MLS Power Rankings: Philadelphia Union and Seattle Sounders both climb
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 24. Atlanta United (-2)
One of three teams who currently has 11 points through their opening 12 games of the campaign, the 2018 MLS Cup champions continue to struggle without the two Martinez’s. They lost to Inter Miami CF on Saturday.
All three goals in the match were scored inside the opening 11 minutes of action, with Jon Gallagher grabbing Atlanta’s only goal. Juan Agudelo and Brek Shea scored for the visitors to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Five Stripes are in a terrible run of form, having won just once in their last eight regular-season clashes. They will be looking to improve that this week, with games against FC Dallas and Chicago Fire.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. FC Dallas (Wed 23, 7 pm ET), @ Chicago Fire (Sun 27, 7:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 23. Inter Miami FC (+3)
Moving off the bottom of the Power Rankings, and the bottom of the Supporters’ Shield standings, are Inter Miami CF. They followed a solid win over 2018 MLS Cup champions Atlanta United, leapfrogging the Five Stripes in the process.
Early goals from Juan Agudelo and Brek Shea gave the league’s newest team the advantage early on, one they would not relinquish. Off the field, the side have signed former Real Madrid and Juventus strike Gonzalo Higuain to give them more firepower up front.
With the Argentinian forward coming in this week, IMCF could be looking up even further, with clashes against New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union to come. Keep an eye out for the league’s newest DP.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. New York Red Bulls (Wed 23, 8 pm ET), @ Philadelphia Union (Sun 27, 7:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 22. FC Cincinnati (+2)
FC Cincinnati are out of the bottom three of our Power Rankings for the first time in 2020, following a solid victory over New York Red Bulls. They have also moved into the post-season berths in the East with the win.
A Haris Medunjanin strike in the 85th minute, just the sixth ever olimpico in Major League Soccer history, was enough for the Orange and Blue to take all three points from their clash with the Red Bulls.
The win sees them sit in 10th spot in the East, in the final playoff place, but they face tricky tests against Philadelphia Union and New York City FC this week. Two draws would be good for the 2019 expansion side, anything more is arguably a bonus.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Philadelphia Union (Wed 23, 7:30 pm ET), @ New York City FC (Sat 26, 7 pm ET)