Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. Rankings are voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff; words by Jonathan Sigal.
BIGGEST MOVERS: HOU +14; LAFC, SJ -5
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PREVIOUS: 4
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 9
The Crew lead the Supporters’ Shield race with 23 points and have eight shutouts on the year, vaulting into the Power Rankings' peak. They’re also 2-0-1 against Hell is Real rivals FC Cincinnati this season, and took maximum points from two matches at MAPFRE Stadium last week. Everything's clicking for head coach Caleb Porter's group.
Previous: 3-0 win vs. CIN | Next: at CHI on 9/12
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PREVIOUS: 2
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 11
A midweek setback at Columbus aside, the Union continue to prove that their MLS is Back Tournament run was no fluke. But how long will Homegrown midfielder Brenden Aaronson stay in Philly? Last weekend’s golazo against the Red Bulls only boosted the hype around a potential move to Europe.
Previous: 3-0 win at RBNY | Next: vs. NE on 9/12
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PREVIOUS: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 6
Toronto, as Steve Zakuani wrote in one his weekend analysis stories, probably should’ve taken six points when facing Montreal and Vancouver this week. Instead, the Reds suffered two one-goal losses and missed their chance to jump atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Previous: 3-2 loss at VAN | Next: at MTL on 9/9
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PREVIOUS: 6
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 14
Now that’s more like it from the MLS is Back Tournament champions. Portland shored up their defense (enough), got a breakout game from Eryk Williamson and ended a three-game winless streak Sunday at Seattle. But it wasn’t all rosy, as injuries to playmaker Sebastian Blanco and center back Larrys Mabiala loom large.
Previous: 2-1 win at SEA | Next: at LAFC on 9/13
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PREVIOUS: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 8
Seattle finally cooled off when dropping a 2-1 decision to Portland on Sunday at CenturyLink Field. That’s knocked the defending MLS Cup champions down a couple pegs, though they have too much quality for a serious retreat.
Previous: 2-1 loss vs. POR | Next: vs. SJ on 9/10
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PREVIOUS: 5
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 23
Orlando settled for 1-1 draws last week against Nashville and Atlanta when leading by a goal on both occasions. The latter would’ve been extra sweet, as they were an Adam Jahn stoppage-time header away from two straight Southeast Rivalry wins.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. ATL | Next: vs. MIA on 9/12
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PREVIOUS: 15
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 24
What a difference a few weeks can make. LA exited from the MLS is Back Tournament bottom of the Western Conference standings, and now they’ve won four straight. Sebastian Lletget and Cristian Pavon are both in electric form, and this is all without Jonathan dos Santos and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez in the starting XI.
Previous: 3-0 win vs. LAFC | Next: at SJ on 9/13
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PREVIOUS: 22
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 25
Three straight wins, including two against Western Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City. Yep, it’s been quite the run for Houston since failing to advance out of the MLS is Back Tournament group stage. First-year head coach Tab Ramos has them trending up.
Previous: 2-1 win vs. SKC | Next: at COL on 9/9; at DAL on 9/12
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PREVIOUS: 9
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 13
NYCFC are 3-0-1 in their last four matches, though couldn’t pick the lock when D.C. bunkered on Saturday. The early-season struggles appear to be behind them, and Maxi Moralez just logged his first 90-minute showing since before the COVID-19 shutdown.
Previous: 0-0 draw at DC | Next: vs. CIN on 9/12
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PREVIOUS: 10
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 10
Emanuel Reynoso is finally here from Boca Juniors, and he’s already showing why Minnesota showed patience in dishing out a club-record transfer fee. Reynoso’s best MLS days surely lie ahead, so in the meantime Robin Lod and Kevin Molino are doing their best AND1 mixtape impression.
Previous: 4-0 win vs. RSL | Next: vs. DAL on 9/9; at SKC on 9/13
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PREVIOUS: 8
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 18
By the numbers, Sporting sit atop the Western Conference standings with 17 points. That doesn’t tell the whole story, though, as they’re winless in four and have played without star striker Alan Pulido in back-to-back matches.
Previous: 2-1 loss at HOU | Next: vs. MIN on 9/13
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PREVIOUS: 7
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 12
In the last two El Traficos, LAFC have lost to the Galaxy by a combined 5-0 scoreline. That’s enough reason for concern, then pile on how the defending Supporters’ Shield champions are yet to win back-to-back games in 2020. Key injuries and defensive issues remain.
Previous: 3-0 loss vs. LA | Next: at RSL on 9/9; vs. POR on 9/13
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PREVIOUS: 12
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 18
Was it a cross? Was it a shot? Whatever the answer is, Teal Bunbury’s brace gave New England a much-needed victory at Chicago. That's balanced out by a midweek loss against NYCFC at Gillette Stadium, where they're yet to win in 2020.
