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The Mane Land MLS Power Rankings: Week 17
It was an abbreviated week with the World Cup break on the horizon for most MLS teams, but several clubs were still in action on Wednesday. There were several crazy comebacks including a wild eight-goal affair in Toronto that saw D.C. United lose two leads. The first manager sacked in 2018 also came this past week as Jason Kreis was handed his pink slip as Orlando City continued its slide.
Check out how all of the teams that took the pitch affected their stocks in this week’s edition of the power rankings:
1. Sporting Kansas City (Last Week: 1)
2. New York Red Bulls (Last Week: 4)
New York poured it on against the Sounders and if not for some poor finishing and some fantastic saves from Stefan Frei would have blown the doors off Seattle. But the Red Bulls let the Sounders hang around in the match, even though they walked away with a 2-1 victory.
3. New York City FC (Last Week: 3)
4. Columbus Crew (Last Week: 2)
The Crew struggled to finish at home even though it wasn’t for a lack of effort. Jonathan Mensah had an opportunity to put the hosts ahead early but missed just outside the far post. The combined efforts of Pedro Santos, Gyasi Zardes, and Federico Higuain couldn’t quite beat Brad Guzan.
5. FC Dallas (Last Week: 5)
6. Atlanta United (Last Week: 7)
Atlanta held the majority of possession in Columbus but couldn’t do much with it. Luckily for the Five Stripes, the only two quality chances they created found the back of the net. The finishing ability of Josef Martinez and Hector Villalba masked what was an overall dull attacking performance.
7. Portland Timbers (Last Week: 6)
8. Houston Dynamo (Last Week: 8)
9. Vancouver Whitecaps (Last Week: 10)
10. Los Angeles FC (Last Week: 11)
11. Toronto FC (Last Week: 9)
Toronto struggled mightily in the first half, allowing D.C. to score three thanks to some shoddy defending and clumsy turnovers. The offense came alive in the second half as the Reds barnstormed their way to a 3-3 count with minutes to spare. Another defensive breakdown meant scrambling in extra time. But defender Nick Hagglund saved the day with his second goal of the day in stoppage, salvaging a point.
12. New England Revolution (Last Week: 12)
Diego Fagundez was all over the place for the Revs, creating nine chances and contributing to both of New England’s goals. Unfortunately the New England defense couldn’t handle Danny Hoesen. The Revolution attack has all of the firepower to score early and often but the side is still hanging close to the red line.
13. LA Galaxy (Last Week: 13)
14. Montreal Impact (Last Week: 18)
Ignacio Piatti had gone five games goal-less before entering the match with slumping Orlando, but the Argentinean came back in style. A penalty got him back in the scoring groove before he tangoed around the Orlando defense to walk the ball in for a brace. Whether or not this is the Impact turning their season around or not is to be determined, but they get another shot at the woeful City side on Saturday.
15. Chicago Fire (Last Week: 14)
All of the scoring took place in the first 24 minutes as the Fire got out of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park with a draw. Aleksandar Katai was the star man for Chicago, forcing an own goal before scoring one of his own to level the playing field in the middle of the first half. Some great saves from Tim Howard kept things even but the Fire were forced to play a man down for the final stretch after Johan Kappelhof’s studs caught the face of a Colorado player.
16. Philadelphia Union (Last Week: 15)
17. D.C. United (Last Week: 19)
D.C. looked as though it would cruise to an easy victory over reigning champs Toronto, taking a deserved 3-0 lead into the break. But United allowed TFC to storm all the way back to bring the match level in the 86th minute. Yamil Asad’s brace at the death looked like the Black & Red might have escaped with all three points but Nick Hagglund answered with brace of his own to end things 4-4.
18. Seattle Sounders (Last Week: 17)
The scoreboard was kind to the Sounders. Stefan Frei barely managing to keep a shot from crossing the line in its entirety, a missed sitter from Florian Valot, and some poor decision-making from Alex Muyl were all that stood between Seattle and a rout. A would-be consolation goal from Harry Shipp meant just a 2-1 loss but still plenty of concerns for Brian Schmetzer’s side.
19. Orlando City (Last Week: 16)
The Lions continued their free-fall, dropping their sixth straight league match in disappointing fashion. The loss cost Head Coach Jason Kreis his job and Orlando is now searching for its third head coach in less than three-and-a-half years in MLS.
20. Real Salt Lake (Last Week: 20)
21. Colorado Rapids (Last Week: 23)
The Rapids scored three of the four goals in their 2-2 draw with the Fire. After Colorado jumped out to a quick two-goal lead in just 15 minutes, then an own goal just five minutes later. Tim Howard needed to clean up some threatening Chicago attacks but the home side managed to come away with a result.
22. San Jose Earthquakes (Last Week: 22)
The Quakes defense was a sieve, allowing Cristian Penilla and Diego Fagundez to create space and chances all evening. Luckily for San Jose, Danny Hoesen saved the day with his brace as the home team kept in lock step, but the Earthquakes need wins, not just results.