MLS Power Rankings: Philadelphia Union soar after huge win
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 21. Inter Miami CF (+3)
Expansion side Inter Miami CF have given themselves a real chance of making it into the playoffs in their first season in Major League Soccer, with their third win in their last five matches, this one coming against their Floridian rivals.
They fell behind to Orlando City SC through an early Daryl Dike strike, but the expansion side came back, with late goals in both halves. An own goal brought them level before a late Leandro Gonzalez Pirez goal gave them the win.
The Floridian side now sits in the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and are currently 10th. They face FC Dallas and Toronto FC this week, needing points from both to maintain their position in the standings.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ FC Dallas (Wed 28, 7:30 pm ET), @ Toronto FC (Sun 1, 7:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 20. Houston Dynamo (=)
The Dynamo have struggled in recent weeks, winning just once since the start of September, but they have earned two draws over the last couple of weeks, with the latest coming against long-time league-leaders Columbus Crew SC.
The Texan side took the lead against the Yellow and Black through Memo Rodriguez’s first-half strike, but an own goal after the break saw the game finish 1-1, extending Houston’s winless run to four games.
They face two Western Conference rivals this week, in Los Angeles FC and FC Dallas, with the latter being the latest installment of the Texas Derby at the weekend. The Dynamo currently lie in 10th in the truncated Western Conference, and a good week could see them move into the post-season places.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Los Angeles FC (Wed 28, 9:30 pm ET), @ FC Dallas (Sat 31, 2:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 19. Real Salt Lake (-1)
Dropping one place to sit at No.19 on our Power Rankings this week are Real Salt Lake, whose lone game this week came against Western Conference rivals FC Dallas, with the two sides playing out a goalless draw.
Playing at home, RSL had 56% possession and had 24 shots compared to FCD’s eight, but they were unable to find the breakthrough they needed to push themselves into the playoff places ahead of the final few weeks.
They could move into the top eight in the West with a win on Wednesday against San Jose, the side that currently holds that final post-season berth. RSL then face the struggling Galaxy, at the weekend, in what could be the game that sees them secure a playoff spot.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ San Jose Earthquakes (Wed 28, 9:30 pm ET), @ LA Galaxy (Sun 1, 10:30 pm ET)