MLS Power Rankings: Top three clubs maintain position
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 24. Inter Miami CF (-1)
Dropping one place on our Power Rankings this week after managing to take just a single point from their two regular-season matches are Inter Miami CF, as they fall below a point per game, and further away from the post-season spots.
Two goals late on were shared between themselves and Atlanta United on Wednesday evening, with Brek Shea putting the expansion side in front, only to be pegged back three minutes later. The winger scored again on Saturday night, but goals from Bojan and Maxi Urruti gave Montreal the win.
As a result, Inter Miami now sits two points, and two places below the playoff line in the extended Eastern Conference, currently in 12th. They face Floridian rivals Orlando City SC on Saturday, knowing a win could be enough to see them inside the top ten come the end of the weekend.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Orlando City SC (Sat 24, 3:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 23. LA Galaxy (+1)
It was a week that started terribly for the LA Galaxy, as they lost heavily the latest edition of the ‘Californian Clasico’, before victory brought them slightly back to life at the weekend, but they remain bottom of the West.
A double from Nick Lima, along with further goals from Andres Rios and Tommy Thompson condemned the Galaxy to a shocking 4-0 defeat on home soil against the Earthquakes, but they bounced back to record a 1-0 victory over Vancouver on Sunday, thanks to Kai Koreniuk’s 90th-minute strike.
The Galaxy remain bottom of the Western Conference, and are now the only side below the Rapids in the standings, despite having played four games more. They face LAFC in ‘El Trafico’ on Sunday afternoon, knowing that they have to start getting results if they are to make the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Los Angeles FC (Sun 25, 2:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 22. Atlanta United (-5)
It was a poor week for the 2018 MLS Cup champions, as they fell out of the playoff places after gaining just a single point from their two matches this week, conceding late in both games to drop points.
They fell behind in the 80th minute against Inter Miami CF but equalised just a few moments later through Jake Mulraney’s strike to take a point from the game. The Five Stripes would have thought they had another point on Sunday, but an 89th minute Pablo Piatti goal gave Toronto the victory.
Atlanta now occupies the 11th spot in the Eastern Conference, dropping out of the post-season places. They face D.C. United on Saturday afternoon, with both sides looking to stay alive in the playoff hunt.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. D.C. United (Sat 24, 4 pm ET)