Union On LAFC’s Heels For Supporter Shield

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Philadelphia Union is on LAFC’s heels in the Supporter Shield race and keep climbing up the MLS Power Rankings.

LAFC remains on top for the second straight week and have the most points in Major League Soccer thus far.

Seattle shot up three spots to No. 3 and Real Salt Lake is back in the Top 15 after their win over Colorado.

Here are the rest of the rankings after Week 11:

1. LAFC (8-1-3, 27 Points)

Result: 3-0 win over the Columbus Crew on the road.

Recap: Another 3–0 routing, this week against the Columbus Crew. Another master class performance from Carlos Vela who notched an assist in the 37th minute and a goal in the 90th. LA controlled 53 percent possession and had 12 more shots than the Crew.

Previous Ranking: 1

"LA pride is such a beautiful thing to be a part of."

Join us tomorrow night at @BancStadium as we celebrate Women in Sport Night!

Be there: https://t.co/J4EBZYEgRB pic.twitter.com/KgwZmmeat7

— LAFC (@LAFC) May 15, 2019

Next Up: vs. FC Dallas (5-4-2), Thursday at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.
at FC Dallas (5-4-2), Sunday at 1 p.m.

 

2. Philadelphia Union (7-3-2, 23 Points)

Result: 2-1 win over Toronto FC on the road.

Recap: Philadelphia is having a spectacular season and it continued over the weekend as they beat Toronto 2-1 on the road. Despite only having 43 percent possession, the Union was good enough in the attack the get the win.

Previous Ranking: 3

Saturday: 3️⃣ vs 2️⃣ in the @MLS Power Rankings on our turf 🔥

You gotta know your enemy ➡️ https://t.co/mB3G5lVfOu#DOOP pic.twitter.com/NosPwcHH1i

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 15, 2019

Next Up: vs. Seattle Sounders FC (6-1-4), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

 

3. Seattle Sounders FC (6-1-4, 22 Points)

Result: 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo at home.

Recap: Seattle beat a very talented Houston Dynamo club at home. Century Link Field has been very good to the Sounders over the years and it prevailed once again for the hosts. Cristian Roldan scored 5 minutes into the match to give the hosts all three points.

Previous Ranking: 6

🔑 Matchup for #SEAvORL:

• J-Mo vs. João@Toyota | MORE ➡️ https://t.co/b00g539Lu2 pic.twitter.com/gP3FnVq24y

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) May 15, 2019

Next Up: vs. Orlando City SC (3-5-3), Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.
at Philadelphia Union (7-3-2), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

 

4. D.C. United (7-3-2, 23 Points)

Result: 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City at home.

Recap: Paul Arriola was assisted by Wayne Rooney in the 78th minute to get the victory over SKC at home. Both sides were able to create many chances, particularly from corner kicks. Arriola’s goal in the 78th was spectacular, cutting in on his right and scoring at the far post from just outside the box.

Previous Ranking: 4

#DCU vs. #TFCLive

⏰ | 8 PM ET
🏟 | BMO Field
🔗 | https://t.co/O7xx3WBist pic.twitter.com/jwb9cYPMQz

— D.C. United (@dcunited) May 15, 2019

Next Up: at Toronto FC (5-4-1), Wednesday at 6 p.m.
at Houston Dynamo (6-2-1), Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

 

5. LA Galaxy (7-4-1, 22 Points)

Results: 2-0 loss to NYCFC at home.

Recap: The first crack in the Galaxies armor occurred over the weekend as they lost 2-0 to a poor NYCFC team at home. Zlatan Ibrahimovic played and was kept scoreless. LA only had 41 percent possession while playing at home and ended up with just one shot on goal.

Previous Ranking: 2

Next Up: vs. Colorado Rapids (0-9-2), Sunday at 6 p.m.

 

6. Houston Dynamo (6-2-1, 19 Points)

Result: 1-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders on the road.

Recap: The Dynamo went down 1-0 just 5 minutes into the contest and was unable to score to eventually leave Seattle without anything to show for it. Regardless, the Dynamo are sitting pretty in the Western Conference and will be a contender as the year goes on.

