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: ATL +4; CLB -6
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
It wasn't quite as much of a steamrolling effort for LAFC in their latest win, but they showed against FC Cincinnati they can win any number of ways. The next two weeks are big for them and their early Supporters' Shield creds, with a midweek trip to Vancouver followed by a home-and-home with the Sounders.
Previous: 2-0 win vs. CIN | Next: at VAN on 4/17; vs. SEA on 4/21
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 5
The Sounders have not been involved in many shootouts this year like the match against Toronto, but they showed they were up for it. Credit to Brian Schmetzer for keeping Will Bruin engaged so he could take full advantage when he got into the lineup.
Previous: 3-2 win vs. TOR | Next: at LAFC on 4/21
3
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 6
After dropping last week D.C. United rebound with a tidy four-point haul from their double-game week. The scoreless home draw against the Impact may have been a rough result, but considering the absences and coming off a big loss, it was a decent result, followed by a wild road win over the Rapids. They look like they'll be fine.
Previous: 0-0 draw vs. MTL; 3-2 win at COL | Next: vs. NYC on 4/21
4
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 13
The Dynamo keep creeping up because they keep winning. Their attack is doing great, and perhaps the big question is their defense, which will be fully tested on the road against Zlatan and the Galaxy this week. If Houston can pick up another win at Dignity Heath Sports Park, the Dynamo will cement their place as a Top 5 team in 2019.
Previous: 2-1 win vs. SJ | Next: at LA on 4/19
5
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 12
Zlatan does his thing, the supporting cast do enough to get the win, wash, rinse, repeat. If Ibrahimovic stays healthy for the duration, the Galaxy can probably be knocking on the door of the Shield race.
Previous: 2-0 win vs. PHI | Next: vs. HOU on 4/19
6
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 6
Last week we praised Gianluca Busio's exploits and here we are again singing the praises of the 16 year old. Given his age, they'll likely continue to bring him on slowly this year. That formula worked out pretty well for Alphonso Davies in Vancouver.
Previous: 2-2 draw vs. RBNY | Next: at SJ on 4/20
7
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 19
Given the sample size so far, it's becoming evident that Toronto's team defense is not at the same levels of the club's 2017 championship season. But they showed they can hold their own in high-scoring affairs with the Altidore-Pozuelo combination already proving they can do some major damage.
Previous: 3-2 loss at SEA | Next: vs. MIN on 4/19
8
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 11
FC Dallas easily took the lead against Portland, but they tightened up over the course of the game and nearly (arguably should have?) split the points. They're comfortably above the playoff line and look very likely to stay there, although nerves are going to be an issue more often than not.
Previous: 2-1 win vs. POR | Next: at ATL on 4/20
9
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 9
The voting panel was not impressed with the Crew's road loss, even if it was a narrow defeat, and Columbus tumbled in the rankings. While that's likely due to other teams playing well, they need to continue to prove that their early form was not an illusion as Matt Doyle noted in his Week 7 column.
Previous: 1-0 loss at MTL | Next: vs. POR on 4/20
10
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 14
The Impact posted an identical four-point week to D.C. United, but their haul was arguably more impressive, with a 180-minute road shutout and a win over Columbus to open the home slate. This team clearly needs Ignacio Piatti, but the supporting pieces seem to be coming into their own as well, and that bodes well for the Impact.
Previous: 0-0 draw at DC; 1-0 win vs. CLB | Next: at PHI on 4/20
11
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 20
The Union's loss to the Galaxy was definitely an occasion where a youthful defense was worked over by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They won't face him again in the regular season, which will be some comfort, but that young unit will need to make the next jump to be able to match up against tougher opponents.
Previous: 2-0 loss at LA | Next: vs. MTL on 4/20
12
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15
The Loons couldn't quite write their storybook opening to Allianz Field, although the opener was a ton of fun to watch for neutrals. Darwin Quintero looking a little off at the moment is a huge concern, as Minnesota hope he's back to full health and form ASAP.
