Power Rankings

MLS Power Rankings: Sporting KC grab top spot after comeback win

Power Rankings - Sporting Kansas City - celebrating

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: PHI +4; CLB, DAL -3


1


LAST WEEK: 2


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 15


Sporting inch closer to Supporters' Shield leaders Atlanta after a comeback win over Houston. If they can add a productive central striker and a left back as they're looking to do? They could really have staying power atop the rankings and standings.


Previous: Won 3-2 vs. HOU | Next: at MTL on 6/30


2


LAST WEEK: 1


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7


Atlanta wrestle a draw from a tricky home match against Portland. Darlington Nagbe's injury may be a real concern for a group that's been a finely tuned machine this season, but the depth in the roster has been solid, too.


Previous: Drew 1-1 vs. POR | Next: vs. ORL on 6/30


3


LAST WEEK: 3


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7


New York look like they're back to cruise control, with an impressive win over FC Dallas despite going down a man relatively early. A road game coming up against Toronto FC will be a good chance to get revenge after last season's feisty playoff series.


Previous: Won 3-0 vs. DAL | Next: at TOR on 7/1


4


LAST WEEK: 6


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 6


Speaking of beating Toronto, NYCFC did just that in Domè Torrent's debut as head coach. The new boss sounded pleased by the quality on his roster, and ready to work on further improvement. If the performances track like this one, this team will be just fine.


Previous: Won 2-1 vs. TOR | Next: at CHI on 6/30


5


LAST WEEK: 7


HIGH: 5 | LOW: 18


Portland held Atlanta to a draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and showed their resolve and ability to stay in games is strong. Next up? A Cascadia clash against a sputtering Sounders side, and the Timbers have to be licking their chops.


Previous: Drew 1-1 at ATL | Next: at SEA on 6/30


6


LAST WEEK: 8


HIGH: 3 | LOW: 17


LAFC changed their approach to score early and play ahead, and it worked in a home win over Columbus. They're weathering the World Cup absences very well, and will soon have Designated Player Andre Horta available when the transfer window opens.


Previous: Won 2-0 vs. CLB | Next: vs. PHI on 6/30


7


LAST WEEK: 4


HIGH: 2 | LOW: 11


Crew SC are slumping a bit right now, and that's never exactly a good thing. But their defense is doing fine -- it's their attack that has gotten stopped up of late. The timing isn't all bad to figure things out, but there's a few things to work out for Gregg Berhalter.


Previous: Lost 2-0 at LAFC | Next: vs. RSL on 6/30


8


LAST WEEK: 5


HIGH: 4 | LOW: 18


Well, Dallas lost their second game of the season, but more concerning was the flat performance against the Red Bulls, even though they played up a man for an hour. A potential salve is the next game, Friday in Minnesota.


Previous: Lost 3-0 at RBNY | Next: at MIN on 6/29


9


LAST WEEK: 9


HIGH: 9 | LOW: 22


The Revs got to take the weekend off and get a little more time to rest and train together. They're probably going to be raring out of the gates against D.C. United in their next match, but one pitfall of byes is losing rhythm -- will that be an issue for New England?


Previous: Idle | Next: vs. DC on 6/30


10


LAST WEEK: 14


HIGH: 12 | LOW: 22


The Union grab the rout of the week against Vancouver, and they are doing it in spite of lack of production from CJ Sapong and David Accam. Will those veterans come good soon, when Philly could use the boost up the standings?


Previous: Won 4-0 vs. VAN | Next: at LAFC on 6/30


11


LAST WEEK: 10


HIGH: 7 | LOW: 15


Another situation where the Dynamo start hot and fall apart by the final whistle. There's plenty of soccer to be played this season, but Houston may ultimately be an inconsistent team that can blow hot or cold at any time.


Previous: Lost 3-2 at SKC | Next: vs. LAFC on 7/3


12


LAST WEEK: 13


HIGH: 6 | LOW: 14


The Galaxy got another weekend off, and no doubt have been watching plenty of game tape on their California Clasico rivals San Jose ahead of the annual blowout game. Can they turn over a new leaf and put together a good second half of the campaign?


