The Philadelphia Union are on top of the world in our latest MLS Power Rankings
After last week’s decision to not award the Supporters’ Shield for the winners of the league phase in 2020, this week saw the reversal of that original decision, one that was met with a backlash from the entire league, including fans, teams, and players alike.
"“After consulting with all of the MLSS ISC representatives, we, the Supporters’ Shield Foundation board, will be reversing our initial decision and awarding the Supporters’ Shield for the 2020 season. You asked to be heard. In the end, it was your input and votes that showed us this is the right choice,” the announcement said via Jayda Evans of The Seattle Times. “We had based the initial decision on the many schedule imbalances throughout the 2020 season. However, the conversations we have had over the last week have proven that a winner should be declared no matter what.”"
The decision to award the Shield to the league winners seemed to inspire the Philadelphia Union, as a big victory for them in the table-topping clash with Toronto FC saw them move to the top of the standings with just a couple of weeks to go.
Elsewhere, Los Angeles FC kept up their good record in ‘El Trafico’, as Carlos Vela returned from injury, while Sporting Kansas City became the latest side to top the Western Conference, as Portland and Seattle played out a draw.
Here are our MLS Power Rankings following the last week’s action.
MLS Power Rankings: 26. FC Cincinnati (=)
Remaining at the bottom of our MLS Power Rankings this week are last year’s expansion side, FC Cincinnati, who came within just a couple of minutes of taking a point away from their lone game this week against Minnesota United.
The Orange and Blue kept a clean sheet for 91 minutes of their clash against the Loons on Saturday evening, until an Aaron Schoenfeld broke Cincinnati hearts, condemning them to a league-high 12th defeat of the season.
The playoffs are still within reach for FC Cincinnati, but it really is now or never if they are to make it into the post-season for the first time. They face Western Conference leaders Sporting KC and 2018 MLS Cup champions Atlanta United this week knowing they have to win both to have a chance of making the playoffs.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Sporting Kansas City (Wed 28, 6:30 pm ET), @ Atlanta United (Sun 1, 7 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 25. LA Galaxy (-2)
The Galaxy knew that, realistically, they had to defeat intra-city rivals Los Angeles FC on Sunday afternoon to have a real shot of making the playoffs in 2020, but after an early red card, they could only try and hold on for a draw.
Giancarlo Gonzalez was dismissed in just the 25th minute of the latest installment of ‘El Trafico’, giving LAFC the advantage. Goals from Danny Musovski and Carlos Vela, on the Mexican’s return from injury, condemned the Galaxy to another defeat.
They are the only side in the Western Conference who sit below the Colorado Rapids, a side that have seen six games postponed. It gets worse for the five-time MLS Cup champions, as they face Portland and Real Salt Lake this week. Anything less than two wins, and it Is pretty much curtains for any hopes of post-season action this time around.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Portland Timbers (Wed 28, 9 pm ET), vs. Real Salt Lake (Sun 1, 10:30 pm ET)