Power Rankings

MLS Power Rankings, Week 15: New York Red Bulls jump back into top two

BIGGEST MOVERS: NYCFC +5 spots | Vancouver -3 spots


1


LAST WEEK: 1


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 20


It's starting to feel like there's something magical about this team. A home win over Chicago is nothing to brag about, mind you, but the Rapids just keep finding a way...


Latest result: Won vs. Chicago, 2-1


Last five results: W-D-W-D-W


Next MLS match: Wednesday at LA Galaxy


2


LAST WEEK: 5


HIGH: 2 | LOW: 17


Four straight wins, four straight shutouts, and over 400 minutes since they last conceded. They're 7-1-1 across all competitions in their last nine, and look very much like last year's Supporters' Shield winners.


Latest result: Won vs. Seattle, 2-0


Last five results: L-W-W-W-W


Next MLS match: Wednesday at Real Salt Lake; Saturday at Columbus


3


LAST WEEK: 4


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 15


Not the way they wanted to start this home-heavy chunk of the schedule after a long road trip, but RSL are comfortably third in the West and have shown an ability to get points no matter the venue.


Latest result: Drew vs. Portland, 2-2


Last five results: L-W-L-W-D


Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. NY Red Bulls; Saturday at Dallas


4


LAST WEEK: 2


HIGH: 2 | LOW: 19


Finding a full-time replacement for Vincent Nogueira – maybe this is Roland Alberg's chance? – is job No. 1. Job No. 2 is getting C.J. Sapong healthy ASAP, because they're a different team when he's available.


Latest result: Lost at NYCFC, 3-2


Last five results: W-D-D-W-L


Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Chicago; Saturday vs. Vancouver (TSN)


5


LAST WEEK: 3


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7


Dallas were pretty clearly robbed of a goal, and then had a questionable offside call nullify another good look. And then... they fell apart. It happens, of course, but we expected more maturity from a team that's pushing for a Shield.


Latest result: Lost at Sporting KC, 2-0


Last five results: W-W-D-D-L


Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Real Salt Lake


6


LAST WEEK: 8


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 9


A much-needed victory to stop a four-game winless skid. TFC still haven't quite found their core identity yet, and probably won't until Michael Bradley is back and Jozy Altidore is healthy.


Latest result: Won vs. LA Galaxy, 1-0


Last five results: L-D-D-L-W


Next MLS match: Saturday at Orlando City


7


LAST WEEK: 6


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7


A good point on the road, but it's hard to ignore the fact that Montreal have just one win in their last 10 games across all competitions. 


Latest result: Drew at Columbus, 0-0


Last five results: D-D-L-W-D


Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Sporting KC


8


LAST WEEK: 7


HIGH: 2 | LOW: 9


That "Last five results" line says it all about LA, who are still struggling to create chances out of midfield. It's past time for Jose Villarreal – one of the league's best per-90 chance generators – to get a look somewhere in the attack.


Latest result: Lost at Toronto, 1-0


Last five results: D-D-L-D-L


Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Colorado; Saturday at San Jose (Univision)


9


LAST WEEK: 9


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 12


A solid point on the road, and Portland – after a slow start to the season – are suddenly difficult to beat again. Healthy returns by Liam Ridgewell and Ben Zemanski (!!!) have helped, as has better two-way play from the wingers.


Latest result: Drew at Real Salt Lake, 2-2


Last five results: L-W-D-W-D


Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Houston (ESPN2)


10


LAST WEEK: 10


HIGH: 6 | LOW: 13


Back in 2013 the Quakes missed the playoffs by one point, largely because they weren't able to grind out the exact type of road draw they got on Saturday. San Jose are, against the expectations of most, solidly in the Western Conference race and won't be disappearing any time soon.


