MLS Power Rankings: Toronto move back into top two
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 21. Houston Dynamo (-2)
The Dynamo lost again this weekend, and are now winless in their last six matches, as their slide down the Western Conference standings continues. A defeat to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday saw them fall further down the division.
A double from Alan Pulido, with a goal coming either side of the half time break, gave Sporting a two-goal lead. Houston tried to respond late on, with Sam Junqua getting on the scoresheet, but the Texan side lost out 2-1.
They now sit in 10th in the West, two places outside the post-season berths, and face their nearest rivals FC Dallas in midweek in the latest edition of the Texan Derby. They then play early on Saturday evening against Inter Miami knowing they could well need a win to stay in the playoff hunt.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. FC Dallas (Wed 7, 8 pm ET), @ Inter Miami CF (Sat 10, 5 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 20. Chicago Fire (+1)
Following a 2-2 draw with the Montreal Impact at the weekend, Chicago Fire have moved back inside the top twenty on our MLS Power Rankings for the first time in quite a while. But they remain outside the playoff places in the East.
An early strike from Robert Beric sent them on their way against the Impact, but they found themselves a goal down late on. Francisco Calvo equalised in the 73rd minute to give the Fire a point, which was arguably the fairest result.
The team from Illinois will face Sporting Kansas City and D.C. United this week, two sides at very different ends of the table. A win could be enough to push the Fire into the post-season places in the Eastern Conference come the conclusion of next weekend’s action.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Sporting Kansas City (Wed 7, 8:30 pm ET), vs. D.C. United (Sun 11, 7:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 19. San Jose Earthquakes (+5)
Moving up five places on our Power Rankings after a victory over Californian rivals at the weekend are the San Jose Earthquakes. They defeated the Galaxy in the Cali Clasico to move to within a point of the playoff places.
They fell behind to their rivals early on in the fixture on Saturday evening, but goals from Marcos Lopez and Andres Rios turned the game around. The ‘Quakes held on for a much-needed victory.
They now sit in 9th in the truncated Western Conference, just a point below the red line. They face two of the Cascadian teams this week, with a home game against the Vancouver Whitecaps before a clash in Portland on Sunday night.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (Wed 7, 10:30 pm ET), @ Portland Timbers (Sun 11, 10 pm ET)