MLS: Week 11 Power Rankings – Change is in the air
Results = Could be better
16. Columbus Crew – Gyasi Zardes just got paid Designated Player money. Now he has to go find goals to patch over the Crew’s other shortcomings. Caleb Porter knew that LAFC were a real early test, which his team failed miserably at home, losing 3-0. Zack Steffen was out with a foot injury and will soon be off to Manchester. Will drubbings from the league’s elite become the norm in for life post-Steffen? Porter inherited a decent team capable of a great run. The current USMNT manager got his job maxing out that potential. Porter has already sent Meram packing but has to find some more positive changes to creep up the standings.
15. New York Red Bulls – The judgement based just on the past week? The Red Bulls need to play more of the second team. The first team blew a game in Montreal. The reserves jobbed FC Dallas for the points. Stars cannot be too comfortable in their places. The Red Bulls should up the level of competition within the squad to get more consistent results. Not that winning three of the last four has helped sustain attendance lately. The club has to find a way to get itself noticed before the current stars depart. Speaking of, Bradley Wright-Phillips will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
14. New York City FC – Yankee Stadium draws are holding this team back. The pitch dimensions are affecting the teams potential, ownership has to see that. Whether they care to find another venue or throw extra cash at building their own sooner, something has to be done. NYCFC have one win at home all year and are still fourth in the East. The two teams directly below them, Toronto FC and Atlanta United, both have better goal differential. Both of those teams have great home styles and plenty of fans. Holding onto leads, or trying to claw back against a road team bunker, is tough when there is no space for the attack to exploit. Away from home, where the team has space, NYCFC has only one loss.
13. Minnesota United – Six points from four winnable home games is not enough. Losing 2-0 to Chicago will become rather upsetting rather quickly, even if that MLS rivalry has not fully developed. There was a little sprinkle on this sour cupcake as recently traded Francisco Calvo featured for the Fire. Worse, Darwin Quintero has been found out in far too many games.
12. FC Dallas – This transition year under XXX has been encouraging considering the points earned. FC Dallas play to control the game, no matter the opponent or the location, for which they should be applauded They have a style that starts with the academy, and it shows. However, missing a few key regulars, the Hoops have hit a rough patch. Can they weather the storm until Paxton Pomykal and Carlos Gruezo return? Once that high noon of summer hits, FC Dallas can turn up the heat on the top four out west.
11. Chicago Fire – Chicago has the second best Goal Differential in the East, which signifies that they are a better team than their points total. Nicolas Gaitan has been a big part of the Fire’s surge up the standings. Just watch his opening goal. Seeing him carried off was disheartening, but the Fire saw out the game. With two wins in a row, Chicago is keeping pace. The smart play is to test the team’s depth before the international break. Rest some wounds, rotate some stars, and get ready for the summer run. The East has little separation in the standings, top to bottom. The Fire could leap to the top with one good run of form. But they need a fully refreshed first team to do it.
10. Toronto FC – Philadelphia is a blue collar, Rocky-type town. The Union brought that rough attitude to the game to defeat Toronto FC 2-1. Alejandro Pozuelo scored a delightful freekick but did not like getting hit. Jozy Altidore knows the physical game and will have to help Pozuelo shoulder the burdens, but he just came back from injury this past week. Auro and Laurent Ciman were pulled off for injury against Philadelphia. Toronto FC is a mix of uncomfortable internationals, old vets with too many bruises, and youth just getting their first bumps. It’s a long road back to the mountain top. This loss was a setback, but with ownership is invested in winning, Toronto should be back towards the top soon.
9. Portland Timbers – Two more games, that’s all that stands between the Timbers and the home opener in Portland. Providence Park will never have looked so nice to Gio Savarese’s squad. Portland is in good position, no matter the results of those two games. They are currently just three points off the playoff pace. The Timbers have taken their lumps, and have been suspended for lashing out in frustration. But the talent is evident, and they will soon have a chance to shake off the jet lag of a dozen road games and show it. Two. More. Games. If Portland find a result in one of them, the second seed is not out of reach.