MLS Power Rankings: Philadelphia Union soar after huge win
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 24. Atlanta United (-2)
The 2018 MLS Cup champions continued their wretched form this week, and they are now without a victory in their last five matches. Their last win came against D.C. United, the opposition for their latest defeat.
On Saturday evening, the Five Stripes hosted the side from the capital, in a battle of two sides at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Jon Gallagher scored a late equaliser, but Atlanta conceded a second goal in stoppage time to lose to D.C.
They now sit two points below the red line, but the side above them have a game in hand, which could prove vital come the end of the regular-season. They play Orlando City SC and FC Cincinnati this week, needing other results to go their way.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Orlando City SC (Wed 28, 6:30 pm ET), vs. FC Cincinnati (Sun 1, 7 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 23. D.C. United (+2)
On the flip side of that result were D.C. United, who have now taken seven-point from their last three games, and although they are in the bottom two in the East, they are one of the form teams in the league.
Coming off the back of a draw with Philadelphia and a win in Cincinnati, D.C. traveled to Atlanta, where goals from Russell Canouse and Gelmin Rivas were enough to give them the victory in stoppage time.
The side from the capital only have 18. Points from their 20 regular-season matches, but they are on their best run of the campaign. They take on Columbus Crew and the New England Revolution this week and will be looking to continue that good form.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Columbus Crew (Wed 28, 7 pm ET), @ New England Revolution (Sun 1, 7:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 22. Colorado Rapids (-1)
After over a month away from the league due to their ongoing COVID-19 issues, Colorado Rapids were heavily beaten on their return. The side had missed six matches due to constant positive tests prior to their re-arranged clash with Sporting Kansas City.
They held Sporting in the first half, but goals after the break from Alan Pulido, Andreu Fontas, Gadi Kinda, and Gerso Fernandes saw the home side through to a comfortable 4-0 victory, as the Rapids faded as the game went on.
Colorado have played at least four games less than any other team in the league, and it would be very surprising if those were to be played in time. They play Minnesota and Seattle this week in two testing Western Conference fixtures, but if it does go to points-per-game, the Rapids currently sit in 7th and would make it in.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Minnesota United (Wed 28, 7 pm ET), vs. Seattle Sounders (Sun 1, 9 pm ET)