MLS Power Rankings: Crew rise to the top once again
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 24. Nashville SC (+1)
It is not much but Nashville SC have moved out of the bottom two on our Power Rankings this week. Mostly thanks to two draws, both coming against the Floridian sides in the league, Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF.
Randall Leal scored their only goal of the week, which came in the 1-1 draw with the Lions in midweek. They then played out a goalless clash with fellow expansion side Inter Miami at the weekend.
Nashville have averaged a point per game so far, with nine from nine. They sit in 11th spot in the extended Eastern Conference, a point behind D.C. United, who occupy the final post-season berth. Their one match this week comes against 2018 MLS Cup champions Atlanta United, who could be there for the taking with both of the Martinez’s out.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Atlanta United (Saturday 12, 8:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 23. FC Cincinnati (-4)
Last year’s expansion side are the last of the three teams in Major League Soccer who currently hold a PPG average of less than one through the opening ten matches of the campaign. They have taken just nine points from those clashes, with just a single point coming from two games this week.
FC Cincinnati drew 0-0 with Chicago Fire in the week, before failing to score once again at the weekend. This time, however, they lost out 3-0 to Columbus Crew in the Hell is Real derby, and slipped down the Eastern Conference standings.
They now sit in 12th in the Conference, with just two victories so far in 2020. They will aim to put that right this week against New York City FC, but the Sky Blues are in a great vein of form over the last few weeks.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ New York City FC (Saturday 12, 7 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 22. Colorado Rapids (-1)
The Rapids continue to struggle for form and find themselves languishing towards the bottom of the Western Conference. They are only above only the side they drew 1-1 with this week, the San Jose Earthquakes.
A single goal from Kei Kamara helped Colorado to a 1-1 draw, but they remain magnetized towards the bottom of the Conference. They sit in 11th, with just nine points from their opening eight matches of the regular-season campaign.
The positive is that the Rapids have a game in hand on most of the teams around them, and they play twice this week to try and make it level. Colorado host Houston Dynamo in the week, before traveling to play Real Salt Lake on Saturday. Both sides sit above them, but they could be toppled by the Rapids come next Monday.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Houston Dynamo (Wednesday 9, 9 pm ET), @ Real Salt Lake (Saturday 12, 9:30 pm ET)