MLS Power Rankings: Philadelphia Union soar after huge win
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 9. New England Revolution (-1)
Dropping one place on our Power Rankings this week are the New England Revolution, who moves down to the No. 9 spot following a score draw with expansion side Nashville SC in the first match of the weekend, held on Friday night.
They fell behind through a 74t minute goal from the Tennessee-based team, but just three minutes later, Adam Buksa replied to see the match finish 1-1, their first draw since playing the same side at the start of the month.
The point sees the Revs drop down to 6th in the Eastern Conference, but they are just three points off the top four. Matches against the Red Bulls and D.C. United will be seen as opportunities to take a full six points from the next seven days of action.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ New York Red Bulls (Wed 28, 6 pm ET), vs. D.C. United (Sun 1, 7:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 8. New York City FC (+1)
It was a good week for the Sky Blue side of New York this time around, as a victory over the Montreal Impact saw them rise in both the Eastern Conference standings and on our Power Rankings this week.
They overcame the Montreal Impact on Saturday evening, with goals from Jesus Medina, Maximiliano Moralez, and Tony Rocha giving them a comfortable three-goal lead. They conceded late but held on for a big win.
They sit 5th in the East and look set to be the next side to secure a spot in the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, but they do face 2017 MLS Cup champions Toronto FC and Hudson River Derby rivals New York Red Bulls in a tricky week for the Sky Blues.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Toronto FC (Wed 28, 6:30 pm ET), vs. New York Red Bulls (Sun 1, 7 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 7. Orlando City SC (-1)
Having already qualified for the playoffs for the first time in their six-year history, it is perhaps no surprise that Orlando were unable to keep their good form going, but a loss to Floridian rivals Inter Miami CF on Saturday will sting.
They scored the opening goal of the game, as Daryl Dike put them in front after just twelve minutes, but conceded an own goal on the stroke of half-time. It looked like the game would end a draw but a Leandro Gonzalez Pirez goal in the 89th minute gave the expansion side all three points.
Orlando will look to get back into a good vein of form with games against Atlanta United and Montreal Impact this week, knowing that they could still be overtaken by several teams in the East before the regular-season is over.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Atlanta United (Wed 28, 6:30 pm ET), @ Montreal Impact (Sun 1, 7:30 pm ET)