Once A Metro - OaM's MLS Power Rankings: 2016 editionAccept no substituteshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/21683/metro-fave.jpg2016-10-12T19:32:19-04:00http://www.onceametro.com/rss/stream/118247552016-10-12T19:32:19-04:002016-10-12T19:32:19-04:00MLS Power Rankings, Weeks 30 & 31: DC on the rise
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JapaOKTIX3KP3VK0v0auCLmYpYs=/0x0:1559x1039/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51325937/usa-today-9572413.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>And Colorado eases into position to strike for the Supporters' Shield.</p> <p>No movement at the top or bottom after the last two rounds of league play...</p>
<p><b>1. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.onceametro.com/">New York Red Bulls</a> (no movement)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>51 points, 1st in Eastern Conference</span></li>
<li><span>3rd in Supporters' Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RBNY 3-2 Philadelphia</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Seattle would be top of this list but for the fact that RBNY won its last game and is now unbeaten in its last 14 MLS outings. That form would make the Red Bulls the run-away Shield winners and consensus pick for best team in the league, but for the fact the team started the season so badly that it needed to be exceptional to get back into the race for MLS silverware by the end of the year.</p>
<p><b>2. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a> (no movement)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>44 points, 5th in Western Conference</span></li>
<li><span>8th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: Seattle 1-0 Chicago; Vancouver 1-2 Seattle</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The Sounders have won four in a row and seven of their last 10 to make an improbable leap into the Western Conference playoff race. Barring an unlikely collapse in form, Seattle will be in the playoffs and it will be the team no one wants to play.</p>
<p><b>3. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United</a> (up three places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>43 points, 5th in East</span></li>
<li><span>11th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: DC 3-0 Columbus; TFC 1-2 DCU</span></li>
</ul>
<p>A <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">three-game winning streak</a> has put DCU squarely in control of its destiny with regard to making the playoffs. The most recent of those wins - over TFC in Toronto - suggests DC's form might also be sufficient to give it some traction in the post-season.</p>
<p><b>4. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.burgundywave.com/">Colorado Rapids</a> (up five places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>54 points, 2nd in West</span></li>
<li><span>2nd in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: Rapids 1-0 Portland; Houston 2-3 Rapids</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The Rapids are now <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">unbeaten in five</a> and have won their last two league games, putting themselves in position to take the Supporters' Shield if they can win their remaining three matches. The coming week brings two games - against San Jose and Portland - that will decide if Colorado is the favorite to win the Shield heading into the last week of the regular season.</p>
<p><b>5. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hudsonriverblue.com/">New York City FC</a> (up three places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>51 points, 2nd in East</span></li>
<li><span>4th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Houston 0-2 NYCFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Still not going away. Only four teams are mathematically capable of winning the regular-season title, and NYCFC is one of them. It is also one of just three left that can win the Eastern Conference - a more realistic goal. It will become favorite to win the East if it can win its next game, <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">on the road against DCU</a>.</p>
<p><b>6. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a> (up one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>56 points, 1st in West</span></li>
<li><span>1st in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: FCD 1-0 LA</span></li>
</ul>
<p>After going <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">three games without a win</a>, FCD had let a number of teams dream of stealing in to win the Supporters' Shield - but Dallas seems to have woken up and decided it would like the trophy after all. Beating LA shut down one alleged challenger for the silverware that is still FCD's to lose. Colorado could yet take the Shield by winning its remaining games, but Dallas clearly isn't ready to give up the regular-season title yet.</p>
<p><b>7. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/">LA Galaxy</a> (down three places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>48 points, 3rd in West</span></li>
<li><span>6th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: FCD 1-0 LA</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The Galaxy may yet be the team that decides the fate of the Supporters' Shield, but the loss to Dallas determined that the Shield won't be going to LA this year. Bruce Arena isn't thought to care about much other than winning MLS Cup, so he won't be distraught about missing out on the regular season title. But the Galaxy only has one point from its <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">last three games</a>. If form doesn't pick up soon, LA will be limping into the playoffs and out of the top 10 of this list.</p>
<p><b>8. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> (down three places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>49 points, 3rd in East</span></li>
<li><span>5th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: TFC 0-0 Orlando; TFC 1-2 DCU</span></li>
</ul>
<p>A team that hasn't won any of its last four games - <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">its last four home games</a>, no less - really has no place in the top 10 of these Power Rankings. It is an act of extreme charity to keep TFC this high on the list, after the team coughed up its hold on the Eastern Conference with a string of sub-par performances on home ground.</p>
<p><b>9. Columbus Crew (up one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>35 points, 8th in East</span></li>
<li><span>17th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: DCU 3-0 Columbus; Columbus 3-0 Chicago</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The Crew has a very remote chance of making the post-season, made more remote by the fact all three of its remaining games are on the road. And the team's loss to DC put Columbus back in its place: it is a not-great team that has found some good form recently. That form - <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">three wins in its last four games </a>- might not be enough to carry the Crew to the post-season, but it may yet prove to be the undoing of either or both of the MLS New York clubs. RBNY and NYCFC must play Columbus before the end of the regular season, and points dropped to the Crew may decide which of the two NY teams finishes above the other in the league this year.</p>
<p><b>10. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a> (up one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>39 points, 7th in East</span></li>
<li><span>14th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Revs 3-1 KC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>After slipping up against Columbus, New England righted its playoff challenge by taking three points from Kansas City. The Revs will need to keep winning to have any hope of a post-season place.</p>
<p><b>11. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> (up five places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>44 points, 4th in East</span></li>
<li><span>9th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: IMFC 3-1 San Jose; Orlando 0-1 IMFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Turns out Montreal is interested in making the playoffs. L'Impact hadn't posted consecutive wins in the league <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">since April</a>, but picked a good time to find some consistency. It now has a mathematical shot at finishing third in the East, and is a solid favorite to make the playoffs. These Power Rankings are wary of Montreal's persistent inconsistency, so L'Impact hovers outside the top 10 for at least one more week.</p>
<p><b>12. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> (down nine places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>32 points, 10th in West</span></li>
<li><span>19th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Houston 0-2 NYCFC; Houston 2-3 Colorado</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The air came out of Houston's balloon fast. The Dynamo challenged Colorado in the only game of Week 31, but the loss revealed Houston's <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">late-season resurgence as too little, too late</a>. The club is bottom of the West and its remaining games are simply a chance to ruffle the feathers of some of the teams above it in the standings (Seattle, LA, and Colorado).</p>
<p><b>13. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.centerlinesoccer.com/">San Jose Earthquakes</a> (up five places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>37 points, 8th in West</span></li>
<li><span>15th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Montreal 3-1 SJ; SJ 2-1 RSL</span></li>
</ul>
<p>This ranking is giving San Jose way too much credit for a home win over lackluster RSL, but those three points did keep the Quakes playoff hopes alive - at least until it plays the Rapids in Colorado on October 13.</p>
<p><b>14. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> (down one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>43 points, 6th in West</span></li>
<li><span>10th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: New England 3-1 KC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>KC should make the playoffs, since the teams that might stop it from doing so (Portland and San Jose) don't seem nearly consistent enough to reach up the standings and take Sporting's post-season place away. But KC has won <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">two of its last eight games</a>, which is why Portland and San Jose still have hope of reaching the playoffs, and why Kansas City is kicking around near the bottom of the Power Rankings.</p>
<p><b>15. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> (down three places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>41 points, 7th in East</span></li>
<li><span>13th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Colorado 1-0 Portland</span></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">Back-to-back losses</a> have dropped Portland to the wrong side of the red line that separates playoff contenders from also-rans. Worse, those losses were both on the road. The Timbers haven't won a road game in MLS all season, and they still have one away-day ahead of them. Getting a result in Vancouver on the last day of the regular season could well be the requirement for Portland to make the playoffs and get a shot at defending its MLS Cup title.</p>
<p><b>16. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a> (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>42 points, 6th in East</span></li>
<li><span>12th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RBNY 3-2 Union</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Philly has shown enough recently - tying TFC in Toronto and getting close to taking something out of a trip to Red Bull Arena - to suggest it can finish the season on a high note. The Union has two home games left to consolidate its position as a playoff-bound team and position itself as an awkward post-season opponent in the East.</p>
<p>But right now, it is simply a team that <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">hasn't won a game since August</a>.</p>
<p><b>17. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>45 points, 4th in West</span></li>
<li><span>7th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: San Jose 2-1 RSL</span></li>
</ul>
<p>A five-game winless run ended RSL's longshot at the Supporters' Shield, or even a top-two finish in the Western Conference. Instead, the team is languishing at the bottom end of these Power Rankings, as the worst good team in MLS at the moment.</p>
<p><b>18. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> (down one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>35 points, 9th in West</span></li>
<li><span>16th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Vancouver 1-2 Seattle</span></li>
</ul>
<p>With hindsight, the wheels came off the 'Caps season back in May: since Portland ended a three-game Vancouver winning streak on May 22, the Whitecaps have won three league games. And it has only one league win in <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">its last 12 attempts</a>. The club does at least CONCACAF Champions League for consolation: it will head to the quarterfinal round of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_CONCACAF_Champions_League">the 2016-17 edition of CCL</a> as one of the top seeds in that tournament.</p>
