MLS: Week 2 Power Rankings – Sporting KC explode
By Matt Coles
15. D.C. United (=)
D.C. United may have taken their first victory of the 2020 campaign, but it was an unconvincing one. And for that reason, they remain outside the top half on MLS Multiplex’s Week 2 Power Rankings.
They fell behind to MLS new-boys Inter Miami after less than two minutes had been played at Audi Field on Saturday, and had it not been for the visitors going down to ten men, it could have stayed that way.
After the red card, D.C. came to the fore with goals from Yamil Asad and Frederic Brillant turning the game around. They are the only side in the East with three points and sit in sixth spot, but they will look to improve over the coming weeks.
Next fixture: Saturday 14 March, 4:30pm ET @ FC Cincinnati
14. Colorado Rapids (+3)
More from MLS News
- 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?
- The Chicago Fire does not deserve your support anymore
- Heading to America: Alexis Sanchez Aims for New Horizons in American or Mexican Soccer
- Ethan Horvath: The Bridge Between Two Worlds in Soccer
A late winner at the weekend saw the Colorado Rapids take a victory over Orlando City as they kept their 100% record, one of just four teams to do so through the opening two weekends.
For the second week running, the Rapids won 2-1. And for the second week running, they needed a 90th-minute winner, this time from Drew Moor.
The Rapids will travel north of the border for Saturday’s clash with the side that finished bottom of the Western Conference in 2019. They will be hoping to make it three wins out of three and make the most of what has been a semi-kind opening slate of matches.
Next fixture: Saturday 14 March, 6pm ET @ Vancouver Whitecaps
13. Portland Timbers (=)
After a poor start on the opening weekend, the Portland Timbers got their points tally up and running thanks to a victory over new-boys Nashville SC.
However, it was a very unconvincing performance. They only managed to have three shots in front of their home fans, despite going in front in the 12th minute through Diego Valeri’s goal and did not manage a single a shot in the second half, the first time they have done so at home in almost four years. They may have three points, but Timbers fans will be expecting much more.
Next fixture: Sunday 15 March, 12:30pm ET @ New England Revolution
12. Columbus Crew (-1)
They would not have expected to come away from CenturyLink Field with a win, but the Columbus Crew will be happy with a point from their trip to Seattle at the weekend. They faced the 2019 MLS Cup champions and took the lead just after half an hour as Gyasi Zardes opened up his account for the 2020 campaign.
They conceded with ten minutes to go through a penalty kick, but the Crew will take plenty of positives into the third week of the season. Unbeaten, having played two of the elite teams from 2019. Not a bad start whatsoever.
Next fixture: Saturday 14 March, 4pm ET vs Real Salt Lake
11. Philadelphia Union (+1)
After a poor start to the season which saw them lose on the opening weekend, the Philadelphia Union got their first points of the new term in Week 2 thanks to scoring three goals in Los Angeles.
They faced the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners and went ahead three times with goals from Sergio Santos, Brenden Aaronson and a rocket of a free-kick from Jakob Glesnes. LAFC, however, pulled it back each time.
The Union led for nine, one and two minutes after scoring their three goals. That will be a concern for Jim Curtin. They have a single point from their opening two fixtures but play at home for the first time on Saturday afternoon.
Next fixture: Saturday 14 March, 6:30pm ET vs San Jose Earthquakes