MLS Power Rankings: Teams falter, new team lands on top

MLS Power Rankings: 15. LA Galaxy (+2)

The Galaxy were scheduled to play twice this week, but were one of the ten teams that opted not to play on Wednesday evening, with their clash with Seattle Sounders being postponed to a later date in the season.

Their only match of the week came on Saturday night, as they overcame California Clasico rivals San Jose Earthquakes 3-2. They fell behind twice, but equalising strikes from Daniel Steres and Cristian Pavon brought them level before a late Sebastian Lletget goal gave the Galaxy all three points.

It was a win they needed as they come into a crucial week, even so early on in the regular-season. They face MLS is Back champions Portland Timbers on Wednesday night, before hosting ‘El Trafico’ rivals Los Angeles FC on Sunday evening.

This Week’s Fixtures: @ Portland Timbers (Wednesday 2, 10:30 pm ET), vs. Los Angeles FC (Sunday 6, 10:30 pm ET)

MLS Power Rankings: 14. New York Red Bulls (=)

Maintaining their place at No.14 in our Power Rankings this week are the New York Red Bulls, following a week where they could only manage to take a single point from their two Major league Soccer clashes.

They met Philadelphia Union on Tuesday evening but were unable to find the back of the net, with a 31st-minute strike from Polish forward Kacper Przybylko enough to condemn them to defeat. The Bulls took a point from their match at the weekend, drawing 1-1 with New England Revolution, as Omir Fernandez scored his first goal of 2020.

The weekend’s result keeps them ahead of the Revs in the Eastern Conference standings, and they sit 5th, seven points off leaders Toronto FC. They will be aiming for more this week against the struggling D.C. United, before a revenge clash with Philadelphia on Sunday.

This Week’s Fixtures: vs. D.C. United (Wednesday 2, 7:30 pm ET), vs. Philadelphia Union (Sunday 6, 7 pm ET)

MLS Power Rankings: 13. Montreal Impact (+3)

The past week saw the Impact play against both of their rivals from north of the border, as the three teams continue in their ‘Canadian swing’. Montreal took three points from the two matches, thanks to a win over Vancouver in midweek.

First-half goals from Romell Quioto and Lassi Lappalainen were enough to give the Impact the victory over the Whitecaps, but they were unable to continue that run of form in their second match of the week. They lost out by a single goal to Toronto FC, as an Alejandro Pozuelo penalty was enough to give the 2017 MLS Cup champions the W.

Thanks to the midweek success, Montreal now occupy a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They sit in 7th spot, a point above the red line, and they will be looking for better as they meet with TFC again on Tuesday evening, this time at BMO Field.

This Week’s Fixtures: @ Toronto FC (Tuesday 1, 8 pm ET)