Orlando City makes big leap — Goal's Week 3 MLS Power Rankings

Rudi Schuller

Orlando City makes big leap — Goal's Week 3 MLS Power Rankings image

Week 3 of the 2017 MLS season wasn't as wild as previous matchdays, but still provided a few surprises as teams started to hit their stride.

We've seen no movement at the top and bottom of the power rankings since opening weekend, but several teams in between are leapfrogging one another as we head into the first international break of the season.

(Our MLS power rankings are voted on by Goal's editors and writers. Comments written by Rudi Schuller.)


1. FC DALLAS


Maxi Urruti MLS FC Dallas 03182017

LAST WEEK: 1
CHANGE: —

It appears that Maxi Urruti has found his scoring boots this year, and they were needed as Dallas had to come from behind to claim its latest victory – a 2-1 win over New England.


2. PORTLAND TIMBERS


David Guzman MLS Portland Timbers 03182017

LAST WEEK: 5
CHANGE: +3

Portland is one of two teams in MLS with a perfect record, and if the team's high-octane attack continues along the same path it won't be long until the Timbers claim the top spot here.


3. TORONTO FC


Victor Vazquez Toronto FC

LAST WEEK: 3
CHANGE: —

TFC finishes its season-opening road trip with a win and two draws, nicely setting up a home-heavy stretch after the international break.


4. SEATTLE SOUNDERS


Joevin Jones Seattle Sounders

LAST WEEK: 6
CHANGE: +2

The Sounders still don't seem like they've hit their stride just yet, but they are still good enough to have dispatched the Red Bulls with ease.


5. NEW YORK RED BULLS


Sean Davis New York Red Bulls

LAST WEEK: 2
CHANGE: -3

Losing at CenturyLink Field is no cause for embarrassment, but like the Sounders it still doesn't feel like Jesse Marsch's side has found its highest gear.


6. NEW YORK CITY FC


New York City FC

LAST WEEK: 4
CHANGE: -2

The vaunted Yankee Stadium advantage didn't pay off for NYCFC in Week 3, and once again it was Dominic Oduro who did the home side in as Montreal secured a 1-1 road draw.


7. ATLANTA UNITED


Josef Martinez Atlanta United

LAST WEEK: 11
CHANGE: +4

Yes, the most recent Atlanta blowout was helped along by an early Chicago red card, but does any team want to face Tata Martino's dynamic attack right now?


8. HOUSTON DYNAMO


DaMarcus Beasley Houston Dynamo

LAST WEEK: 8
CHANGE: —

It looked like Houston might actually walk into Providence Park and pull out a victory over the Timbers, but even a late collapse can't take the shine off the rebuilt Dynamo.


9. SPORTING KANSAS CITY


Benny Feilhaber Sporting Kansas City

LAST WEEK: 10
CHANGE: +1

Benny Feilhaber, take a bow. The midfielder was extremely influential against San Jose, including a fantastic goal. His side was still a bit lucky to win, but three points is three points.


10. MONTREAL IMPACT


Dom Oduro MLS Montreal Impact 3172017

LAST WEEK: 9
CHANGE: -1

The Impact are still seeking their first win of the season, but earning a draw and limiting New York City FC to just one goal in the Bronx is no easy feat.


11. COLORADO RAPIDS


Tim Howard Colorado Rapids

LAST WEEK: 7
CHANGE: -4

Are the Rapids missing Axel Sjoberg that much? How else to explain allowing two goals to Minnesota United?


12. ORLANDO CITY


Cyle Larin MLS Orlando City 03172017

LAST WEEK: 18
CHANGE: +6

Two games, two wins. Orlando City fans can't ask for more — especially as the new stadium may be on its way to becoming a fortress.


13. LA GALAXY


Dave Romney LA Galaxy

LAST WEEK: 12
CHANGE: -1

The new-look Galaxy were in desperate need of a victory, and they got just that in Utah with a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake.


14. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES


Florian Jungwirth San Jose Earthquakes

LAST WEEK: 14
CHANGE: —

David Bingham will surely want a mulligan for Week 3, but even with the goalkeeper's icy form the Earthquakes were still competitive at a very tough venue in Kansas City.


15. COLUMBUS CREW


Alex Crognale Columbus Crew

LAST WEEK: 19
CHANGE: +4

A pair of penalty kicks powered the Crew to victory at D.C. United, an we now know for sure that Federico Higuain is OK with sharing the spot-kick duties.


16. PHILADELPHIA UNION


Derrick Jones Philadelphia Union

LAST WEEK: 13
CHANGE: -3

The Union were second best against a hot Orlando side, and the team heads into the international break winless.


17. D.C. UNITED


Steve Birnbaum Patrick Nyarko D.C. United

LAST WEEK: 15
CHANGE: -2

Let's be honest: With zero goals scored in three games, D.C. is very lucky to be this high up in the rankings.


18. CHICAGO FIRE


Dax McCarty Chicago Fire MLS 031817

LAST WEEK: 16
CHANGE: -2

Regardless of the circumstances, getting pummeled by an expansion side is not a good look. Fortunately for the Fire, there will be some big-name help arriving soon.


19. REAL SALT LAKE


Brooks Lennon Real Salt Lake

LAST WEEK: 17
CHANGE: -2

A listless loss at home was the last straw as RSL ownership sacked Jeff Cassar after just three games. Will the shake-up be enough to breathe life back into the team?


20. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION


Antonio Mlinar Delamea New England Revolution

LAST WEEK: 21
CHANGE: +1

The Revs actually had a lead on FC Dallas for a short while, which suggests that this team may not be as lifeless as this ranking implies.


21. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS


Referee Ismail Elfath; Brek Shea Vancouver Whitecaps

LAST WEEK: 20
CHANGE: -1

What are you doing, Brek? The lanky Texan's ill-advised outburst sunk his team against TFC, and it seems like the Whitecaps season has already gone from bad to worse.


22. MINNESOTA UNITED


Christian Ramirez Minnesota United MLS 03172017

LAST WEEK: 22
CHANGE: —

Of all the teams to finally score two at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, it had to be the Loons. The unexpected draw was a great moment after a dismal start to the campaign, but it wasn't enough to pull Minnesota out of the bottom spot.

Rudi Schuller