MLS Power Rankings: FC Dallas Back on Top After a Wild Week 33
The final rounds of the season were expected to be dramatic based on how tight the standings are in both conferences. However, Week 33 was even crazier than anyone anticipated.
Almost every team in the top-six spots in the Eastern Conference earned some massive wins. The West was just as noteworthy with the Portland Timbers smashing the LA Galaxy at home.
This week's power rankings were drastically altered following these monumental results.
As always, every team will be ranked based on the following criteria:
- Quality of opponent and performance
- Recent form beyond the last week
- Key absences
- Current standing
- Remaining games in hand (if applicable)
Here are the latest MLS power rankings.
20. Chicago Fire (Previous: 18)
1 of 20
The Chicago Fire's 4-0 defeat at the hands of D.C. United was one of their worst performances of the season.
Once United scored the first goal of the game after 39 minutes, the floodgates opened. Chicago was overrun in the center of the pitch, and it showed in the second half.
New general manager Nelson Rodriguez has a huge undertaking ahead of him. He'll need to use the Fire's designated player spots wisely and bring in a few more defenders to shore up the porous back line.
Chicago has won just one of its last eight MLS matches and hasn't recorded a clean sheet since August 2. For these reasons, the Fire are back in the basement.
19. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 19)
2 of 20
Not only were the Philadelphia Union smashed 4-1 by the New York Red Bulls, they were also on the receiving end of some history.
Mike Grella scored the fastest goal in MLS history, but the Union kicked off the match. It truly was a microcosm of Philadelphia's season.
The Union can acquire a high draft pick for the 2016 MLS SuperDraft depending on where they finish the season.
The draft will be one of many tasks for the new sporting director, who should be hired soon, per CBS Philly's Kevin Kinkead.
As for this week, the Union's sloppy performance and poor form demotes them to No. 19 in the power rankings.
18. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 20)
3 of 20
The Colorado Rapids did not play last week, but they still managed to climb up two spots in the power rankings.
The Philadelphia Union and Chicago Fire were both demolished in their respective matches, which means Colorado benefits this week.
The Rapids return to action on October 21 against Sporting Kansas City.
17. New York City FC (Previous: 16)
4 of 20
New York City FC suffered a second straight defeat at the hands of their expansion cousins, Orlando City SC.
NYCFC opened the scoring through Kwame Watson-Siriboe just before halftime. However, Cyle Larin broke free and scored both of Orlando City's goals to hand New York City a 2-1 loss.
There's still plenty of optimism heading into 2016 despite this mini losing streak. NYCFC's three designated players are fully integrated. Elsewhere, goalkeeper Josh Saunders has been fantastic and squad players such as Kwadwo Poku have been revelations.
As for this week, NYCFC has slipped to No. 17. Real Salt Lake's higher points total and defeat to a stronger Portland Timbers side keeps it above New York City for the time being.
16. Real Salt Lake (Previous: 15)
5 of 20
Real Salt Lake's playoff streak came to an end after seven straight seasons following defeats to the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas. RSL lost 1-0 in each match, both of which were at home.
RSL created enough chances to win both games but were incredibly wasteful. Poor finishing, injuries and international call-ups have been the stories of their season.
Now RSL is heading into an offseason of uncertainty. Jason Kreis, Garth Lagerwey and Bill Manning, the three visionaries who led the club to glory, are all contracted to different teams now.
Head coach Jeff Cassar, who was Kreis' assistant, will be under immense pressure. RSL has built itself on stability. Firing Cassar after just two seasons with all of the injuries he's dealt with would be cruel.
As for its standing in the power rankings, RSL's two-match losing skid leads to a demotion to No. 16.
15. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 17)
6 of 20
The Houston Dynamo had to settle for a 1-1 draw with the Seattle Sounders on Sunday.
The Dynamo needed to defeat the Sounders to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. The lone point means Houston will not participate in the postseason for a second consecutive year.
Houston's slow and calculated strategy was odd. This was a must-win game for the hosts. Instead, the Dynamo made it too easy for the Sounders. They allowed Seattle to stand off and wait to counter. Eventually, the visitors pounced via a corner.
The failures of Real Salt Lake and New York City FC, coupled with Houston's draw, allows the Dynamo to move up to No. 15.
14. New England Revolution (Previous: 9)
7 of 20
At this time last year, the New England Revolution were on an incredible run. They lost just one game from August 16 until the end of the regular season. Now they're in danger of actually missing the playoffs.
New England's 1-0 defeat to the Montreal Impact leaves the Revolution in sixth place. If Orlando City SC defeats the Philadelphia Union, and the Revs lose to New York City FC by a large margin, Orlando would qualify for the playoffs.
