MLS Power Rankings: Philadelphia Union soar after huge win
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 12. FC Dallas (-1)
With two games this week, FC Dallas had the chance to really stamp their foot on a playoff place in the Western Conference, but they faltered and were able to only take a single point out of the six on offer over the last seven days.
Goals from Randall Leal, Jhonder Cadiz, and Daniel Armando Rios saw them lose convincingly against Nashville SC on Wednesday evening before they played out a goalless draw with Real Salt Lake at the weekend.
They occupy 6th in the West as it stands, and have two games in hand on the sides below them. They also face two teams that they will expect to beat this week, in expansion side Inter Miami, and Texan Derby rivals Houston Dynamo.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Inter Miami CF (Wed 28, 7:30 pm ET), vs. Houston Dynamo (Sat 31, 2:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 11. Minnesota United (+1)
After going through a wretched spell, Minnesota United managed to grab only their second victory in their last eight league games at the weekend, thanks to a stoppage-time goal, which sees them jump one spot on our Power Rankings.
The Loons came up against FC Cincinnati for the second time in three weeks, and having beaten them 2-0 at Allianz Field earlier in the month, they would have been confident to do the same here. However, they required a 92nd-minute winner from Aaron Schoenfeld to get the job done.
The W moves Minnesota inside the top five in the West once more, and they have a game in hand on three of the four teams above them in the Conference. They face Colorado and Sporting KC this week, with the possibility of securing a playoff spot should things go their way elsewhere.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Colorado Rapids (Wed 28, 7 pm ET), @ Sporting Kansas City (Sun 1, 7:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 10. Los Angeles FC (=)
The reigning Supporters’ Shield holders look like they are starting to click into gear at exactly the right time for a run in the playoffs. LAFC have now taken ten points from a possible 15 over the last five games, including a win over bitter rivals LA Galaxy on Sunday afternoon.
Second-half goals from Danny Musovski and the returning Carlos Vela gave the Black and Gold a comfortable 2-0 victory after the Galaxy had gone down to ten men in the first half when Giancarlo Gonzalez was dismissed.
LAFC hold on to the No.10 spot in our Power Rankings this week, whilst also maintaining a spot in the top four in the Western Conference. They face Houston and San Jose this week, knowing a post-season spot could be theirs with two victories.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Houston Dynamo (Wed 28, 9:30 pm ET), @ San Jose Earthquakes (Sun 1, 10:30 pm ET)