Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. Rankings are voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff and remarks were written by the editorial staff.
BIGGEST MOVERS: POR, RSL +3 spots | DAL -4 spots
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 8
Meh. Bad week, but we're not gonna budge here.
Previous: Lost vs. MTL, 5-3; Lost at NE, 2-1 | Next: vs. NY on 9/30
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 17
Not giving his players at least a little amount of rest when up by 3+ goals was clearly a mistake by Tata Martino. He's paying for it with Miguel Almiron now out a minimum of three weeks.
Previous: Won vs. LA, 4-0; Won vs. MTL, 2-0 | Next: vs. PHI on 9/27; at NE on 9/30
3
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 21
Now that the 'Caps have done the business on their homestand, the narrative will surely revolve around the four away matches in their final five to end the season. Good thing they're also a confident, capable road team — their 5W-6L-2D away record is tied for 3rd best in MLS — regularly punishing teams in transition.
Previous: Won vs. COL, 2-1 | Next: at SEA on 9/27; at SKC on 9/30
4
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 9
One trophy in the bag. That’s good. Now, on to the next one. Three straight Knockout Round losses on the road mean Peter Vermes is laser-focused on getting either a bye or making damn sure that win-or-go-home game is played at Children’s Mercy Park. Diego Rubio is doing his part -- though all his goals have come at home -- and we know the defense is up for the task.
Previous: Won vs. LA, 2-1 | Next: vs. VAN on 9/30
5
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 8
For a squad that’s provided TFC with their main challenge for the Supporters’ Shield, a 1-1-3 stretch officially qualifies for a “Whatup with that?” David Villa’s back, though, so easy to bank on a strong finish.
Previous: Drew vs. HOU, 1-1 | Next: at MTL on 9/27; at CHI on 9/30
6
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 14
The Timbers took care of business at home against OCSC, as should be expected. Now they need to win the fight for homefield advantage out West with two at home and one on the road remaining.
Previous: Won vs. ORL, 3-0 | Next: at SJ on 9/30
7
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 15
The aura of swaggering champs that they had for most of their 13-match unbeaten run seems to have dissipated as their winless streak persists (0W-1L-4D). However, their favorable remaining schedule should help remedy any concerns with the No. 1 seed still very much in their sights.
Previous: Lost at RSL, 2-0 | Next: vs. VAN on 9/27; at PHI on 10/1
8
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 22
They've been one of the most exciting teams in the league to watch for several months, but there was little hope of post-season success with FC Dallas being the juggernaut they were. With FCD's collapse, it should be fun to see if these young stars can lift RSL above the playoff line for good.
Previous: Won vs. SEA, 2-0 | Next: at LA on 9/30
9
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 19
Crew SC are undefeated in seven, and it looks like Gregg Berhalter has this squad primed to keep it rolling right on through the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Previous: Won vs. NY, 3-2 | Next: vs. DC on 9/30
10
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
Chicago's flame is flickering a little as they fell to the Union in a matchup that, a week ago, would have looked like an easy win. Still, a playoffs spot is looking pretty solid, especially if they find the sizzle again.
Previous: Lost at PHI, 3-1 | Next: at SJ on 9/27, vs. NYC on 9/30
11
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 14
Daniel Royer’s impending return will be a welcome sight for a tired Red Bulls team that could use an injection of energy and feistiness during a busy stretch. One more misstep and that sixth and final playoff spot in the East will be no sure thing for them.
Previous: Lost at CLB, 3-2 | Next: vs. DC on 9/27; at TOR on 9/30
12
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 19
The Dynamo are riding a five-game winless streak, a marked contrast to their dominance of the West earlier in the season. But a draw with mighty NYC showed enough mettle to bump them up a notch.
Previous: Drew at NYC, 1-1 | Next: vs. LA on 9/27; vs. MIN on 9/30
13
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 21
Another road beat-down, but no matter: The biggest week of the season is here for the Quakes, and it's at home. If San Jose hold strong against the Rapids and Timbers, they will control their own playoff destiny over the final two weeks of the season. Now or never, fellas.
Previous: Lost at DC, 4-0 | Next: vs. CHI on 9/27; vs. POR on 9/30
14
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 19
What is real life?! That Toronto game was midweek mayhem at BMO … and then Montreal lost to Atlanta (like everyone else does these days) for their fifth defeat in six. Not playoff push material, gents.
Previous: Won at TOR, 5-3; Lost at ATL, 2-0 | Next: vs. NYC on 9/27; at COL on 9/30
15
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 9 | LOW: 22
His brace was overshadowed by Patrick Mullins' four goals, but good for Chris Pontius as he finally was able to get off the schneid this season.
Previous: Won vs. CHI, 3-1 | Next: at ATL on 9/27; vs. SEA on 10/1
16
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 20
Could it be? A glimmer of hope for the long-suffering Revs faithful? It's too early to tell what the post-Heaps era will look like, but a win over Toronto this past Saturday could bode well.
Previous: Won vs. TOR, 2-1 | Next: at ORL on 9/27; vs. ATL on 9/30
17
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 22
The Loons are clearly enjoying the role of spoilers and with four of their last five on the road, opponents best not take them lightly. The likes of Christian Ramirez (USMNT January camp) and Abu Danladi (Rookie of the Year award) still have plenty to play for.
Previous: Won vs. DAL, 4-1 | Next: at HOU on 9/30
18
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 18
It’s not much fun to be an FC Dallas fan right now. No wins since July 22, and a playoff spot that slips further out of reach by the day. Yeah, they’ve got games in hand, but it’s a stretch to believe this team will do something with them given their form and bad body language. Time to prove the politburo wrong, Papi.
Previous: Lost at MIN, 4-1 | Next: vs. COL on 9/27; at ORL on 9/30
19
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 22
Where was this Patrick Mullins all year? Obviously he's not going to get 4 again, but he looked sharp and confident in front of the net, and his off-the-ball work was sublime.
Previous: Won vs. SJ, 4-0 | Next: at NY on 9/27; at CLB on 9/30
20
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 20
The Lions lost some of the momentum they had built up with a disappointing performance in Portland, but winning a couple home games could give them some hope for 2018.
Previous: Lost at POR, 3-0 | Next: vs. NE on 9/27; vs. DAL on 9/30
21
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 22
Stefan Aigner is a good player. Not a superstar, but the sort of complimentary attacker that the Rapids need many more of in the months to come. It better be all hands on deck in the front office in search of talent and evaluating the current crop of players. Improvements are necessary to avoid another basement finish. Oh, Colorado also needs a head coach. Let the rumor mill begin.
Previous: Lost at VAN, 2-1 | Next: at DAL on 9/27; vs. MTL on 9/30
22
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 22
Landon Donovan says the Galaxy don’t have a plan. We repeat … Landon Donovan says the Galaxy don’t have a plan. Bad timing for a plunge down the table, but this club isn’t irrelevant yet. Not by a long shot. They’ve got money and star power. But can they get the academy right, cobble together an identity and improve the roster before January? We’ll see. We’ll also see what happens with Sigi Schmid.
Previous: Lost at ATL, 4-0; Lost at SKC, 2-1 | Next: at HOU on 9/27; vs. RSL on 9/30
