The Philadelphia Union, despite being second in the Eastern Conference and third in the Supporters' Shield race, had not won a game in eight games going into this past weekend. It was one win in nine after the New England draw.
LAFC lead an ever-evolving field of contender in the Western Conference, while the Union continue to trip in the East. FC Dallas and Austin FC are two of the most unpredictable Texas teams, and the LA Galaxy have shown that they may come from the other side of Los Angeles.
After a wild weekend of soccer, Austin and Dan look at the results, break down where all 28 teams stand and give you the MLS Power Rankings.
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1 was the previous ranking.
The next MLS match is on June 18 at Seattle Sounders FC. ABC.
Brian Rodriguez matched his season total of eight appearances with a goal and an assist in the LAFC win over San Jose on Saturday. If Steve Cherundolo is to justify his standing in Los Angeles, he needs more performances like this weekend from the YoungDP.
The previous ranking was 2.
The next MLS match is June 19 against Colorado Rapids. The time is later.
The Bronx Blues have a league-best plus-15 goal differential. The only goal allowed in May was a first-half tap-in against Rochester in the Open Cup in front of 1,000 fans. NYCFC has more shots on goal than any other team and they have not dropped a single point once they have a lead. They are the most fearsome force in the East. Sean Johnson has an MLS-high eight clean sheets and is T-4th in goals prevented.
The previous ranking was 6.
The next MLS match is on June 18. The show is on the cable network, ESPN.
The second-best team in the West is the LA team. You get noticed when you trounce a conference-contending side like Austin and get goals from the likes of Mexico stars.
The previous ranking was 3.
The next MLS match is June 18 against FC Cincinnati. The time is later.
Philadelphia is still in the top of the East despite a loss to Toronto in April. In 14 games, the team has surrendered 10 goals, tied for the fewest in the league, but they are not doing well in the offensive categories of shots and conversion percentage. The Union will be fine, they haven't finished lower than third in the East since the beginning of the year, but with more goals coming from Daniel Gazdag and Julian Carranza, there's a desire for more offensive firepower in Chester.
The New England Revolution and Philadelphia Union played to a draw.
The previous ranking was 5.
The next MLS match is June 11 against the San Jose Earthquakes. The time is later.
Is there a better team in MLS than Nashville? Gary Smith's side converted three of its five scoring chances to win in Colorado.
The previous ranking was 10.
The next MLS match is June 18 against the Whitecaps. The time is later.
Paul Arriola has seven goals on the season, with two in Dallas and one in Florida. That is tied for the most he has ever scored in an entire campaign, achieved in just 1,070 minutes, and is fourth-most in MLS. FCD also has Jesus Ferreira, who leads the league in goal scoring and assisted on two of the goals in central Florida.
The previous ranking was 7.
The next MLS match is June 11 at Charlotte FC. ABC.
There were some upsets this weekend, but New York's thumping of D.C. United was the only one. Lewis Morgan's volley may never get old. The Red Bulls defense is the same as always, but there is a renewed offensive force in Harrison. They have scored 24 goals with 20 matches to go. They are the best road team in the MLS. The Red Bulls haven't made it past the first round of the playoffs since the beginning of the year, and it feels like the pieces are there to change that.
The previous ranking was 9.
The next MLS match is on Saturday at the Whitecaps. The show is on the Disney channel.
In their past five games, Real Salt Lake have played opponents in playoff positions in each of them, and earned wins in all of them. The group is battle-tested and ready to push for the playoffs.
Justen Glad's diving effort to head home the goal gave Real Salt Lake a three goal lead.
The previous ranking was 11.
The next MLS match is June 18 against Austin FC. The time is later.
I could point out that Montreal is on pace for its best MLS season since joining a decade ago, that it has scored 28 goals in 14 matches, and that it tied Philadelphia in a stretch from April to May. I am only able to muster woe over another poorly timed injury, this time Djordje Mihailovic's, which could cause him to miss the USMNT camp and the World Cup. For its sake, let's hope that Montreal is a success.
The previous ranking was 4.
The next MLS match is June 18 at Montreal. The time is later.
Austin has the second-most goals in MLS and the league's third-leading goal scorer in Sebastian Driussi, yet Los Verde are averaging just 1.2 goals per game in their past five, including a 4-1 thumping at the hands of the LA Galaxy.
The previous ranking was 8.
The next MLS match is June 15 at New England Revolution. The time is later.
After defeating Toronto, it was tied with Austin before getting steamrolled by FC Dallas. Sorry, by Paul Arriola. The culprit? Oscar Pareja's squad is far from a second-half team, with an MLS-worst minus-8 goal differential and one of the weaker home sides in MLS, taking only nine points from seven at Exploria Stadium. It is still in fifth place in the East. The Lions can last if they can finish games stronger and get more fans.
The previous ranking was 12.
June 18 is the next MLS match. The time is later.
The past two weeks were perfect for Houston, as they beat Nashville 2-0, lost to Seattle 0-1, and lost to Real Salt Lake 2-0. It was no surprise to learn that the Dynamo are one of four teams in the league to have a neutral goal differential.
Alexander Callens got his head to the corner kick and put it past the keeper to take the lead.
The previous ranking was 13
The next MLS match is June 19 at New England Revolution. The time is later.
Minnesota started the Saturday night game against NYCFC with a goal in their previous seven, but were held pointless for the third time in eight games. Luis Amarilla and Adrien Hunou have combined for just two goals this season.
The previous ranking was 14.
The next MLS match is on June 19 at New York City FC. The time is later.
The Rapids were held to a goal or less for the fifth time in six games. Colorado has lost $75,000 in general allocation money after trading for Zardes last month and sending Shinyashiki to Charlotte earlier in May.
