only one win in their last six, it's hard to be overly confident about their chances.
Latest result: None
Last five results: D-D-L-W-D
Next MLS match: Friday vs. Sporting KC (UniMás)
15
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 16
Will Johnson's out, and it looks like Jack Jewsbury could miss this one as well. That likely means second-year D-mid George Fochive gets his turn, and Fochive has had some good moments this year. But as always, a midweek road trip is a real test.
Latest result: None
Last five results: L-D-L-W-L
Next MLS match: Wednesday at Real Salt Lake; Sunday at LA (FS1)
16
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 20
Time to start building for 2016. It'll be interesting to see which kids get a shot.
Latest result: None
Last five results: L-W-W-W-L
Next MLS match: Friday at Orlando City (UniMás)
17
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 18
Another team that's building toward next season. They need to figure out who their playmaker is for next year, because this team is down near the bottom in both open play chance generation as well as "Big Chances" – ones that Opta reckons should be converted – created.
Latest result: None
Last five results: L-L-W-W-L
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Seattle (ESPN)
18
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 20
Got to imagine ruining RBNY's Shield hopes are now high on Philly's priority list. Getting more reps for that Edu/Marquez central defensive pairing is way up there as well.
Latest result: None
Last five results: W-L-W-D-L
Next MLS match: Sunday at NY Red Bulls
19
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 20
You know who's been excellent? Gilberto. It'll be nice to see the kind of attack the Fire build around him, Harry Shipp and David Accam next season.
Latest result: None
Last five results: L-L-L-L-W
Next MLS match: Sunday at D.C. United
20
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 20
Marlon Hairston looked promising at right back. With him on one side and Dillon Serna on the other, the Rapids could pose some real problems on the overlap next season.
Latest result: Lost vs. Montreal, 1-0
Last five results: D-L-L-L-L
Next MLS match: October 21 at Sporting KC
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).
