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: CLB, SJ +4; RBNY -5
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
Fly, wings, fly. As strange as it sounds, Diego Rossi didn't seem to be playing at his best this season before LAFC's win over D.C. United, but a hat trick may have shaken out the cobwebs. If he and Carlos Vela are going to keep scoring at a prodigious rate, this team will be very, very hard to stop.
Previous: 4-0 win at DC | Next: vs. CIN on 4/13
2
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 5
The Sounders aren't piling on goals, but they're gritting out results, and so far, so good. They've got a double-game week, and if they can pick up two wins, they could be atop the Supporters' Shield standings. Early on, this team has a bit of a 2011 LA Galaxy feel to their play and results, but a lot of games left to play.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. RSL | Next: at COL on 4/10; vs. TOR on 4/13
3
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 9
One of the biggest movers this week are the Crew, who speaking of gritting out results, have a tried and true formula: Score on set pieces or through Gyasi Zardes and shut it down on defense. Zack Steffen's play is excellent, which remains a concern since he'll be on his way to Europe in a matter of weeks.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. NE | Next: at MTL on 4/13
4
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 5
Peter Vermes may never be a head coach who rotates lineups liberally on a regular basis, but his growing comfort with a bigger squad came through in a completely overhauled lineup at FC Cincinnati. Enjoy Gianluca Busio in MLS while you can, because a European team could be ready to sign him when he turns 18.
Previous: 1-1 draw at CIN | Next: vs. RBNY on 4/14
5
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 13
Another week off for the Dynamo, and they have a suddenly lively Quakes side to face next. But for now, Houston have put up a good start to the season and the voting panel believes they are the real deal. And with Juan David Cabezas looking set to return, they could get even better.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. SJ on 4/13
6
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 6
Tough game all around for D.C. against LAFC, but if you can give any mitigating factors, it felt like a game where D.C. could do no right and LAFC could do no wrong. Perhaps Wayne Rooney's red card is a blessing in disguise since he will have to sit in the first of their two-game week, and he needs to be fresh all season.
Previous: 4-0 loss vs. LAFC | Next: vs. MTL on 4/9; at COL on 4/13
7
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 12
Guillermo Barros Schelotto was successful in Argentina and South America with Boca Juniors, but he was not known for a particular style. That may be a feature, not a bug, as his Galaxy side looks similar, winning games but not always looking especially good while they do it.
Previous: 2-0 win at VAN | Next: vs. PHI on 4/13
8
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 19
TFC hit some resistance in their home draw against the Fire, and we're getting to a point where it seems like there are some real concerns with their defense. At the same time, if Alejandro Pozuelo doesn't wear out and hit a wall sometime this season, they'll probably be able to successful grab some high-scoring wins.
Previous: 2-2 draw vs. CHI | Next: at SEA on 4/13
9
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 11
Tough finish for Dallas, who went from leading late to losing altogether against the Union. After Philadelphia admitted they attacked once Michael Barrios came off, it seems likely Luchi Gonzalez will learn from that for future substitutions.
Previous: 2-1 loss at PHI | Next: vs. POR on 4/13
10
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 20
Three wins in a row for the Union, who are doing it a little differently each week, too. This team still has holes but they are competitive every week, at the very least, and will be a tough match for just about every opponent.
Previous: 2-1 win vs. DAL | Next: at LA on 4/13
11
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15
The Loons are coming home. It will be interesting to see what the effect of Allianz Field will be, both in the home opener and moving forward. On the bright side, they seem to have about as good an opponent to face for the opener as they could hope with the slumping NYCFC coming to the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Previous: 2-1 win at RBNY | Next: vs. NYC on 4/13
12
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24
FC Cincinnati are still picking up points, but their draw against Sporting may be one they regret come season's end, since they seemed to be capable of taking the win. On the other hand, with some of the projected heavyweights in the East struggling, FC Cincy's Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs aspirations are getting stronger.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. SKC | Next: at LAFC on 4/13
13
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 14
After the stunning 7-1 loss, picking up a draw on the road in the next game is a pretty decent bounce-back result for the Impact. They've got two games this week, and both are against tough opponents, in D.C. United and the Crew, but the latter will be the long-awaited home opener and that should offer a boost for the Impact.
