Real Salt Lake Cracks Top 10 In MLS Power Rankings

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – After 12 weeks of the regular season and a two-match winning streak including a dominating 3-0 win over Toronto FC, Real Salt Lake is now in the Top 10 in the latest MLS Power Rankings.

With four points last week, LAFC is the clear-cut No. 1 team in Major League Soccer and don’t look like they will be slowing down anytime soon.

Seattle passed Philadelphia after playing the Union to a 0-0 draw on the road.

Here are the rest of the rankings after Week 12:

1. LAFC (9-1-4, 31 Points)

Result: 2-0 win over FC Dallas at home on Thursday.
1-1 draw against FC Dallas on the road.

Recap: LAFC had a double header against FC Dallas that involved a three-day turnaround and LAFC taking 4 points away from the 2 games. Carlos Vela scored 2 goals in two games that included an 80th minute equalizer to salvage a point on the road this past Sunday.

Previous Ranking: 1

Calculated. @11carlosV x #TekkersTuesday pic.twitter.com/7roREZL3bx

— LAFC (@LAFC) May 21, 2019

Next Up: vs. Montreal Impact (6-5-3), Friday at 8:30 p.m.

 

2. Seattle Sounders FC (7-1-5, 26 Points)

Result: 2-1 win over Orlando City at home on Wednesday.
0-0 draw against the Philadelphia Union on the road.

Recap: Seattle had two games in a matter of four days and after a 2-1 win over Orlando at home, they drew against the Philadelphia Union on the road 0-0. During the 0-0 draw they were out shot 20 to 6 and looked tired. They will travel to SKC this Sunday after an eight day break and hopefully get back on the winners list.

Previous Ranking: 3

Home-field advantage. 😤 pic.twitter.com/dh8Kg9fyhB

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) May 22, 2019

Next Up: at Sporting Kansas City (2-4-5), Sunday at 4 p.m. on FS1.

 

3. Philadelphia Union (7-3-3, 24 Points)

Result: 0-0 draw against the Seattle Sounders at home.

Recap: The Union were slowed down against the Sounders at home over the weekend after the two powerhouses settled for a scoreless draw. However, Philadelphia created 20 shots compared to the Sounders 6. The Union are the real deal in 2019.

Previous Ranking: 2

It ain't what you say, it's how you play 👉 Vets' trust in Aaronson's skill and composure on display vs @SoundersFC #DOOP | Big Play Breakdown presented by @Toyota | @AaronsonBrenden pic.twitter.com/DHpzwqvVNu

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 21, 2019

Next Up: vs. Portland Timbers (3-6-2), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

 

4. Houston Dynamo (7-2-2, 23 Points)

Result: 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers at home on Wednesday.
2-1 win over D.C. United at home.

Recap: The Houston Dynamo had a solid week at home picking up four points from two games. The 2-1 win over D.C. came after Memo Rodriguez and Tommy McNamara both scored in the 67’ and 68’ minutes respectively.

Previous Ranking: 6

📰 Recap | Second half goals power Dynamo to 2-1 win over D.C United#ForeverOrangehttps://t.co/h0M3vaEiDm

— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) May 19, 2019

Next Up: at Minnesota United FC (5-4-3), Saturday at 6 p.m.

 

5. D.C. United (7-4-3, 24 Points)

Result: 0-0 draw at Toronto FC on Wednesday.
2-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo on the road.

Recap: D.C United did not have a very good week. They somehow drew 0-0 with Toronto, despite generating 35 shots and then lost to a talented Houston Dynamo outfit. D.C took the early lead over Houston, however in the 67’ and 68’ minutes conceded back-to-back goals to eventually lose 2-1.

Previous Ranking: 4

.@WayneRooney's seventh of the season, assisted by @USeguraCR, was the lone goal scored on Saturday. 📹 Replay presented by @AlarmDotCom #DCU | #HOUvDC pic.twitter.com/XI3z70zwUB

— D.C. United (@dcunited) May 20, 2019

Next Up: at New England Revolution (3-8-3), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

 

6. Montreal Impact (6-5-3, 21 Points)

Result: 0-0 draw against New England Revolution at home.

Recap: Montreal dominated 62 percent possession against the Revs but only mustered 2 shots on goal from their 10 total shots. The Impact are a talented team that will continue to climb the Eastern Conference, they currently sit in third place.