This is unlikely to occur, but this four-match winless skid is a worry heading into the postseason. Granted, a victory over NYCFC could move New England up to as high as third place in the Eastern Conference.
However, due to this barren run, and with every other top-six side in the East winning, New England falls to No. 14.
13. San Jose Earthquakes (Previous: 14)
8 of 20
The San Jose Earthquakes' 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City on Friday kept their playoff hopes alive, but they're still slim.
San Jose trails sixth-placed SKC by one point heading into the final round of regular-season games. However, Sporting can eliminate the Earthquakes with a win over the Colorado Rapids on October 21.
A loss or draw gives the Quakes a chance to qualify for the playoffs, but they have to defeat FC Dallas on the road, which will not be an easy task.
San Jose was able to hold SKC's quick counterattacking team to just eight shots on Friday. The Quakes were aided by some wasteful finishing by Dom Dwyer, but if they can quickly shut down Dallas' midfield, they have a chance to nick a win.
This victory over SKC lifts San Jose up one spot in the power rankings after the New England Revolution's loss.
12. Vancouver Whitecaps (Previous: 6)
9 of 20
The Vancouver Whitecaps have been woeful in recent weeks. Their struggles continued after a 2-0 loss to FC Dallas last Wednesday.
Injuries have taken their toll on the Whitecaps down the stretch. In fact, Vancouver will be traveling to Honduras with only 12 or 13 players, per club reporter Farhan Devji.
Head coach Carl Robinson also revealed that Pedro Morales and Pa-Modou Kah won't play on Saturday against the Houston Dynamo, per Devji.
Despite the injuries, Vancouver can still secure a first-round bye. However, a five-game winless skid is tough to dispute, especially with so many playoff teams earning wins. For that reason, the Whitecaps fall to No. 12.
11. Orlando City SC (Previous: 12)
10 of 20
Orlando City SC recorded its fifth consecutive win after defeating New York City FC 2-1 on Friday night.
Despite the expansion side's incredible run, Orlando will still likely miss the playoffs. It needs to beat the Philadelphia Union, hope the New England Revolution lose to NYCFC, and overturn an eight-goal gap.
Orlando City was hindered by a barren spell in the summer and by conceding late goals at home in March. Despite those struggles, Orlando can still become the winningest expansion franchise in MLS history, per the Orlando Sentinel's Paul Tenorio.
Orlando also dealt with injuries and international call-ups, which led to constant lineup rotation. This is a young team that should improve in 2016.
As for now, Orlando moves up to No. 11 following their fifth straight win.
10. LA Galaxy (Previous: 3)
11 of 20
The LA Galaxy suffered a woeful 5-2 defeat against the Portland Timbers on Sunday.
This was LA's second loss at home this season. The last time it conceded five goals at the StubHub Center was in 2009, per Galaxy reporter Adam Serrano.
However, it's not as if the Galaxy didn't control this match. For around 65 minutes, LA was cruising and leading 1-0. Then the game got out of hand for the champions.
Omar Gonzalez and Dan Gargan were exposed on several occasions by almost every member of Portland's front four. As the Galaxy continued to push for a second goal, the Timbers kept striking via counterattacks.
The Galaxy have won just one of their last six MLS games and have been outscored 12-6 in that span. Somehow, LA can still attain a first-round bye, but this current form leads to a demotion to No. 10.
9. Seattle Sounders (Previous: 7)
12 of 20
The Seattle Sounders extended their unbeaten streak to seven games following the 1-1 draw on the road versus the Houston Dynamo on Sunday.
This was Seattle's third consecutive draw, although two have come away from home. This was a solid performance as the Sounders sat deep, waited for the Dynamo to cough up possession, then countered with pace.
The plan worked to a degree, but the Sounders forwards missed a few prime opportunities. Clint Dempsey, who has been going through a dry spell recently, failed to convert this chance in the second half.
Due to several Eastern Conference teams picking up wins, the Sounders have to make way and fall to No. 9 in the power rankings.
8. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 5)
13 of 20
Sporting Kansas City narrowly lost 1-0 to the San Jose Earthquakes on Friday night.
Since Sporting's dramatic 4-3 comeback win over the Vancouver Whitecaps on August 15, it has won just twice. The loss to the Earthquakes was the team's sixth defeat since that date.
SKC can still secure a home playoff date with its game in hand. The team also received a boost with midfielder Roger Espinoza and defender Ike Opara returning to training, (h/t Tate Steinlage of the Kansas City Star).
Once Espinoza and Opara are fully fit, SKC will be a threat in the postseason. For now, they fall to No. 8 in the power rankings due to the Eastern Conference's dominance in Week 33.
