MLS: Week 7 Power Rankings – The Watchability Scores

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16.  New York Red Bulls – Getting a 2-2 result while visiting Sporting KC is a fine foundation to build on for Chris Armas’ New York Red Bulls. A tie was a fair result; both teams had chances go wanting. The Red Bulls looked lively again, after a tepid start to the season. Danny Royer and Brian White did the finishing work, but a late corner-induced scramble left Luis Robles no hope of protecting his goal or saving the win.

15. Atlanta United – If Tiger Woods does not thank #BravesTwitter, maybe Frank de Boer and Atlanta United will. The line-up choices were questionable but the result was a win, finally. Josef Martinez played as a conduit instead of a clinical finisher, as he scuffed a couple of chances that were celebrations last year. Still, de Boer bought himself some time in the 2-0 win over the lowly Revolution.

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14. FC Cincinnati – FC Cincinnati found a few wins to begin the season. Perhaps they caught teams off guard with their expansion team levels of adrenaline and intensity. However, Fanendo Adi’s DUI will have his attention divided for a while. The goals have dried up since that incident. FC Cincinnati’s attention, though, needs to be on finding another consistent goal threat. They’ve only managed one goal,  and one point, since their last win. That was three games ago and Cincinnati are looking at another West Coast trip to face Real Salt Lake this week. Almost any story is possible for the season, and that is exciting enough for the expansion fans.

13. Orlando City – James O’Connor started without Dom Dwyer or Nani, explaining the situation after Orlando City’s loss to Real Salt Lake:

"“For us it’s just managing the whole situation. It’s very frustrating because we all want everyone to play every single minute but the last thing we want is out key players – especially our DP’s – to get injured.”"

The problem is O’Connor is barely managing the situation. Orlando has eight points from seven games and is just above the playoff line. The games have all been vastly different, with little in the way of trends or the team’s foundational philosophies emerging.

O’Connor had an idea to rest the stars. He and his staff came up with an approach to mitigate their player’s load management. But they lost the match. Come the end of the season, it could cost them.

12. Philadelphia Union – Zlatan won the physical battles, Zlatan won the mind tricks, and Zlatan won the penalty. The Philadelphia Union’s one trick to find a goal is easy to defend. At the other end, they could not defend the Galaxy’s route-one idea for a goal scoring opportunity. Far from ideal.

11. Montreal Impact – Remi Garde’s team found a goal at home. Harry Novillo scored and Evan Bush was in all the right positions as they led the Montreal Impact to three precious points. Montreal will need Ignacio Piatti in full form and full health for any chances at a playoff run.

10. Toronto FC – This new Toronto FC model will create plenty of goalscoring opportunities. Jozy Altidore has five goals already. Alejandro Pozuelo has assisted the last four, all coming in the last three matches. Pozuelo has gotten a late start to an MVP campaign and has been instrumental in Toronto FC again looking to be an Eastern contender. His connection with Altidore has produced immediate results. The problem will be the goalscoring opportunities being presented to other teams. The Reds will want a home playoff game, so they need to find a point in these shootout road games.

9. Minnesota United – If there is an opener of any sorts in Minnesota, buy the ticket and take the ride.

This stadium open did not lack for goals nor drama, and that leads to memorable excitement. If the Minnesota United front office can let me get a playoff ticket now, I’d be much obliged.