Previous Ranking: 8

Next Up: at LAFC (9-1-4), Friday at 8:30 p.m.

 

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

Result: Bye Week

Recap: NYCFC had the week off from MLS action.

Previous Ranking: 7

Next Up: at Chicago Fire (4-5-4), Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

 

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

Results: 1-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids at home.

Recap: Zlatan Ibrahimovic was suspended two games for his actions against NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson in which he put his hands around Johnson’s throat. Consequently, the Galaxy lost to Colorado, a team that had yet to win this season.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next Up: at Orlando City SC (3-8-3), Friday at 5 p.m.

 

9. Atlanta United FC (6-4-2, 20 Points)

Result: 1-0 win at Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday.
1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls on the road.

Recap: Atlanta was on a five game winning streak before they suffered the loss to the 10-man New York Red Bulls team this past Sunday. They had kept a clean sheet throughout their winning streak and remarkably that came to an end against the Red Bulls as well. Regardless, Atlanta is a very dangerous team and despite their slow start to 2019 they still sit in the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

Previous Ranking: 9

Next Up: at Real Salt Lake (5-6-1), Friday at 7 p.m. on KSLSports.com or the KSL TV app.

10. Real Salt Lake (5-6-1, 16 Points)

Result: 3-0 win over Toronto FC at home.

Recap: RSL had a very convincing win against Toronto that catapulted Nedum Onuoha, Bofo Saucedo and Mike Petke into the MLS Team of the Week. Bofo Saucedo’s goal from thirty yards out is also up for MLS Goal of the Week. They have now won their last two games and will hope to continue their run of form against the reigning champs this Friday evening.

Previous Ranking: 14

"We're going to have to limit them as much as we can."
🎥➡️ https://t.co/Ab8ZSh4rmO pic.twitter.com/uRg9b2Q0nV

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 22, 2019

Next Up: vs. Atlanta United FC (6-4-2), Friday at 7 p.m. on KSLSports.com or the KSL TV app.

 

11. FC Dallas (5-5-3, 18 Points)

Result: 2-0 loss to LAFC on the road on Thursday.
1-1 draw against LAFC at home.

Recap: FC Dallas had back-to-back games against LAFC, one of the better teams in MLS. For Dallas, they struggled mightily away from home but returned to Dallas with a 1-0 lead for the majority of the game until Carlos Vela stole a point for the visitors in the 80th minute.

Previous Ranking: 10

Next Up: at Vancouver Whitecaps FC (3-6-4), Saturday at 5 p.m.

 

12. Minnesota United FC (5-4-3, 18 Points)

Result: 1-0 win over the Columbus Crew at home.

Recap: Minnesota United out-shot Columbus 19 to 4 and eventually beat the Crew 1-0 thanks to an Ethan Finlay strike in the 70th minute. In fact, Columbus did not end the game with a shot on goal. A very dominant performance from a talented team.

Previous Ranking: 15

Next Up: vs. Houston Dynamo (7-2-2), Saturday at 6 p.m.

 

13. New York Red Bulls (5-5-2, 17 Points)

Result: 1-0 win over Atlanta United at home.

Recap: The New York Red Bulls, despite being a man down were able to beat Atlanta United and snap Atlanta’s five game winning streak and break United’s five game clean sheet record in doing so.

Previous Ranking: 16

Next Up: vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (3-6-4), Wednesday at 6 p.m.
at FC Cincinnati (3-8-2), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

 

14. Toronto FC (5-5-2, 17 Points)

Result: 0-0 draw against D.C. United at home on Wednesday.
3-0 loss against Real Salt Lake on the road.

Recap: Toronto looked tired as they visited Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday afternoon. After a very impressive opening five minutes, the visitors crumbled. Jozy Altidore returned from a bruised heel in the second half, which will hopefully get them back on track against a poor San Jose Earthquakes team.

Previous Ranking: 11

Next Up: vs. San Jose Earthquakes (4-6-2), Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

 

15. Orlando City SC (4-6-3, 15 Points)

Result: 2-1 loss at Seattle Sounders on Wednesday.
5-1 win against Cincinnati FC at home.

Recap: Orlando suffered a 2-1 loss to Seattle on Wednesday, however, the return of Nani gave the hosts a much needed boost to destroy FC Cincinnati 5-1 despite going down a goal in the 24’ minute. Nani and Tesho Akindele scored a brace while Dom Dwyer capped off the afternoon with a goal in the 82’ minute.

