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

5. New York City FC (=)

New York City FC hold on to their place in the top five despite losing on the opening weekend of the new campaign. This could come as surprise to some, but they went down to ten men in just the third minute of their clash with Columbus Crew, skewing the result somewhat.

Having to play 87 minutes a man down is never easy, and with NYCFC only conceding once in that time, it shows a resilient side to a team that’s consistently exited the playoffs at the Conference Semi-Finals stage. They will still be confident of a top-three finish in the East again in 2020.

Next fixture: Saturday 7 March, 5pm ET @ Toronto FC

4. LA Galaxy (=)

The talk around LA Galaxy was all about the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the offseason, with another ex-Manchester United forward coming into replace him. However, it was not Javier Hernandez that got the campaign off to a flying start, but rather Cristian Pavon who scored a stunner after collecting David Bingham’s long clearance.

Although the Galaxy only took a point from their opening fixture of the campaign, Pavon getting on the scoresheet is a good sign of things to come. It will take a while for Hernandez to adapt to the pace of the league, but this team is stacked with talent throughout the side and a good point away at Houston on the opening day is nothing to be scoffed at.

Next fixture: Saturday 7 March, 9pm ET vs Vancouver Whitecaps

3. Minnesota United (+7)

The biggest movers on this week’s Power Rankings are Minnesota United after they came out of Portland with a comfortable victory, moving them to the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings after the opening weekend.

A brace from Kevin Molino, plus a debut goal for Luis Amarilla, handed the Loons a 3-1 victory in the final match of the weekend, leaving Providence Park with the three points. They faced a Portland side who also reached the playoffs last year, but Minnesota have asserted themselves as a solid playoff contender for a second season running with this result.

Next fixture: Saturday 7 March, 7pm ET @ San Jose Earthquakes

2. Los Angeles FC (=)

The ‘best-ever’ side got off to the perfect start in 2020 thanks to their main man Carlos Vela, who proved that he has lost none of his skill and form since the end of his record-breaking season last year, in which he topped the single-season goals mark, bagging 34 times in 31 appearances for the black and gold.

Vela scored the only goal of the game, a marvellous chip, to seal the win for Los Angeles FC over MLS expansion side Inter Miami CF. They were unable to put the ball in the net for a second time, but the clean sheet was all-important, as they started with the season with a win, even if it was not as convincing as some of their hammerings from 2019.

Next fixture: Sunday 8 March, 9:30pm ET vs Philadelphia Union

1. Seattle Sounders (=)

Remaining on the top spot for another week are the reigning MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders. They took three points from their opening day clash with the Chicago Fire thanks to a last-minute Jordan Morris winner.

Last year’s MLS Comeback Player of the Year was only brought on at half-time, but he terrorised the Chicago defence with a tremendous attacking display, scoring both of the Seattle goals. With Morris on a tear, Seattle are winning, even with Nicolas Lodeiro not fully fit and Raul Ruidiaz not yet firing. Expect the Sounders to be the team to beat this year.

Next fixture: Saturday 7 March, 9pm ET vs Columbus Crew SC