MLS Power Rankings: Philadelphia Union and Seattle Sounders both climb
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 12. Los Angeles FC (-2)
In the showpiece match of the Major League Soccer weekend, Los Angeles FC failed to put up a fight, losing to Seattle Sounders. They failed to score for the third time in their last four games, as worries start to mount.
A double from Nicolas Lodeiro and a late goal from Raul Ruidiaz condemned the Black and Gold to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the reigning MLS Cup champions. They only managed two shots on target in the match.
The reigning Supporters’ Shield holders are facing an uphill task to keep hold of the trophy for another year, as they have dropped to 12 points back from Columbus Crew. This week, they play Vancouver and San Jose and need to quickly turn things around.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (Wed 23, 10:30 pm ET), vs. San Jose Earthquakes (Sun 27, 10:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 11. LA Galaxy (-3)
Dropping out of the top ten for the first time in several weeks are five-time MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy after they suffered a poor defeat abasing the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, failing to score in the process.
Cole Bassett and Jonathan Lewis scored for the visitors to Dignity Health Centre on Saturday, with the Galaxy’s problems compounded by a late red card for Julian Araujo. He was suspended in the process, however.
The Galaxy now sit in 8th in the West, only above the red line on goal difference from their intra-city rivals LAFC. They face Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders this week in two tricky Western Conference battles.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Real Salt Lake (Wed 23, 9:30 pm ET), vs. Seattle Sounders (Sun 27, 10:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 10. New York City FC (+2)
They may have only taken a single point from their match this week, but due to other results around them, New York City FC have moved back inside the top ten on our MLS Power Rankings. In doing so, they also take a place in the top five in the East.
They played out a goalless draw with New England Revolution on Saturday evening, but the point has seen them move ahead of Montreal Impact and into 5th spot in the Eastern Conference. They face 4th placed Toronto FC in midweek, ahead of a home game against last year’s expansion side, FC Cincinnati on Saturday evening. Six points could see them move inside the top three come next Monday.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Toronto FC (Wed 23, 7 pm ET), vs. FC Cincinnati (Sat 26, 7 pm ET)