MLS is Back: Power Rankings after Matchday One
By Matt Coles
5 – Los Angeles FC (-1)
For the second straight game, Los Angeles FC have scored three times and only come away with a point, this time having to fight back from two goals down at half time against Houston Dynamo to rescue something from their opening Group F match-up.
This 3-3 draw follows on from the one they fought out with Philadelphia Union back in March, before the season being suspended due to COVID-19. In this one, they were lucky to salvage a point, after going 3-1 down at the break after a double from Memo Rodriguez gave the Dynamo a commanding advantage.
The Black and Gold did make their way back into the game, thanks to goals from Diego Rossi and Brian Rodriguez, but without Carlos Vela, they seem to be missing that something. Other sides will believe they can beat LAFC in this tournament, and the Galaxy come next, looking to bounce back after defeat.
Remaining Group Matches: Group F – vs. LA Galaxy (July 18, 10:30 pm ET), vs. Portland Timbers (July 23, 10:30 pm ET)
4 – Atlanta United (-1)
The Five Stripes drop down a spot on our Power Rankings after the first round of group stage fixtures at the MLS is Back tournament after losing out to the New York Red Bulls thanks to an early strike from a returning star.
Atlanta came into the this as another team without their main man, in Venezuelan striker Josef Martinez, but they were still expected to go deep into the knockout stages, with the likes of Pity Martinez and Ezequiel Barco leading the line.
However, a first game loss against the Bulls sees them up against it to qualify, especially with the other result in Group E being very one-sided indeed. They have to win against FC Cincinnati to have a chance of being in the top two in a week when the group stage is over.
Remaining Group Matches: Group E – vs. FC Cincinnati (July 16, 9 am ET), vs. Columbus Crew (July 21, 8 pm ET)
3 – Toronto FC (-1)
The 2017 MLS Cup champions remain undefeated to start the 2020 campaign, but they will be kicking themselves with a draw against ten-man D.C. United in their opening match of the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando.
The Canadian side took a two-goal lead before half-time, thanks to a brace from Ayo Akinola, and with Junior Moreno then sent off just before the interval, the game looked to be wrapped up for TFC.
However, they lost that lead, as D.C. became the first side since 2007 (when Opta records began) to have taken a point from a match where they had a player sent off and were down by two goals. Toronto drop one place because of that poor last ten minutes.
Remaining Group Matches: Group C – vs. Montreal Impact (July 16, 8 pm ET), vs. New England Revolution (July 21, 9 am ET)
2 – Minnesota United (+3)
They continue to impress, and after a last-gasp win in their opening MLS is Back group game, Minnesota United rise three places to take the No.2 spot on our Power Rankings.
The Loons were one of four teams who had a 100% record following the opening two matches of the regular season before the suspension of the league. Now, they are the only team to have a 100% record through three games in 2020.
They did it the hard way, but they continued to show why they should not be taken lightly, as a 97th-minute winner from Kevin Molino gave them the three points against Sporting Kansas City. The Loons sit top of the Supporters’ Shield standings and take on Real Salt Lake, the other winners from the opening round of the Group D fixtures, next.
Remaining Group Matches: Group D – vs. Real Salt Lake (July 17, 10:30 pm ET), vs. Colorado Rapids (July 22, 10:30 pm ET)
1 – Seattle Sounders (=)
The Sounders stay in top spot despite a below-par performance in their opening Group B match against San Jose Earthquakes. Seattle had to deal with a last-minute group change due to the withdrawals of Nashville SC and FC Dallas after both sides had positive COVID-19 tests, and there was some rustiness in their first match in over four months.
However, thanks to some heroics from Stefan Frei, arguably the best goalkeeper in the league right now, the Sounders were able to take a point from their scoreless draw with the Quakes and they remain in the playoff places in the Western Conference standings.
With the other two sides in Group B not having played yet due to the last-minute changes to the groups, Seattle and San Jose sit joint top of the group after both earning a point, but the Sounders will still be confident of making it out as the group winner come the end of this stage of the tournament.
Remaining Group Matches: Group B – vs. Chicago Fire (July 14, 9 am ET), vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (July 19, 10:30 pm ET)