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 +5; LA -5
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
LAFC broke out of their "slump" with a battling performance that demonstrated their Supporters' Shield credentials in Columbus and led Caleb Porter to call them the "Man City of MLS." Whether it was intended as a dig or a compliment, LAFC would likely be thrilled to put in a title-winning season to match the English side.
Previous: 3-0 win at CLB | Next: vs. DAL on 5/16; at DAL on 5/19
2
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 5
The free-flowing soccer still hasn't returned for the Sounders with injuries still doing damage, but they're getting healthier and picking up results. This week's slate, with a home match against Orlando City and a road game against the Union, is likely to be a good check of their current state.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. HOU | Next: vs. ORL on 5/15; at PHI on 5/18
3
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 20
Philly enter rarefied air, as they maintain top spot in the East this week and have lost just one game in 10. We're seeing struggling clubs in MLS speed up their turnover, and probably rightly so, but in this case, the Union look smart to have stayed the course with Jim Curtin and their roster build.
Previous: 2-1 win at TOR | Next: vs. SEA on 5/18
4
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 13
The Dynamo pulled off the tricky feat of losing on the road and still somehow drawing plaudits -- to be fair, Cristian Roldan's golazo was the only thing separating the teams -- but the voting panel docked them nonetheless for the loss. Now comes a big two-game week, albeit with both games happening in H-Town.
Previous: 1-0 loss at SEA | Next: vs. POR on 5/15; vs. DC on 5/18
5
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
Speaking of two-game weeks, D.C. United also have one on tap, and they could overtake the Union for first place in the East if they get four points or better. Keep in mind, however, that both games are on the road to presumed playoff teams, so it will be a good yardstick week for D.C.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. SKC | Next: at TOR on 5/15; at HOU on 5/18
6
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 19
TFC lost twice in Week 11, but the voting panel still believes (or alternately, understands the caliber of the opponents faced). How will they follow that up? With two more games this week, believe it or not. Hope they've got their napping schedules properly calibrated through this stretch.
Previous: 2-0 loss at ATL; 2-1 loss vs. PHI | Next: vs. DC on 5/15; at RSL on 5/18
7
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 18
NYCFC have lost only one game this year. Only LAFC and Seattle can match that. More important, NYCFC looked to be good value for their win over the Galaxy, and getting Maxi Moralez off the mark from the penalty spot will hopefully get him back on track.
Previous: 2-0 win at LA | Next: at CHI on 5/25
8
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 12
The Galaxy took a tumble as they lost two games in Week 11, to reach a three-game losing streak. On the other hand, they've got the winless Rapids up next, and while we know anything can happen in MLS, this is a fixture tailor-made for a struggling team.
Previous: 3-1 loss at CLB; 2-0 loss vs. NYC | Next: vs. COL on 5/19
9
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 11
Dallas have lost two in a row and a few questions may be emerging about this group, but we knew they would have growing pains. They've got an odd back-to-back set against LAFC this week, which could help get them back on track, if they get points, or add to the hurt if they lose both. Stay tuned.
Previous: 3-1 loss vs. RBNY | Next: at LAFC on 5/16; vs. LAFC on 5/19
10
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 19
Atlanta are finally stringing together wins, and if they aren't necessarily looking like the most exciting team every game, it's fine with a new manager. But like Toronto, the Five Stripes have two-game weeks on consecutive weeks, and this run is going to be rather trying for Frank de Boer's group.
Previous: 2-0 win vs. TOR; 1-0 win vs. ORL | Next: at VAN on 5/15; at RBNY on 5/19
11
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 14
You can look at Montreal's split week in two ways: This is what they do, alternate good results and performances with bad, or you can look at the bigger picture, which is that seldom does any team in MLS win two road games in a week. Piatti watch remains on for the star attacker's return.
Previous: 2-1 win at RBNY; 2-1 loss at CIN | Next: vs. NE on 5/18
12
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
The Red Bulls had the weirdest week, collapsing late to lose at home midweek with a pretty strong group, then using a completely different group to win the second game. One wonders if Chris Armas simply deployed two groups ahead of time on purpose to prepare for one game each. We'll see based on coming games.
