MLS Power Rankings: Portland Timbers breach the top six
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 21. Chicago Fire (+5)
What a week it has been for the Chicago Fire. No more than seven days ago, they sat bottom of our MLS Power Rankings and languishing at the basement of the Supporters’ Shield standings as the only side without double-digit points, but that all changed with two wins this week.
They started with a victory over the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday evening, where goals from Robert Beric, Fabian Herbers, Alvaro Medran, and CJ Sapong helped them to a solid 4-0 scoreline. Herbers and Beric then both scored again on Sunday against Atlanta United, as they ran out 2-0 winners.
Two games, two wins, two clean sheets. The perfect week for Chicago Fire sees them jump five places on our MLS Power Rankings, and also they make a move inside the playoff places in the East. They sit 10th and face Montreal Impact this coming Saturday with the aim of keeping this good form going.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Montreal Impact (Sat 3, 7:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 20. Vancouver Whitecaps (-5)
They continue to have the distinction as the worst Canadian side in MLS, and the Vancouver Whitecaps compounded that this week by dropping five places down our Power Rankings.
They faced LAFC and Portland, which in fairness, are two very tricky opponents. However, they shipped six in midweek against the reigning Supporters’ Shield holders, before also then losing to the Timbers. They failed to score across the two matches, notching just three shots on target.
Vancouver are now outside the post-season berths in the Western Conference, currently occupying 10th spot, but they are just three points below the red line. However, this weekend they take on the reigning MLS Cup champions, so it does not get any easier for the Whitecaps.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Seattle Sounders (Sat 3, 10 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 19. Houston Dynamo (-2)
Following a great week where the Dynamo won twice at the start of the month, they have now failed to win in their last four matches. That run continued this week with a poor defeat and a draw where they would have thought they should have taken all three points.
Houston came up against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday evening, with the side from the midwest having struggled all year. However, the Dynamo lost out 4-0, with Robert Beric, Fabian Herbers, Alvaro Medran, and CJ Sapong all netting. That defeat was followed with a 1-1 draw against expansion side Nashville SC, with Maynor Figueroa scoring in the 89th minute to rescue a point for the Texan side.
Following another poor week of matches for the Dynamo, they have now slipped outside the playoff places in the Western Conference. They sit 9th but are just four points off 3rd spot in the tight midfield battle. They face the team that occupies that 3rd position this week, hosting Sporting Kansas City on Saturday evening.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Sporting Kansas City (Sat 3, 8 pm ET)