MLS: Week 8 Power Rankings – Early-season Easter eggs
The nearly empty tomb
16. FC Cincinnati – The league’s newest addition, FC Cincinnati, have worn off the adrenaline inherent in an inaugural season. Against one of the MLS gatekeeper squads, FC Cincinnati laid a 0-3 egg. FCC had their share of chances but lacked finishing quality on the day. They had nine corners in the first half, but only one was dangerously close to resulting in a goal. It was their only shot on goal and continues FCC’s inability to score from the run of play.
15. New York City FC – Judging on Heber’s first game and goal, New York City FC might have finally replaced the goalscoring production of David Villa. Dome Torrent may have finally unlocked this roster’s potential. Only a saved penalty and the woodwork kept the game close. NYCFC have only one loss, but five ties. This team has a case to be higher but needs the home wins to convince anyone to take that case seriously.
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14. Orlando City SC – Orlando City finally found a Portuguese-speaking playoff charm. Where Kaka failed, Nani is looking likely to succeed. Orlando City fans are used to shootouts and comeback wins at home. This 1-0 win over Vancouver was a win on the other end of the extremes, as OCSC controlled the game but could not find a goal. Well, that’s until Nani claimed a goal following a fortunate deflection. If Orlando can finally have a season where they benefit from the majority of the bounces, this Nani-led squad can finally earn the club’s first MLS playoff appearance.
13. Chicago Fire – Unsurprisingly, the Chicago Fire look a lot better when Nicolas Gaitan is deep dishing assists leading to Aleksandar Katai finally feeding in his first goal of 2019. Djordje Mihailovic has continued his steady ascent towards an All-Star Game. CJ Sapong looks beyond serviceable for the first time in a long time, even though most of his goals have been gifts or tap-ins. The off-field issues of rebranding and general club direction can wait until the offseason. Any issues of visibility in Chicago will solve themselves if the Fire can continue their hot streak.
12. Philadelphia Union – The Philadelphia Union looked to have learned all the lessons the media thinks are inherent to a young team’s first playoff berth. Jim Curtin’s squad has a more assured maturity about it, in their wins. The injury to Andre Blake will worry the club. Looking positively, Jack Elliot is progressing into a borderline All-Star. The Union can regularly handle business against the bottom-third MLS teams. Getting the preferred line-up healthy and avoiding more suspensions will be required to win a playoff game against the top third, however.
11. Real Salt Lake – FC Cincinnati tan themselves into non-threatening positions for most of the 3-0 road loss to Real Salt Lake. Although Mike Petke’s side allowed a bit too much possession and conceded too many corners, they held off the FCC attack. It seemed the team wanted to play in a way that helped Andrew Putna manage a rare start in place of Nick Rimando. Albert Rusnak started the scoring and then sealed the win with a penalty. Sam Johnson hit the late first-half insurance goal.
10. Columbus Crew – The Columbus Crew will have to part ways with Zack Steffan eventually. The Crew have shown they are a solidly upper-middle-class side over the years and Caleb Porter has not changed much from that winning foundation. However, Gyasi Zardes has cooled off resulting in the Crew dropping points.
9. Minnesota United – The Loons have a home. Celebrate the first points in the new stadium however you please. Just maybe hold on to 3-2 second-half leads on the road. Minnesota United lost 4-3 to Toronto FC but looked the part of a dangerous playoff out. Darwin Quintero has help in attack in Angelo Rodriguez, who was lively throughout. Jan Gregus and Francisco Calvo, though, will be of no help due to late sending offs.