D.C. United On Top Of MLS Rankings After Win Over Atlanta

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The first week of the Major League Soccer season is in the books as all 24 teams begin their quest for a championship.

A marquee matchup out of the gates featured the defending champs Atlanta United traveling to D.C. United on national television.

Real Salt Lake has a revamped roster and faced their first challenge on the road against the Houston Dynamo.

Here is the MLS Power Rankings from the opening weekend:

1. D.C. United (1-0-0, 3 Points)

Result: 2-0 win over Atlanta United at home.

Recap: DC dominated at home over the reigning MLS Champions. They had 17 shots on goal with 6 of them being on target. Headlined by Luciano Acosta and Wayne Rooney, the United attack looks very dangerous.

Here are some smooth moves from our season opener! Which one is your favorite? @TSmoothieCafe #DCU | #DCvATL | #SmoothieMove pic.twitter.com/VCJXG8mwTd

— D.C. United (@dcunited) March 4, 2019

Previous Ranking: 1

Next Up: at NYCFC (0-1-0), Sunday at 1 p.m.

 

2. Toronto FC (1-0-0, 3 Points)

Result: 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union on the road.

Recap: After a disappointing 2018 season in which Toronto failed to make the playoffs, it seems as if they have found their form again in 2019.

Ladies & Gentlemen: Golden Boot leader, Michael Bradley 🥇👟 #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/78WBYqqEtt

— Toronto FC (@torontofc) March 3, 2019

Previous Ranking: 2

Next Up: vs. New England Revolution (0-1-0), Sunday, March 15 at 5:30 p.m.

 

3. Seattle Sounders FC (1-0-0, 3 Points)

Result: 4-1 win over FC Cincinnati at home.

Recap: The Sounders played spoiler to the MLS debutants FC Cincinnati. Despite going down a goal early, Seattle were able to march back with 4 unanswered goals.

An absolute banger 💥

This @JmoSmooth13 strike was the @alcatelmobileus Play of the Match from #SEAvCIN! pic.twitter.com/DhE94UeBDf

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) March 4, 2019

Previous Ranking: 3

Next Up: vs. Colorado Rapids (0-1-0), Saturday at 8 p.m.

 

4. LAFC (1-0-0, 3 Points)

Result: 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City at home.

Recap: LAFC and Carlos Vela got the better of a very good Sporting Kansas City team. Much like last year, it seems as though LAFC have all the attacking weapons to contend in the West.

First goal of our inaugural season.
First goal of our second season.

Diego… ROSSI.

Join us again next week.
🎟 https://t.co/Zp2OHGnpEy pic.twitter.com/itN37RzMDB

— LAFC (@LAFC) March 4, 2019

Previous Ranking: 4

Next Up: vs. Portland Timbers (0-1-0), Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on FS1.

 

5. LA Galaxy (1-0-0, 3 Points)

Result: 2-1 win over Chicago Fire at home.

Recap: A late Zlatan goal allowed the LA Galaxy to come back from trailing 1-0 and crush the soles of the Fire.

JUST. GETTING. STARTED. #SINCE96 pic.twitter.com/3oZL2sveHD

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) March 4, 2019

Previous Ranking: 5

Next Up: at FC Dallas (0-1-0), Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

6. Minnesota United FC (1-0-0, 3 Points)

Result: 3-2 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on the road.

Recap: Despite going down a goal early, Minnesota United were able to scratch and claw their way back to pick up 3 points on the road. Darwin Quintero put on a show with a goal and two assists.

Alexa…

…play Wonderwall pic.twitter.com/7Nh0ZmNoZr

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) March 3, 2019

Previous Ranking: 6

Next Up: at San Jose Earthquakes (0-0-1), Saturday at 6 p.m.

 

7. Montreal Impact (1-0-0, 3 Points)

Result: 2-1 win over San Jose Earthquakes on the road.

Recap: Montreal was able to make the most of their opportunities against San Jose. Saphir Taider was incremental in securing the victory for the visitors notching a goal and assist next to his name.

Previous Ranking: 7

Next Up: at Houston Dynamo (0-0-1), Saturday at 3 p.m.

 

8. Real Salt Lake (0-1-0, 1 Point)

Result: 1-1 draw against Houston Dynamo on the road.

Recap: Real Salt Lake only allowed one shot on goal against the Houston Dynamo, that shot just so happened to go in. A very impressive performance from a team that has historically struggled on the road under Mike Petke.

Touch ➡ Finish pic.twitter.com/9b2XNHWR4u

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 4, 2019

Previous Ranking: 8

Next Up: vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (0-0-1), Saturday at 4 p.m. on the KSL TV app.

 

9. Portland Timbers FC (0-1-0, 1 Point)

Result: 3-3 draw against Colorado Rapids on the road.

Recap: Portland dominated against the Rapids having more shots, shots on goal, corners, crosses and possession, yet came away with a point. Diego Valeri is one of the best players in MLS and Portland will be a threat throughout the year.

Previous Ranking: 9

Next Up: at LAFC (1-0-0), Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on FS1.

10. NYCFC (0-1-0, 1 Point)

Result: 2-2 draw against Orlando City SC on the road.

Recap: A dominant midfield performance from NYCFC allowed the visitors to pick up a point on the road.

Previous Ranking: 10

Next Up: vs. D.C. United (1-0-0) Sunday at 1 p.m.

11. New York Red Bulls (0-1-0, 1 Point)

Result: 1-1 draw against Columbus Crew on the road.

Recap: Picking up a point on the road in Major League Soccer is easier said than done. The Red Bulls are also in the midst of a CONCACAF Champions League run which makes the draw at Columbus all that more impressive.

