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: CLB +8; POR, SKC -6
1
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 2
A road trip to Kansas City is never easy, but NYCFC dethrone Toronto atop the Power Rankings with an effective win. Getting Jesus Medina on the board is a good omen for the season ahead.
Previous: Won 2-0 at SKC | Next: vs. LA on 3/11
2
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 2
It wasn't the result as much as how dominant Columbus were in beating TFC that was the surprise. But with an eye on gearing up for the CCL quarterfinals against Tigres, Toronto's flat effort may just be a product of early-season fixture congestion.
Previous: Lost 2-0 vs. CLB | Next: at MTL on 3/17
3
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 11
Just as we foreshadowed last week, Federico Higuain and Gyasi Zardes were hot from the start for Crew SC. But the win over Toronto was a full team effort, and Gregg Berhalter deserves the plaudits for a terrific performance.
Previous: Won 2-0 at TOR | Next: vs. MTL on 3/10
4
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 4
Another game where CCL considerations contributed to the result. That, and the Sounders were monumentally unlucky not to score against LAFC, much less win. The expected goals numbers tell you pretty much everything for a hard-luck Week 1 in Seattle.
Previous: Lost 1-0 vs. LAFC | Next: at DAL on 3/18
5
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 7
Losses for Atlanta and Portland helped propel the Red Bulls, who haven't played in the league yet, up the rankings. Speaking of, Saturday's game against the Timbers may be a solid early litmus test for two possible contenders this year.
Previous: N/A | Next: vs. POR on 3/10
6
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 6
RSL stand pat this week, as an unfortunate own goal from Marcelo Silva ruins what was going to be a good road win. Still, Mike Petke's men came out and showed they are on good footing to start the campaign.
Previous: Drew 1-1 at DAL | Next: vs. LAFC on 3/10
7
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 7
Big losses happen, but the holes in Atlanta's defense, which were on full display in the preseason, were duly capitalized upon by the Dynamo. There's always next week, against...the Five Stripes' 2017 bogeyman, D.C. United.
Previous: Lost 4-0 at HOU | Next: vs. DC on 3/11
8
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 12
The Galaxy answered some questions with a good home win, and remember, those weren't a common occurrence last year. If Romain Alessandrini has to sit out for a sustained period with the injury he picked up, LA may be looking to prevent deja vu from setting in.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. POR | Next: at NYC on 3/11
9
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 15
Wilmer Cabrera has found the formula for this Houston team and the players for it. Every game is likely not going to have a 4-0 lead by halftime, but hey, the Dynamo may actually be legit again in 2018.
Previous: Won 4-0 vs. ATL | Next: vs. VAN on 3/10
10
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 10
Instead of the story of the Lions' draw against D.C. United being officiating decisions going against them, Jason Kreis' group just played hard and got a last-minute draw as redemption. Don't sleep on Stefano Pinho, either.
Previous: Drew 1-1 vs. DC | Next: vs. MIN on 3/10
11
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 11
New coach, with several new players, losing on the road in Week 1? It happens. The immediate concern has to be the defensive miscues of Liam Ridgewell and Larrys Mabiala against the Galaxy.
Previous: Lost 2-1 at LA | Next: at RBNY on 3/10
12
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 17
Of course LAFC is an actual brand-new team, and went on the road and got a win. They rode their luck against the Sounders, to be sure, but Bob Bradley made a short squad work and got good debut performances all over the field, especially goalkeeper Tyler Miller.
Previous: Won 1-0 at SEA | Next: at RSL on 3/10
13
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 14
Goals from strikers have been a problem throughout Carl Robinson's tenure. One game in, and Kei Kamara already looks right at home up top.
Previous: Won 2-1 vs. MTL | Next: at HOU on 3/10
14
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 16
The Quakes' ranking took a hit because Minnesota aren't regarded as a heavyweight and because San Jose appeared to mentally shut it off well before the final whistle and nearly coughed up a win. Still, Vako and Danny Hoesen look sharp to start their second season in MLS.
Previous: Won 3-2 vs. MIN | Next: at SKC on 3/17
15
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 15
It's a moment of transition for Sporting, and it's likely a matter of the players building chemistry in game situations. Still, people are getting nervous about when the goals are going to come.
Previous: Lost 2-0 vs. NYC | Next: at CHI on 3/10
16
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 16
Out of sight, out of mind. The Fire are the only team not to have played a competitive game yet this year, and their opener on Saturday against Sporting is going to be a fascinating glimpse of where they stand coming into the season.
Previous: N/A | Next: vs. SKC on 3/10
17
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 17 | LOW: 20
The Union looked good at home, but there was the mitigating factor of playing against a 9-man team. Still, it's progress in the eyes of the voting panel, and Philly climb up this week.
Previous: Won 2-0 vs. NE | Next: vs. CLB on 3/17
18
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 18
Was the draw against RSL a hangover from getting knocked out of the CCL earlier in the week, or part of the malaise that derailed their 2017 season? Oscar Pareja will get some time to regroup his team before they're back in action, and they could probably use the time.
Previous: Drew 1-1 vs. RSL | Next: vs. SEA on 3/18
19
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 19
D.C. know they should have sealed the win against Orlando City, and that the result could come back to haunt them down the line. But Yamil Asad looked good in his debut for the team.
Previous: Drew 1-1 at ORL | Next: at ATL on 3/11
20
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 19 | LOW: 20
Remi Garde's team held their line for most of the game, but came away from a tricky road trip emptyhanded. Will former Ligue 1 mainstay Rod Fanni be the answer in central defense?
Previous: Lost 2-1 at VAN | Next: at CLB on 3/10
21
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 22
The Rapids were idle in MLS play last week, but a road trip against the Revolution could be a good opportunity to get points against another team with a new coach.
Previous: N/A | Next: at NE on 3/10
22
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 21 | LOW: 22
Couldn't have been a much worse head coaching debut for Brad Friedel. With both center backs sent off, he's already going to need to rotate defensive depth for game action.
Previous: Lost 2-0 at PHI | Next: vs. COL on 3/10
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 23 | LOW: 23
Kevin Molino almost singlehandedly brought the Loons back from a lost cause in San Jose. At the very least, he's probably solidified his starting spot, while a number of other starters' places probably should be called into question.
Previous: Lost 3-2 at SJ | Next: at ORL on 3/10
