BIGGEST MOVERS: Philadelphia +7 spots | NY Red Bulls -6 spots
1
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
The league's best record, the league's best goal differential, six points from two games away from home and depth to ride out an early-season rash of injuries. They're going to need everybody on the roster, as they've just kicked off a 12-games-in-54-days stretch.
Latest result: Won at NY Red Bulls, 2-0
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Colorado; Sunday at Dallas (FS1)
2
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 15
They're not playing beautiful soccer, but they're the last unbeaten team standing. RSL have adjusted their style and their strengths over the last two years, and now they're starting to get answers -- like Justen Glad -- from within that wonderful academy of theirs.
Latest result: Won vs. Colorado, 1-0
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Vancouver
3
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 5
We've said it repeatedly over the last few years: Dallas just aren't the same team without Mauro DÃaz. That applies on the defensive side as well, since his absence means opponents are more willing to throw numbers forward.
Latest result: Drew vs. San Jose, 2-2
Next MLS match: Wednesday at Portland; Sunday vs. Sporting KC (FS1)
4
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 8
A solid and no-frills victory to end the Drogba-less portion of the the schedule. Montreal have been the East's best team even (mostly) without their star, and as he returns, it's incumbent that he adjusts to what's already a successful formula, rather than forcing them to adjust to him.
Latest result: Won vs. Columbus, 2-0
Next MLS match: Saturday at Chicago
5
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 19
Is this your new normal, Union fans? Dare you indulge your hopes instead of your fears? The Power Rankings Politburo's opinion is that yes, you should dare. Philly's got the pieces to compete throughout the entire season.
Latest result: Won vs. Orlando City, 2-1
Next MLS match: Saturday at Seattle
6
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 6
Finally got onto the right end of a couple of questionable calls, and also had a good performance from Jozy Altidore to celebrate. Only three more away dates left until they can finally make their BMO Field bows for 2016 …
Latest result: Drew at New England, 1-1
Next MLS match: Saturday at D.C. United (TSN4)
7
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 14
Even playing them without Mauro DÃaz, getting a point at Dallas is an accomplishment -- doubly so since they did it without Clarence Goodson or Anibal Godoy. And the Quincy Amarikwa/Chris Wondolowski combo up top is giving us flashbacks to the Goonies of 2012 …
Latest result: Drew at Dallas, 2-2
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. NY Red Bulls; Saturday at Portland
8
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 15
It's bizarre to see a team with two young and relatively proven center forwards on the roster -- Bryan Róchez and Pedro Ribeiro -- go out on the road in what was essentially a 4-6-0, then make no subs until second-half stoppage time.
Latest result: Lost at Philadelphia, 2-1
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. New England (ESPN)
9
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 9
Gio dos Santos returned, but the Galaxy still can't generate any sort of reliable offense from the run of play. The defense has been good enough to keep them in games, but we'll see how that holds up with 3 of the next 5 on the road, and Nigel de Jong likely out for a good chunk of those games.
Latest result: Drew vs. Portland, 1-1
Next MLS match: Friday at Houston (UniMás)
10
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 10
Switched back to the 4-2-3-1 of last year in search of defensive solidity after taking a pounding at Orlando City. They got themselves a road point, but the bigger issue is the indefinite loss of Darlington Nagbe to de Jong's vicious tackle.
Latest result: Drew at LA Galaxy, 1-1
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Dallas; Saturday vs. San Jose
11
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 15
This is a huge jump for a team that managed only a draw at home, but 1) the Revs actually played their best game of the season and 2) most everybody behind them really, really didn't.
Latest result: Drew vs. Toronto, 1-1
Next MLS match: Sunday at Orlando City (ESPN)
12
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 10 | LOW: 17
For the first hour or so, they gave Seattle fits with their back pressure. When Houston are able to make the game a scramble like that, they rack up chances. The problem is their propensity to give away late leads on a weekly basis.
Latest result: Drew vs. Seattle, 1-1
Next MLS match: Friday vs. LA Galaxy (UniMás)
13
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 7 | LOW: 17
The first 75 minutes were not good, but they were followed by the best 15-minute segment of the year for Seattle. This team still needs a midfield playmaker, but the veterans -- Herculez Gomez, Chad Marshall, Brad Evans, Clint Dempsey, Ozzie Alonso, Tyrone Mears -- clearly aren't ready to panic just yet.
Latest result: Drew at Houston, 1-1
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Philadelphia
14
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 14
It wasn't just that they conceded four goals to a team that's scored only three all season. It's that they looked listless and disinterested in doing so. And they're still getting nothing at all from their forwards.
Latest result: Lost at D.C. United, 4-0
Next MLS match: Saturday at Real Salt Lake (TSN)
15
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 15 | LOW: 20
Continue to be solid defensively, save for the occasional goalkeeping error. Their attack leaves much to be desired, but early in the season, a good defense can usually get you at least a point.
Latest result: Lost at Real Salt Lake, 1-0
Next MLS match: Wednesday at Sporting KC; Saturday vs. NY Red Bulls
16
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 20
Fabián EspÃndola pounced on a rebound, and then the floodgates opened. For the first time in forever everything seemed to go right for United, who happily claimed their first win of the year.
Latest result: Won vs. Vancouver, 4-0
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Toronto
17
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 17
The Red Bulls had three losses at home all of last season. Through three games in 2016, they've already managed two massive Ls.
Latest result: Lost vs. Sporting KC, 2-0
Next MLS match: Wednesday at San Jose; Saturday at Colorado
18
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 18
Winless in four home games to start the season. Now they go on the road for five of the next seven, and road stretches like that have a history of brutalizing teams in MLS.
Latest result: Drew vs. Chicago, 0-0
Next MLS match: Saturday at Columbus
19
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 19
The league's only winless team has scored just three times in five games and, quite honestly, everyone's to blame. The good news is that four of their next five are at home, so no need to panic just yet.
Latest result: Lost at Montreal, 2-0
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. NYCFC
20
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 18 | LOW: 20
Chicago's defense continues to carry the load -- they haven't conceded a goal in 356 minutes. The offense, meanwhile, did not generate a single shot on target on Sunday.
Latest result: Drew at NYCFC, 0-0
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Montreal
Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. Rankings are voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff and remarks are written by Senior Editor Matt Doyle (@MLSAnalyst).