<p><b>19. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/">Chicago Fire</a> (no movement)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>27 points, 10th in East</span></li>
<li><span>20th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: Seattle 1-0 Chicago; Columbus 3-0 Chicago</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The only thing keeping Chicago off the bottom of this list is that there is no compelling reason to let Orlando rise. And the Fire's <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">three-game losing streak</a> is comprised entirely of road games. Chicago's next couple of matches are at home, where all it has to play for is pride and the need to offer its fans a reason to come back next year.</p>
<p><b>20. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.themaneland.com/">Orlando City</a> (no movement)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>35 points, 9th in East</span></li>
<li><span>18th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: TFC 0-0 Orlando; Orlando 0-1 Montreal</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Zero goals and one point from its last two games saw Orlando slump out of the playoff race. All it can do now is play spoiler for the playoff hopes of Philadelphia and (maybe) DCU - its remaining opponents - and plan for a better 2017. Firing Adrian Heath mid-season made results worse, not better: OCSC had 20 points from 16 games up to <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/07/06/orlando-city-sc-and-head-coach-adrian-heath-agree-part-ways">Heath's departure on July 6</a>; the team has accumulated 15 points from <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">the 16 league games played since</a>.</p>
https://www.onceametro.com/2016/10/12/13261844/mls-power-rankings-weeks-30-and-31-dc-united-and-seattle-sounders-stay-hotAustin Fido2016-09-26T09:17:09-04:002016-09-26T09:17:09-04:00MLS Power Rankings, Week 29: RBNY takes top spot
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Fa0qAUYGXi-1LKEkpRZZ6DZz06I=/0x0:3863x2575/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51035193/usa-today-9562561.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>And it's time to really worry about Orlando.</p> <p>Some of the less-good teams in the league are finding the strength for a late-surge toward the playoffs, and it is wreaking havoc on the Power Rankings.</p>
<p><b>1. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.onceametro.com/">New York Red Bulls</a> (up five places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>48 points, 1st in Eastern Conference</span></li>
<li><span>2nd in Supporters' Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RBNY 1-0 Montreal</span></li>
</ul>
<p>That <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">13-game unbeaten streak</a> looks very impressive when it has a win at the end of it. <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/26/12647808/new-york-red-bulls-road-worriers-mental-issues-on-the-road-jesse-marsch">Dropped leads and points</a> have held RBNY off the top of the league standings and these rankings, but it hasn't lost a match in MLS since July 3.</p>
<p><b>2. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a> (up seven places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>38 points, 7th in Western Conference</span></li>
<li><span>11th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: LA 2-4 Seattle</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Seattle beat a Shield contender, convincingly, in its own back yard this week. And when you look at the Sounders' recent form, you realize they have lost <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">just one of their last nine games in MLS</a> - and won five of those. As long as Seattle remains mathematically capable of making the playoffs, it is the team no one in the league wants to play.</p>
<p><b>3. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> (up five places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>32 points, 10th in West</span></li>
<li><span>18th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Houston 3-1 Portland</span></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">Back-to-back wins over playoff-contending opponents</a>: the Dynamo is in its best form of the season. Sadly, it is probably too little to late for Houston's own post-season ambitions, but it looks likely to wreck a few of its opponents' dreams before the regular season is over.</p>
<p><b>4. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/">LA Galaxy</a> (down three places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>48 points, 3rd in West</span></li>
<li><span>6th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: LA 2-4 Seattle</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Would have fallen further, but it isn't obvious which team is fit to take the Galaxy's place in the top four of this list.</p>
<p><b>5. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> (down one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>48 points, 2nd in East</span></li>
<li><span>3rd in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: TFC 1-1 Philadelphia</span></li>
</ul>
<p>On the one hand, there must be respect for the fact TFC has <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">won seven of its last 11 league games</a>, and lost just once in that stretch. On the other, it can't be ignored that the team has now had to fight back for a draw at home in two consecutive games, and has just two points from its last three matches in its own stadium.</p>
<p><b>6. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United</a> (up four places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>37 points, 6th in East</span></li>
<li><span>13th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: DC 4-1 OCSC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Yes, putting four goals past Orlando is not a big deal at the moment. But just <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">one loss in its last 10 games</a> is a solid achievement, and DC has scored 16 goals in its last five matches. If it is able to convert that scoring power into points: it will be a top-five team on this list before the playoffs begin.</p>
<p><b>7. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a> (down one place)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>53 points, 1st in West</span></li>
<li><span>1st in Supporters' Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RSL 0-0 FCD</span></li>
</ul>
<p>This list is giving FCD too much credit for being top of the table and favorite to win the Shield. The main reason there is still a Shield race at all is because Dallas has picked up <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">only two points from the last nine</a> available. One more week without a win, and it will probably have a true fight for the Shield on its hands. So we'll give it one more week to snap out of its funk, or drop out of the top 10.</p>
<p><b>8. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hudsonriverblue.com/">New York City FC</a> (up three places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>48 points, 3rd in East</span></li>
<li><span>4th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: NYCFC 4-1 Chicago</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Say what you like about NYCFC (and we do; believe me, we do), it is the highest-scoring team in MLS at the moment. It needs to be, because it also has the second-worst defense in the league, but those 55 goals scored have kept NYCFC in the race for the Eastern Conference title - and in with a shot at the Shield - despite that leaky back line.</p>
<p><b>9. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.burgundywave.com/">Colorado Rapids</a> (down four places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>48 points, 2nd in West</span></li>
<li><span>5th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Vancouver 3-3 Rapids</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Vancouver was a goal and a man down after 57 minutes, and a goal and a man down in injury time - and still got a point off the Rapids. <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-09-24-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-colorado-rapids/recap">This week's performance</a> was not a convincing demonstration of power.</p>
<p><b>10. Columbus Crew (up three places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>32 points, 9th in East</span></li>
<li><span>19th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Crew 2-0 Revs</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Columbus has now beaten New England twice <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">in the last month or so</a>; ergo, Columbus is better than New England; ergo, Columbus must be above New Englad on this list: Power Rankings logic.</p>
<p><b>11. <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a> (down nine places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>36 points, 7th in East</span></li>
<li><span>14th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Crew 2-0 Revs</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Helluva fall from <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/9/23/13036728/mls-power-rankings-week-28-landon-donovan-leads-la-galaxy-to-the-top-of-the-pile">second on last week's list</a>, but that is what happens when you lose to one of the worst teams in the league - a team that therefore proved that the last time it beat you wasn't a fluke.</p>
<p><b>12. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> (down nine places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>41 points, 6th in West</span></li>
<li><span>10th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Houston 3-1 Timbers</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The Timbers have <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings">yet to win a league game on the road this season</a>. This week's loss to Houston was a reminder of the effect of Portland's dire road form: it's threatening to drag the defending MLS Cup champion out of post-season contention. And the Timbers will play <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">two of their remaining three games away from home</a>.</p>
<p><b>13. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> (up three places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>43 points, 5th in West</span></li>
<li><span>8th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: San Jose 1-2 KC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>A clutch win for KC, who started <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">a three-game road trip</a> this week and started it the right way - with three points. Not just three points, but three points taken from one of the teams that was hoping to steal KC's playoff place. One more win is probably all Sporting needs now to guarantee itself a post-season.</p>
<p><b>14. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a> (no movement)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>42 points, 4th in East</span></li>
<li><span>9th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: TFC 1-1 Union</span></li>
</ul>
<p>A tie in Toronto is a good result, but it was also the Union's <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">fourth consecutive game without a win</a>. It still has a points cushion over the teams below it in the East, so no need to panic about missing out on the playoffs - yet.</p>
<p><b>15. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> (down three places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>45 points, 4th in West</span></li>
<li><span>7th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RSL 0-0 FCD</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Sure, not losing to Dallas is a solid result. But RSL has now gone <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">three consecutive games without scoring</a> and four straight without a win. It is decelerating rapidly.</p>
<p><b>16. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> (down one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>38 points, 5th in East</span></li>
<li>12th in Shield race</li>
<li><span>Last result: RBNY 1-0 IMFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>It is starting to feel significant that Montreal was the last team in MLS to lose to Orlando (the team at the bottom of this list). L'Impact has <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">one point from its last four games</a>. If form doesn't turnaround very soon, Montreal will not be playing in the post-season.</p>
<p><b>17. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> (up one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>35 points, 8th in West</span></li>
<li><span>15th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: VWFC 3-3 Colorado</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Scoring three goals against the Rapids is impressive, but conceding three goals at home is not. The Caps haven't won at home since July, and that is why they won't be in the playoffs this year.</p>
