The Mane Land MLS Power Rankings: Week 22

The summer transfer window is officially in full swing around Major League Soccer as teams try to plug holes and make a run for those coveted playoff places. Talented youngsters like Raheem Edwards and Kellyn Acosta have already traded jerseys in intra-conference deals and some players brought into the league in January have already departed for different pastures.

The personnel merry-go-round has had a small effect on the Power Rankings, but the lopsided results around the league saw some major shifts after Week 21.

1. New York Red Bulls (Last Week: 1)

The Red Bulls have now won five in six after dominating the New England Revolution in Red Bull Arena. Bradley Wright-Phillips bagged his 13th goal of the campaign and New York’s defense suffocated New England’s talented attack.

2. New York City FC (Last Week: 3)

NYCFC took the weekend to rest up before a long week on the road.

3. Atlanta United (Last Week: 4)

Not only was Josef Martinez not suspended for his headbutt during Week 20, he bagged a hat trick for Atlanta to dispatch D.C. United. Atlanta was all over the D.C. defense and was a deserving victor.

4. Portland Timbers (Last Week: 5)

Portland’s league-leading unbeaten run nearly came to a halt in Providence Park. The Montreal Impact took the lead into the break after a wild first half, but Diego Valeri salvaged a draw with fewer than 30 minutes to play. The Timbers have not lost since April 8.

5. Los Angeles FC (Last Week: 2)

Just about everything went wrong for LAFC in Minneapolis. The Wings allowed a shocking five goals, ending the side’s six-match unbeaten run in disappointing style.

6. FC Dallas (Last Week: 6)

Matt Hedges had the home side flying with an early goal just seconds into the Texas Derby, but that’s where the good times ended for the Hoops. Roland Lamah was frustratingly stopped from the penalty spot and then struck the crossbar late in the second half and Dallas was forced to settle for a point.

7. Houston Dynamo (Last Week: 7)

Joe Willis was huge for the Dynamo, making several clutch saves in the final moments to secure a point for Houston. Las Naranjas are now unbeaten through their last four matches and in prime position to get back over the red line in the West.

8. LA Galaxy (Last Week: 8)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and company got it done on a rainy night in Philadelphia. After trailing 1-0 at the half, the Galaxy equalized just three minutes into the second period and piled it on after that. LA has now surged to fourth in the West standings.

9. Sporting Kansas City (Last Week: 9)

SKC had the week off.

10. Montreal Impact (Last Week: 10)

The Montreal attack combined beautifully twice in the first half to jump out to a 2-1 lead in Portland but was let down by Evan Bush in net. The keeper was beaten in the air twice by Timbers attackers in dangerous areas and the Impact were forced to fly back with just a point.

11. Columbus Crew (Last Week: 12)

The Crew were lucky recipients of a shambolic penalty call by Silviu Petrescu that allowed Gyasi Zardes to bag a brace. Captain Wil Trapp’s blast from deep allowed Columbus to walk away with all three points in a match tainted by poor reffing.

12. Minnesota United (Last Week: 18)

The Loons are soaring, winning both of their matches in Week 21. New England gifted Minnesota chances mid-week but United thrashed LAFC on Sunday in a five-goal rout. Christian Ramirez scored three during the week, Darwin Quintero continued to dazzle, and seemingly everyone else got in on the action for MNUFC, which has yet to unleash Angelo Rodriguez.

13. Seattle Sounders (Last Week: 14)

New striker Raul Ruidiaz made his debut for the Sounders as Seattle defeated Cascadian rival Vancouver, 2-0. The Peruvian didn’t need to do much, however, as Nicolas Lodeiro scored both of Seattle’s goals. Can another DP signing push the Sounders to the postseason?

14. New England Revolution (Last Week: 11)

It was a rough week on the road for the Revs, who failed to convert on their chances in Minnesota before being drop-kicked by the Red Bulls in New Jersey. After a bright start to Brad Friedel’s managing career, New England is on the precipice of missing the playoffs.

15. D.C. United (Last Week: 13)

Wayne Rooney’s first MLS start was a dud as D.C. was dominated in Atlanta in the battle of the black and red Uniteds. D.C. managed to put just two shots on target all afternoon. The Black and Red still have plenty of games to make up ground but performances will need to be better.

16. Real Salt Lake (Last Week: 15)

Salt Lake jumped out to a 2-0 lead in just 17 minutes of the Rocky Mountain Cup but couldn’t hold on for the long haul. Colorado fought back in an evenly contested match and managed to draw level just before full time. With Minnesota looking legit and Houston’s games in hand, RSL should be looking over its shoulder.

17. Toronto FC (Last Week: 20)

Sebastian Giovinco scored his fifth goal of the season and Jonathan Osorio netted the winner as Toronto kept its playoff hopes alive. The Reds remain well out of the picture but with Jozy Altidore back in the fold maybe — just maybe — the champions can mount a charge.

18. Philadelphia Union (Last Week: 16)

Andre Blake was kept busy as the Jamaican keeper made six saves and still let three through. Philadelphia collapsed to a barrage from the LA Galaxy in the second half, seeing its slender lead vaporized in a matter of 15 minutes.

19. Colorado Rapids (Last Week: 21)

Things might actually be on the uptick for the Rapids. Colorado came back from a 2-0 deficit for a dramatic draw with Rocky Mountain rivals RSL in the final minutes. Then the Pids swung a deal for USMNT midfielder Kellyn Acosta, injecting at least a little bit of excitement back into Anthony Hudson’s side.

20. Chicago Fire (Last Week: 17)

The Fire have now lost four straight with a 2-1 loss to a Toronto team at rock bottom. A splash move for Raheem Edwards adds the nearest thing to a David Accam replacement Chicago has had this season, but the Fire need a lot more help.

21. Vancouver Whitecaps (Last Week: 19)

Vancouver lost a disappointing match against rival Seattle but it might not have been the worst news of Week 21 for the Caps. Rumors of Alphonso Davies’ departure to Bayern Munich continue to swirl with the young winger held out of the match as a deal draws nearer.

22. Orlando City (Last Week: 22)

Orlando City crumbled after a shocking penalty decision meant a late 2-1 lead slipping away. But it was Wil Trapp’s rocket just minutes later that left the Lions limping out of Columbus with nothing to show for their efforts.

23. San Jose Earthquakes (Last Week: 23)

San Jose didn’t play this weekend and no one noticed.