Previous Ranking: 17

Next Up: vs. LA Galaxy (7-5-1), Friday at 5 p.m.

 

16. Columbus Crew (5-8-1, 16 Points)

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

Recap: The Columbus Crew continue their fall as they lost to Minnesota United 1-0. The Crew were out-shot 19 to 4 and did not have any shots on goal.

Previous Ranking: 13

Next Up: at Colorado Rapids (5-8-1), Saturday at 7 p.m.

 

17. Chicago Fire (4-5-4, 16 Points)

Result: 4-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on the road.

Recap: A historic game for all the wrong reasons for the Chicago Fire as San Jose striker Chris Wondolowski scored four goals and became the all-time MLS regular season goal scorer as his tally is now 148. He passed Landon Donovan who ended his career tally with 145.

Previous Ranking: 12

Next Up: vs. NYCFC (4-1-6), Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

 

18. San Jose Earthquakes (4-6-2, 14 Points)

Result: 4-1 win over the Chicago Fire at home.

Recap: Chris Wondolowski stole the show as he put four in the back of the net and became the MLS all-time leading goal scorer. He currently has 148 goals next to his name as he surpassed USMNT king Landon Donovan who ended his career with 145.

Previous Ranking: 22

Next Up: at Toronto FC (5-5-2), Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

 

19. Vancouver Whitecaps (3-6-4, 13 Points)

Result: 1-0 loss against Atlanta United at home on Wednesday.
1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City on the road.

Recap: Vancouver played a couple matches in only a matter of days, much like a number of other teams, and unfortunately only came out of the matches with one point. They were at the receiving end of a in-form Atlanta United team and managed to salvage a point from SKC after Derek Cornelius hit a stunning volley in the 94’ minute.

Previous Ranking: 19

Next Up: at New York Red Bulls (5-5-2), Wednesday at 6 p.m.
vs. FC Dallas (5-5-3), Saturday at 5 p.m.

 

20. Portland Timbers FC (3-6-2, 11 Points)

Result: 1-1 draw at Houston Dynamo on Wednesday.

Recap: Portland is still yet to play a home game at Providence Park as they are still undergoing renovations. The Timbers pulled off a very impressive point against the Houston Dynamo on the road as Brian Fernandez scored a 77’ minute equalizer to pinch a point. Portland currently sits in 10th spot in the West, but only 3 points from the final playoff spot.

Previous Ranking: 18

Next Up: at Philadelphia Union (7-3-3), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

 

21. New England Revolution (3-8-3, 12 Points)

Result: 0-0 draw against the Montreal Impact on the road.

Recap: When you sit in 11th spot in the Eastern Conference, a point on the road against a talented Montreal team must feel like a win. New England only had 38 percent possession but still managed to salvage a point on the road. It was a scrappy game that involved seven different yellow cards, three of which went to New England players.

Previous Ranking: 21

Next Up: vs. D.C. United (7-4-3), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

22. Sporting Kansas City (2-4-5, 11 Points)

Result: 1-1 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps at home.

Recap: SKC is not the team we are used to seeing down the bottom of the Western Conference. A 94’ minute volley gave the Whitecaps a point in front of a confused and hurt SKC home fan base.

Previous Ranking: 23

Next Up: vs. Seattle Sounders (7-1-5), Sunday at 4 p.m. on FS1.

23. FC Cincinnati (3-8-2, 11 Points)

Result: 5-1 loss to Orlando City on the road.

Recap: FC Cincinnati unfortunately ran into Orlando when Nani returned and suffered an embarrassing 5-1 loss away from home. However, the visitors got off to a good start when forward Darren Mattocks struck first in the 24’ minute.

Previous Ranking: 20

Next Up: vs. New York Red Bulls (5-5-2), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

24. Colorado Rapids (1-9-2, 5 Points)

Result: 1-0 win over the LA Galaxy on the road.

Recap: Miraculously, Colorado took advantage of a Ibrahimovic-less LA Galaxy team and picked up their first win of the season. After starting the year with the all-time worst record in MLS history, the Rapids can finally take a deep breath as they have one win under their name.

Previous Ranking: 24

Next Up: vs. Columbus Crew (5-8-1), Saturday at 7 p.m.