<p>Vancouver still has a mathematical chance of making the post-season. But even winning the three games remaining in its regular season doesn't guarantee a playoff place, and nothing about <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">the team's current form</a> (one win in its last 11 league games) suggests it might be capable of winning out from here.</p>
<p><b>18. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.centerlinesoccer.com/">San Jose Earthquakes</a> (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>34 points, 9th in West</span></li>
<li><span>16th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: SJ 1-2 KC</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">Six games since their last win</a>, the Quakes might not even have the consolation of not being bottom of the West for much longer.</div>
<p><b>19. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/">Chicago Fire</a> (down one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>27 points, 10th in East</span></li>
<li><span>20th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: NYCFC 4-1 Chicago</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Look at that: Chicago is bad again.</p>
<p><b>20. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.themaneland.com/">Orlando City</a> (no movement)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>34 points, 8th in East</span></li>
<li><span>17th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: DC 4-1 Orlando</span></li>
</ul>
<p>OCSC isn't out of the hunt for the playoffs just yet, but it has now lost <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">three in a row</a>, and shipped four goals in each of those defeats. This is a bad time of year for any MLS team with post-season ambitions to be cratering.</p>
https://www.onceametro.com/2016/9/26/13045646/mls-power-rankings-week-29-new-york-red-bulls-back-on-topAustin Fido2016-09-23T19:36:37-04:002016-09-23T19:36:37-04:00MLS Power Rankings, Week 28: LD leads LA to #1
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/05sN4krVDZjpWDfZMA5PqJKxJ54=/0x23:2335x1580/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51006221/usa-today-9550369.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It wasn't a great week for the top teams, but someone has to be first on the list.</p> <p>They all tied. Every one of the top six in the Supporters' Shield race after 28 weeks of MLS 2016: they all tied.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Top 10 in the Shield race after Week 28" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NjmRFyD-mTlDohgr2wNFbAFnCQQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7156935/Capture.0.PNG">
<cite>mlssoccer.com</cite>
</figure>
</p>
<p class="caption">Top 10 in the Shield race after Week 28</p>
<p>And Philly and RSL both lost. Tempting as it is to punt Portland up to the top of these Power Rankings for being the only team in the top 10 of the Shield race to win a game in Week 28, this week's list swallows its pride and lets a team that tied move up to the top spot.</p>
<p><b>1. <a href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">LA Galaxy</a> (up one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>48 points, 2nd in Western Conference</span></li>
<li><span>2nd in Supporters' Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Kansas City 2-2 LA</span></li>
</ul>
<div>The Galaxy has quietly pivoted out of a six-game winless streak into <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">a six-game unbeaten run</a>. And the latest result was secured by <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-09-18-sporting-kansas-city-vs-la-galaxy/feed">an off-the-bench equalizer</a> from no-longer-retired <span>Landon Donovan</span>.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>With two of its last four games against league-leading <a href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">FC Dallas</a>, the Galaxy is within striking distance of the Shield, if it can sustain its Donovan-boosted form.</div>
<p> </p>
<p><b>2. <a href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Revolution</a> (up five places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>36 points, 6th in the East</span></li>
<li><span>12th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Montreal 1-3 New England</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Yes, the Revs might not even make the playoffs. But New England now has <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">the longest active winning streak</a> in MLS (three games). And they were each solid results: Colorado and NYCFC beaten at home, followed by Week 28's road win over Montreal. That is three teams with post-season expectations, all bested by the resurgent Revs.</p>
<p><b>3. <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Timbers</a> (up three places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>41 points, 5th in West</span></li>
<li><span>9th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Timbers 2-1 Philadelphia</span></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">Second win in a row</a> for Portland, now officially making a late surge toward the playoffs and a chance to defend its MLS Cup title.</p>
<p><b>4. <a href="https://www.wakingthered.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto FC</a> (down three places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>47 points, 1st in East</span></li>
<li><span>3rd in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: TFC 3-3 RBNY</span></li>
</ul>
<p>TFC took a little too long to remember RBNY is fragile on the road, effectively running out of time to post the win that seemed increasingly inevitable as the second half progressed. Turning a 3-1 loss into <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-09-18-toronto-fc-vs-new-york-red-bulls/feed">a 3-3 tie</a> was a positive achievement, but coughing up three goals by the 48th minute was not.</p>
<p><b>5. <a href="https://www.burgundywave.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colorado Rapids</a> (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>47 points, 3rd in West</span></li>
<li><span>4th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Rapids 0-0 San Jose</span></li>
</ul>
<p>After some discouraging losses, the Rapids have got back to their binary best: <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">following Week 27's 1-0 win with a 0-0 draw</a>. Tying San Jose at home isn't the best result, but Colorado's form is best judged by the score rather than the opponent: if the ones and zeroes are out and the Rapids are getting points, then things are looking good.</p>
<p><b>6. FC Dallas (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>52 points, 1st in West</span></li>
<li><span>1st in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: NYCFC 2-2 FCD</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Between Weeks 27 and 28, FC Dallas won the US Open Cup. So the Rankings are not going to read too much into the fact the team has taken <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">one point from its last two games</a>: there has been <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/09/14/fc-dallas-4-new-england-revolution-2-2016-us-open-cup-final-recap">a competing priority</a>. FCD is still top of the league, and has to drop a few more points for anyone to catch up. It isn't showing great power right now, but it doesn't need to at the moment.</p>
<p><b>7. <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a> (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>45 points, 2nd in East</span></li>
<li><span>5th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: TFC 3-3 RBNY</span></li>
</ul>
<p>RBNY's ranking will keep falling until the slapstick tendency to <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/9/18/12963176/three-thoughts-new-york-red-bulls-stumble-again-tie-toronto-fc-3-3-bradley-wright-phillips">drop two-goal leads</a> is eliminated.</p>
<p><b>8. <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Dynamo</a> (up 10 places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>29 points, 10th in West</span></li>
<li><span>18th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RSL 0-1 Houston</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Not a typo. It wasn't a great week for power, and so Houston gets perhaps excessive credit just for winning a game. Plus it was a win that handed RSL its first home loss of the season. And the Dynamo has now lost <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">only one of its last six league matches</a>.</p>
<p><b>9. <a href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Sounders</a> (up four places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>35 points, 7th in West</span></li>
<li><span>13th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Sounders 1-0 Whitecaps</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Time give credit to Seattle for hauling itself into playoff contention with an impressive <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">one-loss-in-eight-games run</a>. The post-season is still a long-shot for Seattle, whose best hope remains a few more weeks like this when just about every team above it contrives to drop points.</p>
<p><b>10. <a href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">D.C. United</a> (down one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>34 points, 7th in East</span></li>
<li><span>15th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Chicago 2-2 DCU</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Another late injury-time equalizer to claim a second-consecutive <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-09-16-chicago-fire-vs-dc-united/feed">2-2 draw</a> gets DC plenty of marks for grit, but not sufficient points to stay above the red line that cordons off playoff haves from the have-nots. Still, DCU remains in contention for the post-season, about as convincingly as it remains in the top 10 of this list.</p>
<p><b>11. <a href="https://www.hudsonriverblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York City FC</a> (no movement)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>45 points, 3rd in East</span></li>
<li><span>6th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: NYCFC 2-2 FCD</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-09-17-new-york-city-fc-vs-fc-dallas/recap">2-2 draw </a>against FCD wasn't a bad result for NYCFC, just not good enough to move up or down in the Rankings this week.</p>
<p><b>12. <a href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Salt Lake</a> (down four places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>44 points, 4th in West</span></li>
<li><span>7th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RSL 0-1 Houston</span></li>
</ul>
<p>It's starting to feel like the wheels might be coming off for RSL: <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">winless in three</a>, scoreless in its last two, and no longer unbeaten at home. It is a safe enough bet to make the playoffs, but the goals - and wins - need to come back for the post-season to be anything but a brief extension to this late-season slump.</p>
<p><b>13. Columbus Crew (up seven places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>29 points, 9th in East</span></li>
<li><span>19th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: OCSC 1-4 Columbus</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The most surprising result of the week gets the Crew a (probably brief) break from being bottom of the heap.</p>
<p><b>14. <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a> (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>41 points, 4th in East</span></li>
<li><span>8th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Portland 2-1 Philly</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Philly can probably afford to lose every one of its remaining games and still - just - make the playoffs, and it seems determined to test that thesis. The Union is now <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">winless in three</a>, including losses in each of its last two road games. This does not bode well for a team that must play its next two games away to TFC and RBNY.</p>
<p><b>15. <a href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Montreal Impact</a> (down five places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>38 points, 5th in East</span></li>
<li><span>11th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: IMFC 1-3 New England</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Perhaps the least predictable team in MLS this season, L'Impact is slumping again. It has now shipped seven goals in its <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">last two home games</a>, to middleweight opponents (Orlando and New England). So it will surely win its next game (against RBNY in Harrison) by three goals. Such is the confounding logic of the 2016 Montreal Impact.</p>
<p><b>16. <a href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sporting Kansas City</a> (no movement)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>40 points, 6th in West</span></li>
<li><span>10th in the Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: KC 2-2 LA</span></li>
</ul>
<p>On the bright side, the team is scoring: <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">five goals in its last two games</a>. On the less bright side, those two games were draws at home. And now KC heads into a three-game road trip seeking to hold its position in the Western Conference playoff places.</p>
