MLS: Week 8 power rankings – New York City FC drops, Atlanta rises

2-2-3. Previous: 16th. Portland Timbers. 14. team. 375. Gio Savarese’s benching of Liam Ridgewell got the locker room’s attention. Ridgewell played his best game of the season and Portland finally looked like a complete team. Valeri, Blanco and Adi are connecting well again as Savarese has tinkered with his formations.

2-2-2. Previous: 9th. Colorado Rapids. 13. team. 368. Inconsistent performance for an inconsistent MLS team still going through growing pains. The core starters are coming together but it will take time. There is no pressure yet, but the Rocky Mountain Cup loss has to hurt the Rapids momentum. Back to the drawing board with the hopes of no more players in the trainers room.

337. Houston hosted a TFC team only dressing 16 players and winning decisively was paramount to get<a href=. 2-2-2. Previous: 14th. Houston Dynamo. 12. team

New England Revolution. 9. team. 372. Brad Friedel will probably stress to his team that getting stretched thin is not acceptable in his pressing system. Mat Turner continues to impress in goal despite the 2 goals. New England continues to get points while it’s most expensive players sit in the dog house. This speaks to Friedel being one of the better coaching hires this offseason.. 3-2-2. Previous: 10th