MLS Power Rankings: Toronto move back into top two
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 24. FC Cincinnati (-1)
Dropping a place this week after a disappointing defeat away in Minnesota are FC Cincinnati. They have now gone three games without a win, and more importantly, three games without scoring a single goal.
They managed just three shots on target at Allianz Field on Saturday evening, with goals for the Loons coming from new signing Kei Kamara and Trinidadian international Kevin Molino, with the mid-Ohio side losing 2-0.
It won’t get any easier for last year’s expansion side, as they face two sides in the top three of the Supporters’ Shield standings this week. They travel to Philadelphia on Wednesday, before a clash in Toronto at the weekend.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Philadelphia Union (Wed 7, 7:30 pm ET), @ Toronto FC (Sun 11, 7:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 23. LA Galaxy (-5)
Dropping five places this week, the biggest plummet down the Power Rankings, are the LA Galaxy. They lost out to the side that were bottom of the Western Conference before the weekend’s action.
An early Sebastian Lletget goal gave the Galaxy the lead against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night but strikes either side of the internal from Marcos Lopez and Andres Rios saw the game flipped on its head.
With the defeat in the California Clasico, the Galaxy are now bottom of the West and struggling in the race for the playoffs. They face Portland and Colorado this week, knowing they need at least one win to stay in the hunt for the top eight places in the division.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Portland Timbers (Wed 7, 10:30 pm ET), @ Colorado Rapids (Sat 10, 7 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 22. Vancouver Whitecaps (-2)
For the second straight weekend, the Vancouver Whitecaps lost out to a Cascadia Cup rival. This time failing to get the better of the reigning MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders on Saturday evening.
The Whitecaps conceded three times in the opening 12 minutes of the second half against the Sounders but looked like they might have found a way back in through Fredy Montero’s 65th minute penalty. However, three minutes later they went down to ten men when Janio Bikel was sent off, ending any chance of a comeback.
They face two more Western Conference rivals this week, with the aim of climbing into the post-season spots come the end of next weekend. They will do battle with San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake over the next seven days.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ San Jose Earthquakes (Wed 7, 10:30 pm ET), vs. Real Salt Lake (Sat 10, 10 pm ET)