MLS Power Rankings: Top six remain unchanged with new teams in midfield
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 15. Houston Dynamo (-1)
The Dynamo were unlucky not to take all three points from their first game of the week against the Colorado Rapids, before they lost out in a close game at the weekend against Texan rivals, a loss that would have hurt.
Houston took the lead against the Rapids thanks to a Christian Ramirez goal, and they held it until the last few seconds of the clash, before conceding a 96th minute equaliser. They then lost out 2-1 to FC Dallas, despite a Memo Rodriguez stoke on the stroke of half time.
After their good run of form last week, Houston remain in the top seven in the Western Conference, but are only a point above the red line for the playoff. They face a tricky test his week, battling it out with 3rd place side Minnesota United on home soil on Saturday evening.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Minnesota United (Sat 19, 8 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 14. New England Revolution (-2)
The Revs dropped several places down the standings following a loss in their only match of the week, as they were unable to avoid defeat against the in-form Philadelphia Union, losing out 2-1 on Saturday evening.
New England went down to ten men after Matt Polster was sent off, but following a Tajon Buchanan strike in the 81st minute, it looked like they would take a point away from the game. The Union, though, were able to score a 95th minute winner to take the win.
With the defeat, New England dropped down to 8th in the extended Eastern Conference, and sit just four points above the red line. They face off against New York City FC this weekend, one of the sides that jumped above them in the last few days.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. New York City FC (Sat 19, 4:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 13. New York Red Bulls (+4)
Into the top half, and the New York Red Bulls made strides up both the standings and our Power Rankings this week. Mostly thanks to a comfortable two-goal victory over the side from the nation’s capital.
The Red Bulls used home advantage to overcome D.C. United on Saturday evening, with goals from Aaron Long and Daniel Royer either side of half-time being enough to secure a 2-0 victory. This helped them continue moving up the standings.
They now sit in 7th in the Eastern Conference, just two points away from a place in the top five. The side from New York will face off against FC Cincinnati this week, with that clash taking place on Saturday evening.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. FC Cincinnati (Sat 19, 7 pm ET)