MLS Power Rankings: Teams falter, new team lands on top
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 24. Chicago Fire (+2)
It was a better week for the Chicago Fire, who took three points from their two matches, thanks to a midweek victory over FC Cincinnati. However, their search for form continues, as they lost out at the weekend.
Fabian Herbers and Alvaro Medran put the Fire in front inside the opening ten minutes against the Ohio-based side, with Ignacio Aliseda adding an insurance goal later on. However, despite a Mauricio Pineda strike on Saturday evening, the Fire lost 3-1 to New York City FC.
Chicago will face off against the 2019 expansion side again in midweek, before hosting the New England Revolution on Sunday evening. Two wins would see them inside the playoff places in the East, where they currently sit three points off the red line.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ FC Cincinnati (Wednesday 2, 7:30 pm ET), vs. New England Revolution (Sunday 6, 7:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 23. D.C. United (-5)
The side from the capital are the biggest movers on our Power Rankings this week, but they have gone in the wrong direction, following a week where they lost twice and fell well away from the post-season berths in the East.
It started with a loss at home to the New England Revolution on Tuesday evening, as Gustavo Bou and Teal Bunbury scored to give the visitors a 2-1 win. It got worse at the weekend, as D.C. conceded four against Philadelphia Union in a comprehensive defeat.
They will be looking to bounce back this week with clashes against both sides from the Big Apple. They visit the Red Bulls on Wednesday evening, before hosting NYCFC at Audi Field at the weekend. Fully knowing they need at least four points to have a chance of being in the top seven come the end of the week’s play.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ New York Red Bulls (Wednesday 2, 7:30 pm ET), vs. New York City FC (Sunday 6, 7 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 22. Vancouver Whitecaps (-2)
Since defeating Chicago Fire in their final group game at the MLS is Back tournament, the Vancouver Whitecaps have now gone four full matches without finding the back of the net. Their latest coming in a defeat to Montreal Impact in midweek.
Romell Quioto and Lassi Lappalainen scored in the first half to give the Impact a two-goal lead, one they would not surrender, as they took the game at a canter. Vancouver have now lost three straight, without scoring a goal, in the ‘Canadian swing’.
They will be hoping that run ends this weekend, as they face off against Toronto FC for the third time since the league restarted. The Whitecaps are now in the basement of the Western Conference, having taken just six points during the regular season so far.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Toronto FC (Saturday 5, 9:30 pm ET)