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: POR +5; CHI -4
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
May be harsh to say the league leaders struggled, but with the rest of the league catching up in games in hand and a game in which seemingly dozens of chances went unfinished, it was an off week for LAFC. That said, taking four points in consecutive games against the Sounders is still pretty good
Previous: 1-1 draw at SEA | Next: vs. CHI on 5/4
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 12
One reason LAFC suddenly look a bit shaky is that the Galaxy are practically a juggernaut at getting results, with the league's best form of seven games unbeaten, six of those wins. For those who think the pieces don't quite fit yet, they are showing improved squad chemistry every game, too.
Previous: 0-0 draw at MIN; 2-1 win vs. RSL | Next: at RBNY on 5/4
3
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 5
The Sounders look like they had a not great week, with two home draws, but the first required a furious comeback effort midweek against the Quakes, before playing down a man more than half the game vs. LAFC on Sunday. In that light, and with their growing injury list, it was a solid week, all things considered.
Previous: 2-2 draw vs. SJ; 1-1 draw vs. LAFC | Next: at MIN on 5/4
4
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 13
The Dynamo continue to take care of business at home, and with goals as unorthodox as Mauro Manotas' early opener, they might be getting the right bounces right now to potentially make it a special season. Time will tell, but the Dynamo are the dark horse of MLS at the moment.
Previous: 2-0 win vs. CLB | Next: vs. DAL on 5/4
5
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 11
FC Dallas ran into the San Jose brick wall this week, but let's take a moment to acknowledge the play of Jesse Gonzalez this season. Since being benched for a game for violating a team policy, he's elevated his game and could even get into the Goalkeeper of the Year reckoning before long.
Previous: 0-0 draw vs. SJ | Next: at HOU on 5/4
6
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 19
With a loss at home to the Timbers, Jozy Altidore's absence due to injury was cited as a big factor, but it was another game where TFC's defensive frailties were exposed. Smart money is on that Allocation Ranking slot being filled by a notable defender no later than the summer window.
Previous: 2-1 loss vs. POR | Next: at ORL on 5/4
7
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
Another case where looking at the context is key, as two road games in a week is a tough ask for every team in MLS, and D.C. managed a win. They'll take it and move on, although the next game, another meeting against the Crew, will be a good opportunity to get their home form back on track.
Previous: 1-0 win at CLB; 1-0 loss at MIN | Next: vs. CLB on 5/4
8
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 14
The Impact probably had the best week of all the teams involved in two games in Week 9, with two wins, one home and one away. Their propensity has been to have a good week and then a setback, so the next step is to get on a winning or unbeaten run and solidify their status atop the Eastern Conference.
Previous: 3-0 win at NE; 1-0 win vs. CHI | Next: vs. NYC on 5/4
9
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20
The Union had to do some serious lineup shuffling in Vancouver, and coming out of it with a point is a decent haul. Getting Kacper Przybylko off the mark could add another element to their attack, and with a double-game week here he could get another shot right away.
Previous: 1-1 draw at VAN | Next: vs. CIN on 5/1; vs. NE on 5/4
10
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15
The Loons grabbed a first win at Allianz Field and had a good four-point week. But while Angelo Rodriguez is starting to show why he is worth a DP tag, Darwin Quintero's injury woes has to be a massive concern in Minnesota. They just aren't the same team if he's not able to play his best.
Previous: 0-0 draw vs. LA; 1-0 win vs. DC | Next: vs. SEA on 5/4
11
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 11
Like several other teams this week, Sporting's wild draw against New England needs to be put in context, with the Revs racing out to a shock (and big) lead on the road, before KC came back. Should they have punched in a late winner? Probably, but sometimes you need a game to make you feel alive, and gee whiz, this was one.
Previous: 4-4 draw vs. NE | Next: vs. ATL on 5/5
12
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 12
Safe to say the Crew had the toughest week in the league, with two losses, and are now on a four-game losing streak. They are in a slump right now, for sure. But if they can get a result at Audi Field, something road teams are doing with greater regularity, they could bounce back in short order.
