MLS Power Rankings, Week 22: 'Caps, Sounders, and Timbers on the rise

Welcome to the 2017 MLS Power Rankings, where we rank each team after each week with consideration to form, latest results, stats, and some other intangibles to try to craft an idea of how things stand in one single table.

Here's how each team ranks after Week 22 of the 2017 season:

1. Toronto FC (-)

• Last Week: 1-1 draw vs. D.C. United
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 vs. Portland (6:00 p.m. ET)

Toronto FC does a lot of things well, but it looks like a touch of overconfidence has crept into the team; sometimes, the Reds need to get out of second gear.

2. New York City FC (+1)

• Last Week: 3-2 win vs. New York Red Bulls
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 at LA Galaxy (11:00 p.m. ET)

David Villa's first MLS hat-trick gave New York City FC a second win over the New York Red Bulls and victory in the 2017 edition of the Hudson River Derby.

3. Chicago Fire (-1)

• Last Week: 4-1 win vs. New England Revolution
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 at Columbus (7:30 p.m. ET)

The Chicago Fire are on Toronto's heels, just three points back with a game in hand. They drop a spot only because NYCFC earned a bump up from third.

4. Sporting Kansas City (-)

• Last Week: 1-1 draw vs. Atlanta United
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 9 vs. San Jose (8:30 p.m. ET)

It's strange to see Sporting Kansas City sitting atop the West with nine wins, while Atlanta sits fifth in the East with 10. Those draws keep piling up.

5. FC Dallas (-)

• Last Week: 3-1 loss vs. Philadelphia Union
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 vs. Colorado (8:00 p.m. ET)

The era of video assistant referees (VARs) has come to MLS, and FC Dallas was the first casualty. Still, the Union managed to score thrice.

6. New York Red Bulls (-)

• Last Week: 3-2 loss vs. New York City FC
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 vs. Orlando (7:30 p.m. ET)

The New York Red Bulls have work to do if they are to match rivals NYCFC in the remainder of the 2017 season. This latest loss hurts morale and confidence.

7. Atlanta United (-)

• Last Week: 1-1 draw vs. Sporting Kansas City
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 23 at D.C. United (7:30 p.m. ET)

Atlanta United plucked a late point out of Sporting KC and now takes a much-deserved break through the next two weeks before returning to MLS action.

8. Seattle Sounders (+1)

• Last Week: 4-0 win vs. Minnesota United
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 vs. Sporting KC (4:00 p.m. ET)

The Seattle Sounders pulled off a straightforward win over the Loons and will hope to use this result as a platform to launch another late-season surge.

9. Houston Dynamo (-1)

• Last Week: 0-0 draw vs. Real Salt Lake
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 vs. San Jose (9:00 p.m. ET)

The top seven teams in the Western Conference each have nine wins. For the second-placed Houston Dynamo, the margin from top to bottom is quite slim.

10. Portland Timbers (+1)

• Last Week: 3-1 win vs. LA Galaxy
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 at Toronto (6:00 p.m. ET)

The Portland Timbers earned their first win at Providence Park since June 10. Liam Ridgewell's return bodes well for the final stretch of the season, too.

11. Vancouver Whitecaps (+1)

• Last Week: 2-2 draw vs. Colorado Rapids
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 at New England (8:00 p.m. ET)

The Vancouver Whitecaps battled back to earn a point out of Colorado, which will do this week. Carl Robinson's side is starting to find its fighting identity.

12. Orlando City (-2)

• Last Week: 2-1 loss vs. Montreal Impact
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 at NY Red Bulls (7:30 p.m. ET)

It's the third week in a row that Orlando City has conceded a late goal to throw points away. Jason Kreis' side needs to sort out some serious defensive flaws.

13. San Jose Earthquakes (-)

• Last Week: 2-1 win vs. Columbus Crew
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 9 at Sporting KC (8:30 p.m. ET)

The San Jose Earthquakes earned their win this week as Chris Wondolowski once again played hero. Also worth noting: the rise of Tommy Thompson.

14. Philadelphia Union (+1)

• Last Week: 3-1 win vs. FC Dallas
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 vs. Montreal (8:00 p.m. ET)

The Philadelphia Union once again turned around a loss with a surprise win, but will need to keep up that run of form to clinch a playoff berth.

15. Columbus Crew (-1)

• Last Week: 2-1 loss vs. San Jose Earthquakes
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 vs. Chicago (7:30 p.m. ET)

The Columbus Crew got a consolation goal in a 2-1 loss against San Jose, but little more, as Gregg Berhalter's side looked unconvincing through 90 minutes.

16. New England Revolution (-)

• Last Week: 4-1 loss vs. Chicago Fire
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 vs. Vancouver (8:00 p.m. ET)

It's another up-and-down fortnight for the New England Revolution, who came off a good win only to lose 4-1 to Chicago. Back to the drawing board.

17. Montreal Impact (+2)

• Last Week: 2-1 win vs. Orlando City
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 at Philadelphia (8:00 p.m. ET)

The Montreal Impact have Anthony Jackson-Hamel to thank for a nice little win over the Lions, while Ignacio Piatti made his way back to full fitness by scoring.

18. LA Galaxy (-1)

• Last Week: 3-1 loss vs. Portland Timbers
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 vs. NYCFC (11:00 p.m. ET)

The LA Galaxy tested their one-two Dos Santos punch in Jonathan dos Santos' debut, but it was overshadowed by an incredible Diego Valeri goal.

19. Minnesota United (-1)

• Last Week: 4-0 loss vs. Seattle Sounders
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 20 at Seattle (9:00 p.m. ET)

Minnesota United managed to feel both sides of a 4-0 result in the last two weeks, and now takes a bit of a break before returning for revenge in Seattle.

20. Real Salt Lake (-)

• Last Week: 0-0 draw vs. Houston Dynamo
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 at D.C. United (7:00 p.m. ET)

Real Salt Lake grabbed a much-needed point and sees a window back into the playoff picture. Four points out of seventh, 10 games left - it's go time.

21. Colorado Rapids (-)

• Last Week: 2-2 draw vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 at Dallas (8:00 p.m. ET)

The Colorado Rapids took a rare lead this weekend, only to blow it, once more, at the hands of a rallying opponent. A point is a point, but this feels like a loss.

22. D.C. United (-)

• Last Week: 1-1 draw vs. Toronto FC
• Next MLS Match: Aug. 12 vs. Real Salt Lake (7:00 p.m. ET)

A 10-man D.C. United held Toronto to a draw at RFK Stadium, and that's just fine in 2017. Ben Olsen will hope for more solid defensive showings like that.

Further reading:

• International Flavour: 3 Designated Players we want in MLS next season
• Real Madrid defeats MLS All-Stars on penalties after late drama
• The alternate All-Stars: Building an XI of underappreciated MLS talent

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)