MLS: Week 1 Power Rankings – Minnesota United on the rise
By Matt Coles
10. Houston Dynamo (+6)
The Houston Dynamo came into the season in the bottom half of our Power Rankings thanks to their offseason dealings and how they finished the last term, but they put in a solid performance on the opening weekend of the 2020 campaign.
Houston hosted the LA Galaxy on Saturday, and they stuck it out to get a draw against one of the sides favoured to go deep into the postseason. Mauro Manotas scored their equalising goal and could be on for another prolific season, and with Tab Ramos implementing a clear and progressive style, could things on the up for Houston?
Next fixture: Saturday 7 March, 7:30pm ET @ Sporting Kansas City
9. Atlanta United (-6)
Along with the Columbus Crew, Atlanta United are the only side that took three points from the opening weekend and fall down the MLS Power Rankings. And that is for one sole reason: Josef Martinez’s heartbreaking ACL tear.
For the last few seasons, Martinez has been Atlanta’s main man. He fired them to MLS Cup glory in 2018 when he was the MLS Golden Boot winner and MVP, and he scored 27 goals last season, the third-highest figure on the season. With Martinez now likely on the sidelines for the entire year, Atlanta now need to find 30 goals from somewhere. That is not easy.
Next fixture: Saturday 7 March, 6pm ET vs FC Cincinnati
8. New York Red Bulls (+6)
The New York Red Bulls seemed to be in limbo in the offseason, having not brought that many players in to bolster their squad for the upcoming campaign. However, they started the new campaign well, taking three points from their opening fixture.
They battled it out with last season’s basement side FC Cincinnati, winning 3-2 thanks to goals from Kyle Duncan, Alejandro Romero and Daniel Royer. They will be slightly worried after conceding twice to last year’s worst attack, but they took the three points and that is all that matters at the end of the weekend.
Next fixture: Saturday 7 March, 1pm ET @ Real Salt Lake
7. FC Dallas (+4)
Although they held a position inside the top half of our Power Rankings coming into the new campaign, FC Dallas were not expected to win so comfortably on the opening weekend when facing the Philadelphia Union.
Goals from Zdenek Ondrasek and Paxton Pomykal were enough for the hosts as they downed the side that finished in third in the Eastern Conference last time around. This is a great start for the Texan side, who will be aiming to reach the playoffs once again this term.
Next fixture: Saturday 7 March, 2pm ET vs Montreal Impact
6. Toronto FC (=)
The 2017 MLS Cup champions and treble-winners take 6th spot on our Power Rankings for the second week running, after achieving an opening weekend draw away to the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday afternoon.
Toronto FC do not have the squad that they had three seasons ago, but they are still one of the strongest in the league, and goals from Alejandro Pozuelo and Richie Laryea put them two goals up against the ‘Quakes. Although they dropped those two goals to draw 2-2, the Canadian side will still be confident ahead of the rest of the campaign after a largely dominant performance.
Next fixture: Saturday 7 March, 5pm ET vs New York City FC