MLS Power Rankings, Week 30: RSL, Red Bulls stall as playoff race heats up

Welcome to the 2017 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 30 of the 2017 season:

1. Toronto FC (-)

• Last Week: 4-2 win vs. New York Red Bulls
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 vs. Montreal (5:00 p.m. ET)

Toronto FC, 2017 MLS Supporters' Shield winner - has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

2. New York City FC (-)

• Last Week: 1-0 win vs. Montreal, 1-1 vs. Chicago
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 at New England (5:00 p.m. ET)

New York City FC took on another pair of Eastern Conference foes, with mixed results, but the end product remains the same: the second spot in 2017.

3. Atlanta United (-)

• Last Week: 3-0 win vs. Philadelphia, 0-0 draw vs. New England
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 3 vs. Minnesota (7:00 p.m. ET)

Unbeaten in eight straight matches, Atlanta United is warranting serious conversation in the "greatest expansion team in MLS history" narrative.

4. Vancouver Whitecaps (-)

• Last Week: 3-0 loss vs. Seattle, 1-0 win vs. Sporting KC
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 vs. San Jose (7:30 p.m. ET)

The Vancouver Whitecaps need not worry about a 3-0 loss to Seattle, a defeat that was quickly turned around. They're flying high in the West, regardless.

5. Sporting Kansas City (-)

• Last Week: 1-0 loss vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 7 at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. ET)

Sporting Kansas City probably wanted more from this week, but a playoff spot is all but assured down the final stretch.

6. Chicago Fire (+2)

• Last Week: 4-1 win vs. San Jose, 1-1 draw vs. NYCFC
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 vs. Philadelphia (5:00 p.m. ET)

Welcome back, goal-scoring version of Nemanja Nikolic. The Chicago Fire plucked points off tough opposition and finally secured a playoff berth.

7. Seattle Sounders (-)

• Last Week: 3-0 win vs. Vancouver, 2-0 loss vs. Philadelphia
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 vs. Dallas (7:30 p.m. ET)

The Seattle Sounders did well to trounce Vancouver but that 2-0 loss against the Union wasn't pretty. Now is the time for this team to find some consistency.

8. Portland Timbers (-2)

• Last Week: 2-1 loss vs. San Jose Earthquakes
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 vs. D.C. United (7:30 p.m. ET)

The Portland Timbers need just one more win to secure a playoff spot. Against lowly D.C. United net game, it's about as low-pressure a situation can get, really.

9. Columbus Crew (-)

• Last Week: 2-0 win vs. D.C. United
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 at Orlando (5:00 p.m. ET)

A straightforward win gave the Columbus Crew a playoff berth with little fuss down the final stretch of 2017. But can this team do more in the postseason?

10. New York Red Bulls (-)

• Last Week: 3-3 draw vs. D.C. United, 4-2 loss vs. Toronto
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 7 vs. Vancouver (5:00 p.m. ET)

The New York Red Bulls failed to take points out of last-placed D.C., then surrendered a come-from-behind result to TFC to hand the Reds the Supporters' Shield. Yikes.

11. Real Salt Lake (-)

• Last Week: 1-1 draw vs. LA Galaxy
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 at Colorado (7:30 p.m. ET)

Real Salt Lake probably wanted a bit more here, but will be happy with the draw as it, along with a San Jose loss, keeps the team's playoff fire burning.

12. Houston Dynamo (-)

• Last Week: 3-3 draw vs. LA Galaxy, 2-1 win vs. Minnesota
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 11 vs. Sporting KC (7:00 p.m. ET)

The Houston Dynamo sit fifth in the West and will be desperate to hold onto it through the rest of the year as any hiccups could see this team plummet.

13. San Jose Earthquakes (-)

• Last Week: 4-1 loss vs. Chicago, 2-1 win vs. Portland
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 at Vancouver (7:30 p.m. ET)

The San Jose Earthquakes had a chance to take six much-needed points from this week, but managed just the three.

14. FC Dallas (+2)

• Last Week: 2-0 win vs. Colorado, 0-0 draw vs. Orlando
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 7 at Colorado (9:00 p.m. ET)

FC Dallas managed to get three points out of Colorado and stall Orlando's momentum. Not a bad week.

15. Montreal Impact (-1)

• Last Week: 1-0 loss vs. NYCFC, 2-1 loss vs. Colorado
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 at Toronto (5:00 p.m. ET)

It's just about game over for the Montreal Impact ... but not quite yet. Despite a pair of losses this week, the Impact sit just one spot out of the playoffs.

16. New England Revolution (-1)

• Last Week: 6-1 loss vs. Orlando, 0-0 draw vs. Atlanta
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 vs. NYCFC (5:00 p.m. ET)

It's one step forward, two steps back, as usual, for New England. Defeat Toronto? Good. Blown out 6-1 to Orlando? Awful. Draw Atlanta? Good. When will it end?

17. Orlando City (+2)

• Last Week: 6-1 win vs. New England, 0-0 draw vs. Dallas
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 vs. Columbus (5:00 p.m. ET)

Orlando City put the sword to New England's throat in a 6-1 win, a statement of intent by Jason Kreis' side for next season. More of this fight is needed.

18. Philadelphia Union (-1)

• Last Week: 3-0 loss vs. Atlanta, 2-0 win vs. Seattle
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 at Chicago (5:00 p.m. ET)

The Philadelphia Union inexplicably remain right in the thick of the playoff race. Four teams tied at 39 points over 32 matches makes for a dramatic end.

19. Minnesota United (-1)

• Last Week: 2-1 loss vs. Houston Dynamo
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 3 at Atlanta (7:00 p.m. ET)

It's been a long, trying expansion year for Minnesota United. This loss is just the latest in a series of letdowns that have the Loons looking fondly to 2018.

20. D.C. United (-)

• Last Week: 3-3 draw vs. NY Red Bulls, 2-0 loss vs. Columbus
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 at Portland (7:30 p.m. ET)

D.C. United is the only team in the East that has been eliminated from playoff contention, which says a lot about the quality of the conference this year.

21. Colorado Rapids (-)

• Last Week: 2-0 loss vs. Dallas, 2-1 win vs. Montreal
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 7 vs. Dallas (9:00 p.m. ET)

The Colorado Rapids sit joint-bottom of the West - and of the entire league - and still managed to scupper Montreal's playoff hopes.

22. LA Galaxy (-)

• Last Week: 3-3 draw vs. Houston, 1-1 draw vs. Real Salt Lake
• Next MLS Match: Oct. 15 vs. Minnesota (7:30 p.m. ET)

The LA Galaxy managed to get two points out of two matches, throwing a wrench into a pair of Western Conference teams' playoff aspirations. Playing spoilers is fun!

Further reading:

• Toronto FC locks up Supporters' Shield for 1st time in club history
• Montreal Impact agree to terms with Ignacio Piatti on new deal
• Atlanta becomes 1st expansion team since 2009 to reach playoffs

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)