MLS is Back: Power Rankings after Matchday Two
By Matt Coles
15 – Colorado Rapids (-1)
A second defeat in as many matches for the Colorado Rapids and their 100% start prior to the suspension of the league for COVID-19 is long in the past now. A 3-2 loss to Sporting Kansas City sees them bottom of Group D and staring down the barrel of being eliminated from MLS is Back.
They got off to a good start as Kellyn Acosta broke the deadlock just six minutes into their clash with Sporting, but second-half strikes from Khiry Shelton and Alan Pulido put KC in the lead. Jonathan Lewis got the Rapids level, but a late goal from Graham Zusi sees Colorado sitting bottom of the group with no points from two games.
To make matters worse, English midfielder Jack Price was sent off after the second Sporting goal for showing dissent to the referee and will miss the final group game, which comes against Minnesota United, in the final match of Group D.
Remaining Group Matches: Group D – vs. Minnesota United (July 22, 10:30 pm ET)
14 – Orlando City SC (+4)
Two games, two wins, and Orlando City are on the rise in our Power Rankings this week after they secured their qualification through to the knockout stages of the tournament with a victory over New York City FC.
It took just ten minutes for the Lions to open up a two-goal lead, as a Chris Mueller brace put them in a wonderful position in the match. Jesus Medina got one back for the Sky Blues, but a late goal from Tesho Akindele secured Orlando’s passage through to the knockout stages.
That 3-1 win sees them safely in the top two in Group A, with a winner-takes-all clash with Philadelphia Union to come to finish the group stages. The winner takes the top spot in the group and a potentially easier run through to latter stages of this tournament.
Remaining Group Matches: Group A – vs. Philadelphia Union (July 20, 8 pm ET)
13 – D.C. United (+2)
Two games, two draws for D.C. United in the MLS is Back tournament so far, following a 1-1 draw with New England Revolution in their second match in Group C, with both teams still in a position to qualify come the end of the group stages.
The Revolution took the lead after a 51st-minute strike from Adam Buksa, but D.C. fought back from behind for the second time in the group. They did so from two goals down against Toronto last week, and thanks to a goal from Federico Higuain in this one, they earned another point.
D.C. go on to face Montreal Impact in their final group match, knowing that a win would almost certainly see them through to the knockout stages as one of the top two teams in Group C. Anything else and they need results elsewhere to go their way.
Remaining Group Matches: Group C – vs. Montreal Impact (July 21, 10:30 pm ET)
12 – Real Salt Lake (+1)
Although they were unable to secure their qualification through to the knockout stages of the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, Real Salt Lake were able to put an end to Minnesota United’s perfect start to the 2020 campaign.
It was a goalless affair between the two sides, who now both sit atop the Group D standings with four points from their first two games. Pablo Ruiz and Zac MacMath were arguably the two strongest players for RSL, with the latter making some key saves to keep the match on level terms.
They only have one win in 2020, but Real Salt Lake are yet to lose a game in 2020, with three draws to their name. Another draw against Sporting KC will be enough to see RSL through to the knockout stages of the competition.
Remaining Group Matches: Group D – vs. Sporting KC (July 22, 9 am ET)
11 – New England Revolution (+1)
The New England Revolution could have sealed a spot in the knockout stages of the MLS is Back tournament with a victory over D.C. United, but they had to settle for a draw after conceding a late equaliser in their second group match in Orlando.
Adam Buksa had given New England the lead following a goalless first period of play, but a 72nd-minute equaliser from Federico Higuain meant the game finished 1-1, with both sides taking a point away.
New England will face Toronto in the final round of matches in Group C, with the winner assured of a place in the knockout stages as the winner of the group. Anything less than three points for the Revs and they could fail to qualify.
Remaining Group Matches: Group C – vs. Toronto FC (July 21, 9 am ET)