MLS Power Rankings: Columbus Crew Take Top Spot
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 3. Toronto FC (+4)
For the second time in three days, Toronto FC moved their way to victory over Canadian rivals Vancouver Whitecaps, but this win was in slightly less convincing fashion, as they won by just a single goal.
Following on from a 3-0 victory during the week, the weekend’s match saw the Whitecaps put up a better defence. Toronto tried to put something on the board by scoring a 15th-minute strike, with Richie Laryea’s goal being the only goal of the game.
The victory sees TFC keep the pressure on Columbus Crew at the top of the Eastern Conference, with the Canadian side just a point behind the Yellow and Black. They face Montreal Impact in another all-Canadian battle on Friday evening, with the chance to go top of the Supporters’ Shield standings.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Montreal Impact (Friday 28, 8 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 2. Sporting Kansas City (+4)
Having already been beaten by Minnesota United earlier in the season, in the first group match of the MLS is Back tournament, Sporting Kansas City were able to exact revenge over their rivals, by the same scoreline.
In what was a clash between the top two sides in the Western Conference. An early strike from Gadi Kinda gave Sporting the lead, only for a Jaylin Lindsay own goal to put Minnesota back on level terms.
A Michael Boxall own goal gave SKC the victory and sees them stretch their lead at the top of the Western Conference to four points. Now they sit just a point behind Columbus Crew at the summit of the Supporters’ Shield standings.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs Houston Dynamo (Tuesday 25, 8:30 pm ET), @ Colorado Rapids (Saturday 29, 9 pm ET)
Gyasi Zardes emerging as early front runner to win Golden Boot. light. Must Read
MLS Power Rankings: 1. Columbus Crew SC (+2)
Another weekend, another victory for the Columbus Crew, who kept hold of the top spot in the Eastern Conference, and the Supporters’ Shield standings, after they kept a clean sheet and netted three times against Chicago Fire on Thursday evening.
Derrick Etienne Jr. opened the scoring in the 20th minute, with a screamer from Darlington Nagbe and a late strike from Gyasi Zardes giving the Crew a 3-0 victory. They’re doing an incredible job of maintaining their almost-perfect start to the season.
The Crew now have 16 points out of a possible 18 at the start of the 2020 term, having conceded just a single goal in their opening six matches. They face NYCFC and FC Cincinnati this week and will go into both matches as the clear favourites.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ New York City FC (Monday 24, 7 pm ET), @ FC Cincinnati (Saturday 29, 7:30 pm ET)