<p><b>17. <a href="https://www.centerlinesoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Jose Earthquakes</a> (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>34 points, 9th in West</span></li>
<li><span>16th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Colorado 0-0 San Jose</span></li>
</ul>
<p>A draw in Colorado is a good result, but the Quakes are winless in their last five games. They need wins. Urgently.</p>
<p><b>18. <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Fire</a> (up one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>27 points, 10th in East</span></li>
<li><span>20th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Fire 2-2 DC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The Fire is up a place this week more to make room for Vancouver's fall than for anything particularly impressive about letting DC sneak a point out of Bridgeview at the last minute.</p>
<p><b>19. <a href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> (down five places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>34 points, 8th in West</span></li>
<li><span>14th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Seattle 1-0 Vancouver</span></li>
</ul>
<p>A run of <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">one win in its last 10 games</a> has Vancouver sliding rapidly out of playoff contention.</p>
<p><b>20. <a href="https://www.themaneland.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orlando City</a> (down three places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>34 points, 8th in East</span></li>
<li><span>17th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: OCSC 1-4 Columbus</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Sorry, OCSC: losing to Columbus is a bad result in 2016; getting thrashed by Columbus at home is a dreadful result. And the 4-1 loss to the Crew was the <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">second time in a row</a> Orlando has conceded four goals (and lost).</p>
https://www.onceametro.com/2016/9/23/13036728/mls-power-rankings-week-28-landon-donovan-leads-la-galaxy-to-the-top-of-the-pileAustin Fido2016-09-07T23:47:45-04:002016-09-07T23:47:45-04:00MLS Power Rankings, Week 26: RBNY steps up
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PHANosmjESTfiy9Xsb4d12oQrUw=/0x135:3867x2713/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50732333/usa-today-9518137.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A little late this week, but the Power Rankings power on.</p> <p>Week 26 was a short week for MLS, with only 12 of the 20 teams in the league called into action. And that means some clubs on this list are punished for nothing more than simply not having played in this round.</p>
<p><b>1. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.onceametro.com/">New York Red Bulls</a> (up one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>43 points, 2nd in Eastern Conference</span></li>
<li><span>3rd in Supporters' Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Vancouver 0-1 RBNY</span></li>
</ul>
<p>RBNY summits the Power Rankings in Week 26 because it finally did the one thing it hadn't been able to do for a while: win on the road. And the Red Bulls have <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">the longest active unbeaten streak in the league</a> (10 games; the second-longest is three). And back-to-back wins and back-to-back clean sheets.</p>
<p>Granted, those last two wins were over New England and Vancouver - two of the most reliably bad teams in MLS in recent weeks - but RBNY gets at least a week to enjoy the view from the top.</p>
<p><b>2. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a> (up three places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>51 points, 1st in Western Conference</span></li>
<li><span>1st in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: FCD 3-1 Portland</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The reason RBNY's stay at the top might be short-lived is because FCD seems to have woken up again. The Shield-leading Texas club has now posted consecutive <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">3-1 wins</a>, and it next brings that form to bear against a (former?) rival for the Western Conference crown, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.burgundywave.com/">Colorado Rapids</a>.</p>
<p>Indeed, FCD's next four games are against <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/29/12686216/the-supporters-shield-race-is-a-sprint-mls-fc-dallas-colorado-rapids-new-york-red-bulls">alleged rivals for the Shield</a>. It will be a compelling display of power if it can keep winning against Colorado, NCFC, RSL, and LA.</p>
<p><b>3. New York City Football Club (up four places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>44 points, 1st in East</span></li>
<li><span>2nd in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: NYCFC 3-2 DCU</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Credit where it's due: we keep trying to count NYCFC out and the Baby Blue tenants of Yankee Stadium keep refusing to go away. <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-09-01-new-york-city-fc-vs-dc-united/recap">A 3-2 comeback win</a> over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United</a> reasserted NYCFC's place in the race for the Eastern Conference title, and put it very close to clinching the first playoff berth in its (short) history.</p>
<p><b>4. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> (down three places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>43 points, 2nd in West</span></li>
<li><span>5th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result (August 26): RSL 2-1 Colorado</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The first casualty of not playing in Week 26. Last week's top team drops a few places because there is no power in sitting idle.</p>
<p><b>5. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>43 points, 3rd in East</span></li>
<li><span>4th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result (August 27): TFC 0-1 IMFC</span></li>
</ul>
<div>Again: don't play, don't have much of a case for even staying put in the Power Rankings.</div>
<div><br></div>
<p><b>6. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/">LA Galaxy</a> (up four places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>43 points, 4th in West</span></li>
<li><span>7th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: LA 2-1 Columbus</span></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-09-03-la-galaxy-vs-columbus-crew-sc/recap">A tight match for LA</a> this week that could easily have gone the other way - but it didn't, and the Galaxy has snapped out of its <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">six-game winless funk</a>.</p>
<p><b>7. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a> (down three places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>40 points, 4th in East</span></li>
<li><span>8th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Chicago 3-0 Philadelphia</span></li>
</ul>
<div>There's a feeling around the league that the Fire has figured itself out and is better than its lamentable league position suggests. That feeling, and the fact the Union at least played when other teams did not, keeps Philadelphia from bombing out of the top 10 with this week's result.</div>
<p> </p>
<p><b>8. D.C. United (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>32 points, 6th in East</span></li>
<li><span>12th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: NYCFC 3-2 DCU</span></li>
</ul>
<p>If there were more candidates to rise up the table, DC wouldn't be this high. But DCU did give NYCFC a scare, and it will bounce up this list fast if it gets a result out of its next game: RBNY in Harrison.</p>
<p><b>9. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> (down one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>37 points, 5th in East</span></li>
<li><span>10th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result (August 27): TFC 0-1 IMFC</span></li>
</ul>
<div>Still getting credit for that win over TFC, but not enough to prevent a little step down the list for not having played this week.</div>
<p> </p>
<p><b>10. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/">Chicago Fire</a> (up seven places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>26 points, 9th in East</span></li>
<li><span>18th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Fire 3-0 Union</span></li>
</ul>
<p>What? It's a <i>Power</i> Ranking. And the Fire hammered one of the better-looking teams in MLS this week. Philly had won <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">three out of its last four</a>, and two of those three on the road - and Chicago, the longest of long shots for the playoffs, <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-09-03-chicago-fire-vs-philadelphia-union/recap">held nerve and held serve</a>. The Fire has now lost only <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">once in its last five</a>, which is impressive for a team that had lost 11 of 21 games played in the league before this run.</p>
<p>TFC is up next. So we'll soon see if Chicago's revival is significant.</p>
<p><b>11. Colorado Rapids (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>43 points, 3rd in West</span></li>
<li><span>6th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: New England 2-0 Rapids</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The slide down this list continues as the Rapids take their second consecutive loss and extend their winless streak to <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">four games</a>.</p>
<p><b>12. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a> (up seven places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>30 points, 8th in East</span></li>
<li><span>17th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: New England 2-0 Rapids</span></li>
</ul>
<div>They played, which a lot of teams did not this week. And they beat a Shield contender, which most teams don't in most weeks. The Revs have another of the league's top teams - NYCFC - up next, and will need another win to try to compensate for taking <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">one point from the six games they played</a> prior to running over the Rapids.</div>
<p> </p>
<p><b>13. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.themaneland.com/">Orlando City</a> (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>31 points, 7th in East</span></li>
<li><span>16th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result (August 28): OCSC 2-1 NYCFC</span></li>
</ul>
<div>Another team that sat idle in Week 26 slides a little and waits for Week 27.</div>
<p> </p>
<p><b>14. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> (down one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>38 points, 5th in West</span></li>
<li><span>9th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result (August 27): Union 2-0 KC</span></li>
</ul>
<div>Bumped down a spot for the same reason OCSC dropped two: didn't play.</div>
<p> </p>
<p><b>15. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> (down three places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>35 points, 6th in West</span></li>
<li><span>11th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: FCD 3-1 Timbers</span></li>
</ul>
<div>Portland did play, and it did not go well in Dallas. Not for the first time, the stop-start MLS Cup champs look fragile: <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">three losses in their last four games</a> for the Timbers.</div>
<p> </p>
<p><b>16. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a> (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>31 points, 8th in West</span></li>
<li><span>14th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result (August 28): Timbers 4-2 Seattle</span></li>
</ul>
<div>Didn't play, but Portland's loss gives Seattle back <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings">a two-game cushion</a> to try to catch the Timbers, who currently occupy the last playoff spot in the West.</div>
<p> </p>
<p><b>17. Columbus Crew (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>26 points, 10th in East</span></li>
<li><span>19th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: LA 2-1 Crew</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Losing to LA in LA isn't the worst result, and Columbus showed well against the Galaxy. But the loss - and Chicago's win - dropped the Crew to bottom of the East.</p>
<p><b>18. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>25 points, 10th in West</span></li>
<li><span>20th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result (August 27): Dynamo 1-3 FCD</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Bottom of the West and the league and didn't even have to play to make that so. Houston has work to do when it's back in action in Week 27.</p>
<p><b>T19: <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> (down one place) and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.centerlinesoccer.com/">San Jose Earthquakes</a> (up one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>VWFC: 31 points, 9th in West. SJ: 32 points, 7th in West.</span></li>
