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MLS: Week 26 Power Rankings – Storming Seattle Sounders

By Christopher Dodson

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 15: Josef Martinez #7 of Atlanta United prior to their game against the Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 15: Josef Martinez #7 of Atlanta United prior to their game against the Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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MLS, Atlanta United, Josef Martinez
ATLANTA, GA MAY 20: Atlanta’s Josef Martinez (7) strikes a pose after scoring a goal during the MLS match between Atlanta United and New York Red Bulls on May 20, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. The New York Red Bulls defeated Atlanta United FC 3 1. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

It was Week 26 in MLS and a thoroughly enjoyable Rivalry Week with a series of scintillating contests. Here are the Week 26 MLS Power Rankings.

Well, that might well have been the best week of the MLS season to date. A heating up playoff race. A series of fiery local derbies and rivalries played throughout the country. And a moment of history from one Josef Martinez.

It was a week stocked full of quality, mistakes, controversies and some major moves made in the standings.

light. Related Story. MLS: Top 10 goals of Rivalry Week

So, with all that in mind, here are the Week 26 MLS Power Rankings.

COMMERCE CITY, CO – FEBRUARY 20: Colorado Rapids new head coach Anthony Hudson, middle, walks off the field after his team lost to MLS’ Toronto FC during the CONCACAF Champions League Game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on February 20, 2018 in Commerce City, Colorado. This was the first round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions League game. The coldest game on record is 19 degrees at kickoff. Tonight’s game was in the single digits. Toronto FC beat the Colorado Rapids 2-0. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
COMMERCE CITY, CO – FEBRUARY 20: Colorado Rapids new head coach Anthony Hudson, middle, walks off the field after his team lost to MLS’ Toronto FC during the CONCACAF Champions League Game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on February 20, 2018 in Commerce City, Colorado. This was the first round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions League game. The coldest game on record is 19 degrees at kickoff. Tonight’s game was in the single digits. Toronto FC beat the Colorado Rapids 2-0. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

Bottom of the Barrel

23. team. 368. Rivalry games are usually tight, tense affairs prone to being decided by one close chance. Teams do not want to get embarrassed in rivalry games, but the Rapids did plenty to embarrass themselves as a team and individually. Niki Jackson’s first MLS start did not last a dozen minutes, as he and Boateng both were reckless in earning their red cards. Wilson and Smith were turnstiles at best, oftentimes reduced to ball-watching spectators. Anthony Hudson’s signings mostly look out of their depth and his coaching tactics inept. The Rapids have lost the plot. They need Caleb Porter’s number.. 6-14-6. Previous: 19th. Colorado Rapids

7-16-2. Previous: 21st. Orlando City SC. 22. team. 327. Orlando City used their August bye week to regroup at the IMG Academy. A whole new therapy will be needed for the fans and team alike after the 2-1 loss against Atlanta United. In a season labeled ‘Playoffs or Bust’, there is a palpable sense that this race to the Wooden Spoon is far more extreme of a let down than a mere midtable meandering of a season. OCSC earned all of one point in August and open September against two of the hottest teams in MLS (Philadelphia and Sporting KC). This team needs a Slim Pickens styled nuclear option team reset over the offseason.

18. team. 372. Brad Freidels’ team is officially suffering from adrenaline drain. Those early-season efforts to impress helped the Revs spend a good portion of the season above the playoff line. After a 1-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union, the Revs may never rise back into good standing. Losers of six of the last seven games, the Revs need to stop the bleeding. Four points back with two games in hand, they face off next against Portland, NYCFC, and LAFC. Without four points from those games, their season is done.. 7-10-8. Previous: 17th. New England Revolution

337. Houston broke the losing streak, scoring in the 88th minute to steal a point back from FC Dallas. Ceren and Boniek continued their trend of passing to the other team when simpler options are available. That trend is almost as concerning as the declining attendance the last few years in Houston. Those orange seats really stand out when they’re empty. For a rivalry game, it’s borderline unacceptable.. 7-11-7. Previous: 19th. Houston Dynamo. 17. team

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