MLS Power Rankings: Philadelphia Union and Seattle Sounders both climb
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 6. Sporting Kansas City (-2)
Dropping two spots on this week’s MLS Power Rankings are Sporting Kansas City, as they fell away from the top spot in the West thanks to a poor defeat against FC Dallas, despite the Texan side finishing the game with ten men.
A Johnny Russell double had countered a Franco Jara double, with SKC coming back from two goals down to level the match in the 83rd minute. However, they conceded a sloppy goal just a couple of minutes after, to give FCD the 3-2 lead, one they could not fight back from.
With the defeat, Sporting have been overtaken by Seattle Sounders at the top of the Western Conference, and are now seven points off the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings as well. They face the in-form Orlando City on Wednesday, before a tricky match-up in Colorado on Sunday evening.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Orlando City SC (Wed 23, 7:30 pm ET), @ Colorado Rapids (Sun 27, 9 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 5. Orlando City SC (+1)
Another team on the rise this week are Orlando City SC, who have continued their fine form after reaching the final of the MLS is Back tournament. They got the better of Chicago Fire this week, to make a move up the Eastern Conference standings.
The Lions scored four past the Fire on Saturday evening, with goals from Christopher Mueller, Nani, Junior Urso, and Benji Michel. A lone strike from Robert Beric only meant that Orlando failed to keep a clean sheet.
They now sit in 3rd spot in both the Eastern Conference and in the Supporters’ Shield standings and are well on the way to a first-ever postseason appearance. They face two of the top three sides in the West this week. Tough tests against Sporting KC and FC Dallas will really test them, and we will see if they are playoff material.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Sporting Kansas City (Wed 23, 7:30 pm ET), @ FC Dallas (Sun 27, 8:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 4. Seattle Sounders (+1)
Moving up a place and into the top four are the reigning MLS Cup champions, Seattle Sounders. In the primetime game on Friday night, they dismantled the reigning Supporters’ Shield holders, LAFC, to win 3-0.
Two penalties from Nicolas Lodeiro, along with the obligatory goal from Raul Ruidiaz, put the Black and Gold to the slaughter. This saw Seattle winning big for the second game in a row following their 7-1 annihilation of San Jose last weekend.
The Sounders have moved to the top of the Western Conference following the victory, but face two tough tests this week. They will do battle with Portland Timbers on Wednesday evening, before traveling to LA to face the Galaxy on Sunday night.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Portland Timbers (Wed 23, 10 pm ET), @ LA Galaxy (Sun 27, 10:30 pm ET)