MLS Power Rankings: Teams falter, new team lands on top
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 6. Portland Timbers (-2)
The Timbers were one of those teams who opted not to play their match on Wednesday evening following the tragic shooting of Jacob Blake. They made up for it at the weekend, with a fun-filled clash against Real Salt Lake, which saw eight goals scored.
Diego Chara, Jaroslaw Niezgoda, Sebastian Blanco, and Felipe Mora all put their names on the score-sheet for Portland. With two goals in stoppage time for Real Salt Lake, with Giuseppe Rossi and Sam Johnson finding the net, saw the match finish 4-4.
The Timbers will be looking to sure up their defence as they face two tricky tests over the course of the next week. They host five-time MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy on Wednesday night, before a trip to reigning MLS Cup holders Seattle Sounders next Sunday.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. LA Galaxy (Wednesday 2, 10:30 pm ET), @ Seattle Sounders (Sunday 6, 10 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 5. Orlando City SC (+2)
After finishing runner-up at the MLS is Back tournament in their backyard, Orlando City SC have continued their great form, and picked up two victories this week. They scored six times and making their move into the top four in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Lions featured in the only match to go ahead on Wednesday night but went behind early to expansion side Nashville SC. However, a strike from Chris Mueller was followed by a Daryl Dike brace to give them a 3-1 victory.
They then repeated that scoreline over Atlanta United on Saturday evening, with Mueller putting his name on the scoresheet again. Junior Urso and Nani also netted for Orlando, who will be hoping for another six-point week. They face the same two sides, this time on the road in Tennessee, before hosting the 2018 MLS Cup winners.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Nashville SC (Wednesday 2, 8:30 pm ET), vs. Atlanta United (Saturday 5, 8 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 4. Seattle Sounders (+2)
Another of the sides to have not played on Wednesday night following what happened in Keshona, Wisconsin, the reigning MLS Cup champions focussed their attention on defeating the reigning Supporters’ Shield holders.
That’s exactly what they did, thanks to Raul Ruidiaz and Jordan Morris. The Peruvian opened the scoring inside the first 11 minutes of the clash on Sunday night, before Morris scored twice inside the opening five minutes of the second half to put the game to bed.
The 3-1 victory sees them move to just two points off the top of the West, and they sit in 2nd place, behind only Sporting Kansas City. This coming week they face two tricky tests against sides both in the top five in the Conference. First traveling to Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, before hosting Portland Timbers in a Cascadia Cup clash next weekend.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Real Salt Lake (Wednesday 2, 9:30 pm ET), vs. Portland Timbers (Sunday 6, 10 pm ET)