Power Rankings

Power Rankings: San Jose Earthquakes rumble up the order

Power Rankings - Chris Wondolowski - beaming

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: SJ, MTL +4; HOU -6


1


LAST WEEK: 1


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4


A rare loss for LAFC, who were thoroughly neutralized by the Rapids and a weather delay. The game will give other teams valuable tape to use to stymie them, but for the time being it seems like LAFC are ultimately the team standing in LAFC's way at the moment.


Previous: 1-0 loss at COL | Next: at SKC on 7/3; vs. VAN on 7/6


2


LAST WEEK: 3


HIGH: 3 | LOW: 18


And that leaves NYCFC as the final team to have lost but once this season, and now they're really clicking, too. A favorable week ahead, with two home games against normally-tricky Cascadia sides, could set them up nicely to slingshot up the standings if results go their way.


Previous: 4-2 win vs. PHI | Next: vs. SEA on 7/3; vs. POR on 7/7


3


LAST WEEK: 5


HIGH: 3 | LOW: 24


The Timbers calculated, playing a very inexperienced lineup in Montreal but using the big guns at home against Dallas, and it worked out, even if Dallas made them work for it. They're also jumping up the standings, helping to validate the voting panel's decision to lift them so high in spite of their record.


Previous: 2-1 loss at MTL; 1-0 win vs. DAL | Next: at NYC on 7/7


4


LAST WEEK: 2


HIGH: 2 | LOW: 20


A setback for Philly, picking up just one point in two road games, but their hold atop the Eastern Conference remains. The Union are one of the teams with four games in two weeks, so if they can win both games against Orlando City coming up, they'll remain in the catbird's seat.


Previous: 1-1 draw at NE4-2 loss at NYC | Next: at ORL on 7/3; vs. ORL on 7/6


5


LAST WEEK: 4


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21


The Red Bulls win but are admittedly flying under the radar a bit, winning again but dropping a spot in the Rankings anyway. They've got a tough slate this week, with two road games, so this will be a good "summer's here!" test for Chris Armas' group.


Previous: 3-1 win vs. CHI | Next: at HOU on 7/3; at ATL on 7/7


6


LAST WEEK: 6


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 19


After losing a wild game midweek in Toronto, the Five Stripes conquer another Canadian side at home. They've also got another double-game week, back-to-back, so they'll either be sitting pretty or possibly exhausted (ok, maybe both) after the weekend.


Previous: 3-2 loss at TOR; 2-1 win vs. MTL | Next: at CHI on 7/3; vs. RBNY on 7/7


7


LAST WEEK: 11


HIGH: 7 | LOW: 24


The Quakes probably had the best week of all, two shutout wins at home and a feeling that they really are able to compete with any team. They'll carry that swagger to another double-game week, too, and if they keep picking up points, they'll make the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs and be the team nobody wants to face in the postseason.


Previous: 2-0 win vs. HOU; 3-0 win vs. LA | Next: at MIN on 7/3; vs. RSL on 7/6


8


LAST WEEK: 8


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 8


The Sounders grind and get another win. The injuries are clearly an issue for them, but all of these tough matches look like the kind of experience to galvanize the team and help them cope in a tough spot when they reach a playoff game down the line.


Previous: 1-0 win vs. VAN | Next: at NYC on 7/3; at CLB on 7/6


9


LAST WEEK: 7


HIGH: 5 | LOW: 15


After a terrific performance last week, FC Dallas struggle in a double-game week, picking up just a point. Their annual 4th of July home game should be a good event (and game) this year against D.C. United.


Previous: 2-2 draw vs. VAN; 1-0 loss at POR | Next: vs. DC on 7/4


10


LAST WEEK: 12


HIGH: 3 | LOW: 12


D.C. are in a similar spot to Seattle, getting some trial by fire with close and sometimes weird games, but they could use a few more matches where they battle and pick up the three points. With so many teams playing two games, D.C. could really use a win to try and keep pace in the East.


Previous: 1-0 win vs. ORL; 1-1 draw vs. TOR | Next: at DAL on 7/4


11


LAST WEEK: 13


HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15


The Loons enter the touchdown club and the experience of watching them score again and again and again and again was heartening for a team that's seen some big bummers in their history. Now, can they follow it up with a couple more good results on the holiday week? That's the persistent question for this team.


Previous: 7-1 win vs. CIN | Next: vs. SJ on 7/3; at MTL on 7/6


12


LAST WEEK: 9


HIGH: 2 | LOW: 13


The Galaxy can't overcome the Stanford Stadium magic in the California Clasico. They remain in second place in the West, however, so they aren't in any immediate trouble. But the masses are starting to get restless over the combination of results and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's current mini-malaise.


