MLS Power Rankings: Another impressive offensive outburst keeps Atlanta on top
- by Ridge Mahoney @ridgemax, May 1, 2018
Several teams, including NYCFC, took advantage of Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas losses to move up. NYCFC took over second and expansion team Los Angeles FC, which opened its new stadium by beating Seattle, 1-0, jumped up to third.
Orlando City’s fifth straight win was enough for fourth place and SKC fell to fifth. New England won its third game in the last five to take sixth.
MLS Week 9:
April 27
Vancouver 2, Real Salt Lake 0. Highlights
April 28
Atlanta 4, Montreal 1. Highlights
New England 1, Sporting KC 0. Highlights
LA Galaxy 2, NY Red Bulls 3. Highlights
Minnesota United 2, Houston 1. Highlights
Philadelphia 3, D.C. United 2. Highlights
Toronto FC 2, Chicago 2. Highlights
Columbus 2, San Jose 1. Highlights
April 29
Colorado 1, Orlando City 2. Highlights
New York City FC 3, FC Dallas 1. Highlights
LAFC 1, Seattle 0. Highlights
Only MLS results are factored into the Power Rankings, which include a team’s record (W-L-T) and rank last week.
1. ATLANTA UNITED (6-1-1), 1. Four goals in the final 20 minutes, including a pair of spectacular free kicks by Kevin Kratz, added another impressive offensive outburst to the AUFC legacy.
2. NEW YORK CITY FC (6-1-2), 2. The 400th goal in all competitions for David Villamarked a professional display against a worthy opponent. He’s already scored 68 for NYCFC, which meets NYRB in the first derby of the season on Saturday.
Photo: Brad Penner/USA Today
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3. LOS ANGELES FC (5-2-0), 3. A fortunate goal – from a Laurent Ciman free kick -- atoned for a nervy performance in the grand opener at Banc of
California Stadium. Now what can LAFC do with three home games in nine days, starting Saturday against FC Dallas?
4. ORLANDO CITY (5-2-1), 6. Another big moment by Yoshimar Yotun
engineered a comeback win, the Lions’ fifth straight. After Cristian Higuita equalized early in the second half, Yotun forced a turnover and he raced into the box for a return pass
from Justin Meram. A foul sent him to the penalty spot and he blasted his kick home.
5. SPORTING KC (5-2-2), 2. SKC was shut out for the first time since the season opener and
needed six saves from Tim Melia as its seven-game unbeaten streak ended. A VAR offside review went against SKC on the Revs’ goal that was apparently set up by a clearance attempt that
came off the foot of Roger Espinoza.
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6. NEW ENGLAND (4-2-2), 7. The Revs are looking like genuine contenders in the
Eastern Conference after another all-around display. Teal Bunbury delivered the goal and they put enough pressure on SKC to have merited a second.
7. NY RED BULLS (4-3-0), 8.
Rather than settle for a point after squandering a two-goal lead at StubHub Center, NYRB got a late winner by Kaku from the penalty spot. Two goals produced by Bradley
Wright-Phillips crosses had built the lead.
8. FC DALLAS (3-1-3), 4. This may not be the FCD seen in the past two seasons but despite falling from the unbeaten ranks it has conceded
the fewest goals (six) in the league. And Santiago Mosquera scored his first MLS goal to tie the game seven minutes after FCD fell behind.
9. LA GALAXY (3-4-1), 9. A rally from two
goals down should have earned at least a point but there were two goals disallowed on tight decisions. Still, the Galaxy did not finish strong after Giovani dos Santos had tied the match, 2-2,
with his first MLS goal in a long, long time.
10. HOUSTON (2-3-2), 10. An early goal by Alberth Elis and a 19-6 shot advantage did not stand up on the road. Like many teams
at this point in the season the Dynamo can’t seem to gain enough traction to deliver consistently good performances.
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11.
COLORADO (2-3-2), 11. The Rapids led 1-0 at halftime on a Dominique Badji goal but struggled to keep pace in the second half. Isn’t the away team supposed to succumb to
the altitude?
12. VANCOUVER (4-4-1), 13. The ‘Caps prevailed despite losing goalscorer Cristian Techera to a second caution for removing his shirt after converting a penalty
kick. In bizarre fashion did the rash of red cards continue but at least a three-game losing streak ended.
13. COLUMBUS (4-3-2), 15. After missing the first eight games with a knee
injury, offseason addition Mike Grella came off the bench to score the late winner. Crew SC ended a four-game winless streak.
14. PORTLAND (2-3-2), 14. Sat out the week’s
action, goes for a third straight victory at San Jose on Saturday.
15. REAL SALT LAKE (3-4-1), 12. A timely tackle by Justen Glad kept Vancouver off the board temporarily but for
the third time this season RSL followed up victory with defeat.
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16. CHICAGO (2-3-2), 17. The Fire struck with a
stoppage-time stunner by Alan Gordon to earn its eighth point in the last five games. Losses in the first two games of the season are receding from memory as Bastian
Schweinsteiger and a couple of newcomers get their bearings.
17. TORONTO FC (1-4-1), 16. TFC coughed up a 2-0 lead imposed midway through the first half on goals by Jonathan
Osorio and Victor Vazquez. Back line needs time to heal and regain sync as team recovers from heavy CCL hangover.
18. PHILADELPHIA (2-3-2), 21. Newcomer Borek Dockal
atoned for a few lackluster displays by roofing the winner in the 72nd minute and the Union showed some resolve by nailing down the three points. Earlier goals by Ilsinho and C.J.
Sapong offer some optimism on the attacking side, at least.
19. SEATTLE (1-4-1), 18. The Sounders’ gritty display nearly got them a point and gave some good supply to Clint
Dempsey, who placed two of his five shots on goal.
20. MINNESOTA UNITED (3-5-0), 23. The Loons were rewarded for their resolve when Ibson scored their second goal in the 70th
minute. They prevailed despite losing Christian Ramirez to injury after half an hour; the rally began 10 minutes later with a PK from Darwin Quintero, who may not be flashy
or dominant but is an impact player nonetheless.
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21. SAN JOSE (1-4-1), 19. Injected with momentum by a Danny Hoesen
equalizer on the stroke of halftime, the Quakes battled through the second half but conceded a late winner with midfielder Magnus Eriksson trying to fill a huge gap in the back line. So it
goes.
22. D.C. UNITED (1-4-2), 20. After taking the lead, falling behind, and then coming back to equalize, D.C. had at least a point in hand but again fell asleep defensively.
23. MONTREAL (2-6-0), 22. The Impact is devolving into the league’s worst second-half team. In losing four straight, it has conceded 13 of 16 goals after halftime. Saphir
Taider’s header brought him his first league goal and a temporary lead.
