MLS Power Rankings: Portland Timbers, Orlando City shine ahead of return
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 15. D.C. United (=)
The side from the capital has struggled so far in 2020, after losing their two main attacking options in Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta. They have won just once this season, and finished bottom of Group C at the MLS is Back tournament last month.
One win from five has not been the best start for D.C. Still, they will be hoping to turn that around in their return to regular-season action on Friday against FC Cincinnati, who themselves are aiming to improve their status in the league following a poor 2019 campaign.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ FC Cincinnati (Friday 21, 7:30pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 14. New York Red Bulls (=)
The Red Bulls were one of two sides that failed to qualify from Group E at the MLS is Back tournament, and both were a surprise. The side from the Big Apple registered just a single victory in Orlando, with that being a 1-0 success over 2018 champions Atlanta United.
The return to regular-season action sees NYRB sitting in the post-season spots in the Eastern Conference. They currently hold sixth place and host their Hudson River Derby rivals New York City FC on Thursday evening.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. New York City FC (Thursday 20, 7 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 13. Atlanta United (=)
One of the biggest shocks of the MLS is Back tournament came in the shape of Atlanta United’s poor form. They finished as the worst side in Group E, and in the entire tournament, as they lost all three matches by a 1-0 scoreline, failing to register a point, or even a goal, in 270 minutes of action.
The 2018 MLS Cup champions are clearly missing their talisman in the injured Josef Martinez. The Venezuelan is set to miss the entirety of the 2020 campaign after tearing his ACL in the season-opener back in February. This weekend’s opponents are Nashville SC, with the expansion side recently having grabbed their first victory of the season.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Nashville SC (Saturday 22, 7 pm ET)