Power Rankings

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win

Power Rankings: Did FCD grab No. 1 spot after thrashing Portland?

BIGGEST MOVERS: NYCFC +4 spots  | San Jose -5 spots


1

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - DAL

LAST: 3


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11


The best team in MLS starts two Homegrown central midfielders with a combined age of 43. No country for old men.


Latest result: Won vs. Portland, 4-1


Last five results: W-W-W-W-W


Next MLS match: Sunday at Chicago (FOX Sports 1)


2

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - SKC

LAST: 1


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 14


Lost for only the second time in the last three months - and both were at RSL. Still a good week for Sporting, who added much-needed depth and managed to advance to the US Open Cup semis as well.


Latest result: Lost at Real Salt Lake, 2-1


Last five results: L-W-W-W-L


Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Houston


3

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - DC

LAST: 4


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11


They miss Bill Hamid, as Philly's second goal showed. But in the second half of that game United gave some evidence that they'll now be able to outscore teams. They have real depth and attacking flexibility now.


Latest result: Won vs. Philadelphia, 3-2


Last five results: W-D-L-L-W


Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Real Salt Lake


4

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - LA

LAST: 2


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11


On paper, this is the best team in MLS. On grass any place outside of Carson? Decidedly not.


Latest result: Lost at Houston, 3-0


Last five results: W-L-W-W-L


Next MLS match: Saturday at Colorado


5

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - VAN

LAST: 5


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11


Took care of business, and continue to show depth up the spine. Carl Robinson doesn't get enough love for his ability to rotate the squad and gameplan.


Latest result: Won vs. San Jose, 3-1


Last five results: W-L-L-D-W


Next MLS match: Saturday at Seattle


6

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - NY

LAST: 6


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 17


Take a few minutes to enjoy the hell out of Mike Grella's season so far.


Latest result: None


Last five results: W-W-L-W-W


Next MLS match: Saturday at Philadelphia


7

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - TOR

LAST: 8


HIGH: 3 | LOW: 16


Went to a rival's house, short-handed, and came out with a result. Yes, the defense needs work. But no, TFC aren't going away.


Latest result: Drew at Columbus, 3-3


Last five results: D-L-D-W-D


Next MLS match: Saturday at New England


8

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - CLB

LAST: 9


HIGH: 4 | LOW: 15


Should've put it away by halftime, and should've won even after they didn't manage to do that. Columbus are going to make the playoffs, but until they fix their defense they're a cut below the top teams.


Latest result: Drew vs. Toronto, 3-3


Last five results: W-L-W-W-D


Next MLS match: Saturday at Orlando City


9

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - POR

LAST: 7


HIGH: 3 | LOW: 16


Started the season relatively well on the road, but have been awful since then. It feels a bit like their season is teetering on the brink despite that strong run in May and June.


Latest result: Lost at Dallas, 4-1


Last five results: W-W-L-D-L


Next MLS match: Sunday at San Jose (ESPN2)


10

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - RSL

LAST: 12


HIGH: 5 | LOW: 17


Won a true grudge match on Friday night, and suddenly have answers for depth issues up top, in midfield and on the back line. Javier Morales, however, remains irreplaceable.


Latest result: Won vs. Sporting KC, 2-1


Last five results: D-D-L-W-W


Next MLS match: Saturday at D.C. United


11

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - SEA

LAST: 10


HIGH: 1 | LOW: 11


True story: We expect Seattle to be fine once either Dempsey or Martins is back, and once Brad Evans is back in central defense. And we also expect this team has learned some hard truths during the two-month nightmare they just suffered through.


Latest result: Lost at Montreal, 1-0


Last five results: L-W-L-L-L


Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Vancouver


12

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - MTL

LAST: 14


HIGH: 9 | LOW: 20


Let's put 'em at No. 12 with a bullet. Didier Drogba should provide them some possession, tactical flexibility and, of course, goals.


Latest result: Won vs. Seattle, 1-0


Last five results: D-L-W-L-W


Next MLS match: Saturday at NYCFC


13

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - ORL

LAST: 11


HIGH: 9 | LOW: 17


Expansion life ain't easy. Injuries have robbed this team of their best wide players and they definitely paid the price in the Bronx.


Latest result: Lost at NYCFC, 5-3


Last five results: W-D-L-L-L


Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Columbus


14

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - NYC

LAST: 18


HIGH: 10 | LOW: 20


Pirlo sees all.


Latest result: Won vs. Orlando City, 5-3


Last five results: L-W-D-L-W


Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Montreal


15

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - HOU

LAST: 17


HIGH: 10 | LOW: 18


Will Bruin from 2011 through 2014: One goal every 8.5 shots. Will Bruin in 2015: One goal every 3.1 shots. He's become ruthlessly efficient, but we're not certain this level of efficiency is quite sustainable.


Latest result: Won vs. LA, 3-0


Last five results: L-D-W-L-W


Next MLS match: Saturday at Sporting KC


16

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - NE

LAST: 16


HIGH: 2 | LOW: 20


Like everyone else, the Power Rankings Politburo is waiting for Jermaine Jones to get back. And for the Revs to do something to bolster their bedraggled defense.


Latest result: Drew at Chicago, 2-2


Last five results: L-L-L-W-D


Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Toronto


17

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - COL

LAST: 15


HIGH: 15 | LOW: 20


Clint Irwin is the most popular man in Denver.

Latest result: None


Last five results: L-L-W-W-W


Next MLS match: Saturday vs. LA


18

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - SJ

LAST: 13


HIGH: 8 | LOW: 18


The wheels have come off for the Quakes. Earlier this year they were able to lock teams down defensively even when the attack was sputtering, but that's completely disappeared.


Latest result: Lost at Vancouver, 3-1


Last five results: W-L-L-L-L


Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Portland (ESPN2)


19

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - PHI

LAST: 19


HIGH: 15 | LOW: 20


Because it's the East, they still have a shot at getting into the playoff picture. But years of roster mismanagement - no depth, money spent on the wrong spots - caused that loss at RFK.


Latest result: Lost at D.C. United, 3-2


Last five results: W-D-W-L-L


Next MLS match: Saturday vs. New York Red Bulls


20

MLS Power Rankings, Week 21: FC Dallas capture No. 1 spot after fifth-straight win - CHI

LAST: 20


HIGH: 11 | LOW: 20


Gilberto's a very good pick-up. Now they have to put that sweet, sweet allocation cash toward fixing the broken back line.


Latest result: Drew vs. New England, 2-2


Last five results: D-W-L-L-D


Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Dallas (FOX Sports 1)


Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. Rankings are voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff and remarks are written by Senior Editor Matt Doyle (@mlsanalyst).