Power Rankings

Power Rankings: Atlanta United reclaim top spot as Red Bulls tumble

Power Rankings - Josef Martinez - Atlanta United

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: RSL +6; RBNY, ORL -3


1


LAST WEEK: 3


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7


Atlanta jump back up to the top spot in the rankings after taking four points in a double-game week. Even so, Gerardo Martino wasn't particularly happy about his team's performance in the win over 9-man Philly. Room for improvement?


Previous: Tied 1-1 at NE; Won 3-1 vs. PHI | Next: at NYC on 6/9


2


LAST WEEK: 4


HIGH: 2 | LOW: 15


Sporting move on up, too, after grabbing Week 14's biggest win. Never heard of Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal? You probably will be seeing more of him after his first sustained minutes in MLS led to a goal and stellar passing map.


Previous: Won 4-1 vs. MIN | Next: at POR on 6/9


3


LAST WEEK: 2


HIGH: 2 | LOW: 11


In the "moral victory" of the week, Columbus roared back after spotting TFC three goals to draw 3-3 at home. It's not a performance without questions, but the ability to come back was impressive and should keep Crew SC rolling this week.


Previous: Tied 3-3 vs. TOR | Next: vs. RBNY on 6/9


4


LAST WEEK: 1


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 7


The voters were decisive in dropping the Red Bulls three spots after being No. 1. But Jesse Marsch and his team are not paying any attention to features like this, as they look to regain their momentum.


Previous: Lost 2-1 at NE | Next: at CLB on 6/9


5


LAST WEEK: 6


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 6


Speaking of momentum, perhaps NYCFC have regained some with a customary win at home, against sputtering Orlando City. Is Patrick Vieira looking to unleash David Villa by bringing him off the bench? If it works, it could lead to a new trail of defeated opponents for the Cityzens.


Previous: Won 3-0 vs. ORL | Next: vs. ATL on 6/9


6


LAST WEEK: 8


HIGH: 4 | LOW: 18


FC Dallas had the joint-best week in MLS, with two wins in a sweep over the Angeleno sides. Considering they've only lost one league game in 13 this year, is (practically) everyone still sleeping on Oscar Pareja's team?


Previous: Won 3-2 at LA; Won 2-1 vs. LAFC | Next: vs. MTL on 6/9


7


LAST WEEK: 5


HIGH: 5 | LOW: 18


The Timbers' drop comes after a disappointing draw against the Galaxy, but they remain unbeaten at home. Of particular note, Gio Savarese appears to be doing a nice job subtly rotating his squad. Whether it's down to choice or necessity, it's proving to be a good part of his toolbox.


Previous: Tied 1-1 vs. LA | Next: vs. SKC on 6/9


8


LAST WEEK: 7


HIGH: 3 | LOW: 17


LAFC had no match for FC Dallas, and deserved the loss. But the debut goal for Adama Diomande was a good sign that the black-and-gold attack may not go totally dormant with the World Cup contingent away.


Previous: Lost 2-1 at DAL | Next: at SJ on 6/9


9


LAST WEEK: 10


HIGH: 9 | LOW: 22


The Revolution are three games unbeaten and seem like a pretty clear playoff team right now. But with a group of players known for streaky play in the past, can they keep the run going for a full 34-game campaign?


Previous: Tied 1-1 vs. ATL; Won 2-1 vs. RBNY | Next: at CHI on 6/9


10


LAST WEEK: 9


HIGH: 7 | LOW: 15


The two-game week for the Dynamo, both on the road, was a big test. Unfortunately, they've got some room for improvement, as they lost both matches. On the bright side, their next league game is against the Rapids, which on paper should provide a boost for Wilmer Cabrera's squad.


Previous: Lost 2-1 at RSL; Lost 1-0 at MTL | Next: vs. COL on 6/9


11


LAST WEEK: 17


HIGH: 6 | LOW: 21


The big winners this week were RSL, who won two games. Their three wins in eight days vaults them up to third place in the Western Conference, something that looked mighty unlikely a couple weeks ago.


Previous: Won 2-1 vs. HOU; Won 2-0 vs. SEA | Next: at LA on 6/9


12


LAST WEEK: 11


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 12


Good news: TFC earned a point on the road, finally, in league play. Bad news: They coughed up a 3-0 lead, on the road, to get that draw. And the games just keep coming, so they're going to have to play through the slump.


