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: VAN +3; LA -3
1
LAST WEEK: 1
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 4
The Supporters' Shield is LAFC's and the next question is whether they can find their best form again to win MLS Cup. The last two games showed the Black & Gold capable of connecting passes and playing at speed all over the field, but there are still a few kinks to work out and just one tune-up left.
Previous: 3-1 win vs. HOU; 1-1 draw at MIN | Next: vs. COL on 10/6
2
LAST WEEK: 2
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 18
NYCFC's week was heavily tilted towards their midweek clash against Atlanta, which they won handily, and now they won't have to go on the road in the playoffs until possibly MLS Cup. But they too will want to finish strong so they're ready for the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs, and the match against the Union is certainly a test.
Previous: 4-1 win vs. ATL; 2-0 loss at NE | Next: at PHI on 10/6
3
LAST WEEK: 5
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 15
Minnesota grabbed their first-ever playoff berth in MLS, and now they're aiming for some home games. The splits on the season (10-1-6 at home, 5-9-2 away) heavily favor home cooking for the Loons, and they are absolutely capable of knocking anyone out. Can they do that all the way through to MLS Cup?
Previous: 2-1 win vs. SKC; 1-1 draw vs. LAFC | Next: at SEA on 10/6
4
LAST WEEK: 3
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 19
Given how important Josef Martinez is to Atlanta at this point, a letdown was inevitable with him out of the lineup and they took one point across two games. In the meantime, one figures Frank de Boer is going to have to make some decisions on his best lineup (with and without Josef), and give them as much playing time as possible.
Previous: 4-1 loss at NYC; 1-1 draw at MTL | Next: vs. NE on 10/6
5
LAST WEEK: 4
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 20
The Union can't take points in both games, but their escape from San Jose with three points means it was a pretty decent week, especially with both coming on the road. They're still in great shape for the No. 2 seed in the East, but they need to beat the top seed, NYCFC, and hope Atlanta falter to claim the plum position.
Previous: 2-1 win at SJ; 2-0 loss at CLB | Next: vs. NYC on 10/6
6
LAST WEEK: 6
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11
There's plenty of restlessness surrounding the Sounders, the defense still remains a wide-open question, but they have players like Jordan Morris capable of a moment of magic to get a win. This may be the year before the big year for Morris, but it's probably time to mention him among the top American stars in MLS again.
Previous: 1-0 win at SJ | Next: vs. MIN on 10/6
7
LAST WEEK: 8
HIGH: 4 | LOW: 21
TFC lost the Canadian Championship (at home!) and managed a draw in league play, but the voting panel are still buying Toronto stock. Like Seattle, defense is a major question for TFC heading into the playoffs, with players capable of the sublime and ridiculous, often within the same game, on the backline.
Previous: 2-2 draw at CHI | Next: vs. CLB on 10/6
8
LAST WEEK: 9
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 20
D.C. snap a three-game winning streak, but a gritty road draw to their Atlantic Cup rivals is pretty decent. Among playoff teams, they have scored by far the fewest goals, and so their concern for the postseason is whether they can get enough goals. A season finale against FC Cincinnati is a stiffer test in that regard than you might think.
Previous: 0-0 draw at RBNY | Next: vs. CIN on 10/6
9
LAST WEEK: 10
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 20
Minnesota are publicly playing the "nobody believes in us!" card, while RSL may be the true dark horses. The only catch? Their home/road splits are stark (12-4-1 at home, 3-9-4 on the road) and they have work to do to beat out another team for a home game in the playoffs. It might make all the difference.
Previous: 2-1 loss vs. LA; 2-1 win vs. HOU | Next: at VAN on 10/6
10
LAST WEEK: 7
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 14
The capitulation to cap off the weekend by LA turned a draw into a loss, but that obscures the totally professional midweek win on the road. Cristian Pavon has smoothed out some bumps, but obviously at this point, we know the Galaxy's calling card is their sheer unpredictability, which should be fascinating in the playoffs.
Previous: 2-1 win at RSL; 4-3 loss vs. VAN | Next: at HOU on 10/6
11
LAST WEEK: 13
HIGH: 11 | LOW: 24
You may wonder how the Rapids, heading into Decision Day presented by AT&T in ninth place in the West, can possibly be 11th in the Power Rankings. But they've started 5-1-0 under Robin Fraser, the very best form in that span in the league. They could still make the playoffs!