Previous: 1-0 loss vs. DC; 2-0 loss at HOU | Next: at DC on 5/4
13
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 18
NYCFC are quietly starting to play well, and Heber's addition seems to have transformed them. It may be overly simplistic, but even though teams can play with a false No. 9 doesn't mean they ought to, and this team demonstrates an effective forward truly makes a difference.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. CHI; 1-1 draw vs. ORL | Next: at MTL on 5/4
14
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 21
Be honest: When Nani was signed by Orlando City, did you think he would be a difference maker? The Portuguese slasher is showing both versatility on the field in terms of his role and consistency. Even with the notable career he's had, he hasn't really been noted for those qualities in the past, but right now it's clicking.
Previous: 1-1 draw at NYC | Next: vs. TOR on 5/4
15
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 24
It's safe to say the Quakes are figuring out their identity, in making games hard for opponents and trying to strike quickly with speed and moments of flashy play. The consistency is likely to be a work in progress, but you can see players starting to elevate their games this season in this new system.
Previous: 2-2 draw at SEA; 0-0 draw at DAL | Next: vs. CIN on 5/4
16
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 19
Tough result for RSL, but it fits their profile these days in mixing good games with bad. One question at this point is Nick Rimando's status moving forward. The legend has been sidelined the last two games with an injury, just eight games shy of 500 regular-season appearances. Will he be able to reach that milestone?
Previous: 2-1 loss at LA | Next: vs. POR on 5/4
17
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 21
The Fire are one of the teams that had a tough week, although two one-goal losses on the road are especially hard to swallow for their fine margins. They still have potential, but remain very much a work-in-progress at the moment, and it's unclear which direction they'll ultimately trend.
Previous: 1-0 loss at NYC; 1-0 loss at MTL | Next: at LAFC on 5/4
18
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 24
The big jump in the rankings this week come courtesy of the Timbers, who notched a second straight win on the road. To paraphrase Bobby Warshaw's column on them from the weekend, they are who we thought they were.
Previous: 2-1 win at TOR | Next: at RSL on 5/4
19
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 19
Turns out that even though Atlanta got that long-awaited debut home win in league play and many are insisting they're doing just fine, the voting panel disagrees, as they dropped the Five Stripes a spot. A game at suddenly up-for-anything Sporting KC could be an epic clash for the neutrals.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. COL | Next: at SKC on 5/5
20
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good, and that's how it went for the Red Bulls against FC Cincinnati as the visitors tagged the post several times. One has to wonder if this team will be in the market for another striker in the summer transfer window (assuming they don't have a move lined up in the next week).
Previous: 1-0 win vs. CIN | Next: vs. LA on 5/4
21
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24
FC Cincy are now in a four-way tie at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and the optimism that emerged after they posted back-to-back wins has evaporated. This double-game week is a big one for them, although it looks tough on paper, with road games against emerging opposition.
Previous: 1-0 loss at RBNY | Next: at PHI on 5/1; at SJ on 5/4
22
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 23
If the Revs had held on for the win against Sporting, it would have been a decent week for them, but coughing up a big lead after falling apart late at home earlier in the week showed the pain continues to outshine the pleasure for this team.
Previous: 3-0 loss vs. MTL; 4-4 draw at SKC | Next: at PHI on 5/4
23
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 23
Some parts of the Whitecaps roster is rounding into form, but the strikers are struggling mightily. Marc Dos Santos needs production up top in order to get back into the playoff race, and so far, it's really put them behind the competition.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. PHI | Next: at COL on 5/3
24
LAST WEEK: 24
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 24
Anthony Hudson's jaw-dropping interview after his team's latest loss may have had some truth to it, but hearing the manager say bluntly that his players can't compete in the league is either a last-ditch attempt to motivate those players, or the ideas are in very short supply.
Previous: 1-0 loss at ATL | Next: vs. VAN on 5/3