Previous: 3-0 loss at SJ | Next: vs. TOR on 7/4


13


LAST WEEK: 16


HIGH: 13 | LOW: 24


Best form in the league! The Rapids are unbeaten in seven games in league play, and they played their game against a lackluster LAFC. Off the bottom of the Western Conference, it's not inconceivable they could legitimately get in the playoff chase in the coming weeks.


Previous: 1-0 win vs. LAFC | Next: vs. NE on 7/4


14


LAST WEEK: 18


HIGH: 8 | LOW: 20


The Impact make a jump up, but they maintain their inconsistent form in a double-game week. They will get one game to focus on coming up, at home against Minnesota, and we'll see if they can rev up their form in the summer months and finally find some rhythm.


Previous: 2-1 win vs. POR; 2-1 loss at ATL | Next: vs. MIN on 7/6


15


LAST WEEK: 14


HIGH: 14 | LOW: 21


Orlando City are just below the playoff line, and they seem like they'll stay in the playoff race. The next question, however, is a bigger one --  if they'll actually reach the playoffs this year. Their form is hovering around .500, home and road alike, and frankly, it's unclear if that will be good enough.


Previous: 1-0 loss at DC; 2-0 win at CLB | Next: vs. PHI on 7/3; at PHI on 7/6


16


LAST WEEK: 10


HIGH: 2 | LOW: 16


Houston take a big tumble after losing two road games, and the good vibes they had to open the season are falling away. Next up: Two more huge games! One at home, one on the road, but the Dynamo are on the verge of falling below the playoff line and they need to arrest the decline of the past several weeks.


Previous: 2-0 loss at SJ; 2-1 loss at NE | Next: vs. RBNY on 7/3; at CIN on 7/6


17


LAST WEEK: 17


HIGH: 13 | LOW: 20


RSL are just under the playoff line after picking up a good home win against a historically tricky opponent in Sporting. They also have a big week ahead, with two games, and with one that looks great on paper, against the Crew at home and the other at San Jose, that doesn't, it will be a good test for Mike Petke's group.


Previous: 2-0 win vs. SKC | Next: vs. CLB on 7/3; at SJ on 7/6


18


LAST WEEK: 20


HIGH: 18 | LOW: 23


Solid, workmanlike week for New England, with four points at home. Next up: The "departed manager derby" in Colorado, the last game before the transfer window opens and we see how many (and which) moves the Revs will be making to boost their lineup.


Previous: 1-1 draw vs. PHI; 2-1 win vs. HOU | Next: at COL on 7/4


19


LAST WEEK: 15


HIGH: 14 | LOW: 23


Yet another tough week for the Whitecaps, who nearly followed up their rousing midweek road draw with a second road draw in Cascadia Cup, only to fall short in stoppage time. Given they say they have a plan, it will also be fascinating to see what's on tap for Marc Dos Santos' roster during the summer transfer window.


Previous: 2-2 draw at DAL; 1-0 loss at SEA | Next: at LAFC on 7/6


20


LAST WEEK: 21


HIGH: 4 | LOW: 21


All things considered, it was a good week for TFC, who yes, can only crack the top 20 in the Power Rankings despite grabbing four points. While injuries and the Gold Cup have really hampered Toronto, they seemed to realize they need to play now and stop waiting for the full group to be together, and in this case, it worked.


Previous: 3-2 win vs. ATL; 1-1 draw at DC | Next: at LA on 7/4


21


LAST WEEK: 19


HIGH: 3 | LOW: 21


The brief revival Sporting saw in Columbus were snuffed out pretty fast in Utah, as RSL beat them handily. A big double-game week is coming up, and while Sporting are limping, there's still the sense that they could find the cornered animal mentality and take a win or two this week, especially with two home matches.


Previous: 2-0 loss at RSL | Next: vs. LAFC on 7/3; vs. CHI on 7/6


22


LAST WEEK: 22


HIGH: 13 | LOW: 22


The Fire stand pat after yet another frustrating loss, featuring a goalkeeper error and wayward finishing. They seem to be on the cusp of really falling out of the chasing pack for good this season, and given the amount of talent on the squad, it's rather perplexing.


Previous: 3-1 loss at RBNY | Next: vs. ATL on 7/3; at SKC on 7/6


23


LAST WEEK: 23


HIGH: 3 | LOW: 23


Speaking of falling out of the chasing pack, it seems that point has come for Columbus, who lose again at home and have thoroughly lost their mojo. Two games on tap this week, and then a look to see what other moves they'll make, aside from the already announced Romario Williams trade.


Previous: 2-0 loss vs. ORL  | Next: at RSL on 7/3; vs. SEA on 7/6


24


LAST WEEK: 24


HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24


The hits keep coming for FC Cincy, capping off a stretch of losing 11 of 12 league games with a 7-1 mega-blowout in Minnesota. For a silver lining, some pros are taking major lumps this season, but a few will emerge stronger from the experience.


Previous: 7-1 loss at MIN | Next: vs. HOU on 7/6