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MLS: Week 1 Power Rankings – Minnesota United on the rise

By Matt Coles

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 01: Angelo Rodriguez #9 of Minnesota United celebrates with Ethan Finlay #13 and Jan Gregus #8 after a goal during the second half against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on March 01, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Minnesota won 3-1. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 01: Angelo Rodriguez #9 of Minnesota United celebrates with Ethan Finlay #13 and Jan Gregus #8 after a goal during the second half against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on March 01, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Minnesota won 3-1. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 29: Jonathan Lewis#7 of Colorado Rapids celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game winning goal against the D.C. United in the second half at Audi Field on February 29, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 29: Jonathan Lewis#7 of Colorado Rapids celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game winning goal against the D.C. United in the second half at Audi Field on February 29, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

20. San Jose Earthquakes (-1)

They left it late on Saturday, but the San Jose Earthquakes eventually drew level with Toronto FC, coming away with a point from their opening encounter of the 2020 MLS campaign. But it could — and perhaps should — have been much worse, and that could be a worry for fans of the Californian side moving forwards.

After a tricky offseason, and with Chris Wondolowski in what is expected to be his final season before retirement, questions were asked of the ‘Quakes, and when they went 2-0 down to the 2017 treble-winners those doubts seemed more than justified. And while goals from Andres Rios and Oswaldo Alanis brought them level, this result threw up more questions than answers.

Next fixture: Saturday 7 March, 7pm ET vs Minnesota United

19. Montreal Impact (+1)

First MLS fixture under Thierry Henry, first win under Thierry Henry. The Montreal Impact came into their regular-season opener just a few days after qualifying for the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League. And they carried that momentum into the start of their league campaign.

Goals from Romell Quioto and Maximiliano Urruti saw Montreal fight back from a goal down to win on home turf against the New England Revolution, one that might not have been too expected among their peers in the league.

Next fixture: Saturday 7 March, 2pm @ FC Dallas

18. Real Salt Lake (-4)

Real Salt Lake came into the season as the last member of the top 14 in our Power Rankings, but they drop down four places after a disheartening performance on the road in Orlando where they would have expected to take a comfortable victory.

No goals were scored in the game, and perhaps more worryingly for the visitors, they only managed one shot on target in the entire 90 minutes. The lack of Jefferson Savarino could be the main issue, but RSL will be looking to find their attacking threat this week.

Next fixture: Saturday 7 March, 1pm ET vs New York Red Bulls

17. Colorado Rapids (+1)

It was unexpected, especially after falling behind, but the Colorado Rapids ended up taking the three points away from Audi Field on Saturday afternoon as they got the better of D.C. United by a 2-1 scoreline.

They fell behind, but a strike from last year’s top scorer Kei Kamara and a 92nd-minute winner from Jonathan Lewis gave the Rapids the unexpected win. They move up the one place ahead of the second round of fixtures and could yet catapult themselves up the standings should they carry over their form from the latter half of last season.

Next fixture: Saturday 7 March, 8pm ET vs Orlando City

16. Sporting Kansas City (+1)

After finishing in 11th in the Western Conference in 2019, Sporting Kansas City needed to come out firing this season to prove that they could, once again, challenge for a postseason berth. And that is precisely what they did on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Alan Pulido, Gadi Kinda and Erik Hurtado saw them ease to a 3-1 victory at BC Place over Vancouver Whitecaps, the side the finished bottom of the West last term. They move up only one place on our Power Rankings purely down to their opponents being so poor.

Next fixture: Saturday 7 March, 7:30pm ET vs Houston Dynamo

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