MLS Power Rankings: Columbus Crew Take Top Spot
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 9. Real Salt Lake (+3)
They fell behind in the first half, but a dominant second-half display which saw four goals gave Real Salt Lake another convincing victory over Colorado Rapids in the Rocky Mountain Cup, stretching their winning run to five.
RSL went a goal down seven minutes before the breakthrough an Aaron Herrera own goal, but fought back with four unanswered goals after the break, thanks to four different scorers. Damir Kreilach, Maikel Chang, Corey Baird, and Justin Meram all got on the scoresheet, as RSL moved into the playoff places in the West.
They now sit in 5th, having moved ahead of opponents Colorado in the process, and are just six points off the top of the Conference. They face tricky tests against 3rd place Portland Timbers and 4th place Los Angeles FC in the space of three days this week.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs Los Angeles FC (Wednesday 26, 9:30 pm ET), @ Portland Timbers (Saturday 29, 10:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 8. Minnesota United (-3)
The Loons had the chance to move to the top of the Western Conference with a victory over Sporting Kansas City, but they were unable to take even a point from the clash, as they let Sporting build a lead at the top of the West.
Gadi Kinda put the visitors to Allianz Field in front in just the 12th minute, and a Michael Boxall own goal in the 55th minute was the winning goal for SKC. The Loons dropped to a defeat for the first time in the regular season.
They remain in 2nd spot in the Western Conference, behind only their opponents from the weekend. The Loons have just a single game this week, as they travel to FC Dallas next Saturday, knowing a win will keep them in the top two.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ FC Dallas (Saturday 29, 8:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 7. Orlando City SC (-3)
After playing so well throughout the MLS is Back tournament, there may have been some form of a hangover for Orlando City in their return to regular-season action, as they lost out 3-2 to state rivals Inter Miami CF.
The Lions fell behind after Julian Carranza gave Miami the lead, but Daryl Dike’s first MLS goal brought them level just six minutes later. Goals from Carranza and Rodolfo Pizarro made it 3-1 to the hosts, and Orlando were unable to fight back, despite a late strike from superstar Nani.
Despite the defeat, Orlando still remains inside the top seven in the Eastern Conference, sitting in 6th spot, but they are only a point above the playoff line, with fixtures against Atlanta United and Nashville SC coming this week.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs Nashville SC (Wednesday 26, 7:30 pm ET), @ Atlanta United (Saturday 29, 3:30 pm ET)