Latest result: Drew at Orlando City, 2-2


Last five results: W-D-D-L-D


Next MLS match: Saturday vs. LA Galaxy (Univision)


11


LAST WEEK: 16


HIGH: 9 | LOW: 20


A jump of five spots for a home win over a short-handed opponent? Sure, why not. The Power Rankings Politburo is nothing if not fickle.


Latest result: Won vs. Philadelphia, 3-2


Last five results: D-L-D-L-W


Next MLS match: Saturday at Seattle (ESPN)


12


LAST WEEK: 13


HIGH: 10 | LOW: 17


Their first road win of the season wasn't spectacular, but it didn't need to be. What matters for the Revs is defending better (they did) and not being forced into playing from behind so often (they didn't). Nine points from 12 games is, perhaps, a season-saving run.


Latest result: Won at Vancouver, 2-1


Last five results: L-W-L-W-W


Next MLS match: Saturday at D.C. United


13


LAST WEEK: 12


HIGH: 6 | LOW: 17


They can still score without Kaká, but they haven't figured out how to defend no matter who's on the field. Still only one loss in their last eight across all competitions, and a glass-half-full takeaway is this: Young teams get better. This is still a young team. The OCSC brass need to keep the faith with the kids.


Latest result: Drew vs. San Jose, 2-2


Last five results: L-W-D-D-D


Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Toronto


14


LAST WEEK: 11


HIGH: 8 | LOW: 14


They keep dropping home points – seven in their last five outings at BC Place. Injuries and suspensions are mitigating factors, but so far in 2016 "injuries and suspensions" is what this team happens to be.


Latest result: Lost vs. New England, 2-1


Last five results: W-W-L-D-L


Next MLS match: Saturday at Philadelphia (TSN)


15


LAST WEEK: 18


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 18


Got a Best XI performance from Benny Feilhaber and just a little bit of help from the assistant ref. They'll need much more of both as summer arrives.


Latest result: Won vs. Dallas, 2-0


Last five results: W-L-L-D-W


Next MLS match: Saturday at Montreal


16


LAST WEEK: 14


HIGH: 7 | LOW: 18


Actually played well for long stretches in New York, but just lacked the final pass. Clint Dempsey would have helped, as would (obviously) an incoming DP playmaker. The transfer window opens in two weeks, Sounders fans.


Latest result: Lost at NY Red Bulls, 2-0


Last five results: L-L-L-W-L


Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Houston (ESPN2)


17


LAST WEEK: 15


HIGH: 14 | LOW: 20


A road point is almost always a good result. Hard to have too much faith, however, in a team that's averaging less than a goal per game. United need more firepower ASAP.


Latest result: Drew at Houston, 0-0


Last five results: W-L-W-L-D


Next MLS match: Saturday vs. New England


18


LAST WEEK: 17


HIGH: 5 | LOW: 19


No Kei and now no Pipa, and no immediate solutions are presenting themselves. Columbus have been shut out five times in 14 games this season; in 2015, they were blanked just seven times over 34 outings.


Latest result: Drew vs. Montreal, 0-0


Last five results: D-D-W-L-D


Next MLS match: June 19 vs. Dallas (ESPN)


19


LAST WEEK: 19


HIGH: 10 | LOW: 20


They continue to play with more clarity and chemistry under Wade Barrett. Early days yet, but the first 360 minutes (including Open Cup) of his tenure have been a step forward.


Latest result: Drew vs. D.C. United, 0-0


Last five results: W-L-D-D-D


Next MLS match: Sunday at Portland (ESPN2)


20


LAST WEEK: 20


HIGH: 18 | LOW: 20


That was a particularly cruel way to lose a game, given that rookie central defender Jonathan Campbell has been so good this year. The real issue, though, is that this team still has no discernible attacking, tactical identity.


Latest result: Lost at Colorado, 2-1


Last five results: L-L-W-D-L


Next MLS match: Wednesday at Philadelphia


Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. Rankings are voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff and remarks were written by Senior Editor Matt Doyle (@MLSAnalyst).