MLS Power Rankings: Change to PPG sees Colorado Rapids rise
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 9. Minnesota United (+2)
The Loons had a game called off at the weekend due to a positive COVID-19 test in their player camp, but with the game coming against the high-flying Sporting Kansas City, that may be a blessing in disguise for Minnesota United.
Instead, their lone match came against the Colorado Rapids, with goals late in both halves helping them to a 2-1 victory. Robin Lod scored in the first half before a late own goal gave them the three points.
The change to PPG has pushed the Loons back inside the top four in the Western Conference, but they face a huge game on ‘Decision Day’. Depending on results in midweek, their game with FC Dallas on Sunday evening could be a winner-takes-all for the No.4 seed in the West.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Chicago Fire (Wed 4, 8 pm ET), vs. FC Dallas (Sun 8, 6:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 8. New York City FC (=)
The perfect six points from their two matches this week puts New York City FC into contention to reach the top four come ‘Decision Day’. They downed two Eastern Conference rivals this week, including scoring five in the Hudson River Derby.
A lone Jesus Medina strike gave them the win over Toronto FC on Wednesday evening before they ran riot against the Red Bulls on Sunday. A Valentin Castellanos hat-trick, along with goals from Gary Mackay-Steven and Alexander Ring, saw them win 5-2 against their intra-city rivals.
The two wins see the Sky Blues rise up to a PPG of 1.64, and 4th place in the East is still very much a possibility. If either side loses the Crew-Orlando game on Wednesday, NYCFC will have the chance to go above them come Sunday, but results have to go their way. They face Chicago Fire in the early window of games on ‘Decision Day’.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Chicago Fire (Sun 8, 3:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 7. Sporting Kansas City (-1)
Sporting Kansas City did not have a game at the weekend due to additional positive tests in the Minnesota United camp, meaning their game with the Loons was postponed, and will not be played before the end of the season.
Their lone match this week came against FC Cincinnati, where a second-half strike from Roger Espinoza was enough to give the Western Conference side the victory, making it three wins from their last five matches.
They sit 2nd in the Western Conference, with just one game left, that coming against Real Salt Lake in the late window on ‘Decision Day’. A win would see SKC move up to a PPG of 1.86, but they would require both Portland and Seattle to fail to win one of their two remaining fixtures if they are to take the No.1 seed in the West.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Real Salt Lake (Sun 8, 6:30 pm ET)