MLS Power Rankings: Top three clubs maintain position
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 21. Colorado Rapids (=)
The Rapids saw both of their fixtures this week postponed due to COVID-19 implications yet again, and they have now gone four weeks without playing a regular-season fixture.
They remain outside the top 20 on our MLS Power Rankings, as it now looks like there simply won’t be enough time for them to play catch-up with the games they have missed out on. However, if the league goes to points-per-game due to the issues, Colorado could well be back in the picture, as they have 19 points from their 13 league matches so far.
They are scheduled to play Sporting Kansas City on Saturday evening, in what would be their first league match in over a month. Thanks to their good form before all of the issues, a win could actually see them move into the top eight and into a post-season berth come the end of the weekend.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Sporting Kansas City (Sat 24, 8:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 20. Houston Dynamo (-1)
It was not a good week for the Dynamo, who drop one spot on our MLS Power Rankings, as they were only able to take a single point away from their two matches, including one against an expansion side at home.
Hany Mukhtar scored twice, either side of an Abu Danladi strike, as Nashville ran riot in the first 25 minutes. A late Darwin Quintero strike was a mere consolation for the Dynamo, but they bounced back with a comeback draw against Minnesota. Memo Rodriguez and Niko Hansen got on the scoresheet as they came from two goals down to secure a 2-2 result.
Things don’t get much easier for Houston, as they host Columbus Crew on Saturday evening, knowing that a win could see them into the playoff places in the West. However, the Crew have their own agenda to attend to.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Columbus Crew (Sat 24, 8 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 19. Vancouver Whitecaps (+1)
The Whitecaps played both sides from Los Angeles this week, with differing results, as they won one and lost one, but kept themselves very much in the playoff places in the Western Conference with just a few weeks to go in the regular season.
Perhaps surprisingly, they overcame the reigning Supporters’ Shield champions, Los Angeles FC, on Wednesday night, as Lucas Cavallini scored either side of half-time to help them to a 2-1 win. However, they then lost out to the Galaxy, who scored a 90th-minute winner, denying the Canadian side an unbeaten week.
The three points they earned were enough to keep them inside the top eight in the Western Conference, just. They sit 8th, but face the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday evening, knowing a win would take them above their opponents, and it could see them move as high as 5th.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. San Jose Earthquakes (Sat 24, 9 pm ET)