MLS Power Rankings: A new club takes the top spot
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 6. Sporting Kansas City (+1)
After a couple of iffy weeks with points dropped here and there, Sporting Kansas City got back to business this week, winning both of their matches to keep up their hunt for the Western Conference title.
They needed just a single goal against Chicago in midweek, with former Premier League defender Winston Reid getting on the scoresheet, before goals from Gerso Fernandes and Erik Hurtado, with the latter scoring a screamer, enough to down Nashville SC on Sunday.
SKC now sits in 3rd in the West, just a point behind the top two. They will fancy their chances of another six-point week this time around, as they face FC Dallas in midweek before a trip to play Chicago again on Saturday afternoon.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ FC Dallas (Wed 14, 8:30 pm ET), @ Chicago Fire (Sat 17, 3:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 5. Seattle Sounders (-1)
They still remain top of the Western Conference, but only on goal difference. The Seattle Sounders had the chance to push themselves to within a win of a playoff berth at the weekend but were unable to take a full six points from their two-game slate this week.
The Rave Green got the better of Real Salt Lake in the week, thanks to goals from Jordan Morris and Yeimar Gomez Andrade, but came unstuck against reigning Supporters’ Shield holders LAFC on Sunday night. A consolation goal from Nicolas Lodeiro was not enough, as they lost out 3-1.
The Sounders now have 30 points, but are not on their own on that mark anymore, only above the Timbers on goal difference. They were scheduled to play Colorado Rapids in midweek, but that game has been postponed to due COVID-19 tests in the Rapids camp. Instead, their lone fixture comes against San Jose on Sunday night.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ San Jose Earthquakes (Sun 18, 10:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 4. Portland Timbers (+2)
What a week it has been for the Portland Timbers, as they took a full six points from their two matches, scoring nine goals along the way. The points see them now level at the top of the West with Seattle, and close to securing a playoff berth.
They demolished the Galaxy in midweek, scoring six! Felipe Mora and Jeremy Ebobisse both scored doubles, with Diego Valeri and Larrys Mabiala also getting their names on the scoresheet. Mora then scored the third against San Jose on Sunday, after Jaroslaw Niezgoda had found the net twice in a 3-0 win.
Those six points put them level with the Sounders at the top of the Western Conference, and they sit in 2nd place. Games against Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles FC come this week, and with the Timbers having taken 4th spot on our MLS Power Rankings, they will want to continue that form.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Real Salt Lake (Wed 14, 9:30 pm ET), vs. Los Angeles FC (Sun 18, 10 pm ET)