MLS Power Rankings: Columbus Crew Take Top Spot

MLS Power Rankings: 6. Seattle Sounders (+3)

After a poor showing at the MLS is Back tournament, the Seattle Sounders rebounded in their first match back with a comfortable victory in a Cascadia Cup fixture over the Portland Timbers, keeping a clean sheet in the process.

The reigning MLS Cup champions were not in sync for the majority of the match, but three goals in the final 18 minutes of the match gave the Rave Green a solid win. Raul Ruidiaz struck twice, with Kelvin Leerdam grabbing the third, as the Sounders took all three points.

The win sees Seattle make the move inside the top seven and into a playoff place, knowing they face both Los Angeles sides this week. The Galaxy comes first on Wednesday, with a home game against LAFC on Sunday night.

This Week’s Fixtures: @ LA Galaxy (Wednesday 26, 10:30 pm ET), vs Los Angeles FC (Sunday 30, 10 pm ET)

MLS Power Rankings: 5. Los Angeles FC (-4)

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The reigning Supporters’ Shield holders were brought back down to earth this weekend. They were on the end of a 2-0 defeat to intra-city rivals LA Galaxy, just a month after they had taken a 6-2 victory over the same opponents.

Goals from Ethan Zubak and Sebastian Lletget either side of the half time interval gave the Galaxy a comfortable win. However, that was not the worse part for the Black and Gold.

They saw Carlos Vela, who was featuring for the first time since March after opting out of the MLS is Back tournament, limp off injured.

Without the reigning league MVP, LAFC could struggle against Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders in their two fixtures this week, as they aim to hold on to a top-four spot in the Western Conference.

This Week’s Fixtures: @ Real Salt Lake (Wednesday 26, 9:30 pm ET), @ Seattle Sounders (Sunday 30, 10 pm ET)

MLS Power Rankings: 4. Portland Timbers (-2)

They won the MLS is Back tournament, but the Portland Timbers have been brought back down to Earth after a crushing defeat to Cascadia Cup rivals Seattle Sounders, in a match where they failed to find the back of the net.

After performing so well in Orlando, the Timbers were just not quite right on Sunday evening, but it looked like they were going to get a point. However, late goals from Raul Ruidiaz and Kelvin Leerdam saw the Sounders run out comfortable 3-0 victors.

Portland remains inside the top three in the Western Conference but are now five points behind Sporting Kansas City at the top of the table. They face San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake this week, in the hope of bouncing back after this loss.

This Week’s Fixtures: @ San Jose Earthquakes (Wednesday 26, 10:30 pm ET), v Real Salt Lake (Saturday 29, 10:30 pm ET)