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: RBNY +5; LA, CHI -3
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
LAFC pick up four points in their two-game set against FC Dallas, with Carlos Vela leading the charge. There's still a little over half a season to go, but if Vela can stay healthy for the duration, it sure looks like he's putting together a very special season as the Black & Gold seek their first silverware.
Previous: 2-0 win vs. DAL; 1-1 draw at DAL | Next: vs. MTL on 5/24
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 5
Four points as well for the Sounders, who continue to pull out results more often than not. Special mention to Roman Torres, who was torched in the Sounders' first meeting against LAFC this season. That was his first start of the season, but he's settled in since then and put in a terrific performance in Philly.
Previous: 2-1 win vs. ORL; 0-0 draw at PHI | Next: at SKC on 5/26
3
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 20
Banners are flying around Talen Energy Stadium with the Union remaining atop the Eastern Conference after an admittedly frustrating draw. That seems to be the next step for this club, along with posting wins for a sustained period, to make sure they hone a sense of ruthlessness, even against good opponents.
Previous: 0-0 draw vs. SEA | Next: vs. POR on 5/25
4
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 13
Say it with us, four points for the Dynamo, who have played a lopsided number of home games, presumably to avoid the worst of the Bayou heat. It will be interesting to see if their approach, the opposite of the long season-opening road trip, does anything to dent their placement over the whole course of the season.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. POR; 2-1 win vs. DC | Next: at MIN on 5/25
5
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 18
The idle week was kind to NYCFC, as all the teams ahead of them in the East dropped points. Will they be able to sustain the momentum when they're back in action, against an inconsistent Fire side in the Midwest? If they can, they could move up the standings in short order.
Previous: Idle | Next: at CHI on 5/25
6
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
The double-game week, meanwhile, did D.C. United no favors, as they picked up a lone point in two road games. To be fair they had a tough slate but it is becoming increasingly clear that this team can have good days but they are struggling to be consistently great right now.
Previous: 0-0 draw at TOR; 2-1 loss at HOU | Next: at NE on 5/25
7
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
The Red Bulls seem to have shaken their early slump off and have won four of their last five. Like the Sounders, the need to dig deep on the squad is turning out to give new players a chance to emerge, and a player who has been increasingly impressive this season is yet another center back, Amro Tarek.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. ATL | Next: vs VAN on 5/22; at CIN on 5/25
8
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 19
TFC probably have the widest gulf in terms of inconsistency right now. On their day, they are unstoppable, but those days are increasingly scarce, and the days when it looks like they don't know how to avoid costly mistakes are piling up. They're probably a playoff team, but they seem to be at a precipice, already.
Previous: 0-0 draw vs. DC; 3-0 loss at RSL | Next: vs. SJ on 5/26
9
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 19
After posting yet another shutout win, in Vancouver, no less, Atlanta's winning streak was snapped on Sunday at Red Bull Arena. They haven't figured it all out yet, but as long as the squad can maintain a common understanding, they'll be just fine and will likely be a contender once again.
Previous: 1-0 win at VAN; 1-0 loss at RBNY | Next: at RSL on 5/24
10
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 11
A tough week for FCD in facing LAFC twice, but ending the week with a rousing draw while playing down a man shows some progress made against the league's best team. He's not getting a ton of attention but Jesse Gonzalez seems to be putting together a full breakout season right now.
Previous: 2-0 loss at LAFC; 1-1 draw vs. LAFC | Next: at VAN on 5/25
11
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 12
Ouch. MLS is an unpredictable league, but the Galaxy had to have come in to their meeting at home against the Rapids thinking they would be in great shape to earn a win. Instead, they lost their fourth straight game. It really seems like Guillermo Barros Schelotto's team is one to make runs of results.
Previous: 1-0 loss vs. COL | Next: at ORL on 5/24
12
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15
Minnesota are in the opposite situation, not having posted consecutive results since March. With a win over Columbus that seemed to provoke a collective sigh of relief at Allianz Field, the Loons will aim to keep their home unbeaten run going, with the game against the Dynamo a great test.