Previous: 3-3 draw vs. NYC | Next: at TOR on 4/19
13
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 17
No monsoon this time, as Atlanta United grabbed three points and were very much the better side against New England. They still have the air of a team adjusting to a new coach and system, so time will tell, but getting a debut league win before the streak really got out of control is a promising sign.
Previous: 2-0 win at NE | Next: vs. DAL on 4/20
14
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24
FC Cincy's symmetrical 2W-2L-2D record was dented by their loss to LAFC, but their approach in the game was the right one as far as defending. The team is in need of better link-up play in the midfield, however, and with a growing amount of game tape, opponents will better figure them out moving forward.
Previous: 2-0 loss at LAFC | Next: vs. RSL on 4/19
15
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 15
The Red Bulls fought back in KC, although allowing a late equalizer (even on the road) has got to hurt. Between Bradley Wright-Phillips' chagrin at being substituted and Kaku's moment of madness, the waters aren't still around this team right now.
Previous: 2-2 draw at SKC | Next: at NE on 4/20
16
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 21
It's not quite fair to say that Nico Gaitan isn't cutting it -- not every player hits the ground running, like his teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger did a couple years back. But hopefully with some continuity in the starting XI, this group can get on the same page and reflect their true talent level before long.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. VAN | Next: vs. COL on 4/20
17
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 18
On the bright side, NYCFC put in their best performance since their home draw against LAFC and they had several players put together sparkling individual efforts. But they still haven't won, and the despair seems to grow ever so slightly.
Previous: 3-3 draw at MIN | Next: at DC on 4/21
18
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 19
RSL snapped a four-game losing streak with their victory over Orlando and Sam Johnson's goal showed a newcomer who may be finding his footing in MLS. He may not be expected to score 30 goals, but if he can find a vein of form, it would boost RSL's prospects tremendously.
Previous: 2-1 win vs. ORL | Next: at CIN on 4/19
19
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 21
Although they showed fight against RSL with the help of Nani and Dom Dwyer off the bench, they still fell short at the RioT. It's hard not to think that the best version of the Lions is one that sees Nani and Dwyer starting and performing at a high level.
Previous: 2-1 loss at RSL | Next: vs. VAN on 4/20
20
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 24
The Quakes couldn't replicate the rousing victory they posted the week before, but their performance in Houston in a narrow loss was better than was seen in previous losses. The continued integration of left back Marcos Lopez, who is a big piece for San Jose, will not be helped by that red card.
Previous: 2-1 loss at HOU | Next: vs. SKC on 4/20
21
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 23
The Whitecaps were handed a goal (almost literally!) and nearly hung on for the win, but another mistake cost them three points against Chicago. The growing pains for the side coached by Marc Dos Santos continue, and this week is potentially brutal: midweek at home against LAFC before a long road trip to Orlando.
Previous: 1-1 draw at CHI | Next: vs. LAFC on 4/17; at ORL on 4/20
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 23
Brad Friedel continues to fine-tune his lineup in search of the right combination, but it's not working out to date, as the Revolution have lost five of their last six games. It only heightens the anticipation for the much-discussed Designated Player that coach and management have said they're working on.
Previous: 2-0 loss vs. ATL | Next: vs. RBNY on 4/20
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 23
The Rapids have two points in seven games and are on a four-game losing streak. They seem to be able to lose in all kinds of ways, and even though they look like a much better team this year, the results just aren't showing it.
Previous: 3-2 loss vs. DC | Next: at CHI on 4/20
24
LAST WEEK: 24
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 24
The bright side is that the Timbers played a spirited second half in Dallas, and probably should have come away with at least a point. But their hole is getting deeper and deeper as the losses pile up, as they are already eight points out of the last playoff spot after just six games.
Previous: 2-1 loss at DAL | Next: at CLB on 4/20