Previous: Idle | Next: at SJ on 6/30


13


LAST WEEK: 11


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 13


There's a video clip that some people are talking about, and it could be the item that changes minds about TFC from "Wait until they're healthy again" to "Well, they may be at the end of their rope for 2018." Time will tell which narrative prevails.


Previous: Lost 2-1 at NYC | Next: vs. RBNY on 7/1


14


LAST WEEK: 12


HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15


The Whitecaps' loss in Philadelphia brought them back to earth again, which was probably something they were due. Nevertheless, they've got a home game coming up against the Rapids on Canada Day, and given the occasion they'll probably look a lot better in that one.


Previous: Lost 4-0 at PHI | Next: vs. COL on 7/1


15


LAST WEEK: 16


HIGH: 11 | LOW: 23


The Fire are four games unbeaten in league play. Sure, three of those are draws, but the production from Aleksandar Katai underscores his importance to this team. Fire fans are surely hoping a deal is reached to keep him around after his loan period expires.


Previous: Drew 1-1 at SEA | Next: vs. NYC on 6/30


16


LAST WEEK: 15


HIGH: 6 | LOW: 21


RSL could have used a win against the Earthquakes, but they sit in fourth place in the Western Conference, on the joint-worst goal differential in the West. Maybe this is a karmic balance for missing the playoffs by a point last year?


Previous: Drew 1-1 vs. SJ | Next: at CLB on 6/30


17


LAST WEEK: 17


HIGH: 4 | LOW: 21


Another tough result for the Sounders, who are in desperate need of wins these days. The talk around the team now concedes "every game is a final" for the next 4+ months. In other words, their MLS Cup Playoffs streak is in real jeopardy.


Previous: Drew 1-1 vs. CHI | Next: vs. POR on 6/30


18


LAST WEEK: 20


HIGH: 12 | LOW: 23


Montreal are just three points out of a playoff place and have won three of their last four games. We know we've said this before, but maybe Remi Garde is getting through to his players now? Of course, they've got Sporting KC up next, which will be a good test.


Previous: Won 2-0 at ORL | Next: vs. SKC on 6/30


19


LAST WEEK: 19


HIGH: 18 | LOW: 23


The countdown to July 14 is well and truly on, but oh yeah, D.C. United still have two more road games, at New England and at the Galaxy. In the meantime, will Wayne Rooney be walking through their door to suit up when Audi Field opens?


Previous: Idle | Next: at NE on 6/30


20


LAST WEEK: 18


HIGH: 15 | LOW: 23


The Loons are 1-4-1 in their last six league games and are seven points adrift of the final playoff spot at present. We know in this league a few wins makes a big difference, but Minnesota just aren't figuring things out most of the time.


Previous: Lost 3-2 at COL | Next: vs. DAL on 6/29


21


LAST WEEK: 22


HIGH: 12 | LOW: 22


The Quakes are officially at the bottom of the Western Conference, having still only posted two wins on the year, both against Minnesota. The Cali Clasico in the Bay Area is a game that Quakes teams usually get up for, and they could use a rousing victory over their rivals right now.


Previous: Drew 1-1 at RSL | Next: vs. LA on 6/30


22


LAST WEEK: 23


HIGH: 17 | LOW: 23


Rapids win! The drama to end a 3-2 win over Minnesota United probably put more than a few Colorado folks through the wringer more than they would like, but it came out well in the end. They now have a tough stretch, however, with games in Canada vs. the Whitecaps and Impact scheduled around a 4th of July home tilt against the Sounders.


Previous: Won 3-2 vs. MIN | Next: at VAN on 7/1


23


LAST WEEK: 21


HIGH: 6 | LOW: 23


Orlando sink to the bottom of the Power Rankings having not won in league play in almost two months. Remarkably, they are in 8th place, only two points out of the playoff spots. They need a quick turnaround, but they are still capable of breaking their MLS Cup Playoffs duck if they hire the right head coach.


Previous: Lost 2-0 vs. MTL | Next: at ATL on 6/30