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MLS: Week 18 Power Rankings – Sporting KC slip up

By Christopher Dodson

HARRISON, NJ - JUNE 23: New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles (31) claps to the crowd during the second half of the Major League Soccer game between the New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas on June 23, 2018, at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HARRISON, NJ - JUNE 23: New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles (31) claps to the crowd during the second half of the Major League Soccer game between the New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas on June 23, 2018, at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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HARRISON, NJ – JUNE 23: New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles (31) claps to the crowd during the second half of the Major League Soccer game between the New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas on June 23, 2018, at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Week 18 of MLS saw a number of teams return from their World Cup bye hoping to start their push for a playoff place. How did they get on? Well, here are the Week 18 power rankings.

MLS rumbles on and the shocks don’t stop coming. This time, it was Sporting KC losing 2-0 to the Montreal Impact and opening the door at the top of the West, a conference that they have had a stranglehold over for almost all of the season.

Meanwhile, the New York Red Bulls squeezed past Toronto FC, DC United lost again, but did sign Wayne Rooney to help their quest for goals, and Atlanta United hit four past Orlando City to reassert their goalscoring dominance.

Related Story: MLS: Best 11 players aged over 30

So, here are the Week 18 power rankings as teams begin to start their push for a playoff place.

August 8th, 2014 – San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski (8) warms up during the MLS western conference match Houston Dynamo vs San Jose Earthquakes at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, TX. (Photo by Robert Chambliss/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
August 8th, 2014 – San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski (8) warms up during the MLS western conference match Houston Dynamo vs San Jose Earthquakes at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, TX. (Photo by Robert Chambliss/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Bottom of the Barrel

327. OCSC has never won against Atlanta United and has now lost eight-straight MLS league games. Murphy at least advanced in the US Open Cup. James O’Connor might have the toughest job in MLS for the rest of the season. Ownership spent the money to achieve the playoff berth the fans demanded. However, the players continue to miss chances while giving up several a half at the other end. Those early-season comebacks were fools gold, as the defense is still porous and Dwyer and the other attackers are playing horribly. Kljestan was scattershot on basic passes, Mueller looks to have been a two-week wonderboy instead of dependable depth, and Will Johnson pulled off a month’s worth of Will Johnson’s in one game.. 6-10-1. Previous: 17th. Orlando City SC. 20. team

team. 368. The Rapids conceded 10 shots on goal, 25 shots total, and allowed the Whitecaps 72% possession. That’s not a recipe for a victory. But Tim Howard turned back the clock and Colorado secured a rare clean sheet. Hudson deployed a tight and defensive 5-4-1 formation to steal the three points. Nicholson’s cross deserved a better finish, but a scrambled own goal counts just the same. Wynne might not be as bad as he first seemed, while Wilson is looking worse every game. Pre-season is over, yet this roster still feels incomplete.. 3-9-3. Previous: 22nd. Colorado Rapids. 19

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