MLS Power Rankings: Teams falter, new team lands on top
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 21. Colorado Rapids (=)
The Rapids played just once this week, as they were one of the ten sides to opt-out of playing on Wednesday evening following the events that occurred in Keshona, Wisconsin. Their clash with FC Dallas has been postponed to a later date.
At the weekend, Colorado faced off with Sporting Kansas City, who were looking to extend their lead at the top of the Western Conference. However, a Cole Bassett strike gave the Rapids the lead, and they would eventually come away with a point from the clash.
They sit in 10th in the West, just a single point off the playoff places. They might have the opportunity to go inside the top seven as they face San Jose next weekend, another side on eight points so far.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ San Jose Earthquakes (Saturday 5, 10:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 20. Houston Dynamo (+2)
The Dynamo had been struggling so far under Tab Ramos this season, but they finally managed to get their first win of 2020, and they did so in emphatic fashion, against the side that was top of the Western Conference.
Houston traveled to Kansas City to take on a Sporting side that were five points clear, but the Texan side netted five times to take a convincing victory. A Darwin Quintero double put the icing on the cake, following goals from Alberth Elis, Christian Ramirez, and Niko Hansen.
They moved off the bottom of the West with the victory and now sit in 11th, just two points below the playoff places. They will face SKC again, this time as hosts this weekend, with a home game against Minnesota United coming in midweek.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Minnesota United (Wednesday 2, 8 pm ET), vs. Sporting Kansas City (Saturday 5, 8 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 19. FC Cincinnati (=)
Major League Soccer’s 2019 expansion side featured twice this week, but were only able to take a point from their two matches. More worryingly, they have now failed to score in over 300 minutes of league action.
On Tuesday evening, they lost out to Chicago Fire, where they conceded twice in the opening ten minutes and never looked in the game whatsoever. They then managed to hold the Eastern Conference-topping Columbus Crew to a goalless draw in a Hell is Real rivalry match, to take their only points of the week.
FC Cincinnati now sits in 10th spot in the East, just two points below the red line. They face the same two sides this week, but this time they host Chicago, before traveling for another Hell is Real game with the Crew.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Chicago Fire (Wednesday 2, 7:30 pm ET), @ Columbus Crew SC (Sunday 6, 7:30 pm ET)