MLS is Back: Power Rankings after Matchday One
By Matt Coles
It has been an eventful start to MLS is Back. With two teams withdrawing before it began, here are the MLS Power Rankings following matchday one.
Both Nashville SC and FC Dallas have had to withdraw from the MLS is Back tournament without a ball being kicked as the sides had nine and ten players respectively test positively for COVID-19. For the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both chose to opt-out.
Due to the withdrawals, 24 teams were left. The Chicago Fire shuffled across from Group A to Group B to fill the gap left by FC Dallas. With Nashville dropping out of Group A, it means that the six groups now all have four teams in, and it looks like a more traditional World Cup-style format.
The top spot on our Power Rankings remains the same following the first round of fixtures but there have been plenty of other changes afoot, including one team that has shot up to the No. 2 spot after a late victory in their opening clash of the tournament.
The bottom two teams are set in place as they are not in Orlando anymore, but what about the other 24 teams? Find out those Rankings here…
Editor’s Note: The Power Rankings were written before the Chicago Fire’s 2-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders
26 – Nashville SC (=)
Nashville became the second team to withdraw from the MLS is Back mini-tournament after nine players tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
25 – FC Dallas (-7)
The first team to withdraw from the tournament were FC Dallas, who had 11 positive tests for COVID-19, ten of those coming from members of their playing squad, with one member of their technical staff also testing positive.
24 – FC Cincinnati (=)
Of the 24 teams that remain in the MLS is Back tournament, FC Cincinnati sit at the basement of the Power Rankings. It is bad enough to lose your first game of a tournament to your biggest rivals, but to do so in the manner that the Blue and Orange did.. Not good.
The second-year side shipped four goals to the Columbus Crew, with Gyasi Zardes getting in on the act twice, along with strikes from Lucas Zelarayan and Youness Mokhtar. A 4-0 drubbing, that puts you at the bottom of the list.
It does not get easier for Cincy either, as they now face the 2018 MLS Cup champions Atlanta United, and the side that defeated them in the first round of matches, the New York Red Bulls, in their remaining Group E fixtures. Don’t put your money on them making it out of the group.
Remaining Group Matches: Group E – vs. Atlanta United (July 16, 9 am ET), vs. NY Red Bulls (July 22, 8 pm ET)
23 – Inter Miami CF (+2)
They were unlucky to lose in their opening group match of the MLS is Back tournament, and Inter Miami move up two spots to sit at No.23 following their opening day loss to Orlando City.
The expansion side took the lead against the Lions, with Juan Agudelo scoring the first goal of the tournament two minutes after the interval. However, Orlando came roaring back, and goals from Chris Mueller and Nani gave them the victory.
With the way that NYCFC are currently playing, which is terribly, Inter Miami will fancy their chances against the Sky Blues in the final round of matches. They need something from their game with the Union though, and that comes next.
Remaining Group Matches: Group A – vs. Philadelphia Union (July 14, 10:30 am ET), vs. New York City FC (July 20, 9 am ET)
22 – Vancouver Whitecaps (+1)
Due to the reshuffling of groups after the withdrawals of Nashville and FC Dallas, the Vancouver Whitecaps did not feature in the first round of matches and will play three times in the next nine days. They move up a place after the withdrawal of FC Dallas.
Remaining Group Matches: Group B – vs. San Jose Earthquakes (July 15, 9 pm ET), vs. Seattle Sounders (July 19, 10:30 pm ET), vs. Chicago Fire (July 23, 9 am ET)
21 – Chicago Fire (=)
In the same boat as Vancouver, with Chicago holding station as the No.21 side.
Remaining Group Matches: Group B – vs. Seattle Sounders (July 14, 9 am ET), vs. San Jose Earthquakes (July 19, 8 pm ET), vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (July 23, 9 am ET)