MLS Power Rankings, Week 3: Loons rise as top contenders stumble

Welcome to the 2018 MLS Power Rankings, where we rank each team after each week with consideration to form, latest results, stats, and other intangibles to craft an idea of how things stand in one single table.

Here's how each team ranks after Week 3 of the 2018 season.

1. New York City FC

• Last Week: 2-0 win vs. Orlando City
• Next MLS Match: March 24 vs. New England (1:30 p.m. ET)

Still undefeated, New York City FC is fast emerging as 2018's team to beat, and having conceded just once in three matches, it'll take a real effort to do so.

2. Atlanta United

• Last Week: 4-1 win vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
• Next MLS Match: March 31 at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. ET)

Atlanta United's strategy of outscoring its defensive woes paid dividends against Vancouver, as Josef Martinez once again flexed his scoring feet.

3. Sporting Kansas City ▲

• Last Week: 3-2 win vs. San Jose Earthquakes
• Next MLS Match: March 24 at Colorado (9:00 p.m. ET)

"Graham Zusi for president" was the call on the night as Sporting Kansas City defeated San Jose - his Arjen Robben-esque goal certainly merited praise.

4. Columbus Crew SC

• Last Week: 0-0 draw vs. Philadelphia Union
• Next MLS Match: March 24 vs. D.C. United (6:00 p.m. ET)

Held to a draw, so no movement this week for Columbus Crew SC, though it's a result Gregg Berhalter's side will probably settle for. On to the next one.

5. Los Angeles FC ▲

• Last Week: Bye week
• Next MLS Match: March 31 at LA Galaxy (3:00 p.m. ET)

Los Angeles FC took a break this week, giving head coach Bob Bradley some time to work toward the attractive, exciting style of football he's seeking to implement.

6. New York Red Bulls ▼

• Last Week: 1-0 loss vs. Real Salt Lake
• Next MLS Match: March 24 vs. Minnesota (7:00 p.m. ET)

Champions League exploits aside, the New York Red Bulls won't be pleased with this latest loss. There was a lot to be desired from Jesse Marsch's side.

7. Toronto FC ▼

• Last Week: 1-0 loss vs. Montreal Impact
• Next MLS Match: March 30 vs. Real Salt Lake (8:00 p.m. ET)

Toronto FC advanced past Tigres UANL in the Champions League this week, only to lose its second straight MLS fixture, and to bitter rival Montreal, no less. We're willing to give the Reds a bit of leeway, though. They've earned it.

8. Vancouver Whitecaps ▼

• Last Week: 4-1 loss vs. Atlanta United
• Next MLS Match: March 24 vs. LA Galaxy (10:00 p.m. ET)

The Vancouver Whitecaps will want to forget the whole of their latest loss, as an early red card to Kendall Waston and an own goal ruined the effort entirely.

9. Seattle Sounders ▼

• Last Week: 3-0 loss vs. FC Dallas
• Next MLS Match: March 31 vs. Montreal (10:00 p.m. ET)

The Seattle Sounders don't take too hard of a nosedive, despite coming up short to Dallas on Sunday. Still, these sorts of results can't be forgiven forever.

10. Houston Dynamo ▼

• Last Week: 2-2 draw vs. D.C. United
• Next MLS Match: March 31 vs. New England (8:30 p.m. ET)

A win was in the bag for the Houston Dynamo, but conceding a goal in the 97th minute of play doesn't do this team any favors in these power rankings.

11. Minnesota United ▲

• Last Week: 2-1 win vs. Chicago Fire
• Next MLS Match: March 24 at NY Red Bulls (7:00 p.m. ET)

Back-to-back victories spell the story of the surging Minnesota United, but it was the fact that the Loons did so without Kevin Molino that merits this sudden rise.

12. Chicago Fire ▼

• Last Week: 2-1 loss vs. Minnesota United
• Next MLS Match: March 31 vs. Portland (6:00 p.m. ET)

The Chicago Fire would be right to complain about the venue, if not for the fact the team's backline is looking quite fragile in the early goings of the year.

13. Philadelphia Union ▲

• Last Week: 0-0 draw vs. Columbus Crew
• Next MLS Match: March 31 at Colorado (9:00 p.m. ET)

The Philadelphia Union held Crew SC to a draw, which is fine for Jim Curtin. There were some positive signs, as the backline continued to hold steady.

14. San Jose Earthquakes ▼

• Last Week: 3-2 loss vs. Sporting Kansas City
• Next MLS Match: March 31 vs. NYCFC (8:00 p.m. ET)

The San Jose Earthquakes tried to mount a comeback against Sporting KC but just couldn't muster enough to overcome three conceded goals.

15. Montreal Impact ▲

• Last Week: 1-0 win vs. Toronto FC
• Next MLS Match: March 31 at Seattle (10:00 p.m. ET)

Remi Garde's tactical approach saw the Montreal Impact to victory over TFC, and the Frenchman might prove to be the key to this team's success in 2018.

16. LA Galaxy ▼

• Last Week: Bye week
• Next MLS Match: March 24 at Vancouver (10:00 p.m. ET)

The LA Galaxy had a break this week, but take a slight dip due to movement around them.

17. New England Revolution ▼

• Last Week: Bye week
• Next MLS Match: March 24 vs. NYCFC (1:30 p.m. ET)

The New England Revolution didn't play this week. No updates on Lee Nguyen, either. Can the Revs stop a red-hot NYCFC next week? We'll see.

18. FC Dallas ▲

• Last Week: 3-0 win vs. Seattle Sounders
• Next MLS Match: March 24 vs. Portland (3:30 p.m. ET)

FC Dallas pummeled a 10-man Seattle side, finally showing some of the attacking acumen and form that defined this 2016-leading outfit.

19. D.C. United ▲

• Last Week: 2-2 draw vs. Houston Dynamo
• Next MLS Match: March 24 at Columbus (6:00 p.m. ET)

D.C. United showed a lot of fight and resilience in battling back for a draw with Houston, and that's exactly what this team must keep doing throughout 2018.

20. Real Salt Lake ▲

• Last Week: 1-0 win vs. New York Red Bulls
• Next MLS Match: March 30 at Toronto (8:00 p.m. ET)

Real Salt Lake bounced back wonderfully from a 5-1 drubbing by defeating the Red Bulls 1-0, and can now take the international break to prepare for Toronto.

21. Portland Timbers ▼

• Last Week: Bye week
• Next MLS Match: March 24 at Dallas (3:30 p.m. ET)

The Portland Timbers got a bit more time learning under new head coach Giovanni Savarese this week, which should help for a trip to Dallas next week.

22. Orlando City ▼

• Last Week: 2-0 loss vs. New York City FC
• Next MLS Match: March 31 vs. NY Red Bulls (1:00 p.m. ET)

Joe Bendik handed NYCFC a gift on the opening goal, and Orlando City has work to do before becoming a player in the East. There's little cohesion here.

23. Colorado Rapids

• Last Week: Bye week
• Next MLS Match: March 24 vs. Sporting KC (9:00 p.m. ET)

The Colorado Rapids were off this week, but added new striker Yannick Boli using TAM funds, who they'll be hoping can provide goals by the bucket.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)