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MLS: Week 5 Power Rankings: Expected Value – Oh dear Atlanta United

By Christopher Dodson

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 13: Josef Martínez of Atlanta United lament during the match between Atlanta United and Monterrey as part of the CONCACAF Champions League 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 13: Josef Martínez of Atlanta United lament during the match between Atlanta United and Monterrey as part of the CONCACAF Champions League 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – MARCH 29: Alejandro Pozuelo (10) of Toronto FC celebrates after scoring his first goal for Toronto FC during the second half of the MLS regular season match between Toronto FC and New York City FC on March 29, 2019, at BMO Field in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 29: Alejandro Pozuelo (10) of Toronto FC celebrates after scoring his first goal for Toronto FC during the second half of the MLS regular season match between Toronto FC and New York City FC on March 29, 2019, at BMO Field in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Eight Poised for a Run

5. Toronto FC (3-0-0) 

Toronto FC has the best argument to be the Eastern Conference favorite after their 4-0 victory over NYCFC. Alejandro Pozuelo’s first impression for Toronto makes it easy to move on from the bitter departure of Sebastian Giovinco. That bad taste from last year just required one tasty chip to whet the pallet for another trophy-laden season.

6. Houston Dynamo (3-0-1) 

Alberth Elis ran the wings with little resistance against the Colorado Rapids. When teams play into the Houston Dynamo’s strengths, they can beat anyone. However, most MLS teams will provide a stiffer test than the poorly setup Rapids. Wilmer Cabrera outcoached Anthony Hudson before the first whistle; his Houston team dominated throughout the game.

7. LA Galaxy (3-1-0) 

The Los Angeles Galaxy took a flier on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and so should any gambler with a spare brace of bills. Zlatan promised his child a bit more than his two winning goals and has made the same promise to the Galaxy. Zlatan does not fight for borderline playoff spots, he battles for first place. However, Ibra will not be able to help the Galaxy to a Cup by just doing twenty-minute cameos.

8. Columbus Crew (3-1-1)

This year, the Columbus Crew look much like the contenders of old. Caleb Porter saw a well-engineered, playoff-contending squad and decided that a small bit of maintenance, instead of a full tactical retooling, would keep the progress of the Crew trending up. Gyasi Zardes has been a consistent nuisance for opposing backlines. The biggest issue for the Crew is what happens when Zack Steffan departs. It is difficult to replace the best keeper in MLS.=

9. FC Dallas (3-1-1) 

The Play the Youth movement persists at FC Dallas. The academy-developed youth continue to pay dividends on that trust. Six FC Dallas homegrown products made an appearance in the match. Dominique Badji has not repaid any of the faith shown in him with last season’s trade. Badji is all but invisible far too often, and when he is in the spotlight, he usually falls short. He missed a sitter in the opening minutes this week. FC Dallas has shown it can win without experience on the pitch, but the Hoops have not won much of consequence without a quality striker. It is about time to ditch the MLS re-tread experiment and either sign a quality striker or give an academy product a chance to open their professional goalscoring account. Counting on Badji has yet to show any potential of success.

10. FC Cincinnati (2-2-1) 

FC Cincinnati started from the bottom. Now they are here, in the thick of the battle for a playoff spot. Just being on the brink of a playoff spot will keep the fans plugged into the team and the Nippert Stadium atmosphere electric even in a downpour. The biggest rain in the FC Cincinnati parade is that Fanendo Adi now has to deal with a drunk driving charge. Any suspension would leave a team coming off its first scoreless game without it’s only proven quality striker with MLS success. Per the FC Cincinnati press release, Adi ‘will be unavailable for all team activities until the assessment is complete and he has been cleared to return by SABH program doctors.’

11. New York Red Bulls (1-2-1) 

Chris Armas took the New York Red Bulls to a new level tactically. Those efforts have led to a couple of losses and at least one headline expressing doubt on the MLS front page. The Red Bulls are trying to be more dynamic and complicated, but have yet to replace Tyler Adams’ work rate and efficiency in midfield. The Red Bulls academy production line is great for sustained success in the top half of the table, but it’s looking like a more established presence is needed for the Red Bulls to win any trophies this season.

12. New York City FC (0-1-3) 

New York City FC looked confused throughout the 4-0 loss at Toronto FC. NYCFC has no answers for stopping the best MLS attackers, while showing a dire need for attacking ideas itself. Despite hitting the crossbar with a shot, Alexandru Mitrita has underperformed. This is especially true for those who expected him to carry a David Villa-like load. Perhaps Heber was signed to fill that role, but without more impetus in midfield, Heber will lack the opportunities in the quality and quantity that Villa used to thrive on. Villa could also conjure goals from nowhere, alone in possession closer to midfield than the goal. NYCFC is being judged on the heights NYCFC reached last year, when Patrick Vieira was still in charge. Dome Torrent welcomed the MLB Opening Week that distracted the greater New York population. A few more weeks of the opposition scoring more goals than NYCFC has shots on target will be hard to stomach for patrons of Yankee Stadium. What? The pinstripes are being inconvenienced by a sub-par soccer team? That will not play well with anyone.

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