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MLS: Week 30 Power Rankings – Union on a roll

By Christopher Dodson

CHESTER, PA - AUGUST 08: Union Forward Cory Burke (19) celebrates after the US Open Cup game between the Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union on August 08, 2018 at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHESTER, PA - AUGUST 08: Union Forward Cory Burke (19) celebrates after the US Open Cup game between the Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union on August 08, 2018 at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Atlanta United, Brad Guzan
ATLANTA, GA SEPTEMBER 22: Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) reacts after teammate Julian Gressel scored a goal in the first half during the MLS match between Atlanta United and Real Salt Lake on September 22nd, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta United FC defeated Real Salt Lake by a score of 2 to 0. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Elite Eight

375. Gio Savarese has experienced the two extremes this season. Portland started the season on the road and a winless streak. Once home, the Timbers could not lose for a spell. Now, there is more balance within the team and results, and Savarese’s squad looks more comfortable with their tactical responsibilities. Most of that freedom to play comes from the stability of Diego Chara. Without him, the Timbers can fall to bottom-of-the-table teams. With him, the Timbers can beat anyone. That is a precarious position, and at least one more midfield piece is needed to truly threaten for the MLS Cup. Someone else must step up to help shield and distribute so the attack can bomb away. If not, the team is either too vulnerable or too conservative. This team has no middle ground, which leaves it stuck in the upper middle class.. 13-9-8. . Portland Timbers. 8. team

team. 374. The Union are on a roll and, with an eight-point cushion over seventh place, are all but assured of a playoff spot. With the most wins in club history, and on track to eclipse the club’s best point total, this could be considered the best season yet for Philadelphia. Jim Curtin should get more mention as a Manager of the Year candidate, despite the U.S. Open Cup final defeat to Houston. Not many rotated squads can dispatch of Sporting KC with the ease the Union displayed.. 14-12-4. . Philadelphia Union. 5

370. FC Dallas ended the Carl Robinson era in Vancouver. Okay, maybe the win was not that dramatic, but the win did return the Hoops to lead the Western Conference. Oscar Pareja cannot leave this team until the playoffs are completed, not after last year’s collapse. Any talk of playoffs or the next job is premature. FC Dallas visits Portland this week, needing to further sharpen their finishing knives. FC Dallas is in the top spot now, but two bad games could see them to fourth. Pareja needs to find his best starting lineup quickly. Indecision in the playoffs is fatal.. 15-6-8. . FC Dallas. 3. team

Even with a win against Atlanta United next week, the Red Bulls would still trail in the Supporters’ Shield race. Is the effort to overtake Atlanta worth it if Chris Armas’ squad comes up short? This is just one of many questions facing NYRB. Adams did well against Toronto, but Wright-Phillips and Royer looked tired, and then frustrated to the point of card accumulation suspensions mounting over nothing. Going for the Supporters’ Shield may be a strain too much for a team already past a coaching change. Doing so could tire the team past the point of Cup contention as well. Kaku is coming on, but the attack does not look as lethal on the whole, despite the 2-0 scoreline.. 18-7-5. . New York Red Bulls. 2. team. 373

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