Previous: 2-1 win at CHI | Next: at PHI on 9/12
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PREVIOUS: 14
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 16
The impending transfer for Reggie Cannon to Portuguese club Boavista, according to the latest from MLSsoccer.com’s Tom Bogert, is on the one-yard line. It’s an important milestone for FC Dallas and the right back, though some other Homegrown-related news was less encouraging: Paxton Pomykal had surgery last week and faces an anticipated six-month recovery period.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. SKC | Next: at MIN on 9/9; vs. HOU on 9/12
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PREVIOUS: 11
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 16
After scoring a combined 10 goals across three games after the MLS is Back Tournament (2-0-1), RSL were held scoreless on the weekend. They couldn’t hold on in the second half at Allianz Field, as the rotated lineup bent a few too many times.
Previous: 4-0 loss at MIN | Next: vs. LAFC on 9/9; vs. COL on 9/12
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PREVIOUS: 18
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 21
Whichever Canadian club earns the most points from the Phase 1 restart qualifies for the 2020 Canadian Championship final against the Canadian Premier League victors, a fact the 2019 winners certainly haven’t lost sight of. Montreal are nearly level with Toronto on nine points, so head-to-head matches are important beyond the MLS standings.
Previous: 1-0 win at TOR | Next: vs. TOR on 9/9; at VAN on 9/13
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PREVIOUS: 17
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 17
Pity Martinez was officially sold to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr FC on Monday for a reported $18 million transfer fee, meaning Atlanta turned a profit after acquiring him from River Plate. That’s a good bit of business, especially since the Argentine’s time in MLS was mixed upon being brought in when Miguel Almiron was sold to Newcastle.
Previous: 1-1 draw at ORL | Next: vs. MIA on 9/9; at NSH on 9/12
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PREVIOUS: 13
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 23
San Jose will soon play their remaining three Phase 1 games over a seven-day span, so their depth will be seriously tested. But they’re playing like a shell of the team that reached the semifinals of the MLS is Back Tournament, so we'll see how this stretch goes.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. COL | Next: at SEA on 9/10; vs. LA on 9/13
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PREVIOUS: 20
HIGH: 19 | LOW: 26
Nashville have scored a league-low five goals, reinforcing how attacking troubles remain for the expansion side. On a positive note, they’re 1-0-2 in their last three matches and have posted shutouts in four of their last seven. If you’re head coach Gary Smith, you take the good with the bad.
Previous: 0-0 draw at MIA | Next: 9/12 vs. ATL
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PREVIOUS: 16
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 20
The Red Bulls sent shockwaves across MLS on Friday, as head of sport Kevin Thelwell made the call to fire head coach Chris Armas. They followed that up with their second home loss of the week, making the mood around Harrison drop like a lead balloon. For the time being, Bradley Carnell is serving as interim head coach.
Previous: 3-0 loss vs. PHI | Next: at DC on 9/12
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PREVIOUS: 21
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 21
Colorado started the 2020 season so bright, winning two matches as head coach Robin Fraser entered his first full season as head coach. But they’re since winless in six matches and have drawn two straight at 1-1. Perhaps their fortunes will change soon.
Previous: 1-1 draw at SJ | Next: vs. HOU on 9/9; at RSL on 9/12
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PREVIOUS: 23
HIGH: 19 | LOW: 26
Blaise Matuidi made his debut for Miami over the weekend, and his quality was immediately apparent. The French midfielder became the 12th FIFA World Cup winner to appear in MLS. Could another ex-Juventus star be on the way in striker Gonzalo Higuain? Reports are certainly leaning that way.
Previous: 0-0 draw vs. NSH | Next: vs. ATL on 9/9; at ORL on 9/12
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PREVIOUS: 19
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 26
Cincinnati haven’t scored in five matches, and they’re 0-2-3 across that stretch. There are games when they’re defensively sound, but then the offensive struggles sink in. There's still ample work ahead for head coach Jaap Stam in the Queen City.
Previous: 3-0 loss at CLB | Next: at NYC on 9/12
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PREVIOUS: 26
HIGH: 19 | LOW: 26
We’ll be watching that Michael Baldisimo golazo on repeat, and strongly suggest that you do the same. The Homegrown midfielder helped Vancouver knock off Toronto 3-2, returning to the win column as they returned to BC Place for the first time since late February.
Previous: 3-2 win vs. TOR | Next: vs. MTL on 9/13
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PREVIOUS: 24
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 25
Chicago are laboring near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, with each step forwarded curtailed by another one back. There are some encouraging pieces under head coach Raphael Wicky, even as results are proving inconsistent.
Previous: 2-1 loss vs. NE | Next: at CLB on 9/12
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PREVIOUS: 25
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 26
D.C. United are now the second team in MLS history to fail to record a shot of any kind during a game. That was the headline after their 0-0 draw against NYCFC, though there’s the reminder that they did earn four of six points last week. Get another victory against RBNY this weekend, and odds are they’ll climb back up the Power Rankings.
Previous: 0-0 draw vs. NYC | Next: vs. RBNY on 9/12