7. Toronto FC (Previous: 8)
14 of 20
Toronto FC has finally qualified for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
TFC ended MLS' longest postseason drought by defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 last Wednesday. Sebastian Giovinco, who returned from Italy duty that same day, scored a tremendous goal to clinch the victory.
Toronto not only clinched with an exclamation point, it produced one of the best defensive displays of its season. TFC held the Red Bulls to just two shots on target en route to the win.
Just three days later, the solid defensive work was undone by the Columbus Crew. The Crew defeated TFC 2-0 and did not seem worried by Toronto for most of the game.
TFC defender Damien Perquis and midfielder Jonathan Osorio are battling injury, but a stagnant performance on Saturday halts the Reds' rise in the power rankings.
6. Portland Timbers (Previous: 13)
15 of 20
The Portland Timbers have virtually transformed over their last two games.
The Timbers squeaked past Real Salt Lake on the road with a 1-0 victory. Jamison Olave's red card and a controversial penalty helped Portland, but it managed to absorb the pressure and grind out a result. That's been the mantra for head coach Caleb Porter in 2015.
Four days later, against the LA Galaxy, Porter reverted to his 2013 tactics in the second half. The change led to a massive 5-2 win against the champions. It was just LA's second loss at home all year.
Every Portland forward contributed in some way. Whether it was Fanendo Adi scoring goals or Rodney Wallace assisting, it was a real team effort.
Portland and FC Dallas were the only two Western Conference teams to record two victories last week. The Timbers did this on the road, and it ended with an emphatic win at the StubHub Center. That is why they deservedly move up to No. 6 this week.
5. Montreal Impact (Previous: 10)
16 of 20
The Montreal Impact qualified for the MLS playoffs after a 1-0 win over the New England Revolution. It also means that all three Canadian clubs will be in the postseason for the first time.
Ignacio Piatti's strike separated the two teams. Montreal was able to contain New England's speedy attack and restricted the Revolution to just eight shots.
The Impact have only lost three games since Didier Drogba's debut. It's tough to ignore this form, which is why TFC has moved into the top five in the power rankings.
4. Columbus Crew (Previous: 4)
17 of 20
The Columbus Crew produced one of their best all-around performances of the season in a 2-0 win over Toronto FC on Saturday.
Sebastian Giovinco wasn't as active as he's been in previous starts. The Crew defense and midfielders were able to restrict space for the Italy international and the other forwards.
Columbus then exposed TFC's fragile defending on set pieces to open the scoring. The Crew pounced again in stoppage time after Federico Higuain took advantage of lackadaisical defending by Toronto.
Columbus has conceded as many goals as it has scored (53). If the Crew replicate this performance, they'll be a difficult side to face in the playoffs with their fast attack and strong deep-lying midfielders.
As for the Crew's standing in the power rankings, they remain at No. 4 due to their previous results.
3. D.C. United (Previous: 11)
18 of 20
D.C. United earned its second straight win following a 4-0 hammering of the Chicago Fire.
It's clear that D.C. is beginning to hit its stride again. It has arrived at the right time with the playoffs looming.
United recorded its first clean sheet since August 8, which is massive. Few teams in the Eastern Conference are as defensively sound as D.C. If this defensive form can continue in the playoffs, the Black and Red will be a threat.
D.C.'s huge victory and second-place standing in the East moves it up to No. 3 in the power rankings.
2. New York Red Bulls (Previous: 1)
19 of 20
The New York Red Bulls recovered from its 2-1 loss versus Toronto FC on Wednesday with a huge 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Sunday.
Mike Grella scored the fastest goal in MLS history to begin the match. Bradley Wright-Phillips doubled the lead off a corner before Grella added his second of the day. Kemar Lawrence earned his first MLS strike to make it 4-0 just before halftime.
The Union defense was incredibly slow, and goalkeeper Andre Blake was beaten at his near post far too many times. However, this was the perfect response after a sluggish performance against TFC.
New York can win the Supporters' Shield on the final day of the regular season and has clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. However, Wednesday's loss means that the Red Bulls have dropped to second in the power rankings.
1. FC Dallas (Previous: 2)
20 of 20
FC Dallas is the new No. 1 this week after picking up two wins from its last two games.
Dallas brushed aside the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 at home on Wednesday. It was almost complete domination despite the score. The Whitecaps are coping with a few injuries to key players, and the Hoops managed to expose that, especially in the final third.
The 1-0 win on the road against Real Salt Lake was a lot tougher. Dallas had to absorb plenty of RSL's pressure, then struck through David Texeira via a Mauro Diaz through ball.
Dallas and the New York Red Bulls will battle for the Supporters' Shield on October 25. However, it's the Texan side who reigns supreme in the power rankings this week.
