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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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SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 09: Minnesota United forward Darwin Quintero (25) during the MLS match between the Minnesota United and the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium on March 9, 2019 in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 09: Minnesota United forward Darwin Quintero (25) during the MLS match between the Minnesota United and the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium on March 9, 2019 in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Separating the Middle Class

San Jose Earthquakes (22) supporters found drunk at the bar can be forgiven. Some might have even put in a better shift than the San Jose players, if given the chance. The visiting Minnesota United (14) took their chances well, running out 3-0 winners. Once Alliance Stadium opens, the Loons may have a contender on their hands.

The road record to date has been a massive turn around from last season. Ike Opara has steadied the defense, withheld from a deep-dropping Ozzie Alonso. With their calm directing traffic and possession, Darwin Quintero now has the freedom to create with no other responsibilities.

Matias Almeyda needs to have a chat with Chris Wondolowski. Wondolowski needs to understand, no one deserves records. Fans deserve the best line-up on the field. Wondolowski has fluffed enough chances. If he deserves the record, he can find a goal as a substitute. For all the effort given to get Wondolowski the record, it feels like his career is well past the 88th minute. Can San Jose fans forgive Almeyda for sitting him? Wins are more important than a consolation goal.

Houston Dynamo (12) can start building the Mauro Manotas statue now. His late winner against the Montreal Impact (21) was his 50th goal for the club. Aljaz Struna and Maynor Figueroa made sure Ignacio Piatti stayed isolated to one wing while Maxi Urritti was put in a small boxing ring and asked to play soccer.

Houston are unlikely to beat Tigres in Mexico, but showed signs of progress. Montreal showed very little, save for a Saphir Taider uber-strike. Remi Garde is already being linked to jobs back in France. His team is playing as if they would all rather be somewhere else. Without some results soon, Piatti will ask for a transfer and Garde will have the freedom that being fired provides.

Montreal Impact Vs Houston Dynamo: 3 things we learned. dark. Next

Real Salt Lake (11) got the 1-0 result at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps (19). Real Salt Lake is what every smaller market team wants to create. Mike Petke has a solid team, with no real drop off in depth off the bench. Grinding out results in front of fans who appreciate the effort is a pretty win, most days. This was not that day. The Whitecaps fell victim to a Corey Baird con job, and Albert Rusnak’s penalty was enough to earn three points. Both teams are building this season’s team on the same small market chassis.

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