MLS: Week 2 Power Rankings – Sporting KC explode
By Matt Coles
10. New York Red Bulls (=)
After securing a 3-2 victory on the opening weekend, the New York Red Bulls went on the road for the first time in 2020 but came up just short of a win against Real Salt Lake.
They held the lead for the majority of the match thanks to a 13th-minute Cristian Casseres Jr. strike, but they conceded in stoppage time, the game ending in a 1-1 draw.
The Red Bulls will need to pick up their game next weekend as they take a trip to one of the in-form teams in the league, who will be playing in their home opener.
Next fixture: Sunday 15 March, 6pm ET @ Minnesota United
9. FC Dallas (-2)
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After securing a solid win on the opening weekend, FC Dallas were all but out of their second clash of the season but for two late goals to draw them level with the Montreal Impact.
After a goalless first half, a quick-fire brace from Maximiliano Urruti put the Canadian side ahead on the road in Texas, but late goals from Zdenek Ondrasejk and Ricardo Pepi brought the hosts level, with the latter’s strike coming in the 96th minute.
They have four points from their first two games but are fortunate to remain unbeaten. FC Dallas drop down two places for this performance and will need to improve for Week 3.
Next fixture: Saturday 14 March, 11:30am ET @ New York City FC
8. LA Galaxy (-4)
Yeah, not much to say really about the LA Galaxy’s performance at the weekend. They fell to a defeat to the worst side in the Western Conference in 2019.
A 74th-minute strike put the Vancouver Whitecaps ahead, and with Joe Corona then being dismissed for a second bookable offence just a minute later, the Galaxy’s hopes of any points were gone.
Expected to be fighting for the playoff spots, to start with just a point from their opening two matches is poor. They will be expecting more from their next clash, on the road in Florida.
Next fixture: Saturday 14 March, 2pm ET @ Inter Miami CF
7. New York City FC (-2)
What a dismal start to the season it has been for New York City FC, just five months after claiming the Eastern Conference title at the end of the 2019 campaign. Two defeats, the only side to have failed to find the net so far this campaign. They lost both matches 1-0, including this weekend against Toronto FC, who were superior for large portions of the match.
They drop out of the top five on our Power Rankings following Week 2 because of their lacklustre performance. With the majority of the possession, they still only managed to fire three shots on target. Not a great start for the Sky Blues who have CONCACAF Champions League duties this week as well.
Next fixture: Saturday 14 March, 11:30am ET vs FC Dallas
6. Sporting Kansas City (+10)
What a victory for Sporting Kansas City on Saturday. They put four goals past Houston Dynamo to take top spot in both the Western Conference and the Supporters’ Shield standings. For the second week running, new striker Alan Pulido got on the scoresheet, with Roger Espinoza, Gadi Kinda, Khiry Shelton also finding the net.
Peter Vermes’ team were never as disastrous as their 2019 season suggested, and with some crucial acquisitions made to add elite quality at key positions, they now look ready to re-establish themselves as a member of the MLS elite.
Next fixture: Saturday 14 March, 6pm ET @ Atlanta United