Previous Ranking: 11

Next Up: CONCACAF Quarterfinal first leg against Santos Laguna on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at home. The second leg will be on Tuesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. They will not play an MLS team this week.

 

12. Columbus Crew (0-1-0, 1 Point)

Result: 1-1 draw against New York Red Bulls at home.

Recap: Columbus answered an early Red Bulls goal to pick up a valuable point at home. The home team dominated the pace and tempo of the game controlling 67 percent possession.

Previous Ranking: 12

Next Up: at New England Revolution (0-1-0), Saturday at 12 p.m.

 

13. FC Dallas (0-1-0, 1 Point)

Result: 1-1 draw against New England at home.

Recap: Dominating 68 percent possession while completing 85 percent of their passes, Dallas was able to pick up a point against a talented New England team.

Previous Ranking: 13

Next Up: vs. LA Galaxy (1-0-0), Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

 

14. Orlando City SC (0-1-0, 1 Point)

Result: 2-2 draw against NYCFC at home.

Recap: The highly anticipated debut of Nani paid dividends as he played a large role in the 20 minutes he had off the bench. Both Dom Dwyer and Nani will make for a very dangerous attack as the season progresses.

Previous Ranking: 14

Next Up: at Chicago Fire (0-0-1), Saturday at 11 a.m.

15. New England Revolution (0-1-0, 1 Point)

Result: 1-1 draw against FC Dallas on the road.

Recap: Spanish DP, Carles Gil was very impressive for the Revolution, scoring the only goal for the visitors. The Revs will be thrilled with a point in Dallas.

Previous Ranking: 15

Next Up: vs. Columbus Crew (0-1-0), Saturday at 12 p.m.

16. Colorado Rapids (0-1-0, 1 Point)

Result: 3-3 draw against Portland Timbers at home.

Recap: Consider the Rapids very fortunate to run away with a point. Andre Shinyashiki scored in the 94th minute to escape with a draw in what was a snowy affair.

Previous Ranking: 16

Next Up: at Seattle Sounders FC (1-0-0), Saturday at 8 p.m.

17. Houston Dynamo (0-1-0, 1 Point)

Result: 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake at home.

Recap: Houston looked less than convincing at home against a team that has struggled on the road. They will need to perform better at home if they want to contend in the West.

Previous Ranking: 17

Next Up: CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals at home against Tigres UANL on Tuesday at 8 p.m. They will host the Montreal Impact (1-0-0), Saturday at 3 p.m.

 

18. Sporting Kansas City (0-0-1, 0 Points)

Result: 2-1 loss to LAFC on the road.

Recap: Despite losing on the road in LA, Sporting KC will be a top Western conference team. Johnny Russell put in a stellar performance despite conceding the game winner in the 94th minute.

Previous Ranking: 18

Next Up: CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Independiente La Chorrera on Wednesday at 6 p.m. They will host the Philadelphia Union (0-0-1), Sunday at 1 p.m.

 

19. Atlanta United FC (0-0-1, 0 Points)

Result: 2-0 loss to D.C. United on the road.

Recap: The reigning champs did not look at their best in Week 1 of the 2019 MLS season. They are however in the midst of a CONCACAF Champions League run in which seems to be the priority for Frank de Boer and his players.

Previous Ranking: 19

Next Up: CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Monterrey on Wednesday at 8 p.m. They will host FC Cincinnati (0-0-1), Sunday at 3 p.m. on ESPN.

 

20. Chicago Fire (0-0-1, 0 Points)

Result: 2-1 loss to LA Galaxy on the road.

Recap: The Fire played the better brand of football for 60 minutes. Unfortunately for them, it is a 90 minute game. The power of Zlatan proved too much for the visitors in the end.

Previous Ranking: 20

Next Up: vs. Orlando City SC (0-1-0), Saturday at 11 a.m.

 

21. San Jose Earthquakes (0-0-1, 0 Points)

Result: 2-1 loss to Montreal Impact at home.

Recap: Losing at home is certainly not ideal. The Earthquakes dominated the box score but were unable to capitalize on their chances. The leadership and composure of Chris Wondolowski will hopefully prove valuable for the Quakes as they prepare for a crucial home game against Minnesota next week.

Previous Ranking: 21

Next Up: vs. Minnesota United FC (1-0-0), Saturday at 6 p.m.

22. Vancouver Whitecaps (0-0-1, 0 Points)

Result: 3-2 loss to Minnesota United FC at home.

Recap: A home loss to a team that has historically been at the bottom of the western conference is not how you intend on starting your 2019 campaign. Especially when you go up a goal in the 6th minute. Marc Dos Santos’ debut as Vancouver manager is not off to a good start.

Previous Ranking: 22

Next Up: at Real Salt Lake (0-1-0), Saturday at 4 p.m.

23. FC Cincinnati (0-0-1, 0 Points)

Result: 4-1 loss to Seattle Sounders FC on the road.

Recap: The MLS debutants went up 1-0 on Seattle, when Leonardo Bertone put the visitors in the lead in the 13th minute. Unfortunately, it all came crashing down as they conceded 4 consecutive goals to the powerhouse that is the Seattle Sounders.

Previous Ranking: 23

Next Up: at Atlanta United FC (0-0-1), Sunday at 3 p.m. on ESPN.

 

24. Philadelphia Union (0-0-1, 0 Points)

Result: 3-1 loss to Toronto FC at home.

Recap: United States international star, Michael Bradley, proves to be too much for the Union to handle. Slotting two goals and playing a big role in the center of the field. A 3-1 loss is not how Philly expected to start the season, fortunately they have 33 games to rebound.

Previous Ranking: 24

Next Up: at Sporting Kansas City (0-0-1), Sunday at 1 p.m.