:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55623329/usa_today_10140386.0.jpg)
It’s hard for me to know what week we’re really in in MLS, especially when this time of year (Open Cup and International breaks) come up, but, perhaps interestingly, there have been 385 games played thus far. Distributed over 22 teams, that works out to exactly 17.5 matches played per team. So let’s call this week 17.5.
So speaking of who’s hot, how about them Chicago Fire, eh? Excepting of course the USOC match in Cincinnati (which I was actually in attendance for and had a great time!), but right now they look like the team to beat. Toronto FC is staying strong, as are NYCFC and FC Dallas. Sporting Kansas City? Still solid. The call-ups of Graham Zusi, Matt Besler (I typed “Mesler” and then thought of trying to make a “His defense is so good you may call him a “Miser” or some type of “Measly” joke, but then, no), and Dom Dwyer (DWYER USMNT GOAL HOW ABOUT THAT!) hasn’t done too much to trip us up yet, with a win away to the LA Galaxy and a somewhat frustrating home draw against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Where does that lead us? To the table we go!
Week 17.5 Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Points | Wins | Losses | Draws | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team | Points | Wins | Losses | Draws | Trend |
| 1 | Toronto FC | 35 | 10 | 3 | 5 | down |
| 2 | New York City FC | 33 | 10 | 5 | 3 | up |
| 3 | Chicago Fire | 37 | 11 | 3 | 4 | up |
| 4 | FC Dallas | 31 | 8 | 3 | 7 | |
| 5 | Sporting Kansas City | 31 | 8 | 4 | 7 | down |
| 6 | Orlando City | 29 | 8 | 6 | 5 | up |
| 7 | Atlanta United | 30 | 9 | 7 | 3 | up |
| 8 | Portland Timbers | 26 | 7 | 7 | 5 | |
| 9 | Houston Dynamo | 25 | 7 | 7 | 4 | |
| 10 | San Jose Earthquakes | 26 | 7 | 7 | 5 | |
| 11 | New York Red Bulls | 23 | 7 | 8 | 2 | |
| 12 | Columbus Crew | 28 | 9 | 10 | 1 | |
| 13 | Seattle Sounders | 24 | 6 | 7 | 6 | |
| 14 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 21 | 6 | 7 | 3 | down |
| 15 | Montreal Impact | 21 | 5 | 5 | 6 | up |
| 16 | Philadelphia Union | 22 | 6 | 7 | 4 | |
| 17 | LA Galaxy | 22 | 6 | 12 | 2 | |
| 18 | New England Revolution | 20 | 5 | 8 | 5 | down |
| 19 | Colorado Rapids | 19 | 6 | 11 | 1 | up |
| 20 | Real Salt Lake | 20 | 6 | 12 | 2 | |
| 21 | Minnesota United | 18 | 5 | 11 | 3 | |
| 22 | DC United | 18 | 5 | 11 | 3 | down |
I suppose I’d note that SKC’s downward trend is a bit of an artifact, due more to upward movement of Chicago and NYCFC then to any of their own failing. Same for Toronto.
Overall I don’t see anything too surprising, except perhaps Philly digging themselves out of a hole after a dreadful start and now Colorado starting to climb as well. Colorado and Columbus have only drawn once all season? Neat.
I would note these ratings do NOT include the July 4th matches, so stay tuned for those. I’m looking at you, LA getting mauled by RSL...