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MLS: Week 2 Power Rankings – March Madness

By Christopher Dodson

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 10: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his goal during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Portland Timbers at the Banc of California Stadium on March 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.Los Angeles FC won the match 4-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 10: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his goal during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Portland Timbers at the Banc of California Stadium on March 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.Los Angeles FC won the match 4-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 09: Seattle Sounders forward Raul Ruidiaz (9) reacts after scoring a goal during the MLS regular season match between Colorado Rapids and Seattle Sounders on March 09, 2019, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 09: Seattle Sounders forward Raul Ruidiaz (9) reacts after scoring a goal during the MLS regular season match between Colorado Rapids and Seattle Sounders on March 09, 2019, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Contender Vs Pretender Bracket

Sporting KC (2) recovered from an opening day dagger to the heart loss to comfortably beat the Philadelphia Union (20) 2-0. Peter Vermes leads MLS’ best hope for CONCACAF Champions League success and this game showed why no one panicked after consecutive losses.

The panic was solely left to the Union. Ilie Sanchez converted an 11th-minute penalty after Austin Trusty lashed out. New Union DP Marco Fabian grew frustrated after having his penalty was saved and drew himself a red card in the fury. Jack Elliot was out of sorts on a cross, leading to his own goal that ensured a loss. How will the Union respond from a hard knocks trip to Kansas City? This team needs work to reach the playoff mandate.

Can Sporting KC find a win in CCL play and will it be enough to advance? Will the team’s rotation become the one a problem that Vermes does not handle well? Will Gideon Zelalem feature in the home leg against Independiente? Sporting KC has lots of questions, but most regard how high their ceiling can be. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but the extra questions create extra pressure.

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The Seattle Sounders (3) can put any fears of a slow start to rest after thoroughly handling the Colorado Rapids (18).  The Sounders got a quick 2-0 lead and saw out the game like a team full of veterans. Without a slow start hampering the season, they are one of the few MLS teams capable of winning multiple titles this year.

The Rapids had their chances, but someone got the first 10 minutes all wrong. Was this start on Anthony Hudson or just the players shaking off the snow globe effects from last week’s comeback draw? Also, why did Stan Kroenke not help the Rapids sign Gideon Zelalem? Other MLS owners use multi-team ownership to good use. Stan has been very occupied with his NFL real estate project.

Meanwhile, how does Tim Howard remain focused on the Rapids while doing all this television studio work? Howard already has many other concerns taking up his time (TV, team ownership, etc). If his communication and expectations from the backline are not sufficient, perhaps due to his other obligations, shouldn’t he just retire now instead of being benched?

New England Revolution (23) fans are already feeling some buyer’s remorse with Brad Friedel. Such excitement followed Friedel into the job, based on playing reputation alone. Now a dour mood seems to follow him around Foxborough, giving the stink face to all in its wake. Losing the home opener 2-0 to the Columbus Crew (7) could have been excusable. However, the fans soured on the team within 45 minutes at home. The Crew were saved. It seems that New England needs saving, mostly from themselves. Will anyone care or will Kraft let another MLS season go by without notice?

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