<li><span>VWFC: 15th in Shield race. SJ: 13th in Shield race.</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: VWFC 0-1 RBNY; (August 27) Columbus 2-0 SJ</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The rules are that a team that doesn't play surely cannot rise up the Rankings, so San Jose was bottom last week and must still be bottom this week, since the Quakes provided no evidence to support an improved standing on the list.</p>
<p>But...Vancouver is <i>terrible</i>. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">Eight games without a win</a>. One goal scored in the last seven. Five losses in the last six. And a home loss to RBNY - a team that has made a fetish of its flimsy road form this season. So the 'Caps must be the worst team in these rankings.</p>
<p>And so must San Jose.</p>
https://www.onceametro.com/2016/9/7/12799700/mls-power-rankings-week-26-new-york-red-bulls-on-top-for-nowAustin Fido2016-08-30T08:14:03-04:002016-08-30T08:14:03-04:00MLS Power Rankings, Week 25: RSL's turn at the top
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dVudEbtcGUgRflIIFTGeCWAX_Hw=/0x88:2724x1904/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50574077/usa-today-9501870.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Several of the top teams took a step back this week, so RSL took a few forward.</p> <p>Change at both top and bottom of the list this week...</p>
<p><b>1. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> (up four places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>43 points, 2nd in Western Conference</span></li>
<li><span>3rd in Supporters' Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RSL 2-1 Colorado</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Sorry, TFC: you can't be top of the Power Rankings when your last result was a loss. Fortunately, RSL is quietly building some momentum. This week's win over Colorado pairs neatly with last week's over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a>: RSL has beaten <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/29/12686216/the-supporters-shield-race-is-a-sprint-mls-fc-dallas-colorado-rapids-new-york-red-bulls">the frontrunners for the Shield</a> in <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">back-to-back games</a>. Next up is LA.</p>
<p><b>2. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.onceametro.com/">New York Red Bulls</a> (up two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>40 points, 3rd in Eastern Conference</span></li>
<li><span>6th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RBNY 1-0 New England</span></li>
</ul>
<p>It wasn't the most impressive win, but RBNY has pushed the league's <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">longest active unbeaten streak</a> out to nine games with its <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/28/12684000/bradley-wright-phillips-tally-gives-new-york-red-bulls-the-full-three-points-new-england-revolution">1-0 win over the slumping Revs</a>.</p>
<p><b>3. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>43 points, 1st in East</span></li>
<li><span>2nd in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: OCSC 1-2 TFC; TFC 1-0 IMFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Can't be too harsh on TFC for <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-08-27-toronto-fc-vs-montreal-impact/recap">losing to 10-man Montreal in Toronto</a>, but top spot has to be relinquished - at least for this week. The midweek win over Orlando keeps TFC in the upper reaches of this list.</p>
<p><b>4. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a> (up 12 places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>40 points, 4th in East</span></li>
<li><span>7th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: Columbus 1-2 Union; Union 2-0 KC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Surprised me too, but there's no arguing with results. The Union didn't have the most challenging opponents this week, but they did beat both Columbus and KC. Back-to-back wins; one at home, one on the road; suddenly transformed from one-win-in-six to <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">three-wins-out-of-four</a>: welcome back to the top five, Philly.</p>
<p><b>5. FC Dallas (up four places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>48 points, 1st in West</span></li>
<li><span>1st in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Dynamo 1-3 FCD</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Look at that: the favorite to win the Shield won a game. FCD has a crowded schedule ahead, but <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-08-27-houston-dynamo-vs-fc-dallas/recap">the three-goal flurry</a> that trashed Houston's dream of beating its in-state rival was a reminder that Dallas is one of the better teams in MLS.</p>
<p><b>6. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United</a> (up four places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>32 points, 6th in East</span></li>
<li><span>12th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: Montreal 1-1 DC; DC 6-2 Chicago</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Steamrollered what had seemed to be an improving Chicago to put an exclamation mark on what is now the <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">second-longest active unbeaten streak</a> in MLS. Six games since its last loss, unbeaten in August: things are looking up for DC. The team now faces three consecutive road games, so it might also be the last time we see DCU up this end of the Rankings for a while.</p>
<p><b>7. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hudsonriverblue.com/">New York City FC</a> (down four places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>41 points, 2nd in East</span></li>
<li><span>5th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: OCSC 2-1 NYCFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>You don't lose to Orlando, NYCFC - you tie. Everyone knows this. Take a few steps back from the upper reaches of the Rankings to cool off and think things through.</p>
<p><b>8. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> (up 10 places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>37 points, 5th in East</span></li>
<li><span>10th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: IMFC 1-1 DC; TFC 0-1 IMFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>That tie with DC looks better now we think DC is good. And beating Toronto was unexpected, especially after Callum Mallace got sent off in the first half. Of course, this is L'Impact - so expect to see 'em yo-yo back down the list next week.</p>
<p><b>9. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.burgundywave.com/">Colorado Rapids</a> (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>43 points, 3rd in West</span></li>
<li><span>4th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RSL 2-1 Rapids</span></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">Three games now without a win</a>, and looking at three of the next four on the road. The Rapids might be gently sliding out of the top 10.</p>
<p><b>10. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/">LA Galaxy</a> (down two places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>40 points, 4th in West</span></li>
<li><span>8th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: Chicago 2-2 LA; LA 0-0 Vancouver</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Two more draws push LA's winless streak to <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">six straight games</a>. It is getting difficult to justify having the Galaxy even this high in the Rankings. We'll give 'em one more week to snap out of their funk.</p>
<p><b>11. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.themaneland.com/">Orlando City</a> (up one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>31 points, 7th in East</span></li>
<li><span>16th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: TFC 2-1 OCSC; OCSC 2-1 NYCFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Two games in a week and neither were ties? That counts as an improvement for OCSC.</p>
<p><b>12. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> (up five places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>35 points, 6th in West</span></li>
<li><span>11th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Timbers 4-2 Sounders</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Just as the Timbers seemed to be sliding out of the playoff spots, they rally to slap down their biggest rival and stay on course for the post-season.</p>
<p><b>13. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> (down seven places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>38 points, 5th in West</span></li>
<li><span>9th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Philadelphia 2-0 KC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>A long fall for a routine loss on the road, but inconsistent teams will suffer from inconsistent treatment by the Power Rankings.</p>
<p><b>14. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a> (down 12 places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>31 points, 8th in West</span></li>
<li><span>14th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Houston 1-1 Sounders; Timbers 4-2 Sounders</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Tough week for the resurgent Sounders. Houston snapped Seattle's winning streak, and Portland shut down an unbeaten run that had been going <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">for five games</a>.</p>
<p><b>15. Columbus Crew (no movement)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>26 points, 9th in East</span></li>
<li><span>18th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: Crew 1-2 Union; Crew 2-0 San Jose</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The loss to Philadelphia suggested the Crew isn't really going to stage a late charge into the playoffs; the win over San Jose suggested Columbus will spoil things for a few teams before the season is out.</p>
<p><b>16. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> (down five places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>25 points, 10th in West</span></li>
<li><span>19th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: Dynamo 1-1 Seattle; Dynamo 1-3 FCD</span></li>
</ul>
<p>One point from two home games is not a good week.</p>
<p><b>17. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/">Chicago Fire</a> (down four places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>23 points, 10th in East</span></li>
<li><span>20th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: Fire 2-2 LA; DC 6-2 Fire</span></li>
</ul>
<p>That DC result might leave a mark, but the Fire now has three consecutive home games to make it better.</p>
<p><b>18. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> (up one place)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>31 points, 9th in West</span></li>
<li><span>15th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: LA 0-0 Vancouver</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Compared to the teams below, Vancouver's 0-0 draw in LA is an encouraging sign.</p>
<p><b>19. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a> (no movement)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>27 points, 8th in East</span></li>
<li><span>17th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: SJ 0-0 Revs; RBNY 1-0 Revs</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Zero goals and one point isn't a good return, but we already knew the Revs aren't good. What we didn't know was that San Jose might be worse.</p>
<p><b>20. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.centerlinesoccer.com/">San Jose Earthquakes</a> (down six places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>32 points, 7th in West</span></li>
<li><span>13th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: SJ 0-0 Revs; Crew 2-0 SJ</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The Quakes managed to play two of the worst teams in the East this week and not score a goal. Throw in <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/24/12572232/mls-power-rankings-week-24-seattle-sounders-surge-to-second">last week's</a> loss to the worst team in the West, and you have a team that has lost all its power.</p>
https://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/30/12702984/mls-power-rankings-week-25-real-salt-lake-steps-into-the-spotlightAustin Fido2016-08-24T18:15:04-04:002016-08-24T18:15:04-04:00MLS Power Rankings, Week 24: Sounders surge to 2nd
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ndf2Sms43Fs0eI-CKrumHorZh1w=/0x0:4210x2807/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50514217/usa-today-9496938.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Sounders keep winning, and keep rising up these rankings.</p> <p>No change at the top or the bottom this week, but a lot of movement in between.</p>
<p><b>1. Toronto FC (no movement)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>40 points, 2nd in Eastern Conference</span></li>
<li><span>4th in Supporters' Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Union 1-3 TFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>There was a time this season when Philadelphia Union looked a solid bet to win the Eastern Conference. Seems a long time ago now. Toronto swept into Chester, PA in imperious form, and swept out with three points. Only <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3750823/New-York-City-1-0-LA-Galaxy-David-Silva-strikes-Frank-Lampard-gets-better-old-rival-Steven-Gerrard.html">a blown offside call</a> in Yankee Stadium prevented TFC from claiming what increasingly looks its rightful place at the top of the East.</p>