Previous: Tied 3-3 at CLB | Next: at PHI on 6/8


13


LAST WEEK: 13


HIGH: 12 | LOW: 22


Philly were in the middle of one of the wildest sequences in MLS this season. Remarkably, they still played decent despite losing in Atlanta and being down two men for 70 minutes. The youth of Jim Curtin's team indicates the corner may never fully be turned this year, but they seem to be in solid shape now.


Previous: Won 3-1 vs. CHI; Lost 3-1 at ATL | Next: vs. TOR on 6/8


14


LAST WEEK: 12


HIGH: 6 | LOW: 14


Finishing the week with a draw in Portland is a solid boost for the Galaxy, who continue to struggle badly at home. An Open Cup match midweek against a PDL side could be a good way to lift spirits for Sigi Schmid's men, or if it's an upset … well, we'll see what happens!


Previous: Lost 3-2 vs. DAL; Tied 1-1 at POR | Next: vs. RSL on 6/9


15


LAST WEEK: 15


HIGH: 8 | LOW: 15


The Whitecaps continue to hang out above the playoff line in the Western Conference, and while it's way too early for that to truly count, they are five games unbeaten and may finally be figuring out their best game plan week in, week out.


Previous: Won 2-1 at COL | Next: vs. ORL on 6/9


16


LAST WEEK: 16


HIGH: 11 | LOW: 23


It was another inconsistent week for the Fire, who lost and then won in a two-game week. They've still got work to do to make up ground in the Eastern Conference, but it will be interesting to see how they perform across another busy week.


Previous: Lost 3-1 at PHI; Won 2-1 vs. SJ | Next: vs. NE on 6/9


17


LAST WEEK: 14


HIGH: 6 | LOW: 19


Orlando City have emerged as the clear "streaky" team this season. Four losses in a row have nearly canceled out the six-game winning streak that preceded it, and a road game in Vancouver won't likely make the streak-snapping efforts any easier.


Previous: Lost 3-0 at NYC | Next: at VAN on 6/9


18


LAST WEEK: 18


HIGH: 15 | LOW: 23


It's clear that Minnesota are not in the same class as Sporting Kansas City, as their 4-1 loss demonstrated. But Minnesota get the longest World Cup break in the league, and some time to rest up, get healthy, and fine tune their strategy – which could bring Adrian Heath's group to a better level when they return to league play.


Previous: Lost 4-1 at SKC | Next: at COL on 6/23


19


LAST WEEK: 20


HIGH: 18 | LOW: 23


With grass on Audi Field, the long-awaited home opener is finally on the horizon. A road test against the Sounders won't be easy, but after a four-point week in their last road trip, D.C. United will probably like their chances at CenturyLink Field.


Previous: Idle | Next: at SEA on 6/9


20


LAST WEEK: 19


HIGH: 4 | LOW: 21


The Sounders are on their second three-game losing streak of the season, and it's officially their worst start to a season in their MLS history. They've slumped badly the last two years, too, but it's worth wondering if they'll be able to pull out of the tailspin a third time.


Previous: Lost 2-0 at RSL | Next: vs. DC on 6/9


21


LAST WEEK: 23


HIGH: 12 | LOW: 23


After falling to the bottom of the Power Rankings, the Impact posted a win. They still lead the league in losses, however, and will need to get a few more wins in quick succession to have a hope of reigniting their campaign.


Previous: Won 1-0 vs. HOU | Next: at DAL on 6/9


22


LAST WEEK: 22


HIGH: 12 | LOW: 22


To be fair, San Jose appear to have long road trips an awful lot so far this season. But they just don't seem to be in form as a group, and the losses are piling up. Can they get back in the win column against a Vela-less LAFC?


Previous: Lost 2-1 at CHI | Next: vs. LAFC on 6/9


23


LAST WEEK: 22


HIGH: 17 | LOW: 23


Colorado are in rare territory, posting the first seven-game losing streak in MLS play since 2014 (when they were one of four teams to lose at least seven games in a row). A road trip to Houston probably isn't the easiest game to break that run of futility, but that's why they play the games.


Previous: Lost 2-1 vs. VAN | Next: at HOU on 6/9