MLS Power Rankings: Crew SC and New York City stay on top

• by Ridge Mahoney  @ridgemax, Mar 27, 2018

Portland earned its first point of the season by playing a 1-1 tie at FC Dallas, and D.C. United is the only team winless after four games following a 3-1 loss in Columbus.
 
MLS Week 4:
March 24
New England 2, New York City FC 2. Highlights
Columbus 3, D.C. United 1. Highlights
FC Dallas 1, Portland 1. Highlights
Colorado 2, Sporting KC 2. Highlights
NY Red Bulls 3, Minnesota United 0. Highlights
Vancouver 0, L.A. Galaxy 0. Highlights
 
Only MLS results are factored into the Power Rankings, which include the team’s record in parentheses and rank last week.
 
1. COLUMBUS (3-0-1), 1. Crew responded to D.C. equalizer by scoring twice within two minutes to take 3-1 halftime lead. Two assists by Federico Higuain opened doors to the 50-50 club (goals-assists) occupied by only 18 other players.
2. NEW YORK CITY FC (3-0-1), 2. How do solve a problem like David Villa? Well, Ismael Tajouri scored both goals and has three in two MLS appearances. Man has quality.
3. LOS ANGELES FC (2-0-0), 3. Sat out the week to prepare for the first L.A. derby at high noon Saturday in StubHub Center.
4. HOUSTON (1-1-1), 4. Dismal on the road last year, Dynamo heads to New England with hopes of better fortunes.
5. ATLANTA UNITED (2-1-0), 5. Houston lit up Atlanta for four goals on Opening Day, opponents and crowd in Minnesota will be fired up.
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6. SPORTING KC (2-1-1), 6. Two late goals brought reward for SKC domination following a disastrous start, but defensive miscues – such as the spinning of Matt Besler on the second Rapids’ goal – are cause for consternation.
7. NY RED BULLS (2-1-0), 8. The goals just keep on ‘comin. Two more for Bradley Wright-Phillips ups his MLS haul to 98 in 157 games (including playoffs). Big. Time.
8. PHILADELPHIA (1-0-1), 7. A few players departed for international duty during the break and a game at altitude in Colorado adds another layer of difficulty.
9. VANCOUVER (2-1-1), 9. ‘Caps fans expected more attacking punch at home against a weakened foe.
10. LA GALAXY (1-1-1), 12. A big one-v-one save by David Bingham and gritty work throughout the match earned a star-less Galaxy a point.
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11. FC DALLAS (1-0-2), 11. FCD couldn’t hold a 1-0 lead with the teams even and failed to capitalize when Portland went down to 10 men in the 75th minute.
12. SAN JOSE (1-1-0), 13. A friendly with Leon proffered Landon Donovan a chance to score against one of his former MLS teams, which he did. Heading into Saturday’s visit of NYCFC he is 11 goals ahead of Chris Wondolowski on the MLS all-time list.
13. MINNESOTA UNITED (2-2-0), 13. More than a year ago Loons were freeze-dried, 6-1, at home by Atlanta. Revenge match this week.
14. NEW ENGLAND (1-1-1), 14. The Revs blew a pair of one-goal leads against NYCFC and need to play tighter ‘D’ when they visit places like Houston.
15. REAL SALT LAKE (1-1-1), 15. How young will head coach Mike Petke go at BMO Field against a frustrated TFC?
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16. MONTREAL (1-2-0), 16. Rested Impact heads to Seattle to face a talented team desperate to get off the schneid.
17. TORONTO FC (0-2-0), 17. Natural Order should be restored in home game against RSL but with more CCL duties looming TFC will not be full strength.
18. SEATTLE (0-2-0), 18. Sounders must put disappointing Concacaf display against Chivas in rear-view mirror.
19. PORTLAND (0-2-1), 21. The benching of centerback Liam Ridgewell made a lot of sense and a road point is always welcome, but Sebastian Blanco can’t be counted on for golazos.
20. CHICAGO (0-2-0), 20. With a week to ponder what’s not working, Fire has difficult assignment at Providence Park.
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21. D.C UNITED (0-2-2), 21. Spanked in Columbus, the road slog continues at SKC. But Yamil Asad’s goal was a beauty.
22. COLORADO (0-1-1), 23. Rapids needed Tim Howard heroics after Dominique Badji and Joe Mason scored in the first eight minutes, and lost a win in stoppage time. 
23. ORLANDO CITY (0-2-1), 22. The Lions have another home opportunity and solid foes, the Red Bulls, to display their mettle. They should also have forward Dom Dwyer, who has been out with a strained quad.