MLS Power Rankings: Matchday 17
Kevin Wallace
It’s everyone’s favorite reoccurring piece, where the teams of MLS are compared not based on objective measures but on subjective measures pretending to be math. And while the overall table is literally the only thing that matters, it’s fun to read about how your team is being perceived by members of the prestigious MLS press bubble.
We here at The Post noticed that power rankings were driving clicks, engagement, and general “buzz”, and we couldn’t not get in on this action. So following a topsy-turvy week (probably? This feels like something you could probably get away with saying every week in MLS) here are where the teams stand in the official The Post Power Rankings:
1. Philadelphia Union
Look it’s impossible to not put Philly here in first. They’re on a 9 match unbeaten streak and just smashed a decent Montreal team 3-0. Like seriously, who on earth beats Montreal 3-0? Philly is the cream of the crop in MLS and are suddenly very much in the Supporter Shield race.
2. Nashville SC
It’s not always pretty, but the sign of a good team is their ability to win no matter what. A 2-1 victory over FC Dallas keeps them second in the Supporter Shield race and while you’d like to award them more points for style, a one goal victory is a victory nonetheless, good teams just get it done. Four wins in a row (Philly is the only other team with exactly 4 wins in a row) means Nashville is a force to contend with.
3. LAFC
Sure they haven’t played in a month and the last two times anyone watched them they got beat by the LA Galaxy and lost in two of the biggest matches in their young club’s history, but the fact that they were in three competitions is nothing short of incredible. Literally the only other teams in MLS that even competed in three competitions this year were Austin FC, Philadelphia Union, Orlando City, Seattle Sounders, and the Vancouver Whitecaps. That’s elite company! LAFC will remain a top 3 team until they lose 5 in a row.
4. St Louis City
So their match was abandoned, that’s one way for a team to avoid losing to this offensive juggernaut! Teams are so scared to play St Louis they’re literally delaying matches (like FC Cincinnati did) or abandoning them. If teams won’t play them, they must be good. Go ahead and get used to this St Louis, there’s literally no way you don’t finish top of the west.
5. New England Revolution
Yes, winning games is always good. But the sign of a great team is one that doesn’t lose. New England managed to pull off their third draw in a row, a never-say-die attitude that starts with Bruce Arena and has seeped into every metaphorical orifice of this club. While their Supporter Shield challenge has taken a stumble, draws show they’re able to maintain.
6. Seattle Sounders
You don’t end up in 5th in the Supporter Shield race on accident. This team is still brimming with talent despite injuries that are sadly starting to add up. A tough point earned vs bitter rivals Portland was exactly what I needed to see from a team bouncing back from a tough loss.
7. Columbus Crew
How can you not put “the most watchable club in MLS” according to Tom Bogert in the top 10 this week? Two weeks in a row with a combined scoreline of 7-4 make Columbus not just a good team, but a fun team. Sure they give up plenty of goals, they have the offense to hang with anyone. Anyone except Cincinnati, Nashville, Miami, Charlotte, Philadelphia, or New York Red Bulls.
8. Atlanta United
Yes, winning games is always good. But the sign of a great team is one that doesn’t lose. Atlanta managed to pull off their third draw in a row, a never-say-die attitude that starts with Gonzalo Pineda and has seeped into every metaphorical orifice of this club. While their silverware hopes have taken a stumble, draws show they’re able to maintain.
9. Orlando City
Orlando has only played 15 matches and just beat New York Red Bulls 3-0. They’re rested, they’re winning, and they’ve quietly managed 5 matches unbeaten which, shooting from the hip here, is probably a club record. They also have an unbelievably sexy mascot which is always worth a few extra points.
10. DC United
They have to be 10th because they’re 10th in the table, right? A win on the road against Miami may not look very impressive at first glance, but remember Miami is maybe about to sign Leo Messi! Fighting against the power of the New Manager Bounce is nothing to scoff at, and Wayne Rooney is a name your dad will be familiar with so sure, 10th.
11. FC Dallas
Not losing to St Louis this weekend is impressive! Just don’t look up anything else about the match.
12. San Jose Earthquakes
Unbeaten in three and you have to think they’re only just getting started.
13. Vancouver Whitecaps
A 6-2 victory followed up with a draw at home to a surging Sporting Kansas City means Vancouver is on the way up. Least we forget they too, just like LAFC, have to balance three competitions at once lets us be a little more forgiving.
14. Minnesota United
Emmanuel Reynoso is back which means Minnesota is only getting better. A draw at home vs Toronto is a tough look though.
15. Charlotte FC
Back to back losses are not a great showing, and neither was their appearance in TST.
16. Real Salt Lake
A win on the road vs Austin is a great way to right the ship and keep playoff hopes well alive.
17. Austin FC
I haven’t watched a second of Austin FC but they seem fine.
18. Sporting Kansas City
Two wins and a draw on the road to Vancouver is a good start in justifying Peter Vermes’s contract extension.
19. CF Montreal
A loss to Philadelphia isn’t a mark against any team. Head up Montreal.
20. Toronto FC
Not an ideal season, more drama than a VH1 original production, but they’re unbeaten in three.
21. Portland Timbers
A tough point on the road vs bitter rivals Seattle Sounders is certainly one way to end a losing streak.
22. New York Red Bulls
A loss to Orlando takes away from a tough win vs Miami in the previous Matchday. This team isn’t as bad as their record.
23. FC Cincinnati
Another horrifically boring performance vs a horrible Chicago Fire. Lucho as a striker experiment is a failure, lack of depth at center back saw Alvas Powell forced to deputize, and this team is still too reliant on bad boy Alvaro Barreal.
24. New York City FC
A draw vs one time Supporter Shield leaders New England following an inexplicable loss at home isn’t going to turn the season around.
25. Houston Dynamo
Two losses in a row with LAFC coming up is basically a death sentence.
26. LA Galaxy
A 3-2 victory vs RSL last time out is enough to keep them out of the last spot.
27. Colorado Rapids
Following 5 losses in a row they managed to draw a match. So, well done?
28. Chicago Fire
You can’t lose to rotated Cincinnati squad. That’s a paddlin’.
29. Inter Miami
Whatever you did to the soccer gods, I’d get to praying for forgiveness.