Previous: 1-0 win vs. CLB | Next: vs. HOU on 5/25
13
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 14
The Impact continue to do their thing, posting a draw, albeit a disappointing scoreless draw at home. Ignacio Piatti is back, however, and he played a great half against LAFC in the teams' first meeting last year. One wonders if he can conjure the magic to do it again at the Banc on Friday.
Previous: 0-0 draw vs. NE | Next: at LAFC on 5/24
14
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 24
The Timbers got the weekend off after a solid comeback draw in Houston midweek, a game that marked the debut of Brian Fernandez. If he can follow a great debut with more of the same, many of Portland's issues are likely to be resolved, but we need to see more.
Previous: 1-1 draw at HOU | Next: at PHI on 5/25
15
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24
Wondo! It was fantastic to see the veteran break the MLS scoring record, in a win, in front of his hometown fans, with the best game of his career. Even better, the team around him is showing signs of growth, and if he can chip in with some more goals, the storybook may not yet be complete for Bau Daigh Warrior.
Previous: 4-1 win vs. CHI | Next: at TOR on 5/26
16
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 20
RSL post a second consecutive win and have won four of their last six, which seems to indicate they're getting on the right path. Like the Impact, consistency is the quest for Mike Petke's team, but they're determined to make all of MLS believe.
Previous: 3-0 win vs. TOR | Next: vs. ATL on 5/24
17
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 21
Orlando split their results in the week, and all things considered it turned out pretty well. Full credit to them for adjusting after being torched by Cincinnati's opening goal on Sunday before scoring five unanswered strikes to snap a three-game losing streak.
Previous: 2-1 loss at SEA; 5-1 win vs. CIN | Next: vs. LA on 5/24
18
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 21
Someone had to be on the other side of Wondolowski's historic day, but conceding not once, not twice, not three times, but four times to the player isn't ideal. Injuries and form are playing a part, but the Fire still seem to be a couple key players short of really smoothing out the rough games like this one.
Previous: 4-1 loss at SJ | Next: vs. NYC on 5/25
19
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 19 | LOW: 23
Had the Whitecaps lost in Kansas City after losing midweek to Atlanta, it would have been another gut punch of a week for a team finding some traction. Derek Cornelius' late equalizer was a huge pick-me-up, however, and another double-game week gives them more chances to get points.
Previous: 1-0 loss vs. ATL; 1-1 draw at SKC | Next: at RBNY on 5/22; vs. DAL on 5/25
20
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 20
Columbus' slide continues and there appears to be little remedy in sight on the current roster. The star fullbacks going down with injuries was a cruel blow, but that isn't the full reason things just aren't going right at the moment for the Crew. But maybe they can find something good at the Rapids on Saturday?
Previous: 1-0 loss at MIN | Next: at COL on 5/25
21
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 21
Sporting are winless in seven and are down to a point a game average for the MLS season. Surely there is no manager happier for the Gold Cup break coming up than Peter Vermes.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. VAN | Next: vs. SEA on 5/26
22
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 20 | LOW: 23
Another decent result for the Revs under Mike Lapper, but one presumes the team is in a holding pattern under Bruce Arena takes full control of the first team and returns to the sidelines. They're only five points out of the last playoff spot, but a lot of work to be done for this club.
Previous: 0-0 draw at MTL | Next: at DC on 5/25
23
LAST WEEK: 24
HIGH: 16 | LOW: 24
Rapids win! Rapids win! Great to see Andre Shinyashiki come up with the winner, too, as a forward who looks like he can do good things with service, even with two MLS starters ahead of him on the depth chart. Now, can they do it all over again?
Previous: 1-0 win at LA | Next: vs. CLB on 5/25
24
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24
The Yoann Damet revival hit a skid in the second game, as FC Cincy came crashing back to earth against Orlando City. Their current playoff odds are at 14 percent, per FiveEightyThree, so they aren't out of it yet but they'll need to stack together wins to be the latest expansion team to reach the postseason.
Previous: 5-1 loss at ORL | Next: vs. RBNY on 5/25