<p><b>2. Seattle Sounders (up four places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>30 points, 8th in Western Conference</span></li>
<li><span>13th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Seattle 3-1 Portland</span></li>
</ul>
<p>How is the 8th-placed team in the West at second in our Power Rankings? Well, the Sounders have the longest active winning streak in MLS - <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">three games</a>, after this week's win over Portland. We had them at 5th on this list last week. Of the four teams above Seattle in our <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/16/12497482/mls-power-rankings-week-23-toronto-fc-vancouver-whitecaps-seattle-sounders">Week 23 Power Rankings</a>, only TFC managed to win. So only TFC is above the Sounders this week.</p>
<p><b>3. New York City FC (up five places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>41 points, 1st in East</span></li>
<li><span>3rd in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: NYCFC 1-0 LA Galaxy</span></li>
</ul>
<p>They won't go away. <i>Once A Metro</i> is not thrilled to see NYCFC bobbing back up in the Power Rankings, but there's no arguing with top of the East thanks to beating what had been the hardest team to beat in MLS. There was something off(side) about David Villa's <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-08-20-new-york-city-fc-vs-la-galaxy/details/video/86500">match-winner</a>, but that just means the refs are on NYCFC's side too - and that is surely an indicator of some power.</p>
<p><b>4. New York Red Bulls (down two places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>37 points, 3rd in East</span></li>
<li><span>8th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: DC 2-2 RBNY</span></li>
</ul>
<p>LA's loss means RBNY now has <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">the longest active unbeaten streak in MLS</a>. But it also has a less impressive streak of blowing leads and dropping points on the road. This week's <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/21/12578712/three-thoughts-new-york-red-bulls-slip-to-2-2-draw-with-dc-united-highlights-bwp-lloyd-sam">2-2 draw</a> in DC was more of what RBNY fans have got used to this season: a team that reliably struggles to win away from home.</p>
<p><b>5. Real Salt Lake (up seven places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>40 points, 3rd in West</span></li>
<li><span>5th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RSL 1-0 FCD</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The NYCFC of the West as far as these Power Rankings are concerned: RSL keeps bobbing back up the list every time we think they might be sinking for good this time. This week, a 1-0 win over the Western Conference and Supporters' Shield leader is good for a big bump up the rankings. And there's a chance RSL will stick around the top five this time, because its next two games are also at home (where Salt Lake is unbeaten in the league this season) and against good teams (Colorado and LA).</p>
<p><b>6. Sporting Kansas City (up one place)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>38 points, 4th in West</span></li>
<li><span>6th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: KC 2-0 Vancouver</span></li>
</ul>
<div>A solid home win over slumping Vancouver isn't that impressive, but a lot of the top teams in the league slipped up in Week 23 and KC did not.</div>
<p><b>7. Colorado Rapids (down three places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>43 points, 2nd in West</span></li>
<li><span>2nd in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Rapids 0-0 Orlando</span></li>
</ul>
<div>The Rapids aren't trying to impress any Power Rankings. A scoreless tie with Orlando is a bland result, not worth any great excitement, but it keeps Colorado where it wants to be: within striking distance of FC Dallas. The Rapids play four of their next five matches on the road, which should reveal whether they have the requisite power to close out the season with a Supporters' Shield.</div>
<p><b>8. LA Galaxy (down five places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>38 points, 5th in West</span></li>
<li><span>7th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: NYCFC 1-0 LA</span></li>
</ul>
<div>LA only fell this far because other teams had better results this week. Week 23 saw the team lose in MLS for <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">the first time since June</a>: it is not in any great trouble. While it should be noted that LA is winless in its last four league games, it is also just six point shy of getting itself into the Shield conversation - and it has two games in hand on FCD.</div>
<p><b>9. FC Dallas (down three places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>45 points, 1st in West</span></li>
<li><span>1st in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RSL 1-0 FCD</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Another team tumbling down the rankings largely because it had an off week. There is no reason to believe FCD can't shrug off a disappointing result against RSL and return to its table-topping form for its next match: away to Houston.</p>
<p><b>10. D.C. United (up three places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>28 points, 6th in East</span></li>
<li><span>15th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: DC 2-2 RBNY</span></li>
</ul>
<div>Fought back from two goals down to extend RBNY's frustrating road record, and to keep itself clinging to the last playoff spot in the East.</div>
<p><b>11. Houston Dynamo (up five places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>24 points, 10th in West</span></li>
<li><span>18th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: San Jose 1-2 Houston</span></li>
</ul>
<div>Who saw that coming? The Dynamo's first away win of the season comes against a surging San Jose that was supposed to use a home win over the worst team in the West to jump above the red line and into the playoff conversation. Didn't happen. It feels too late in the year for Houston to really make a run for the post-season, but it can spoil things for others if it has finally figured out how to win.</div>
<p><b>12. Orlando City (up three places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>28 points, 7th in East</span></li>
<li><span>16th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Colorado 0-0 OCSC</span></li>
</ul>
<div>Orlando is going to have to figure out how to win games if it is going to make the playoffs. It now has tied 13 of the 24 league matches it has played this season. Still, not losing in Colorado is a decent result, and worth a step forward for OCSC in these rankings.</div>
<p><b>13. Chicago Fire (up five places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>22 points, 10th in East</span></li>
<li><span>20th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Montreal 0-3 Fire</span></li>
</ul>
<p>More surprising than Houston's win over San Jose: Chicago's <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/accam-excited-timbers-landmark-win-110553281.html">first road win since 2014</a>. And it was a road win against a legit Eastern Conference playoff contender. At least, we thought Montreal was a legit playoff contender until it got embarrassed on its home field by the Fire.</p>
<p><b>14. San Jose Earthquakes (down five places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>31 points, 7th in West</span></li>
<li><span>12th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: SJ 1-2 Houston</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Everyone makes mistakes, so we ought not to judge San Jose too harshly for slipping up this week. The team will hope to get back on track when New England comes to visit in the midweek round of Week 24 games.</p>
<p><b>15. Columbus Crew (up two places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>23 points, 9th in East</span></li>
<li><span>19th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Revs 0-2 Crew</span></li>
</ul>
<p>It isn't clear if this week's result shows Columbus is finally pulling itself together (this was its first MLS win since May), or is simply more evidence that things have gone profoundly awry in New England.</p>
<p><b>16. Philadelphia Union (down six places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>34 points, 4th in East</span></li>
<li><span>9th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Union 1-3 TFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Fell a long way for doing nothing worse than losing to the hottest team in MLS, but Philly is supposed to an Eastern Conference contender. Getting blown out at home to one of the true contenders in the East doesn't help to reverse the perception that the Union - with just <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">one win in its last six games</a> - has hit the ceiling on its 2016 potential.</p>
<p><b>17. Portland Timbers (down three places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>32 points, 6th in West</span></li>
<li><span>11th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Seattle 3-1 Timbers</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Fourth loss in five league games for Portland is a problem. Also a problem:handing three points to Seattle to officially add the Sounders to the list of teams challenging the Timbers' <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings">hold on 6th place in the West</a>.</p>
<p><b>18. Montreal Impact (down seven places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>33 points, 5th in East</span></li>
<li><span>10th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Montreal 0-3 Chicago</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Losing to RBNY in Red Bull Arena is one thing. Losing to Chicago is another. Losing to Chicago on your own home field, quite another thing entirely. Back-to-back losses is going to send any team down these rankings. And when one of those losses is at home to the league's worst road team: you end up falling just short of the bottom of the pile.</p>
<p><b>T19: New England Revolution & Vancouver Whitecaps</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>Revs: 26 points, 8th in East. 'Caps: 30 points, 9th in West.</span></li>
<li><span>Revs: 17th in Shield race. 'Caps: 14th.</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: Revs 0-2 Columbus; KC 2-0 Vancouver</span></li>
</ul>
<p>It feels like splitting hairs to suggest one of these two is manifestly worse than the other at the moment. Both have lost <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">four in a row</a>; neither is out of the race for post-season play in their respective conferences, but neither looks capable of staying in that race for much longer.</p>
<p>Yes, the Revs' home loss to generally-abject Columbus was more embarrassing than the 'Caps road loss to generally-competent KC - but that's too small a distinction to count for much.</p>
<p>Both the Revs and 'Caps are bad right now. How bad? Worse than any other in the league.</p>
https://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/24/12572232/mls-power-rankings-week-24-seattle-sounders-surge-to-secondAustin Fido2016-08-16T12:29:18-04:002016-08-16T12:29:18-04:00MLS Power Rankings, Week 23: Sounders Rising
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fnWdo98nwYMPXGeZBxGQobW-0j0=/0x0:4205x2803/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50404961/usa-today-9464155.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Power Rankings are impressed by Seattle this week.</p> <p>TFC's streak of wins is over, but it is still unbeaten in five and still top of these rankings.</p>
<p><b>1. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> (no movement)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>37 points, 2nd in Eastern Conference</span></li>
<li><span>5th in Supporters' Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Houston 1-1 TFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The hottest team in MLS is the one that just <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-08-14-houston-dynamo-vs-toronto-fc/recap">drew 1-1</a> against a 10-man, worst-in-the-West <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a>? Yep. LA and FCD also drew this week, but they were at home. TFC at least was on the road.</p>
<p>RBNY has put a solid run together, and is certainly rising - but Toronto has as many points (13) from <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">its unbeaten streak of five</a> as the Red Bulls have got from their last seven league outings.</p>
<p><b>2. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.onceametro.com/">New York Red Bulls</a> (up one place)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>36 points, 3rd in Eastern Conference</span></li>