Previous: 3-0 win vs. DAL | Next: at LAFC on 10/6
12
LAST WEEK: 11
HIGH: 1 | LOW: 21
The Red Bulls come back down to Earth with the scoreless draw at home, but the defense looks like it's rounding into form. Now, who's going to lead the line? The Red Bulls have done well to spread the scoring load, but the go-to scorer issue may be a big issue in the playoffs.
Previous: 0-0 draw vs. DC | Next: at MTL on 10/6
13
LAST WEEK: 14
HIGH: 6 | LOW: 23
The New England revival continues with their berth to the playoffs confirmed. They'll likely be on house money in the playoffs, and with a loose but confident team, who knows what could happen?
Previous: 2-2 draw at POR; 2-0 win vs. NYC | Next: at ATL on 10/6
14
LAST WEEK: 12
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 24
San Jose are on a five-game losing streak, the worst form in the league right now, but still have hope of getting into the playoffs. It does feel like the squad hit a wall of sorts. Whether that's mental, physical, or they just can't play beyond the sum of their parts all the time, it will be interesting to see how the club copes.
Previous: 2-1 loss vs. PHI; 1-0 loss vs. SEA | Next: at POR on 10/6
15
LAST WEEK: 15
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 24
The Timbers remain above the playoff line, so it's not all bad, but they just don't seem like they are coalescing for a deep playoff run. But if they win or draw against the Quakes, they're in and they can regroup for the postseason. Stay tuned!
Previous: 2-2 draw vs NE; 2-2 draw at SKC | Next: vs. SJ on 10/6
16
LAST WEEK: 17
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 24
No miracle for the Crew, although they reached double-digit wins with a clear-cut win over the Union. Groundbreaking on a new stadium is coming soon, but in the meantime, one task will be to make MAPFRE Stadium a fortress once again.
Previous: 2-0 win vs. PHI | Next: at TOR on 10/6
17
LAST WEEK: 16
HIGH: 5 | LOW: 17
Dallas are hanging onto a playoff spot by their fingernails, and the campaign comes down to a game against a royally ticked off Sporting side. Hey, if they're going to be in the playoffs, they'll face exactly this kind of game, so might as well jump right in now.
Previous: 3-0 loss at COL | Next: vs. SKC on 10/6
18
LAST WEEK: 18
HIGH: 13 | LOW: 24
The Fire fought back to take the lead against Toronto, and that lead lasted all of three minutes. There's one game to play this year but it's over. On the bright side, there's plenty of reason for optimism moving forward amidst changes at the club.
Previous: 2-2 draw vs. TOR | Next: at ORL on 10/6
19
LAST WEEK: 22
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 23
It may be faint praise, but the Whitecaps have joined back up with the rest of the Western Conference and aren't cut adrift. Marc Dos Santos has endured a rocky debut season, but with lessons in mind and perhaps a new sporting director for the offseason, maybe 2020 will be their year?
Previous: 4-3 win at LA | Next: vs. RSL on 10/6
20
LAST WEEK: 19
HIGH: 2 | LOW: 24
The Dynamo are back to a full limp to end the season, losing both of their games. Only one team (Chicago) has a worse road record this year, and one way or another, they'll have to address that in the future to be truly competitive again.
Previous: 3-1 loss at LAFC; 2-1 loss at RSL | Next: vs. LA on 10/6
21
LAST WEEK: 20
HIGH: 14 | LOW: 21
Orlando fought back for a result, but the quest for the playoffs again falls short. They have never finished an MLS season with a positive goal difference, and their current mark of -5 is joint-best in their history. It's not easy, but they may need a Minnesota-esque defensive renovation in the offseason.
Previous: 1-1 draw at CIN | Next: vs. CHI on 10/6
22
LAST WEEK: 21
HIGH: 3 | LOW: 22
With Sporting officially out of the playoff hunt, one wonders if there will be any tweaks in approach – if not a full revolution – in the offseason to light a new spark. It's possible that it was just an unlucky season, but the aging core is obviously a concern, too.
Previous: 2-1 loss at MIN; 2-2 draw vs. POR | Next: at DAL on 10/6
23
LAST WEEK: 23
HIGH: 8 | LOW: 23
Montreal won the Canadian Championship, but they're playing out the string in the league. Considering Montreal's inconsistency in recent years, it's hard to predict how they'll finish this season before regrouping ahead of CCL next year.
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. ATL | Next: vs. RBNY on 10/6
24
LAST WEEK: 24
HIGH: 12 | LOW: 24
They broke the goals conceded record and yes, the wooden spoon is theirs. Nowhere to go but up!
Previous: 1-1 draw vs. ORL | Next: at DC on 10/6
