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: SKC +7; LA -9
1
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
No Josef, no problem – at least for now – as Atlanta ascends to the Power Rankings' peak. The Five Stripes have two wins through as many games, and Ezequiel Barco and Pity Martinez are producing to match their lofty transfer fees. Some striker reinforcements have arrived, too.
Previous: 2-1 win vs. CIN | Next: vs. SKC on 3/14
2
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 2
The Sounders attempted 17 shots in last weekend’s draw against Columbus, but couldn’t score from open play. It’s also a mixed bag on the injury front, with Gustav Svensson back in the XI and Nicolas Lodeiro still out.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. CLB | Next: at HOU on 3/14
3
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 3
”They are who we thought they were,” Bob Bradley essentially said about the Union, channeling his best Dennis Green impression. But so are LAFC, a team that can turn the nitro boosters on and get special moments from Carlos Vela or Diego Rossi.
Previous: 3-3 draw vs. PHI | Next: vs. POR on 3/22
4
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 8
Adrian Heath says this year’s team is the “best I’ve had” in Minnesota, and early signs suggest his assessment is spot on. They’ve scored a combined eight goals on the road through two games, all ahead of a four-game homeswing. Alexa, cue up “Wonderwall.”
Previous: 5-2 win at SJ | Next: vs. RBNY on 3/15
5
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 6
BMO Field was rocking over the weekend, Alejandro Pozuelo worked his magic and rookie Ifunanyachi Achara was electric in his debut. Some guy named Jozy Altidore was pretty decent, too.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. NYC | Next: vs. NSH on 3/14
6
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 18
SKC are fun again! Alan Pulido and Gadi Kinda each had a goal and an assist Saturday, and Peter Vermes’ team posted their first shutout since Aug. 31 of last season. Who knows where they’ll be in October, but enjoy it for now.
Previous: 4-0 win vs. HOU | Next: at ATL on 3/14
7
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 16
We call this the Drew Moor special: A 36-year-old center back returns to the club where he spent seven years and scores a 90th-minute game-winner on a delightful Jack Price corner kick. What a moment at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
Previous: 2-1 win vs. ORL | Next: at VAN on 3/14
8
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 9
The Crew could have earned all three points in Seattle, which is a testament to how far they’ve come since last season. Expectations surrounding Caleb Porter’s group have seriously shifted.
Previous: 1-1 draw at SEA | Next: vs. RSL on 3/14
9
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 10
The come-from-behind draw against Montreal last weekend was exciting, though it also feels like two points were left on the table. Now, we’ll see how Dallas fares with Homegrown standouts Reggie Cannon, Paxton Pomykal and Jesus Ferreira all off to represent the United States at Olympic qualifiers.
Previous: 2-2 draw vs. MTL | Next: at NYC on 3/14
10
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 11
If you haven’t seen Jakob Glesnes’ free-kick rocket — and if you haven’t, why not??? — check it out here. It’s gone viral on social media, as Philadelphia used some Viking power and a heavy dose of LAFC’s own medicine to earn an excellent draw at the Banc.
Previous: 3-3 draw at LAFC | Next: vs. SJ on 3/14
11
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 11
The talent’s certainly there, but the Cityzens are 0-for-2 so far as they balance the pressures of Concacaf Champions League. Those missed points count all the same now as they do later into 2020.
Previous: 1-0 loss at TOR | Next: vs. DAL on 3/14
12
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 15
The Red Bulls could have feasibly allowed four or five goals last weekend at Rio Tinto Stadium, but goal-line clearances and goalkeeper heroics salvaged a point. It wasn’t pretty, but sometimes you gotta find a way.
