MLS Power Rankings: Philadelphia Union soar after huge win
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 18. Chicago Fire (-1)
For the sixth time in their last seven matches, the Fire put at least two goals on the board, but for the second weekend in succession, they were only able to take a point away from their fixture, this time drawing 2-2 with the Red Bulls.
They fell behind late in the first half, but goals after the break from Robert Beric and Przemyslaw Frankowski saw them move into a 2-1 lead. It was not to be for Chicago, though, as a late Brian White strike leveled the match at two.
The Fire currently occupies 11th spot in the extended Eastern Conference, and sit below the red line on the number of wins they have compared to sides above them. However, they do have a game in hand on the majority of the division. That might be needed as their two clashes this week come against in-form sides, in league-leading Philadelphia Union and expansion side Nashville SC.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Philadelphia Union (Wed 28, 6:30 pm ET), @ Nashville SC (Sat 31, 7:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 17. Montreal Impact (-2)
It was a bad weekend for the Impact, who conceded three times in their lone regular-season fixture. Although they remain safely in the post-season places in the East, this loss will have dented confidence and spirits north of the border.
The Impact were simply outplayed at Yankee Stadium on Saturday evening, as New York City FC ran riot in the second half. Strikes from Jesus Medina, Maximiliano Moralez, and Tony Rocha gave the Sky Blues a three-goal lead. Montreal go on the scoresheet through a late Romell Quioto goal, but it was only a mere consolation.
The Canadian side hosts Nashville SC in the first game of the week on Tuesday evening, before hosting Orlando City SC at the weekend. They will be looking for an improvement, after dropping down both the standings and our Power Rankings.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Nashville SC (Tue 27, 6 pm ET), vs. Orlando City SC (Sun 1, 7:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 16. San Jose Earthquakes (-2)
After taking four points from their two games last week, the ‘Quakes were brought back down to earth this time around, as they lost out to the Vancouver Whitecaps in a close-fought game on Saturday night.
The match was played at Portland’s Providence Park, and it was San Jose that took the lead through Carlos Fierro midway through the first half. However, the ‘Quakes conceded twice in six second-half minutes and were never able to recover from the deficit.
They hold the final playoff spot in the Western Conference but have teams behind them who are fighting for the place. They play Real Salt Lake, the side directly below them in the table, on Wednesday, before a home game against the reigning Supporters’ Shield holders on Sunday.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Real Salt Lake (Wed 28, 9:30 pm ET), vs. Los Angeles FC (Sun 1, 10:30 pm ET)