Previous: 0-0 draw at NYC | Next: at DC on 4/9; vs. CLB on 4/13
14
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 21
The Fire seem to be rounding into form and put in a spirited performance to draw in Toronto. Veljko Paunovic has been bringing Nico Gaitan along slowly, and it will be interesting to see how he looks when he's unleashed from the start of games.
Previous: 2-2 draw at TOR | Next: vs. VAN on 4/12
15
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 15
Growing evidence the Red Bulls are in an actual slump. The defense is getting pulled apart, and the attack isn't looking fluid at all. Is this all because Tyler Adams left? No, it goes deeper than that, even if his absence is being fully felt right now.
Previous: 2-1 loss vs. MIN | Next: at SKC on 4/14
16
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 21
Since a comprehensive home loss to Montreal that was reminiscent of their 2018 season, Orlando have won two of three games and played as well as they have under James O'Connor. Will this form hold, or will it be a mirage like the early winning streak last year? Stay tuned.
Previous: 4-3 win vs. COL | Next: at RSL on 4/13
17
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 17
Absence has not made the voting panel's hearts grow fonder, as Atlanta continue to fall. Since they've only played four games in MLS, time to see a few more games to see if they're going to continue to stay at the bottom of the East or come surging back to prove all the haters wrong.
Previous: Idle | Next: at NE on 4/13
18
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 18
Another game full of struggles for NYCFC, who somewhat remarkably have only lost one of their first five games, while also sitting second-last in the conference. Those results seem to be the only thing keeping this team from the bottom three in the Power Rankings at this stage.
Previous: 0-0 draw vs. MTL | Next: at MIN on 4/13
19
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 19
After picking up four points in the opening two games, RSL are on the joint longest losing streak currently, at four games. They seem to be in games more often than not, but morale seems to be slipping and we've only just entered April.
Previous: 1-0 loss at SEA | Next: vs. ORL on 4/13
20
LAST WEEK: 24
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 24
If ever you need some motivation, ask for Tommy Thompson to look you in the eye like he looked at the camera before the Quakes cruised to their first win of the season, promising a turnaround. Will this last? Please, don't be a spoilsport, this was a very fun win for a club that hasn't had many of late.
Previous: 3-0 win vs. POR | Next: at HOU on 4/13
21
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 23
After the boost of a win the week before, the Revolution struggled again in a loss to the Crew. One thing to consider: Two of New England's losses this year have been against Columbus. It may be a bad matchup, and one consolation is that the Revs won't have to face them again in the regular season.
Previous: 1-0 loss at CLB | Next: vs. ATL on 4/13
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 23
Another week, another way it all goes wrong for the Whitecaps. This time, the turning point seemed to come just two minutes in, as Ali Adnan could not get in on the panenka parade. As Calen Carr explained on Matchday Central, when you're struggling, you just get the ball in and worry about the style points later.
Previous: 2-0 loss vs. LA | Next: at CHI on 4/12
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 23
Still no wins for the Rapids this season, who are also on a three-game losing streak. Anthony Hudson has a case for why Nani wasn't sent off before Orlando's furious rally was complete, but the body of work cannot be explained away by that.
Previous: 4-3 loss at ORL | Next: vs. SEA on 4/10; vs. DC on 4/13
24
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 24
Bobby Warshaw makes a good case that the Timbers will be just fine and are actually on track to make the playoffs this year. That, and history seem to be on Portland's side, but the team's play really does not look like that of a playoff team at the moment.
Previous: 3-0 loss at SJ | Next: at DAL on 4/13