<li><span>7th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RBNY 3-1 Montreal</span></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/14/12469698/bradley-wright-phillips-breaks-a-record-and-montreal-impact-new-york-red-bulls-mls-3-1">A statement win</a> for the Red Bulls this week, beating back L'Impact's bid to crack the top three of the Eastern Conference - at least for now. It's now <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">seven games</a> since RBNY last lost: the second longest active unbeaten streak in the league. Second to LA, the team the Red Bulls came close to beating <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/8/12400506/three-thoughts-new-york-red-bulls-and-la-galaxy-steal-2-2-tie-from-blundering-ref-highlights">last week</a>.</p>
<p><b>3. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/">LA Galaxy</a> (down one place)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>38 points, 3rd in West</span></li>
<li><span>4th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: LA 1-1 Colorado</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">longest active unbeaten streak</a> in MLS keeps getting longer: LA has nine straight games without a loss after this week's tie with Colorado. But it was also the Galaxy's third consecutive tie, and the third time in a row the team has had to fight back to rescue a point.</p>
<p>The streak must be respected. But LA has now dropped points at home in back-to-back games. The suspicion is the Galaxy is cooling off.</p>
<p><b>4. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.burgundywave.com/">Colorado Rapids</a> (up two places)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>42 points, 2nd in West</span></li>
<li><span>2nd in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: LA 1-1 Colorado</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Still only two games played since the 5-1 loss to NYCFC that <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">snapped a 15-game unbeaten run</a> and changed the perception that the Rapids were going to run away with the Supporters' Shield by virtue of being unbeatable.</p>
<p>But Colorado seems to have got itself quickly righted since being capsized by NYCFC. A point against the Galaxy in LA is a good result, and the Rapids remains the league's <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings/supporters-shield">points-per-game leaders</a>.</p>
<p><b>5. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a> (up six places)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>27 points, 9th in West</span></li>
<li><span>14th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Sounders 2-1 RSL</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Over-rating the 14th-placed team in <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings/supporters-shield">the Shield race</a>? Perhaps. But these rankings are about power. Power is most convincingly expressed by wins. And Seattle is <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">the only team in MLS with a winning streak at the moment</a>. Yes, it's only two games, that's why the Sounders' rise is capped at number five on this list. For now.</p>
<p><b>6. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a> (down one place)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>45 points, 1st in West</span></li>
<li><span>1st in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: FCD 2-2 Sporting KC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>FCD is doing just fine: still leading <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings/supporters-shield">the Shield race</a>; now <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">unbeaten in four games</a>. But points dropped at home to KC just doesn't add up to a rise in these rankings.</p>
<p><b>7. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> (up three places)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>35 points, 5th in West</span></li>
<li><span>8th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: FCD 2-2 KC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The draw in Dallas was an encouraging reaction to last week's capitulation in Portland. And a surprising one, given that this was just the fourth point on the road KC has picked up since winning its first two away games of the season.</p>
<p><b>8. NYCFC (down one place)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>38 points, 1st in East</span></li>
<li><span>3rd in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Columbus 3-3 NYCFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Coulda, woulda, and shoulda got three points against Columbus after taking the lead in second-half stoppage time. <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-08-13-columbus-crew-sc-vs-new-york-city-fc/recap">Didn't</a>. Still top of the East, still on for the playoffs, just a disappointing return for three goals scored on the road this week.</p>
<p><b>9. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.centerlinesoccer.com/">San Jose Earthquakes</a> (up three places)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>31 points, 7th in West</span></li>
<li><span>12th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Vancouver 1-2 San Jose</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Back in contention for <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings">a Western Conference playoff spot</a> after their first road win in MLS of the season, the Quakes are now <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">unbeaten in their last five league games</a>.</p>
<p><b>10. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a> (up three places)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>34 points, 4th in East</span></li>
<li><span>9th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Revs 0-4 Union</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Welcome back to the top 10, Philly. Win next week's game against Toronto FC as convincingly as you <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-08-13-new-england-revolution-vs-philadelphia-union/recap">hammered the Revs</a> this week and we'll be welcoming you to the top five.</p>
<p><b>11. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> (down seven places)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>33 points, 5th in East</span></li>
<li><span>10th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RBNY 3-1 IMFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>A rough outing in Red Bull Arena for L'Impact in Week 23. A couple of key calls went against Montreal, and what could have been a statement win was instead a brake on the team's progress up the <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings">Eastern Conference standings</a>.</p>
<p><b>12. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> (down four places)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>37 points, 4th in West</span></li>
<li><span>6th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Seattle 2-1 RSL</span></li>
</ul>
<p>RSL remains well positioned in<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings"> the West</a> and should expect to make the playoffs, since it will play <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">six of its last 10 league games at home</a>. But <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-08-14-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-real-salt-lake/recap">this week's loss</a> only looked close because Seattle missed a penalty and RSL was allowed a goal that <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/14/12477976/real-salt-lake-just-got-a-goal-out-of-the-move-that-got-bradley-wright-phillips-suspended-in-2014">should never have been</a>.</p>
<p><b>13. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United</a> (up four places)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>27 points, 6th in East</span></li>
<li><span>15th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: DCU 2-0 Portland</span></li>
</ul>
<p>DCU's <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">first win since June</a> included a <span>Lloyd Sam</span> assist. <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-08-13-dc-united-vs-portland-timbers/recap">A good result</a> against suddenly slumping Portland saw DC bob into <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings">the Eastern Conference playoff spots</a>.</p>
<p><b>14. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> (down five places)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>32 points, 6th in East</span></li>
<li><span>11th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: DC 2-0 Timbers</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The Timbers' suffered their third loss in their last four games this week, and now have to worry about two of the form teams in the West. San Jose has pulled up close to Portland in the standings, to challenge for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. And the Timbers must play Seattle twice over the next two rounds of league matches.</p>
<p><b>15. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.themaneland.com/">Orlando City</a> (down one place)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>27 points, 7th in East</span></li>
<li><span>16th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Chicago 2-2 Orlando</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Orlando doesn't do bore draws. This week saw its <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">ninth 2-2 result of the season</a>. But it also doesn't do nearly enough winning. This was its <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings">12th tie in 23 league games</a>. Goals don't seem to be enough to win games for OCSC, and it is running out of time to fix the leaky defense that keeps costing it points.</p>
<p><b>16. Houston Dynamo (up three places)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>21 points, 10th in West</span></li>
<li><span>18th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Houston 1-1 TFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Held off the hottest team in the league <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-08-14-houston-dynamo-vs-toronto-fc/recap">for 45 minutes with 10 men</a>. A good result for a team that has tended not to be good this season.</p>
<p><b>17. Columbus Crew (up three places)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>20 points, 9th in East</span></li>
<li><span>19th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Crew 3-3 NYCFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The Crew still isn't good enough to win a game. It hasn't been <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">since May</a>. But Columbus did <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-08-13-columbus-crew-sc-vs-new-york-city-fc/recap">fight back</a> to get an unlikely point after NYCFC had turned a 2-1 loss into what looked certain to be a 3-2 win until <span>Ethan Finlay</span> intervened. The Crew hasn't stopped fighting, which is positive. Of course, (<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/05/08/kei-kamara-lashes-out-teammate-federico-higuain-after-pk-incident">internal</a>) fighting might be what cost Columbus any success this season.</p>
<p><b>18. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/">Chicago Fire</a> (no movement)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>19 points, 10th in East</span></li>
<li><span>20th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Fire 2-2 OCSC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>On the bright side, Chicago didn't lose. On the less bright side, everyone draws with Orlando and the Fire remains <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings">rooted to the bottom of the East</a>.</p>
<p><b>19. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a> (down three places)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>26 points, 8th in East</span></li>
<li><span>17th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Revs 0-4 Union</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The Revs were embarrassed at home this week, slumping to their <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">third straight defeat</a> and sixth loss in their last nine league games. New England had too many draws in the opening half of the season, but still only lost four of its first 15 games in MLS 2016. Now the team is losing too many, too often.</p>
<p><b>20. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> (down five places)</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>30 points, 8th in West</span></li>
<li><span>13th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Vancouver 1-2 San Jose</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The wheels are off in Vancouver. The 'Caps have <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">lost three in a row</a>, and this week's was a bad sign: they handed once-struggling San Jose its first road win of the MLS season. And the Quakes hopped above Vancouver in <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings">the standings</a>, still with two games in hand over the 'Caps.</p>
<p>Vancouver's winless run is now at five games, and it will play four of its next five games on the road.</p>
https://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/16/12497482/mls-power-rankings-week-23-toronto-fc-vancouver-whitecaps-seattle-soundersAustin Fido2016-08-12T07:07:05-04:002016-08-12T07:07:05-04:00MLS Power Rankings, Week 22: Toronto FC on top
