Behind a defense putting up numbers not seen in MLS for a decade, Columbus is cementing itself as a true title contender and tops this week's edition of Power Rankings. At the other end of the spectrum, Atlanta is looking for something positive amid the storm clouds stretching across Georgia.
1. Columbus Crew
Previous ranking: 3
Next MLS match: Saturday at Chicago, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+
Columbus has a five-point gap to its closest challengers in the Supporters' Shield race, a 99% chance of reaching playoffs (according to FiveThirtyEight's Soccer Power Index) and its defensive record through 10 matches (two goals conceded, eight clean sheets) is unmatched in MLS since the Galaxy in 2010.
2. Philadelphia Union
Previous ranking: 4
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. New England, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+
Brenden Aaronson scored an absolutely beauty in the Union's 3-0 dismantling of the Red Bulls on Sunday, which is sure to raise his asking price by a few hundred grand as ever-bigger European clubs begin to circle.
Bonagura: Aaronson thriving in Philly, but destined for Europe
3. Seattle Sounders
Previous ranking: 2
Next MLS match: Thursday vs. San Jose, 10 p.m. ET
The road team's odd edge in this Cascadia Derby continued, with Seattle losing its third straight at home to the Timbers. And this after winning in Portland two weeks ago. After improving defensively since the end of MLS is Back, the Sounders didn't look sharp in this one.
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4. Orlando City
Previous ranking: 5
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+
Benji Michel scored Orlando's only goals in a pair of 1-1 draws with Nashville and Atlanta, giving him two goals and an assist in his past three appearances. Add him to Nani and Chris Mueller, and Orlando now boasts devastating depth from wide areas
5. Toronto FC
Previous ranking: 1
Next MLS match: Wednesday at Montreal, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+
That Toronto lost twice in the span of four days and remains in the thick of the Supporters' Shield race demonstrates just how strong TFC is. More contributions from Jozy Altidore and Pablo Piatti wouldn't go amiss, though.
6. LA Galaxy
Previous ranking: 10
Next MLS match: Sunday at San Jose, 11 p.m. ET, ESPN+
The Galaxy looked a shambles during MLS is Back, but four straight wins have LA back to its best, with Cristian Pavon and Sebastian Lletget lighting up the team's attack. After winning twice in two weeks against LAFC, the Galaxy have regained the upper hand in "El Trafico," too.
7. Houston Dynamo
Previous ranking: 23
Next MLS match: Wednesday at Colorado, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN+
Saturday's win over Kansas City makes it three in a row for the suddenly streaking Dynamo. Even better was the sight of Mauro Manotas, who has struggled with injuries, getting back to his goal-getting ways.
8. Montreal Impact
Previous ranking: 16
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs.. Toronto, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+
Montreal will surely savor the fact that its 1-0 win ended its Canadian rival Toronto's bid for the longest unbeaten streak in MLS history.
9. New England Revolution
Previous ranking: 9
Next MLS match: Saturday at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday's 2-0 loss to New York City FC was the Revs' first game decided by more than a goal in all of 2020.
10. LAFC
Previous ranking: 11
Next MLS match: Wednesday at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m. ET
So much for the momentum created by the midweek win over San Jose. LAFC has now lost two straight to its SoCal rivals, and has lost three of its past four. The balance that was the team's hallmark last year has evaporated. Carlos Vela can't return soon enough.
11. Portland Timbers
Previous ranking: 8
Next MLS match: Sunday at LAFC, 11 p.m. ET, ESPN+
Eryk Williamson continued his breakout season with a goal and an assist in the 2-1 win over Seattle, but the focus for the Timbers will be on the injuries suffered by core players Sebastian Blanco and Larrys Mabiala.
12. Sporting Kansas City
Previous ranking: 6
Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Minnesota, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+
One can point to any number of reasons for SKC's loss to Houston, which pushed their winless streak to four games. Five games in 16 days, no Alan Pulido -- the list goes on. The league doesn't care, though, and the team needs to figure out a way to collectively arrest this slide.
13. Minnesota United
Previous ranking: 7
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Dallas 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+
After three straight losses, a 4-0 home win over Real Salt Lake was precisely what was needed. Emanuel Reynoso settled in quickly as well, recording an assist on his debut with the club. Getting Ike Opara back on the field remains the team's biggest priority.
14. New York City FC
Previous ranking: 14
Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Cincinnati, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+
NYCFC's three-game winning streak was halted by a scoreless draw against D.C., but not before City could cement themselves in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
15. Real Salt Lake
Previous ranking: 15
Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. LAFC, 9:30 p.m. ET
RSL started brightly enough against Minnesota, and Giuseppe Rossi's 13th-minute strike looked like it should have counted. It was practically all downhill after a couple of second-half breakdowns with RSL crumbling 4-0.
16. New York Red Bulls
Previous ranking: 13
Next MLS match: Saturday at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+
No Chris Armas, no ... change in the Red Bulls' fortunes. The manager was relieved of his duties on Friday and on Sunday the club fell to its heaviest defeat of the season, a 3-0 loss to Philadelphia.
