MLS Power Rankings: Top six remain unchanged with new teams in midfield
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 24. FC Cincinnati (-1)
Dropping down a spot following a defeat at the weekend are last year’s expansion side FC Cincinnati. They now occupy 24th spot in our Power Rankings, after a loss to New York City FC on Saturday evening.
A late goal from Brandon Vazquez was not enough for the Orange and Blue, as goals either side of half time saw them fall into a 2-0 deficit. The positives for the Ohio-based side is that they did end a run of over 300 minutes without scoring.
That run has seen them fall down the table, as they have secured just two points from their last four regular-season matches, and they are now in 13th in the extended Eastern Conference. They are just a point above bottom-side Inter Miami CF, with a tricky visit to Red Bull Arena next weekend.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ New York Red Bulls (Sat 19, 7 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 23. San Jose Earthquakes (-4)
Not much else needs to be said following a defeat like the on that San Jose suffered on Thursday evening. They may have recovered slightly to secure a draw at the weekend, but conceding seven goals in 90 minutes, that’s a huge no-no in this game.
The worrying fact is that they conceded those seven Seattle Sounders goals in the opening hour of the match. Doubles from Raul Ruidiaz and Joevin Jones, along with strikes from Jordan Morris, Kelvin Leerdam, and Joao Paulo saw the ‘Quakes lost 7-1, with Chris Wondolowski scoring from the spot late on.
San Jose went from a drubbing to a goalless draw on Sunday with the Galaxy, as they managed to stop the in-form Los Angeles side from taking another win. Back-to-back with Portland Timbers come this week, and the ‘Quakes will be looking for some form of recovery, as they slide down the standings continues.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Portland Timbers (Wed 16, 9:30 pm ET), vs. Portland Timbers (Sat 19, 10:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 22. Atlanta United (-6)
Six points dropped, six places dropped on our Power Rankings. It was another tough week for Atlanta United, who not only lost Pity Martinez for good but also lost to both expansion sides in the space of four nights.
Their first defeat came on Wednesday evening, as a Lewis Morgan double was enough to give Inter Miami CF the win, despite an Eric Remedi strike. Jeff Larentowicz and George Bello both scored on Saturday against Nashville SC, but the Tennessee-based side put four past Brad Guzan.
A demoralising week for the Five Stripes, who seem so so far away from their 2018 MLS Cup-winning form. They face Inter Miami once again this weekend and will be looking for better, as they are now only just inside the top ten in the Eastern Conference.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Inter Miami CF (Sat 19, 7 pm ET)