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XtGa_yVX8xwunmelpcgbJnn1q0E=/0x92:5302x3627/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50361879/usa-today-9427613.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Good week for Montreal in these rankings, but no one had a better week than TFC in MLS in Week 22.</p> <p>Canadian teams are rising in the East and sinking in the West in MLS...</p>
<p><b>1. Toronto FC (up three places)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>36 points, 2nd in Eastern Conference</span></li>
<li><span>4th in Supporters' Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: TFC 1-0 RSL; TFC 4-1 New England</span></li>
</ul>
<p>TFC played twice and won twice in Week 22. No other team in MLS can say the same, so that alone makes Toronto the hottest team in the league at this moment. Further, those back-to-back wins concluded a four-game home stand with maximum points: 12 points from 12 available <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">over those four matches</a>. And that is the longest active winning streak in MLS: more evidence of power.</p>
<p>TFC's recent surge has made it a contender for the Eastern Conference title. It has a game in hand on East-leading NYCFC and is just <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings">a point behind the top of the conference</a>. Toronto now faces a three-game road trip, which will test its East-winning aspirations.</p>
<p><b>2. LA Galaxy (up two places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>37 points, 4th in Western Conference</span></li>
<li><span>5th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: LA 2-2 RBNY</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Lucky to get out of Week 22 with a point, after falling two goals behind RBNY and needing a late surge and considerable help from referee Hilario Grajeda to <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/8/12400506/three-thoughts-new-york-red-bulls-and-la-galaxy-steal-2-2-tie-from-blundering-ref-highlights">square the game</a>. But it takes a little luck to stay ahead in MLS, and LA is now <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">eight games unbeaten</a>.</p>
<p>The longest active unbeaten streak in the league is a measure of power. Up next is a home game against MLS points-per-game leading Colorado Rapids: if the Galaxy wins that one, it will start to look very powerful indeed.</p>
<p><b>3. New York Red Bulls (up four places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>33 points, 3rd in East</span></li>
<li><span>8th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: LA 2-2 RBNY</span></li>
</ul>
<p>The Red Bulls are stockpiling <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/8/12400506/three-thoughts-new-york-red-bulls-and-la-galaxy-steal-2-2-tie-from-blundering-ref-highlights">grievances and injuries</a> at the moment, and the litany of (justifiable) complaints coming out of Harrison has perhaps overshadowed RBNY's <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">six-game unbeaten streak</a>. The streak has been built on the team's offensive power: 12 goals in those six matches. And RBNY <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/9/12413612/damari-royer-introduced-to-new-york">added to its attack this week</a>.</p>
<p>The Red Bulls need to win pretty much all their remaining home games to offset their unconvincing road form and their terrible start to the season. But the scare they gave an in-form Galaxy in LA suggests their road form might be capable of turning itself around. If that happens, and Red Bull Arena remains a reliable source of points for RBNY: this team will ride into the post-season as a favorite.</p>
<p><b>4. Montreal Impact (up eight places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>33 points, 4th in East</span></li>
<li><span>9th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Impact 1-0 Houston</span></li>
</ul>
<p>How does a modest 1-0 home win over lamentable Houston Dynamo raise a team eight places in the Power Rankings? It was a modest 1-0 home win that raised Montreal's record to just <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">one loss in its last 10 games</a>. Only Colorado and LA can say the same in MLS at the moment. And that is pretty good company.</p>
<p><b>5. FC Dallas (down four places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>44 points, 1st in West</span></li>
<li><span>1st in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result (July 31): FCD 2-0 Vancouver</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Tumbled off the top spot for no greater sin than simply not playing in Week 22, FCD has to fit into these rankings somewhere. Fifth seems about as far as we can drop the league's leading team while it's back is turned.</p>
<p><b>6. Colorado Rapids (up four places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>41 points, 2nd in West</span></li>
<li><span>2nd in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Rapids 2-0 Vancouver</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Bounced back from seeing their unbeaten streak snapped <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/2/12342236/mls-power-rankings-week-21-colorado-noooooo">in Week 21</a> with a home win that keeps the Rapids in the hunt for Western Conference and Supporters' Shield titles.</p>
<p><b>7. New York City FC (down five places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>37 points, 1st in East</span></li>
<li><span>4th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: San Jose 0-0 NYCFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Nothing wrong with taking a point back from a trip to the West Coast, and NYCFC is still <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings">top of the East</a>. But a 0-0 draw is rarely a sign of compelling power.</p>
<p>This was NYCFC's first draw in MLS <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">since May</a>. The team has hurtled up the standings thanks to a string of wins, and is likely to get back to that sort of form soon - it's next match is against struggling Columbus.</p>
<p><b>8. Real Salt Lake (down two places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>37 points, 3rd in West</span></li>
<li><span>3rd in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last results: TFC 1-0 RSL; RSL 3-1 Chicago</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Week 22 seemed to sum up RSL this season: up against a good team in good form, it was second best; hosting one of the worst team's in the league, it was a winner.</p>
<p>RSL hasn't looked convincingly good against all challengers <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">since April</a>. But it is still the third-placed team in the Shield race, which is worth some respect.</p>
<p><b>9. Portland Timbers (up two places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>32 points, 6th in West</span></li>
<li><span>10th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Timbers 3-0 KC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Bounced down the rankings last week by a loss to Sporting KC, Portland bounced back into the top 10 thanks to a win over Sporting KC.</p>
<p><b>10. Sporting Kansas City (down five places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>34 points, 5th in West</span></li>
<li><span>7th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Timbers 3-0 KC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>This slide down the rankings is in part predictive: KC has been in a pattern of winning at home and losing away since <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">the beginning of July</a>. And its next game is away. Against FC Dallas.</p>
<p><b>11. Seattle Sounders (up three places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>24 points, 9th in West</span></li>
<li><span>16th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Orlando 1-3 Sounders</span></li>
</ul>
<p>A long way to go before the dig out of the deep hole dug for themselves in MLS this season, but a comfortable away win over an Eastern Conference playoff contender that was kidding itself it was in good form: maybe it's the start of Seattle's long-awaited return to form.</p>
<p>Upcoming home games against Western Conference rivals will tell us more about the Sounders' alleged recovery, but mark Week 22 as the start of Seattle's surge, if that surge is indeed happening.</p>
<p><b>12. San Jose Earthquakes (up four places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>28 points, 8th in West</span></li>
<li><span>13th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: SJ 0-0 NYCFC</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Four games unbeaten, within striking distance of a playoff place: San Jose might be quietly positioning itself for a post-season run. Alternatively, third consecutive draw and one win in its last 11: the Quakes are going nowhere, slowly.</p>
<p>This ranking takes the more optimistic view, for now.</p>
<p><b>13. Philadelphia Union (down four places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>31 points, 5th in East</span></li>
<li><span>11th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: DC 2-2 Union</span></li>
</ul>
<p>For a good team, Philly is not playing well. The Union is now four games into <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">a winless streak</a>. And its last four wins were against Columbus, Chicago and DC (twice) - all at home. The Union needs a boost. Maybe Alejandro Bedoya can <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/11/all-access-inside-alejandro-bedoyas-first-day-philadelphia-union">provide it</a>.</p>
<p><b>14. Orlando City (down six places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>26 points, 7th in East</span></li>
<li><span>15th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: OCSC 1-3 Seattle</span></li>
</ul>
<p>It's not just that Orlando lost at home in Week 22. Nor that it has only one win in its last seven games. But it lost to Seattle: one of the most out-of-sorts teams in the league.</p>
<p><b>15. Vancouver Whitecaps (no movement)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>30 points, 7th in West</span></li>
<li><span>12th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Colorado 2-0 Vancouver</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Cut Vancouver some slack: it has lost <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">back-to-back games</a> but they were against Dallas and Colorado. On the road. Next up is San Jose at home. Lose that one, Vancouver - and the slack will have run out.</p>
<p><b>16. New England Revolution (down three places)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>26 points, 6th in East</span></li>
<li><span>14th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Toronto 4-1 Revs</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Perhaps the Revs were unlucky to run into red-hot TFC this week. Or perhaps not. Last week, the Revs became the first team to lose to Orlando in MLS since the end of June. And the only teams New England has beaten <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">recently</a> are Columbus and Chicago - the two worst teams in the league.</p>
<p>The Revs are not good. Maybe the back-to-back home games they'll play over the next couple of weeks will turn things around.</p>
<p><b>17. D.C. United (up one place)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>24 points, 8th in East</span></li>
<li><span>17th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: DC 2-2 Union</span></li>
</ul>
<p>DC is only two points outside the Eastern Conference playoff places. This is surprising because DC is now six games without a league win, and has only won <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">one of its last nine in MLS</a>. It hasn't sunk so low that its situation is irretrievable, but it is sinking. Still, a point and a couple of goals against a Philly team that recently looked very good is encouraging.</p>
<p><b>18. Chicago Fire (down one place)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>18 points, 10th in East</span></li>
<li><span>20th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: RSL 3-1 Chicago</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Lost on the road, again. Rooted to the bottom of the East, still. It's hard to explain why Chicago isn't bottom of this list. Yet.</p>
<p><b>19. Houston Dynamo (no movement)</b></p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>20 points, 10th in West</span></li>
<li><span>18th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: Montreal 1-0 Houston</span></li>
</ul>
<div>Sure, the Dynamo only lost 1-0, on the road, to a good team. But the result also means the Dynamo has scored <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/results">just once in its last five league outings</a>, and it has won just once in its last 11 games in MLS. The only reason Houston isn't bottom of this list is Houston at least played in Week 22, which is more than can be said for Columbus.</div>
<p><b>20. Columbus Crew (no movement)</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>19 points, 9th in East</span></li>
<li><span>19th in Shield race</span></li>
<li><span>Last result: TFC 3-0 Crew (July 31)</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Columbus didn't play this week. A team can't increase its power by not playing. So Columbus is still bottom of this pile.</p>
https://www.onceametro.com/2016/8/12/12395906/mls-power-rankings-week-22-toronto-fc-on-top-la-galaxy-montreal-impact-new-york-red-bullsAustin Fido