The previous ranking was 17
June 12 is the next MLS match. ABC.
The Revs are showing signs that their record-setting form hasn't escaped them. They were perfect in May MLS play, tying Philly, Atlanta and Columbus while beating Cincinnati twice. The offense has been methodical and the return of Matt Turner has been crucial. Adam Buksa had an outrageous backheel against Cincy. The Revs only allowed 12 shots on goal in May, which was third-most in the league, and 76.4% of New England's shots were inside the box. That is a recipe for success. They should not be brooding in the Eastern Conference basement.
The previous ranking was 15.
June 19 is the next MLS match. The show is on the cable channel, ESPN2.
Atlanta United has one win, five losses and three ties in the league since April 10. Injuries are still a problem, with left-back Ronald Hernandez exiting early, but Atlanta finally got Josef Martinez back. In the past two matches, Dom Dwyer has scored in the last minute. It still leads the league in chances created (160) and passing percentage (85.3%), but can't seem to convert (9.6%) and is third to last in goals prevented.
The Crew took a 2-0 lead on a goal by Hurtado.
The previous ranking was 19
The next MLS match is June 14 against the Whitecaps. The show is on the Disney channel.
Seattle snuck past Charlotte on Sunday night. Since winning the CCL, the Sounders have played five times in MLS and scored six goals, all of which were scored by Morris, Ruidiaz, Roldan, and Lodeiro. It is not hard to see Seattle climbing out of its early-season hole and making the playoffs for a 14th straight season.
The previous ranking was 18.
The next MLS match is June 18 at Philadelphia Union. The time is later.
Cincinnati has six wins, seven losses, and one draw. It is one of only four MLS teams with four-plus away wins. It will edge Minnesota one week, then lose to New England the next. Will the Cincinnati that's last in MLS in shooting goals added show up, or the one that is in the top two in both tackles and successful duels away from home? The sixth place in the East is due to the prowess of attackers Brandon Vazquez and Luciano Acosta, who have scored more than half of their goals. Anyone can guess where this team goes.
The previous ranking was 21.
The next MLS match is June 19 at Atlanta United. The show is on the cable channel, ESPN2.
Inter Miami has been third in MLS in shooting goals added and tied for third in goals allowed, while facing the most crosses in the league. The team went 5-2-2 in that time, beating Portland, the New York Red Bulls and Seattle, and tying Philadelphia. There is a foundation emerging in South Florida. Hear, hear.
The previous ranking was 16.
June 18 is the next MLS match. The show is on the cable network, ESPN.
Bill Tuiloma scored his fifth goal of the season in Portland's loss to Inter Miami on Saturday. The Timbers have scored more than one goal just four times in 15 games this season, and that's because of the holdingMidfielder who has five goals on the year.
The Union took a 2-0 lead in the 48th minute on a goal by SergioSantos.
The previous ranking was 22.
The next MLS match is June 18 against Charlotte FC. The time is later.
It has been a tough month for the Crew, having to play both NYCFC and LAFC in back-to-back weeks. The goalkeeping performance of the season might have been the eight saves made by Eloy Room over the weekend, which included a full-stretch turn away on an upper-90 rocket off the boot of Alan. They lost to Detroit City in the Open Cup and have not won since. The international break should change that.
The previous ranking was 20.
The next MLS match is against the New York Red Bulls. ABC.
Two goals in four matches since the trade from Colorado will do just fine for the Brazilian All-American out of the University of Denver. Charlotte is winless away from Bank of America Stadium and has only four goals in seven matches. One of the league's best at home is goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, who has prevented the second-most goals at home this season. Charlotte needs to score more often and balance the home-away scales, but 14 games into its first MLS season, eighth place in the conference is not all that bad.
The previous ranking was 23.
The next MLS match is on June 18 at New York Red Bulls. The time is later.
Toronto had been without a win since April 16. You won't hear Bob Bradley's men complaining, but it was against Chicago, who have the league's worst record. Toronto was held without a goal until the 36th minute against D.C. United on May 21. The good news? Just in time for MLS-record signing Lorenzo Insigne to arrive in a month, Alejandro Pozuelo looks determined to regain his earlier MLS form.
The previous ranking was 26.
Saturday's MLS match is against Real Salt Lake. The show is on the Disney channel.
The Caps emerged with a win Saturday despite being out-shot and out-possessed in Kansas City.
The Whitecaps took the lead in the 24th minute with a Lucas Cavallini penalty.
The previous ranking was 25.
June 11 is the next MLS match. The time is later.
At least this team gives its fans reason to watch. The games involving San Jose have averaged more than four goals per game this season, which is more exciting than the average of 2.80 goals per game in MLS.
The previous ranking was 24.
The next MLS match is June 18 against D.C. United. The time is later.
I'm a sucker for a good defense. The goal-mouth fortitude of Chicago has crumbled and I regret the praise. Human and all that. The Fire are an increasingly difficult team to watch; no MLS side has managed fewer points or scored fewer goals. He created the fifth most chances in the league, but only scored three goals on seven shots at target. Kacper Przybylko, who scored three goals in the first two months of the season, has only managed eight shots on target. Since the beginning of April, they have combined for three goals. That will not do.
The previous ranking was 27.
June 12 is the next MLS match. ABC.
A loss to fellow cellar dwellers will sting a team that is coming to terms with the fact that the bottom of the Western Conference is likely to remain throughout 2022.
The previous ranking was 28.
The next MLS match is June 18 at Chicago Fire. The time is later.
Since May 7, D.C. has not won a competition. It has been the worst MLS team since the beginning of the season, taking eight points from 11 matches. The goal differential is worse for United than it is for SportingKC. It is a difficult time for The District.
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