MLS Power Rankings: A new club takes the top spot

MLS Power Rankings: 3. Columbus Crew SC (-2)

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The Crew only played once this week, with their second match on the slate being postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests in both the Crew’s and Orlando City’s camps prior to their scheduled clash with the Lions on Sunday evening.

They played in the week against the Montreal Impact, but lost 2-1, with goals from Lassi Lappalainen and Bojan Krkic enough to give the Canadian side the win. A Gyasi Zardes strike on the stroke of half time was the Crew’s only consolation.

As a result, they drop off the top of the Supporters’ Shield, Eastern Conference, and our MLS Power Rankings, and will be looking for an upturn in form ahead of the final stretch of the regular season. FC Cincinnati and NYCFC will be the opponents for the Crew this week.

This Week’s Fixtures: @ FC Cincinnati (Wed 14, 7:30 pm ET), vs. New York City FC (Sun 18, 6 pm ET)

MLS Power Rankings: 2. Philadelphia Union (+1)

The Union further promoted themselves as real title contenders this week after securing two solid victories to make it six wins in their last eight regular-season games, coming in to form at exactly the right time.

They downed FC Cincinnati in the week, with second-half goals from Ilsinho, Alejandro Bedoya, and Jack Elliot. This was before Jamiro Monteiro and Sergio Santos scored either side of the half time interval against the Impact to secure a second win in four days.

The Union sit in 2nd in the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings, jumping ahead of the Crew in both. They have also done the same on our Power Rankings, and with matches again DC and New England this week, they will be aiming to keep their good form going down the final stretch.

This Week’s Fixtures: @ D.C. United (Wed 14, 8 pm ET), @ New England Revolution (Mon 19, 7:30 pm ET)

MLS Power Rankings: 1. Toronto FC (+1)

Two games, two goals, and two wins, but more importantly for Toronto FC, they became the first team to secure their place in the playoffs. They have moved clear at the top of both the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings, doing so on our Power Rankings as well!

They traveled to New England in midweek, and despite only having 40% possession, they came away with a 1-0 victory thanks to an Ayo Akinola strike. A Patrick Mullins goal was enough for the Canadian side to defeat FC Cincinnati on Sunday night, with TFC having now stretched their unbeaten run to seven games, six of those being wins.

The 2017 treble-winners are on 37 points from their 17 matches, three points clear of the field, and the only side in the post-season right now. They face New York Red Bulls and Atlanta United this week, with the hope of keeping that winning form going.

This Week’s Fixtures: vs. New York Red Bulls (Wed 14, 7:30 pm ET), vs. Atlanta United (Sun 18, 7:30 pm ET)