Previous Ranking: 7

Next Up: vs. Portland Timbers (3-6-1), Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
vs. D.C. United (7-3-2), Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

 

7. NYCFC (4-1-6, 18 Points)

Result: 2-0 win over LA Galaxy on the road.

Recap: The upset of the week goes to NYCFC who traveled to Los Angeles and kept Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Galaxy scoreless. This could very well be the win that spring bolts NYCFC’s season. A monster performance from Domenec Torrent and his players.

Previous Ranking: 11

Next Up: Bye Week

 

8. Montreal Impact (6-5-2, 20 Points)

Result: 2-1 loss to FC Cincinnati on the road.

Recap: The Impact slipped up on the road to the newlyweds in MLS. They dug themselves a hole by going down 2-0 and was only able to score one back to eventually lose 2-1. A disappointing result for a team that was on the rise.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next Up: vs. New England Revolution (3-8-2), Saturday at 11 a.m.

 

9. Atlanta United FC (5-3-2, 17 Points)

Result: 1-0 win over Orlando City SC at home.

Recap: Atlanta got the better of a Nani-less Orlando City squad. A goal in the 14th minute was enough for the hosts to pick up a much needed three points who now currently sit in the 5th spot in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta has now started picking up points and look to be bound for yet another playoff push.

Previous Ranking: 16

Next Up: at Vancouver Whitecaps FC (3-5-3), Wednesday at 8 p.m.
at New York Red Bulls (4-5-2), Sunday at 3 p.m. on FS1.

 

10. FC Dallas (5-4-2, 17 Points)

Result: 3-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls at home.

Recap: Dallas is always a hard place to play, however the Red Bulls found a way to beat them 3-1 on their home pitch. The Red Bulls have now won three of their last four MLS matches while FC Dallas struggled at home, surprisingly.

Previous Ranking: 8

Next Up: at LAFC (8-1-3), Thursday at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.
vs. LAFC (8-1-3), Sunday at 1 p.m.

 

11. Toronto FC (5-4-1, 16 Points)

Result: 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union at home.

Recap: Just when it looked like Toronto was back to their best form, they lost yet another game at home. This time however, it was against a very good Philadelphia Union team. They travel to Sandy, Utah and face Real Salt Lake this Saturday at 1 p.m.

Previous Ranking: 10

Next Up: vs. D.C. United (7-3-2), Wednesday at 6 p.m.
at Real Salt Lake (4-6-1), Saturday at 1 p.m. on KSLSports.com and the KSL TV app.

 

12. Chicago Fire (4-4-4, 16 Points)

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

Recap: The Fire picked up a much needed three points against a promising young Minnesota United team. Two goals in the first half were enough for the Fire to continue their climb in the Eastern Conference and now sit in 8th place.

Previous Ranking: 17

Next Up: at San Jose Earthquakes (3-6-2), Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

 

13. Columbus Crew (5-7-1, 16 Points)

Result: 3-0 loss to LAFC at home.

Recap: The Crew found out just how good LAFC is when losing 3-0 at home. They had no answers for Carlos Vela and continue to drop down the Eastern Conference table. After starting so well, the future looks dim for the Crew.

Previous Ranking: 9

Next Up: at Minnesota United FC (4-4-3), Saturday at 6 p.m.

 

14. Real Salt Lake (4-6-1, 13 Points)

Result: 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on the road.

Recap: In a game that had just about everything, RSL was able to crawl over the line against the worst team in soccer away from home. Two penalties and five combined goals gave the fans their fair share of entertainment, eventually it was Sam Johnson’s strike in the 53rd minute that gave the visitors the win.

Previous Ranking: 15

Coming at you pic.twitter.com/r1CTXTAeD9

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 15, 2019

Next Up: vs. Toronto FC (5-4-1), Saturday at 1 p.m. on KSLSports.com and the KSL TV app.

 

15. Minnesota United FC (4-4-3, 15 Points)

Result: 2-0 loss to the Chicago Fire on the road.

Recap: Minnesota conceded two goals in the first half and were unable to get themselves back into the contest. Nicolas Gaitan and Aleksandar Katai scored in the 21st and 34th minute. Minnesota was poor in front of goal only mustering 5 total shots for the game, compared to the Fire’s 15.

