MLS Power Rankings: Portland Timbers, Orlando City shine ahead of return
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 21. LA Galaxy (=)
What a poor start to the 2020 season it has been for the record-holding five-time MLS Cup champions. The Galaxy finished bottom of Group F in Orlando after earning just a single point while shipping nine goals over their three group fixtures.
They have accumulated just two points from their five regular-season matches so far. They are currently languishing at the bottom of the Western Conference with only Inter Miami sitting below them in the Supporters’ Shield standings. It doesn’t get any easier, either, as LAFC are up next on Saturday.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Los Angeles FC (Saturday 22, 6 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 20. Vancouver Whitecaps (-2)
The Whitecaps made it through to the knockout stages of the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando after finishing in 3rd spot in Group B, earning themselves a wildcard berth. They then only narrowly lost out to Sporting Kansas City, by way of a penalty shootout.
However, any good form they had coming into the return of the regular-season was ended on Tuesday night, as they lost by three goals to Toronto FC. A Pablo Piatti brace and a late strike from Nick DeLeon saw Vancouver lose heavily, and they face the same opponents on Friday.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Toronto FC (Friday 21, 8pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 19. Colorado Rapids (+1)
After starting the season with two victories, and being just one of four teams to have a 100% record going into the MLS is Back tournament, it has all started to go downhill for the Colorado Rapids.
They finished bottom of Group D with just a single point from their three matches and failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition. Colorado will face Real Salt Lake, one of the sides that beat them in the group stages in their first match back on Saturday evening.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Real Salt Lake (Saturday 22, 9 pm ET)