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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, Seattle Sounders, Brian Schmetzer
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JULY 07: Seattle Sounders FC head coach Brian Schmetzer during a match between the New England Revolution and Seattle Sounders FC on July 7, 2018, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The teams played to a scoreless draw. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Elite Eight

12-10-5. Previous: 9th. Real Salt Lake. 7. team. 322. Real Salt Lake took the Rocky Mountain Cup, the Rapids lunch money, their dates to prom, and all hopes of the Rapids’ season being considered a success. That is how a team wins in Rivalry Week. Plata and Savarino controlled the tempo of the game with their passing, serving as conduits to a dozen chances. Mike Petke’s team now has consecutive road wins, though against two of the worst teams in MLS. Sitting in fourth, RSL’s next two games are at home against Minnesota and the Galaxy, followed by Atlanta and Sporting KC away. RSL ends the season with Portland twice in three games after that stretch. September is ‘prove it month’.

13-5-7. Previous: 4th. FC Dallas. 5. team. 370. Nothing but draws in the Texas Derby this season. FC Dallas again was unable to distance itself from a weaker team. Badji for Acosta is looking more like a wash of a trade. Colman missed a sitter, the refs missed some calls, and the Hoops missed another opportunity to separate themselves in the standings. Now only leading the West by one point, it seems that as the season wears on, FC Dallas is playing tighter, like they are beginning to feel the pressure. There will not be a collapse like last season, but this team hardly inspires fear among potential playoff opponents.

16-6-4. Previous: 2nd. New York Red Bulls. 2. team. 373. The Red Bulls really should have finished off NYCFC, especially with a two-man advantage. With the Supporters’ Shield within reach, Chris Armas has to show more confidence in his team and be more daring in attack. Playing too close to the vest can reach a point of diminishing returns. Armas has the firepower to overwhelm teams but has hardly played to do so. Houston and Montreal await the Red Bulls this week. Houston at home might see a rotated squad, but a win is necessary to keep pace with Atlanta United.

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