MLS Power Rankings: Top six remain unchanged with new teams in midfield
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 9. Portland Timbers (-2)
The side on the other end of that defeat on Sunday evening were the Portland Timbers. They have not quite found their best form since winning the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando at the start of August.
First half goals from Eryk Williamson and Jeremy Ebobisse were not enough for the 2015 MLS Cup champs. They lost out 4-2 to the Black and Gold, in their only match of the week, one they probably thought they would take something from.
Portland have the chance to bounce back quickly, with two games on the road in San Jose this week, both against the Earthquakes. If they were to win both, they could claim a spot inside the top three of the Western Conference with relative ease.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ San Jose Earthquakes (Wed 16, 9:30 pm ET), @ San Jose Earthquakes (Sat 19, 10:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 8. LA Galaxy (+1)
Their scintillating form came to an end on Sunday evening, but the five-time MLS Cup champions, LA Galaxy, continued their unbeaten run, with a goalless draw against. A San Jose side who were reeling from a huge defeat in midweek.
The Galaxy had won their last four fixtures in the regular season but failed to score on Sunday against the Earthquakes, who had shipped seven just four days earlier. Despite not winning, the Galaxy are now unbeaten in their last six matches and are the most in-form team in the league right now.
They move up a place and into the top eight on our Power Rankings, and will face a tough test this week against another side in a good vein of form, the Colorado Rapids. A win could see them go above their LA rivals and into the top four in the West.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Colorado Rapids (Sat 19, 10:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 7. Minnesota United (+1)
The Loons played twice this week, with both being close contests. They played out a five-goal thriller in midweek which they were on the right side of, before losing out to a single goal in their Sunday night clash.
A Kevin Molino double followed on from an early Mason Toye strike to give Minnesota United a victory over FC Dallas, despite going down to ten men for the final few minutes. They then lost out to a lone Johnny Russell goal against Sporting Kansas City on Sunday.
With the three points earned from those two matches, the Loons currently occupy 3rd spot in the Western Conference. They have a golden opportunity to make their way back into the top two with a win over Houston Dynamo on Saturday.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Houston Dynamo (Sat 19, 8 pm ET)