MLS Power Rankings: Philadelphia Union and Seattle Sounders both climb

MLS Power Rankings: 9. FC Dallas (+8)

Making the biggest move up the Power Rankings this week are FC Dallas, who secured two big wins to see them move into the top three in the Western Conference. They have only just been inside the playoff places this time last week.

A Santiago Mosquera hat-trick on Thursday evening, along with a Franco Jara strike, gave them a convincing 4-1 victory over Colorado. This was before Jara bagged another two goals against Sporting KC on Saturday. A late Ryan Hollingshead winner made it six points from six this week.

The Texan side now sit in 3rd spot in the Western Conference, just two points behind Seattle. They face Eastern opposition in both matches this week, playing against Atlanta United and Orlando City, in the hope of emulating this week’s points tally.

This Week’s Fixtures: @ Atlanta United (Wed 23, 7 pm ET), vs. Orlando City SC (Sun 27, 8:30 pm ET)

MLS Power Rankings: 8. Portland Timbers (+1)

Moving up a place following a demolition job on the weekend are Portland Timbers. They were one of the few teams to play twice this week, and they faced the same opposition in both games, winning comfortably in the second clash.

They drew 1-1 with San Jose on Wednesday evening, with goals from Yimmi Chara and Vako canceling each other out. However, they then put six past the Quakes on Saturday afternoon. A double from Diego Valeri, plus strikes from Jeremy Ebobisse, Chara, Julio Cascante, and Jaroslaw Niezgoda saw them win 6-1.

After taking four points from their two games this week, the Timbers have made a move into the top five in the West, and are just three points off the top of the Conference. A win against the league-leading Seattle on Wednesday would see them close that gap, ahead of a clash with Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday night.

This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Seattle Sounders (Wed 23, 10 pm ET), @ Vancouver Whitecaps (Sun 27, 10 pm ET)

MLS Power Rankings: 7. Minnesota United (=)

Staying in the No.7 spot are Minnesota United, who only took a point from their lone clash this week, having been in the lead early on. The Loons did keep in touch at the top of the West with the point, though.

First half goals from Kevin Molino and Robin Lod put Minnesota into a commanding position at the interval, but they conceded twice in the second half, through Darwin Quintero and Maynor Figueroa strikes. It could have been worse, but Dayne St Clair saved a Dynamo penalty as well.

Jan Gregus was sent off for Minnesota late on, and he will miss their next clash which comes against the league-leading Columbus Crew. They then face Real Salt Lake at the weekend, in what is one of the tougher weeks in the league this time around.

This Week’s Fixtures: @ Columbus Crew SC (Wed 23, 7:30 pm ET), vs. Real Salt Lake (Sun 27, 8 pm ET)