BIGGEST MOVERS: Sporting KC +5 spots | Portland -4 spots
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 17
They've got the best goal differential in the East by a mile, and they just showed off their defensive depth with that win over Columbus. Now we'll see how they handle Montreal's speed on the counter - which has been an issue all season.
Latest result: Won vs. Columbus, 2-1
Last five results: W-L-W-L-W
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Montreal
2
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
Mauro Diaz is back, and Dallas are once again elite. They are a joy to watch when he's in there pulling the strings.
Latest result: Won vs. Houston, 4-1
Last five results: W-W-L-L-W
Next MLS match: Wednesday at Vancouver (TSN)
3
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
Only one win in five, but they've still got the second-best record in the West and third-best overall, as well as the league's second-best goal differential. Something remains "off" about this Galaxy team, though.
Latest result: Drew at Seattle, 1-1
Last five results: L-D-L-W-D
Next MLS match: October 18 vs. Portland (FS1)
4
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 14
A pretty incredible week between the US Open Cup win and getting the full three points and a shutout with the second string at Portland. Sporting aren't rolling like they were in June and July, but September's slump looks very much like it's in the rearview mirror.
Latest result: Won at Portland, 1-0
Last five results: L-W-L-D-W
Next MLS match: October 16 at San Jose (UniMás)
5
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 14
Definitely not the result they wanted, and Clint Dempsey's lack of sharpness has to be a big concern (for USMNT fans, too). But they're unbeaten in five and have more or less righted the ship.
Latest result: Drew vs. LA Galaxy, 1-1
Last five results: W-D-W-D-D
Next MLS match: October 18 at Houston (ESPN)
6
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 20
Sloppy at the back, imprecise up top. New England had plenty of chances to run away with this one, but left the door open and were punished for it. Two games now left for them to figure it out and get on a roll into the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
Latest result: Lost at Chicago, 3-1
Last five results: W-W-L-D-L
Next MLS match: October 17 vs. Montreal
7
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 15
Only their second losing streak all season, which they now get two weeks to dwell on. Columbus have incredible attacking pieces, but their aggressiveness often comes at the expense of defensive balance.
Latest result: Lost at NY Red Bulls, 2-1
Last five results: L-W-W-L-L
Next MLS match: October 17 at Toronto
8
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 16
Three straight wins and lots of production from the guys who are paid to produce. TFC have made good (mostly) on their home games in hand, and are on the verge of their first-ever postseason appearance.
Latest result: Won vs. Philadelphia, 3-1
Last five results: L-L-W-W-W
Next MLS match: October 14 vs. NY Red Bulls
9
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
Kekuta Manneh has come very far in his three years. Stoppage time of last weekend's draw at San Jose is a reminder of how much further he has has to go.
Latest result: Drew at San Jose, 1-1
Last five results: L-W-L-L-D
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Dallas (TSN)
10
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20
Cleaned up at home, and now their road trip is off to a tough start. Performing well on short rest at New York, then Colorado? That's a tall, tall task.
Latest result: Lost at Orlando City, 2-1
Last five results: D-W-W-W-L
Next MLS match: Wednesday at NY Red Bulls; Saturday at Colorado
11
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 15
A win is a win, and the last 20 minutes of that one were encouraging. A bit of the old D.C. United showed up with relentless attacking from the flanks and opportunistic set piece work.
Latest result: Won vs. NYCFC, 2-1
Last five results: L-D-L-L-W
Next MLS match: October 18 vs. Chicago
12
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 17
Lots of praise to go around for their late-season resurgence. One overlooked piece has been the play of Jamison Olave, who's turned back the clock after an injury-marred first five months of this campaign.
Latest result: Won at Colorado, 2-1
Last five results: L-W-W-L-W
Next MLS match: October 14 vs. Portland
13
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 20
The Power Rankings Politburo likes watching this team right now. They stretch the field both vertically and horizontally, and are more flexible than they were earlier in the year. We're looking forward to seeing what Adrian Heath & Co. have in store for 2016.
Latest result: Won vs. Montreal, 2-1
Last five results: L-W-W-W-W
Next MLS match: October 16 vs. NYCFC (UniMás)
14
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 18
If RSL beat Portland at Rio Tinto next Wednesday, then the Quakes will control their own playoff destiny. Which is kind of incredible, given that they've won just once in their last six.
Latest result: Drew vs. Vancouver, 1-1
Last five results: D-D-L-W-D
Next MLS match: October 16 vs. Sporting KC (UniMás)
15
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 16
Another team that's moving with a severe limp. Portland can't buy a goal at home, so many the upcoming two-game road trip (at RSL, at LA) is just what the doctor ordered.
Latest result: Lost vs. Sporting KC, 1-0
Last five results: L-D-L-W-L
Next MLS match: October 14 at Real Salt Lake
16
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 20
Got out-shot, out-possessed, and out-worked. We're wondering - just like you are - who will be back in 2016.
Latest result: Lost at D.C. United, 2-1
Last five results: L-W-W-W-L
Next MLS match: October 16 at Orlando City (UniMás)
17
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 18
Had their chance, but were out-classed all over the field by FCD.
Latest result: Lost at Dallas, 4-1
Last five results: L-L-W-W-L
Next MLS match: October 18 vs. Seattle (ESPN)
18
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 20
Let's applaud them for the fight they showed midweek, rather than the dreary performance in Toronto. This franchise now has a brighter future than past results seem to indicate.
Latest result: Lost at Toronto, 3-1
Last five results: W-L-W-D-L
Next MLS match: October 18 at NY Red Bulls
19
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 20
Gilberto up top, with Harry Shipp underneath and David Accam & Patrick Nyarko on the flanks. That is a team worth watching.
Latest result: Won vs. New England, 3-1
Last five results: L-L-L-L-W
Next MLS match: October 18 at D.C. United
20
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 20
Haven't won since August, and it's clear that the decision to double down on veteran knowhow at the expense of youthful potential was the wrong call for 2015. The big question is how adversely it will affect the 2016 season - and beyond.
Latest result: Lost vs. Real Salt Lake, 2-1
Last five results: L-D-L-L-L
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Montreal
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).
