It was a great week for the Chicago Fire and LA Galaxy, both of whom made big leaps up the rankings this week. There were also big slides, led by the Colorado Rapids.
(Our MLS Power Rankings are voted on by Goal's editors and writers. Comments written by Rudi Schuller.)
1. FC DALLAS
LAST WEEK: 1
CHANGE: —
Another week, another No. 1 ranking for Dallas. This team is firing on all cylinders right now, showing great resiliency from a heartbreaking CONCACAF Champions League exit.
2. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Bill Streicher
LAST WEEK: 3
CHANGE: +1
The Timbers keep racking up results home and away, knocking on the door for the top spot. This is the second best team in MLS right now.
3. SEATTLE SOUNDERS
John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
LAST WEEK: 2
CHANGE: -1
Consecutive draws have nudged the Sounders a little bit downward, but the team is still doing enough to make us believe that a turning point is nearby.
4. TORONTO FC
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
LAST WEEK: 5
CHANGE: +1
Toronto hosted one of the most entertaining games you'll see in MLS, but the players will be shaking their heads at all the missed opportunities in the first half against Atlanta. At least Sebastian Giovinco finally got his first goal of the year.
5. NEW YORK CITY FC
LAST WEEK: 2
CHANGE: -3
As much as NYCFC seems to be a more complete team this year, some old habits are tough to shake. The defense simply needs to be better if a real challenge at the East title is to be made.
6. ATLANTA UNITED
Tom Szczerbowski
LAST WEEK: 7
CHANGE: +1
Back-to-back draws at Seattle and Toronto? Tata Martino's crew is dispelling the notion that it can only get results against weaker sides.
7. HOUSTON DYNAMO
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
LAST WEEK: 6
CHANGE: -1
In New England, the Dynamo looked nothing like the dominant attacking force they have been at home. That's something this team will need to figure out.
8. SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Peter Aiken
LAST WEEK: 9
CHANGE: +1
Goal-starved SKC exploded for three in Week 6, which could bode very well for a team that has already got the defensive side of the game worked out.
9. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
LAST WEEK: 8
CHANGE: -1
The Red Bulls miss Dax McCarty more than they thought they would, and no one has stepped up to fill the leadership void.
10. ORLANDO CITY
LAST WEEK: 13
CHANGE: +3
A perfect home record is only part of Orlando's success so far — this team is extremely stingy at the back. Can the Lions find success on the road, though?
11. COLUMBUS CREW
LAST WEEK: 10
CHANGE: -1
Columbus appeared overwhelmed by a revamped Chicago side in Week 6. The question is whether that was just a blip or a sign or deeper troubles.
12. LA GALAXY
Gary A. Vasquez
LAST WEEK: 16
CHANGE: +4
The Galaxy weren't their old dominant selves in Friday's 2-0 win over Montreal, but they did what they had to do to secure the result. Jermaine Jones is public enemy No. 1 in Quebec right now, but he's hardy concerned about that.
13. CHICAGO FIRE
Mike Dinovo
LAST WEEK: 18
CHANGE: +5
Bastian Schweinsteiger's arrival has rejuvenated the Fire, and Chicago looks like a completely different team with him in the lineup.
14. MONTREAL IMPACT
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
LAST WEEK: 12
CHANGE: -2
Montreal's record is ugly right now, and questions about the team's depth are valid. But let's see what the Impact can do with a run of home games before writing them off completely.
15. D.C. UNITED
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
LAST WEEK: 15
CHANGE: —
Home is where the heart is for D.C., and consecutive 2-1 victories at RFK over Eastern Conference rivals proves it.
16. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
LAST WEEK: 14
CHANGE: -2
Wondo — who else? — bailed them out in the dying moments against Seattle, but the Earthquakes remain far from convincing.
17. COLORADO RAPIDS
LAST WEEK: 11
CHANGE: -6
Colorado rode a rock-solid defense to success last year, but with Axel Sjoberg out and Sam Cronin no longer doing the dirty work in the midfield, the Rapids appear far less solid than in 2016. And this team still cannot score goals.
18. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
LAST WEEK: 17
CHANGE: -1
The Revs are hardly playing inspired soccer, but a perfect record at Gillette Stadium gives hope that maybe we're all terribly wrong about this team.
19. REAL SALT LAKE
LAST WEEK: 22
CHANGE: +3
All that was needed to get over an ugly opening stretch of the season was an early spring blizzard. RSL exploded in the snowstorm, and the Mike Petke era is off to a decent start.
20. PHILADELPHIA UNION
LAST WEEK: 20
CHANGE: —
Don't look now, but the Union are one of two MLS teams still without a win in 2017. Despite the offseason overhaul, many of the same old problems have seemingly stuck around.
21. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
LAST WEEK: 19
CHANGE: -2
It's been a miserable start to the year for the Whitecaps, and there doesn't seem to be any quick solution at hand. Who will step up?
22. MINNESOTA UNITED
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
LAST WEEK: 21
CHANGE: -1
Sam Cronin and Marc Burch have helped solidify the squad, but it wasn't enough to keep the Loons from dropping back into the bottom of this week's rankings.
