MLS: Week 2 Power Rankings – Sporting KC explode

Two weeks into the 2020 MLS season and there are only four teams left with a 100% record. But where do they fit on our Power Rankings?

Only four teams have 100% records thus far in Major League Soccer. Two of those teams failed to make the postseason last year, in Colorado Rapids and Sporting Kansas City. 2018 MLS Cup champions Atlanta United and their fellow expansion side from the season before, Minnesota United, are the other two. Two of those teams, in Sporting and Minnesota, are the only sides to have scored more than four goals in all of MLS this season, while it is SKC who top the Supporters’ Shield rankings.

At the other end of the table, there are four teams who are yet to open their points accounts for the season. Both Nashville SC and Inter Miami are without a point from their opening two fixtures in the top flight of American soccer, New York City FC sit bottom of the Supporters’ Shield standing are the only team yet to score in the league so far this season, while FC Cincinnati are also without a point thus far.

With the extremities of the standings beginning to unfurl, here are the Week 2 MLS Power Rankings.

26. Inter Miami CF (=)

Unfortunately for Inter Miami, it is another week at the base of our MLS Power Rankings thanks to a second straight defeat to start their inaugural campaign in the top flight.

It was all going so well on Saturday afternoon. Rodolfo Pizarro scored the club’s first goal in MLS after just a couple of minutes in D.C. but it went downhill fast in the second half.

A 54th-minute red card for Panamanian defender Roman Torres saw things capitulate as two goals in the seven minutes following the dismissal saw the hosts take the lead, condemning IMCF to their second loss.

Next fixture: Saturday 14 March, 2pm ET vs LA Galaxy

25. FC Cincinnati (-1)

For the second week in a row, FC Cincinnati came up just short against playoff opposition. But they again gave a good show of themselves and should be happy with their start so far, despite having zero points.

Following a 3-2 loss in New York, they travelled to Atlanta this week and, despite a 64th-minute goal from Yuya Kubo, fell 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. There are plenty of positives, more than last year, despite the lack of points. FCC will be hoping for their first result of the season this weekend.

Next fixture: Saturday 14 March, 4:30pm vs D.C. United

24. Nashville SC (-1)

Like their 2020 expansion partners, Nashville SC have fallen short in both of their opening two matches as they continue to look for their first point in the top flight of American soccer. This week, they lost by just a single goal to the Portland Timbers, but they should have won with the hosts having just three shots at Providence Park.

Nashville had 14 shots, four on target, along with more possession, but they failed to convert any of their big chances. Zero points from two games, but there are positives going into another clash with MLS Cup champions from the past decade.

Next fixture: Saturday 14 March, 3pm ET @ Toronto FC

23. Vancouver Whitecaps (+2)

After a shocking season in 2019, the Vancouver Whitecaps have grabbed their first victory of the new campaign at the second attempt, getting the better of the LA Galaxy on the road.

This was not a game the Western Conference’s basement side from last season would have expected to win but a goal from Tosaint Ricketts with a quarter of an hour to go was enough to give them the win, with the Galaxy’s Joe Corona being dismissed minutes later.

This win could give the Canadian side some confidence going into their second home game of the season, where they will be looking to improve on their season-opener at BC Place.

Next fixture: Saturday 14 March, 6pm ET vs Colorado Rapids

22. San Jose Earthquakes (-2)

One of the worst results of the weekend came for the San Jose Earthquakes as they conceded five goals on home soil, Minnesota United taking a comfortable victory.

They had more possession and more shots than the Loons. They also scored twice through a Magnus Eriksson penalty and a second-half Valeri Qazaishvili strike. But letting five goals in was not part of the plan and they will be looking to tighten up a leaky defence as they travel to face a side that made the Conference semi-finals in 2019 this weekend.

Next fixture: Saturday 14 March, 6:30pm ET @ Philadelphia Union

21. Orlando City SC (+1)

After securing a point in their first clash of the campaign, Orlando City fell to defeat in the second as they conceded a late goal that condemned them to a 2-1 loss in Colorado.

An 82nd-minute Christopher Mueller equaliser looked to have sealed a second draw but they conceded in the 90th minute, falling to their first defeat in heartbreaking fashion. Orlando will take some positives from their clash with the Rapids, but they will look to improve as they go into the third weekend of the new season.

Next fixture: Saturday 14 March, 6:30pm ET vs Chicago Fire