MLS Power Rankings: Change to PPG sees Colorado Rapids rise
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 21. Atlanta United (+3)
A win at the weekend saw Atlanta United move to within 0.05 PPG of the playoff line ahead of the final week of the regular season, as they attempt to make the playoffs for another year. They could possibly have been assured of that place had they not lost heavily on Wednesday.
That loss came at the hands of Orlando City, who put four goals into the Five Stripes goal. Eick Torres got his name on the scoresheet late on, but the game finished 4-1. They bounced back to score a 2-0 win over FC Cincinnati, with Adam Jahn and Marcelino Moreno keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Atlanta sits in 11th in the extended Eastern Conference and needs to beat the Columbus Crew on Sunday afternoon to have any chance of qualifying for the playoffs. They will also need results elsewhere to go their way.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Columbus Crew SC (Sun 8, 3:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 20. LA Galaxy (+5)
They conceded five goals in midweek but bounced back to win at the weekend. The LA Galaxy have jumped up five places on our Power Rankings this week, as the change to PPG has improved their chances of qualification massively.
Despite a double from Cristian Pavon in midweek, the Galaxy were handed a huge defeat by the Portland Timbers, for the second time this season. They recovered in just a couple of days though, to beat Real Salt Lake 2-1, with Pavon on the scoresheet again, alongside Giancarlo Gonzalez.
That win moves the Galaxy above a point per game on average, and with two victories this week, they could secure a playoff place. They face Seattle and Vancouver over the course of the next week, but even with the perfect six points, they might miss out on the post-season
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Seattle Sounders (Wed 4, 11 pm ET), @ Vancouver Whitecaps (Sun 8, 6:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 19. Chicago Fire (-1)
The Fire managed to score in both of their matches this week, but they were unable to secure a victory, as they lost one and drew one over the last seven days. The change to PPG has moved them inside the top ten in the Eastern Conference, though.
Chicago went down to ten minutes early on against the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday evening, as Francisco Calvo received his marching orders. Robert Beric got on the scoresheet, but they lost out 2-1 to the league leaders. A Boris Sekulic equaliser helped them to a 1-1 draw against Nashville SC at the weekend, securing what could become a vital point.
The Fire are the only side in the bottom six of the Eastern Conference who have two games this week, and that could play into their hands. If they can take four points from their games against Minnesota United and New York City FC, they are assured of a post-season berth, no matter what.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Minnesota United (Wed 4, 8 pm ET), vs. New York City FC (Sun 8, 3:30 pm ET)