MLS is Back: Power Rankings after the group stages

5. Minnesota United (-2)

It was not a vintage performance from Minnesota United on Wednesday evening, but a draw with Colorado was enough for them to secure their passage through to the knockout stages of the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando.

Minnesota fell behind to the Rapids early on through a Kei Kamara strike, but a brace from winger Ethan Finlay saw the Loons sitting pretty with a 2-1 lead at the break. Unfortunately for Adrian Heath’s side, a Jonathan Lewis goal on the hour mark saw the game finish 2-2, dropping Minnesota down to second in the group.

After coming through Group D unbeaten, Minnesota United will face the only perfect side from the group stage of the tournament, Columbus Crew. The Black and Yellow are the only side to go nine from nine, and they also sit top of the Supporters’ Shield standings. This should be one of the ties of the round.

Last 16 Fixture: v Columbus Crew (July 28 (8 pm ET)

4. Columbus Crew SC (+3)

Three games, three wins. Seven goals scored, zero conceded. The group stages could not have gone any better for the Columbus Crew, who have taken Group E by storm, dispatching all three opponents, ending with a one-goal victory over Atlanta United.

The Crew, who were unbeaten in 2020, thanks to earning four points from their two regular-season matches four months ago, extended that run further with another victory, as Youness Mokhtar got the only goal of the game in the 18th minute.

A perfect nine points from their three Group E games and they will now face another of the four remaining unbeaten sides in 2020, Minnesota United. The Loons came through Group D in second place, and the two teams sit in the top three in the Supporters’ Shield standings so far.

Last 16 Fixture: v Minnesota United (July 28, 8 pm ET)

3. Seattle Sounders (+2)

Finally! It’s taken three games in Orlando, but the Seattle Sounders have managed to win a game of football, and with it, they secured their passage through to the knockout stages of the tournament.

A penalty kick from Nicolas Lodeiro got them going in the game before Jordan Morris doubled the tally ten minutes before the interval. A third goal from Raul Ruidiaz put the game to bed, even with more than half an hour to go.

After going through from Group B in second place, the Sounders have set up the blockbuster clash of the last 16, as the reigning MLS Cup champions will play the reigning Supporters’ Shield holders Los Angeles FC.

Last 16 Fixture: v Los Angeles FC (July 27, 11pm ET)

2. Los Angeles FC (=)

A victory from the final match of the group stages in Orlando would have seen Los Angeles FC through to the knockout stages of the tournament as the top team in Group F, but a late equaliser for the Portland Timbers meant they took top spot, with the Black and Gold coming second.

LAFC fell behind early on to a Jaroslaw Niezgoda strike, with the Polish forward scoring just seven minutes into his first start for the Timbers. Goals from Bradley Wright-Phillips and Mark-Anthony Kaye gave the reigning Supporters’ Shield holders a half-time lead.

A late equaliser from Jeremy Ebobisse meant the game finished 2-2 with both sides advancing to the last 16. LAFC go through after coming in second in Group F and will now face reigning MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders in the major tie of the last 16.

Last 16 Fixture: v Seattle Sounders (July 27, 11 pm ET)

1. Toronto FC (=)

It might not have been the performance that they would have liked, but Toronto FC are safely through to the knockout stages of the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando following a goalless draw with New England Revolution.

The two teams sat on four points going into the fixture, with both knowing a win would guarantee top spot in Group C and an easier run through the knockout stages, but neither side was able to break the deadlock. Revs ‘keeper Matt Turner put in a man of the match performance, making five saves and keeping TFC out.

Thanks to scoring more goals than New England throughout the group stage, Toronto claimed top spot in Group C, and will now face NYCFC in the last 16, after they managed to scrape through as the final wild-card team from the group stages.

Last 16 Fixture: v New York City FC (July 26, 8:30 pm ET)