MLS Power Rankings: Portland Timbers breach the top six
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 18. LA Galaxy (-7)
It was another terrible week for the Galaxy, whose slide down our MLS Power Rankings continues. This comes following two matches against Western Conference rivals where they lost comfortably, only managing to score a single goal in the process.
Their bad week started on Wednesday evening when they traveled to Salt Lake City. Second-half goals from Albert Rusnak and Damir Kreilach gave RSL an easy 2-0 win. Four nights later and a double from Cristian Roldan, along with a Jordan Morris strike gave Seattle a comfortable 3-1 win over the Galaxy. Sebastian Lletget scored the consolation goal in the 88th minute.
Following those two poor performances, the Galaxy are now sat in 11th in the Western Conference, with only the San Jose Earthquakes below them in the table. They are the opponents this weekend in a basement battle, with the loser knowing their playoff chances get even smaller.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ San Jose Earthquakes (Sat 3, 10:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 17. Montreal Impact (-4)
Sliding down the MLS Power Rankings this week are the Montreal Impact, dropping four places to now sit in the No.17 spot. They lost both of their matches quite comfortably this week and suffered another red card, their fourth in their last five outings.
They started their double game week on Wednesday against New England Revolution but conceded before and after half-time to fall behind. A late Lassi Lappalainen consolation goal was their only solace. The Impact then took the lead through a wonderful Bojan Krkic strike against the Red Bulls but ending up losing 4-1, with Luis Binks being shown a red card in the latter stages.
Montreal will be looking to improve this week against the struggling Chicago Fire, but they have had a slight upturn in form over the last week. The Impact now sits in 8th in the East, just two points above the red line, and face a tricky test against the Chicago Fire, who have won their last two matches.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Chicago Fire (Sat 3, 7:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 16. Nashville SC (+4)
They might well be an expansion side, but Nashville SC are making moves up both the MLS Power Rankings and the Supporters’ Shield standings. They took four points from their two matches this week and now sit well inside the post-season berths in the East.
Daniel Armando Rios struck their only goal in both matches this week. His first saw them overcome ten-man D.C. United on Wednesday evening, with his second helping them to a 1-1 draw with Houston Dynamo on Sunday night.
Those points see Nashville move into 9th spot in the Eastern Conference, with ten playoff spots available this season. They will face the in-form New England Revolution at the weekend, knowing a win will keep them well and truly in the hunt for a playoff spot in their first season in the league.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ New England Revolution (Sat 3, 7:30 pm ET)