MLS Power Rankings: Changes galore after Decision Day
By Matt Coles
MLS Power Rankings: 9. New York City FC (-1)
They won on the final day of the season, although it was not a vintage performance from New York City FC. They needed results to go their way elsewhere if they were to clinch a home tie in the post-season, but it was not to be, and they fall one spot on our Power Rankings.
They came up against the struggling Chicago Fire on Sunday, but their opponents still had a chance of making it into the top ten in the East and clinching a post-season berth. The Sky Blues led by two goals twice in the match, with Alexander Callens, Gary Mackay-Steven, and Jesus Medina netting before the break, but they went into half-time level at 3-3. A late Valentin Castellanos goal gave them the win they needed.
NYCFC would have been hoping to have overhauled the Crew on Sunday to earn a home tie in the First Round of the Playoffs, but a win for Columbus means NYCFC will take the No.5 seed. They will face Orlando City on the road in the First Round, which will come after the international break.
Next Fixture: East First Round (5) @ (4) Orlando City SC
MLS Power Rankings: 8. Minnesota United (+1)
It was do or die for Minnesota when it came to securing a home game in the First Round of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday, and scoring three unanswered goals has given them that privilege in two weeks’ time.
Following a come-from-behind 2-2 draw against Chicago on Wednesday, where Jose Aja and Robin Lod brought them back from two goals down, the Loons won 3-0 against FC Dallas, in a straight shoot-out for the No.4 seed in the West. A Kevin Molino double, plus Emanuel Reynoso’s first MLS goal helped them to the W.
There was a chance that the Loons could have faced FC Dallas again in the First Round of the Western Conference, but instead, they will do battle with Colorado Rapids, whose PPG from lesser games saw them jump up from 7th to 5th on the final day of the regular season.
Next Fixture: West First Round (4) vs. (5) Colorado Rapids
MLS Power Rankings: 7. Portland Timbers (-4)
They had the chance to take the top seed in the Western Conference this week, but after only managing to take a single point from their final two matches of the regular season, the Portland Timbers ended up as the No.3 seed, and drop four places on our Power Rankings.
They hosted Colorado on Wednesday evening, knowing a win would put them almost within touching distance of the top spot, but a late Kellyn Acosta goal condemned them to a 1-0 defeat. Carlos Vela scored early for LAFC on ‘Decision Day’, but Portland scored in stoppage time through Jorge Villafana to rescue a point.
That point was not enough to even stay inside the top two in the Western Conference, as they were overtaken by Seattle and dropped down to 3rd spot. They will host FC Dallas in the First Round of the playoffs after the international break.
Next Fixture: West First Round (3) vs. (6) FC Dallas