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: DAL +5; SEA -10
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 2
No David Villa? No problem, as Patrick Vieira has a team that already looks like it can adjust on the fly when their talisman is missing. Next comes a tricky road game against a Revolution side that has only played two games.
Previous: Won 2-0 vs. ORL | Next: at NE on 3/24
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 2
If there wasn't a second competition distracting TFC right now, being outplayed like they were against Montreal would be a real concern (as would the 0-2-0 start in league play). But with their CCL hopes still alive, the voting panel is giving them the benefit of the doubt for now.
Previous: Lost 1-0 at MTL | Next: vs. RSL on 3/30
3
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 11
Crew SC's scoreless draw is going to go under the radar, but posting a clean sheet and getting a point on the road is good stuff. They're likely to be licking their chops for D.C. United to come to town this weekend.
Previous: Drew 0-0 at PHI | Next: vs. DC on 3/24
4
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
When your opponent received a red card inside the first quarter-hour, it's best to not get carried away with conclusions. That said, Josef Martinez picked up another hat trick, and with his next one, will tie the league record all-time. He's also on an average of a goal a game in league play over more than a season.
Previous: Won 4-1 vs. VAN | Next: at MIN on 3/31
5
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
You've probably heard that all three of the teams involved in CCL last week lost in MLS play over the weekend, but the Red Bulls were mighty unlucky in their loss against RSL. In other words, no concerns for Jesse Marsch at the moment.
Previous: Lost 1-0 at RSL | Next: vs. MIN on 3/24
6
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 17
Will LAFC cherish or curse their long break at this point in the season? The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, but Bob Bradley will definitely be praying for a healthy FIFA break for his group of internationals.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. LA on 3/31
7
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 15
After gaining the reputation of being a stingy defensive team that struggles to score, Sporting have shown the last two weeks that they can do shootouts, too. Graham Zusi showed he can still pop up with a goal now and then with a pretty nifty effort against the Quakes.
Previous: Won 3-2 vs. SJ | Next: at COL on 3/24
8
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15
The Dynamo are this close to a perfect nine-point start to their season. Instead, they've got four points, which is fine but not really indicative of how they've been playing. Wilmer Cabrera gets a bye to work on tweaking Houston's play before getting back in action.
Previous: Drew 2-2 at DC | Next: vs. NE on 3/31
9
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 12
The Galaxy crept up a spot this week. But the dos Santos brothers are both hurt and Romain Alessandrini may or may not be healthy to face Vancouver. That doesn't sound promising, but maybe Sigi Schmid has been working some magic on the bye week.
Previous: Idle | Next: at VAN on 3/24
10
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 14
Lost in the talk about Kendall Waston's red card and Atlanta United posting the biggest win of the weekend is how well Vancouver played in Atlanta until just before the hour mark. Sure, games are 90 minutes, but the Whitecaps made Atlanta work for their win.
Previous: Lost 4-1 at ATL | Next: vs. LA on 3/24
11
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 13
It's not common to see a home team sneak out with a win, but that's what happened to RSL against the Red Bulls. What's just as obvious is that RSL do not care one iota about the bumpy performance, but they'll aim to improve their attack moving forward.
Previous: Won 1-0 vs. RBNY | Next: at TOR on 3/30
12
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 20
The Union played the kids to (slight) success once more, against a Columbus side that had been fluid in attack in the first two weeks. It appears the voting panel wants a larger sample size before determining if Philly is for real.
Previous: Drew 0-0 vs. CLB | Next: at COL on 3/31
13
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 18
Clint Dempsey's arm gave FC Dallas a boost, and the hosts took full advantage against a reeling Sounders side. Roland Lamah entered the season with many projecting him on the bench, but his production leaves Oscar Pareja no choice but to start him.
Previous: Won 3-0 vs. SEA | Next: vs. POR on 3/24
14
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 16
San Jose came back to earth a bit after losing a slugfest in Kansas City. They've got concerns on the defensive side of the ball, but five goals in two games to start the year is a good sign, as is getting Chris Wondolowski on the board.
Previous: Lost 3-2 at SKC | Next: vs. NYC on 3/31
15
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 23
Minnesota are above .500 for the first time in their MLS history. Their play isn't as fluid as some of the teams above them, but they absolutely look like they're prepared to offer more resistance (and actually pick up points) on a more consistent basis than they did last year.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. CHI | Next: at RBNY on 3/24
16
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 16
The Sounders dropped the most this week. And while it's understandable why, between starting the season 0-2-0, getting blown out and picking up injuries, the red card Dempsey picked up really hurt their prospects against Dallas. Seattle now get some time to rest and hope Nico Lodeiro will be ready to go in the next match.
Previous: Lost 3-0 at DAL | Next: vs. MTL on 3/31
17
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 21
After playing a strong second half in Columbus, Montreal played a terrific game to beat Toronto at Stade Olympique. The Impact's early schedule is still brutal, but Remi Garde's team may be getting into form sooner than expected.
Previous: Won 1-0 vs. TOR | Next: at SEA on 3/31
18
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 18
The Timbers were off last week, and likely spent the time working on their defense. They've struggled historically playing FC Dallas in Frisco, but maybe Gio Savarese will shrug off the past issues.
Previous: Idle | Next: at DAL on 3/24
19
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 19
Orlando's offseason rebuild is still TBD, mostly because some of the newcomers are just getting into the mix. It's not surprising the Lions haven't looked great with so many starters out, but their performances are definitely concerning right now.
Previous: Lost 2-0 at NYC | Next: vs. RBNY on 3/31
20
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 20
Two games in, the Fire have shown decent moments, but the overall play has been mediocre. Bastian Schweinsteiger can't return to the lineup soon enough.
Previous: Lost 2-1 at MIN | Next: vs. POR on 3/31
21
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 21
Good news: D.C. United's effort to pick up a point at the SoccerPlex against Houston. Bad news: They've got two points through three games, and just played one of their two home games before mid-July.
Previous: Drew 2-2 vs. HOU | Next: at CLB on 3/24
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 22
The Revs had the week off and have probably been poring over video of New York City FC's games to get ready for this weekend, when they'll have a chance to give the strongest team right now a stumbling block.
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. NYC on 3/24
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 23
A week off for the Rapids, too. Will Anthony Hudson stick with the same lineup that played the Revs last time out, or make some changes before Sporting come to town?
Previous: Idle | Next: vs. SKC on 3/24
