MLS Power Rankings: A new club takes the top spot
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 15. San Jose Earthquakes (+4)
They may have lost heavily at the weekend against the in-form side in Major League Soccer, but a big win in the week against Vancouver has seen the San Jose Earthquakes jump up four places on our MLS Power Rankings this week.
Cristian Espinoza put the ‘Quakes in front against the Whitecaps on Wednesday, with late goals from Andres Rios and Paul Marie making it a comfortable 3-0 victory. Although they lost by the same scoreline against Portland at the weekend, it was still a good week for the Cali side.
They face two Western rivals at opposite ends of the Conference this week, with clashes against LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders to come. The ‘Quakes are currently in 7th spot in the West and inside the post-season berths. Two wins this week could even see them move inside the top four.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ LA Galaxy (Wed 14, 10:30 pm ET), vs. Seattle Sounders (Sun 18, 10:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 14. Montreal Impact (+3)
They may have suffered a close defeat at the weekend, but the Impact have climbed up the Eastern Conference standings and moved up three places on our Power Rankings. They toppled the former league leaders on Wednesday evening.
Goals from Lassi Lappalainen and Bojan Krkic gave them the victory on the road at Columbus Crew in midweek. This was before they fell to a narrow 2-1 loss against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday, another side in the top three in the league standings.
The Impact are up to 8th in the Eastern Conference and face New England Revolution and Inter Miami CF this week. A pair of wins could see them overtake the former and move inside the top six in the East come next weekend.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. New England Revolution (Wed 14, 7:30 pm ET), vs. Inter Miami FC (Sat 17, 7 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 13. FC Dallas (-2)
It has not been a good week for FC Dallas, who due to the ongoing issues with COVID-19, could only play one of their matches this week. That was in the Texan Derby, and it did not end well for FCD on Wednesday night.
Goals from Darwin Quintero and Darwin Ceren gave Houston the 2-0 victory at BBVA Compass Stadium. To make it worse for FC Dallas, their Texan rivals played the entirety of the second half with ten men and were still able to extend their lead.
They will only play once this week as well, with a game against Sporting Kansas City coming at home on Wednesday evening. The Texan side knows that a win is a must if they are to keep on top of the other playoff-hunting teams in the Western Conference.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Sporting Kansas City (Wed 14, 8:30 pm ET)