MLS Power Rankings: Change to PPG sees Colorado Rapids rise
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 6. Seattle Sounders (-2)
Reigning MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders may have had the qualification for the playoffs sealed this week, but they fall two spots on our Power Rankings, after a poor defeat at the weekend.
The week started well, as goals from Raul Ruidiaz and Nicolas Lodeiro in the space of six second-half minutes assured the Rave Green of a place in the MLS Audi Cup Playoffs. However, they then lost 3-1 to the Rapids on Sunday evening, despite an early Jordan Morris strike.
The Sounders now sit in 3rd spot in the Western Conference, with an average PPG of 1.75. They face LA Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes this week knowing they need to win both to have a chance of being the No.1 seed in the West.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ LA Galaxy (Wed 4, 11 pm ET), vs. San Jose Earthquakes (Sun 8, 6:30 pm ET)
MLS Power Rankings: 5. Orlando City SC (+2)
Jumping up two places and moving back into the top five on this week’s MLS Power Rankings are Orlando City, a side who had already secured their playoff place before the change to PPG, but they won both of their games this week.
They started with a resounding 4-1 win over Atlanta, thanks to goals from Daryl Dike, Christopher Mueller, Tesho Akindele, and Matheus. That was then added to by a 1-0 victory against Montreal, with Dike scoring the only goal of the game on Sunday evening.
The two wins move Orlando level on PPG with the Crew at 1.81, but they remain behind their rivals on the numbers of wins they have. They face Columbus on Wednesday in a vital match-up. A win would mean they only need a draw against Nashville on ‘Decision Day’ to take the No.3 spot. A loss would see them needing a win against the Tennessee-based side to assure themselves of a top-four place.
This Week’s Fixtures: vs. Columbus Crew SC (Wed 4, 7:30 pm ET), vs. Nashville SC (Sun 8, 3:30 pm ET)
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MLS Power Rankings: 4. Columbus Crew SC (-1)
The long-time league leaders slipped another place down our Power Rankings this week, as they were only able to take three points from their two-game slate. However, that victory did come against top-end opposition.
The Crew lost out to D.C. United in midweek, with a lone Julian Gressel strike enough to see the side from the capital take the win. They bounced back to defeat top-of-the-table Philadelphia Union on Sunday, with goals from Artur and Krisztian Nemeth helping them to a 2-1 win.
They are one of three teams in the league that has a PPG of 1.81 and one of two in the Eastern Conference, but they sit above Orlando City on the number of wins they have. They face the Lions on Wednesday, in what could be a battle for 3rd spot in the East, ahead of a game with Atlanta United on Sunday.
This Week’s Fixtures: @ Orlando City SC (Wed 4, 7:30 pm ET), vs. Atlanta United (Sun 8, 3:30 pm ET)