Previous: 1-1 draw at RSL | Next: at MIN on 3/15
13
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 14
Portland weren’t exactly playing for style points when hosting Nashville last weekend, as they attempted a measly three shots the entire game. But they earned all three points, adding more fuel to the result vs. method debate.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. NSH | Next: at NE on 3/15
14
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 21
If you were to ask what percentage of MLS followers thought the Impact would be undefeated through Thierry Henry’s first four matches in all competitions, odds are we’d be talking about single digits or thereabouts. The broader point is Montreal have been a pleasant surprise early into 2020.
Previous: 2-2 draw at DAL | Next: at SJ on 3/21
15
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 18
The Black-and-Red are yet to score from open play, as all three of their goals have come from a set piece or the PK spot. The likes of Edison Flores and Julian Gressel have to start producing soon.
Previous: 2-1 win vs. MIA | Next: at CIN on 3/14
16
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 16
Real Salt Lake are the only MLS team to draw their first two games, though they probably should have beaten the Red Bulls at home on Saturday. It was quite literally a game of inches, with several gilt-edged chances denied at the last moment.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. RBNY | Next: at CLB on 3/14
17
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 17
It’s not going great, folks! The Galaxy haven’t really threatened a ton aside from a Cristian Pavon golazo in Week 1, and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez still looks to be in first gear. If it doesn’t change soon, the levels of worry might surge in Carson.
Previous: 1-0 loss vs. VAN | Next: at MIA on 3/14
18
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 18
The Revs have a case of the what-ifs through two games thanks to Tajon Buchanan blasting a wide-open header off the post in Week 1 and Justin Rennicks skying a tap-in in Week 2. So, this Carles Gil-less team has one point instead of four.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. CHI | Next: vs. POR on 3/15
19
LAST WEEK: 25
HIGH: 19 | LOW: 25
Talk about a rebound performance. The Whitecaps went into Dignity Health Sports Park and could have left with more than the 1-0 win. Lucas Cavallini missed a penalty kick, but otherwise this was a big step forward for last year’s Western Conference bottom-feeders.
Previous: 1-0 win at LA | Next: vs. COL on 3/14
20
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 23
Chicago earned a solid road draw at New England last weekend, a game in which new Designated Player midfielder Gaston Gimenez certainly looked the part. They now have one more away game before their much-anticipated Solider Field return March 21 against Atlanta United.
Previous: 1-1 draw at NE | Next: at ORL on 3/14
21
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 19 | LOW: 21
Miami have lost their first two games in MLS, though that could matter little come their home opener this weekend against the LA Galaxy. That said, the injuries to forwards Julian Carranza and Robbie Robinson are looming large.
Previous: 2-1 loss at DC | Next: vs. LA on 3/14
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 22 | LOW: 23
Stretching back to last year, Orlando are enduring an 0-5-5 stretch in MLS games. A turnaround under head coach Oscar Pareja wasn't expected overnight, but that's cause for concern.
Previous: 2-1 loss at COL | Next: vs. CHI on 3/14
23
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 23
The Quakes got dunked on by Ike Opara last weekend, seemingly having forgotten how to defend set pieces. So, it's one point from a possible six and seven goals allowed through 2020's first two matches at Earthquakes Stadium.
Previous: 5-2 loss vs. MIN | Next: at PHI on 3/14
24
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 24
After an inspired home showing against the LA Galaxy in Week 1, the Dynamo came crashing back to Earth before the Blue Hell in Kansas City last weekend. The good news is Darwin Quintero made his debut.
Previous: 4-0 loss at SKC | Next: vs. SEA on 3/14
25
LAST WEEK: 24
HIGH: 24 | LOW: 25
Nashville remain near the bottom of our Power Rankings, but they've logged some really encouraging moments against Atlanta and Portland. Their first MLS point can't be too far away.
Previous: 1-0 win at POR | Next: at TOR on 3/14
26
LAST WEEK: 26
HIGH: 26 | LOW: 26
Two road games, two losses. For a team that went 3-11-3 away from Nippert Stadium last year, it's been more of the same this go-around.
Previous: 2-1 loss at ATL | Next: vs. DC on 3/14