Previous: 2-1 loss vs. MTL; 3-1 win at DAL | Next: vs. ATL on 5/19
13
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15
Minnesota's form guide isn't terrible, although they have only won one of their last six, but this team has really slowed down of late. The swagger that was present at the start of the campaign to finally see the three-year plan come to fruition looks to be gone. They have to get on track or they'll fall out of the playoff spots soon.
Previous: 2-0 loss at CHI | Next: vs. CLB on 5/18
14
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 24
The Timbers hit a road bump in Vancouver, although one could argue they should have at least gotten a draw. Either way, the countdown has to truly be on at this point for the long-awaited home opener this season.
Previous: 1-0 loss at VAN | Next: at HOU on 5/15
15
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 21
It was a big week for the Fire, who posted two impressive wins. Like the Impact, they seem capable of a good week and then they follow it up with a stinker. A road trip to San Jose next won't be easy but if you're a good team, you have to pick up some points in those tricky road fixtures.
Previous: 5-0 win vs. NE; 2-0 win vs. MIN | Next: at SJ on 5/18
16
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24
The Quakes fell victim to the new coach bounce but in his Monday column Bobby Warshaw made a great point about the Revolution not pressing San Jose, and that one change seemed to mess them up. It will be interesting to see how they respond.
Previous: 3-1 loss at NE | Next: vs. CHI on 5/18
17
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 21
The Lions get a moral victory for playing Atlanta United well but they aren't interested in those at this point, especially against their rival. They're certainly not adrift of the pack these days, but hey, they could stand to string together some wins to continue advancing.
Previous: 1-0 loss at ATL | Next: at SEA on 5/15; vs. CIN on 5/19
18
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 18
All in all, a split week isn't that bad for Columbus, but following up a rousing midweek win over the Galaxy to snap that five-game losing streak with a home loss to LAFC has to be tough. They still have promise, but this group definitely looks to be a work in progress at this point.
Previous: 3-1 win vs. LA; 3-0 loss vs. LAFC | Next: at MIN on 5/18
19
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 20
RSL move up a spot after their Rocky Mountain Cup win over the Rapids, but at this point, they're expected to beat the Rapids, no? Seriously, though, they're in the playoff spots and will probably hover right around that line for the season, if the early campaign is any indication.
Previous: 3-2 win at COL | Next: vs. TOR on 5/18
20
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 23
The Whitecaps are rounding into form and it looks like BC Place is going to be an increasingly difficult place for opponents to play. After a rocky start during which their performances arguably deserved a few extra points, the team looks like they are settling down under Marc Dos Santos.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. POR | Next: vs. ATL on 5/15; at SKC on 5/18
21
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 21
Sporting are winless in six, they're facing one of the worst injury crises around in recent years and it looks like they may not have hit bottom yet. However, they're still just three points out of the last playoff spot. If they're still in this spot in July, it's probably time to worry. As it stands, they've got to weather this stretch.
Previous: 1-0 loss at DC | Next: vs. VAN on 5/18
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24
FC Cincy took advantage of the new coach bounce as well, and honestly, it looked like the shackles were lifted. That Victor Ulloa and Fatai Alashe were in the middle of things in the win over the Impact may show that yes, there is more on Cincinnati's roster than what they showed under Alan Koch.
Previous: 2-1 win vs. MTL | Next: at ORL on 5/19
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 23
The clear out is truly on in New England, as both Brad Friedel and Mike Burns are out. The Revs were once one of the powers of MLS, something that seems hard to believe based on the current state of things. New head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena will look to return them to their previous glory.
Previous: 5-0 loss at CHI; 3-1 win vs. SJ | Next: at MTL on 5/18
24
LAST WEEK: 24
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 24
The Rapids clearly aren't going to be competitive in 2019, but the strange thing is they lose a lot of their games by one goal. They need an overhaul, but for the neutrals, their games remain imminently watchable because both teams get chances.
Previous: 3-2 loss vs. RSL | Next: at LA on 5/19
