MLS Power Rankings: Teams falter, new team lands on top
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 9. Minnesota United (-1)
After showing early promise in the regular season, and then making it to the semi-finals of the MLS is Back tournament, the return to regular-season action has not gone well for Minnesota United. Unfortunately, they have now lost two straight.
They followed up last week’s defeat to Sporting Kansas City with a loss in Frisco, as FC Dallas scored three times to take the points. Hassani Dotson got on the scoresheet for the Loons, but goals from Fafa Picault, Jesus Ferreira, and Reto Ziegler saw the Texan side take the victory.
The Loons remain inside the top four in the Western Conference, and face Houston Dynamo and Real alt Lake this week, as they try and stop this losing run that they are on, and get back their early season form.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Houston Dynamo (Wednesday 2, 8 pm ET) vs. Real Salt Lake (Sunday 6, 8 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 8. Los Angeles FC (-3)
Having lost Carlos Vela through injury last week, this week has seen Los Angeles FC drop further down the Supporters’ Shield, and Western Conference, standings, in their defence of the former. They did not play their match on Wednesday with Real Salt Lake, so went into their clash with MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders off a prolonged rest.
Just four weeks after dismantling the champions 4-1 in the round of 16 at the MLS is Back tournament, the Black and Gold looked stunned to be three goals down inside 50 minutes. After Raul Ruidiaz netted early, and Jordan Morris scored twice in two second-half minutes.
Diego Rossi got one back for the visitors to CenturyLink Field on Sunday evening, but it is another defeat for the Californian side. They have now only won two of their seven regular-season fixtures so far. They will aim to improve that this coming week against Californian rivals San Jose and the Galaxy.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. San Jose Earthquakes (Wednesday 2, 10:30 pm ET), @ LA Galaxy (Sunday 6, 10:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 7. Philadelphia Union (+3)
A double win week in Major League Soccer does not come around often. Such is the case as the Philadelphia Union achieved just that this week to make their move inside the top three in the Eastern Conference. Now they sit just three points off the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings.
The Union got the better of the New York Red Bull in midweek, thanks to a lone Kacper Przybylko strike. The Polish striker then scored another two in a 4-1 rout of D.C. United, with Sergio Santos and Brenden Aaronson also getting in on the act.
Philadelphia moves up to 3rd in the Eastern Conference after the six-point week, and also make moves up our Power Rankings. They face Columbus Crew on Wednesday in a top of the table clash, before facing the Red Bulls for a second time in ten days next weekend.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Columbus Crew SC (Wednesday 2, 7:30 pm ET), @ New York Red Bulls (Sunday 6, 7 pm ET)