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MLS: Week 10 Power Rankings – Houston Dynamo on the rise

By Christopher Dodson

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 27: Goalkeeper Tim Howard #1 of Colorado Rapids reacts in the second half against the Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 27, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 27: Goalkeeper Tim Howard #1 of Colorado Rapids reacts in the second half against the Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 27, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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CHESTER, PA – MAY 01: Union Forward Kacper Przybylko (23) celebrates after scoring a goal in the second half during the game between the Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati on May 1, 2019 at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHESTER, PA – MAY 01: Union Forward Kacper Przybylko (23) celebrates after scoring a goal in the second half during the game between the Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati on May 1, 2019 at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Top of the pile, for now

8. Seattle Sounders – Welcome home, Joevin Jones. Help Xavier Arreaga get acclimated to the late-season surges and the weather while hosting a conference final. The Sounders need to accomplish the first, in order to achieve the latter. Even with Seattle starting with better results than past seasons, they find themselves sitting in fourth. Yes, with only one loss in the first ten, the Sounders are fourth, even in points per game. The West is stacked more than ever.

7. D.C. United – Marquinhos Pedroso was brought in from Dallas to shore up the defensive depth. Luciano Acosta is debating whether to sign a contract extension worth a couple million more per season. Wayne Rooney is still looking for long balls and free kick walls to hit. D.C. United are still fine tuning the tactics, but Ben Olsen has shown the ability to change with the times. And despite all these problems, they just keep winning.

6. LA Galaxy – Argentine Favio Alvarez comes on loan from Atletico Tucuman. This will be his first move away from the Argentine league. Daniel Steres and David Bingham had poor outings against New York, but VAR is perhaps more to blame for the dropped point. The Galaxy have still proven themselves to be one of the best in MLS. This is just a bump in the road.

5. Portland Timbers– Gio Savarese has tightened the Timbers defensive chains, and now Portland has three wins in a row. Considering the road to get here, that’s wonderful form positioning Portland comfortably mid-table. Steve Clark continued to exude confidence from the back, saving a penalty kick and generally commanding his area well, Sebastian Blanco and Diego Valeri took care of the scoring duties, and the Timbers took three more points from Real Salt Lake. The addition of DP Brian Fernandez from Necaxa is just another reason to believe the Timbers can make another MLS Cup Final run.

4. Toronto FC-  Toronto FC has four games in 12 days, going to Atlanta (5/8), hosting Philadelphia (5/11) and then D.C. United (5/15), before traveling to the western altitude of Real Salt Lake (5/18). Most will wait until Toronto FC runs that gauntlet to proclaim that the Reds are back. Even if Toronto finish that run with fewer than eight points, this team will be near the top of the Eastern Conference table all season. Micheal Bradley and Jozy Altidore have a competent Chris Mavinga-led defense behind them, paired with the immensely creative and dangerous Alejandro Pozuelo between them. Even without Jozy, Toronto FC took all three points from Orlando.

3. Houston Dynamo – Beating Dallas is always a welcomed occasion, in any sport. With questions surrounding the quality of their opposition for much of the season, this was very much a statement win for the Dynamo. They are more than the brilliant-in-glimpses version of last season. If only most of Houston knew they had a title-contending team sitting downtown in a new stadium.

2. Philadelphia Union – Jim Curtin and Jeff Tanner have built a squad for the long haul, winning in blowout fashion against New England at the weekend. They still sit atop the East and have yet to welcome DP star Marco Fabian back into the fold. The Union marches on despite losing two solid contributors to the team, a clear indication of their depth. This team is ready to challenge.

1. LAFC- Bob Bradley’s squad will not run away with the Supporters’ Shield after all. A Chicago Fire team one point from the bottom and playing only one defender came to Los Angeles and held the host scoreless. Sure, LAFC kept the clean sheet, but 0-0 home draws is not quite the entertaining product the home fans are used to watching. Earning a few off-night points will keep LAFC on pace for the Shield. However, they need a few more plays in the bag to break down a defense. Adama Diomande needs more time to make a difference and not every ref is going to fall for a Diego Rossi dive.

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