Previous Ranking: 12

Next Up: vs. Columbus Crew (5-7-1), Saturday at 6 p.m.

 

16. New York Red Bulls (4-5-2, 14 Points)

Result: 3-1 win over FC Dallas on the road.

Recap: The Red Bulls picked up a dominant and impressive three points against Dallas on the road. Despite now having won three of their last four MLS games, manager Chris Armas dropped 10 of their first 11 prior to kickoff against Dallas and was still able to win in convincing fashion.

Previous Ranking: 20

Next Up: vs. Atlanta United FC (5-3-2), Sunday at 3 p.m. on FS1.

 

17. Orlando City SC (3-5-3, 12 Points)

Result: 1-0 loss to Atlanta United on the road.

Recap: Nani was out with calf inflammation and the visitors were no match for the struggling, yet reigning MLS champions. Gonzalo Martinez goal in the 14th minute ended up being the game winner as Atlanta dominated 62 percent of the ball.

Previous Ranking: 13

Next Up: at Seattle Sounders FC (6-1-4), Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.
vs. FC Cincinnati (3-7-2), Sunday at 1 p.m.

 

18. Portland Timbers FC (3-6-1, 10 Points)

Result: 1-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on the road.

Recap: Another road game, and another loss for the Timbers as they fell 1-0 to the poor Vancouver Whitecaps on the road. June 1st can not come soon enough for the Timbers as they currently sit in 10th place in the Western Conference.

Previous Ranking: 14

Next Up: at Houston Dynamo (6-2-1), Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

 

19. Vancouver Whitecaps (3-5-3, 12 Points)

Result: 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers at home.

Recap: Freddy Montero’s goal in the 9th minute was the difference for the Whitecaps as they beat a tired and travel sicken Timbers team. The Timbers generated 27 shots on goal but were only able to muster 5 shots on target.

Previous Ranking: 22

Next Up: vs. Atlanta United FC (5-3-2), Wednesday at 8 p.m.
at Sporting Kansas City (2-4-4), Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

 

20. FC Cincinnati (3-7-2, 11 Points)

Result: 2-1 win over the Montreal Impact at home.

Recap: MLS newlyweds were back to their winning feeling, beating a very good Impact outfit at home. Up 2-0 for the majority of the match, Cincinnati controlled the ball and made the most of their chances up front despite losing the shot tally 10 to 6.

Previous Ranking: 21

Next Up: at Orlando City SC (3-5-3), Sunday at 1 p.m.

 

21. New England Revolution (3-8-2, 11 Points)

Result: 3-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes at home.

Recap: The Revs took advantage of home field as they beat a dismantled Earthquake’s team, 3-1. The Earthquakes only goal came in the 88th minute, it was a dominant effort from manager Mike Lapper and his team. The club recently hired Bruce Arena to be the head coach and the sporting director.

Previous Ranking: 23

Next Up: at Montreal Impact (6-5-2), Saturday at 11 a.m.

 

22. San Jose Earthquakes (3-6-2, 11 Points)

Result: 3-1 loss to the New England Revolution on the road.

Recap: Manager Matias Almeyda continues to scratch his head as the Earthquakes lost 3-1 to one of the worst teams in the league. The Earthquakes were down 3-0 until the 88th minute when Valeri Qazaishvili scored to give the visitors some consolation in yet another poor performance.

Previous Ranking: 19

Next Up: vs. Chicago Fire (4-4-4), Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

 

23. Sporting Kansas City (2-4-4, 10 Points)

Result: 1-0 loss to D.C. United on the road.

Recap: Sporting Kansas City’s season is on the ropes. The Johnny Russel led team is in second to last place in the Western Conference. The positive news is that they only lost 1-0 to a Top 5 team in the league. Regardless, something needs to give for SKC to start picking up points.

Previous Ranking: 18

Next Up: vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (3-5-3), Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

 

24. Colorado Rapids (0-9-2, 2 Points)

Result: 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake at home.

Recap: The Rapids have now set an MLS record for the worst 11 game start to any MLS season as they are 0-9-2. They are the only team in MLS who have not yet won a match and continue to struggle at home and on the road.

Previous Ranking: 24

Next Up: at LA Galaxy (7-4-1), Sunday at 6 p.m.