RSL Continues To Climb Power Rankings
May 28, 2019, 1:26 PM | Updated: 1:31 pm
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake is on a three-game winning streak and their success is showing in the latest KSL Sports MLS Power Rankings.
The Claret and Cobalt moved up to No. 9 after cracking the Top 10 last week.
LAFC remains the top team and still don’t seem to be showing any signs of slowing down.
Here are the rest of the rankings after Week 13:
1. LAFC (10-1-4, 34 Points)
Result: 4-2 win over the Montreal Impact at home.
Recap: LAFC is the best team in MLS and it is not even close. Their goal difference is +25 and no body can stop them from scoring. A 4-2 win over one of the four best teams in the Eastern Conference. Carlos Vela is the best player in the land.
Previous Ranking: 1
No. 1
🎟️ https://t.co/Nudsna5BDf pic.twitter.com/FTIJSOeW3T
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 28, 2019
Next Up: at Portland Timbers FC (4-6-2), Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
2. D.C. United (7-4-4, 25 Points)
Result: 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution on the road.
Recap: D.C ran away with a point from the Revs after Wayne Rooney scored from the penalty spot in the 90th minute. The visitors dominated 68% possession and generated 21 shots. They were deserving of a point against the Revs on the road.
Previous Ranking: 5
.@WayneRooney's second-half stoppage time PK was enough to earn #DCU a point on the road! Replay brought to you by @AlarmDotCom! pic.twitter.com/5wR7nDJ5Pg
— D.C. United (@dcunited) May 28, 2019
Next Up: vs. Chicago Fire (4-5-5), Wednesday at 6 p.m.
vs. San Jose Earthquakes (5-6-2), Saturday at 6 p.m.
3. Seattle Sounders FC (7-2-5, 26 Points)
Result: 3-2 loss to Sporting Kansas City on the road.
Recap: Despite generating chances, the Sounders could not stop Johnny Russell as the Scottish International notched himself a hat-trick. A disappointing loss on the road for the Sounders who are still in contention to win the West.
Previous Ranking: 2
Through the spin cycle 😳🌀#SKCvSEA | #SoundersMatchday pic.twitter.com/7HHrXXr557
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) May 27, 2019
Next Up: at FC Dallas (5-6-3), Saturday at 6 p.m.
4. LA Galaxy (8-5-1, 25 Points)
Results: 1-0 win against Orlando City on the road.
Recap: Dos Santos scored the only goal of the match in the 20th minute as the Galaxy escape with a win as Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s two-game suspension is over with two games this week on the horizon.
Previous Ranking: 8
✅ Job. Done. #ORLvLA pic.twitter.com/sp0D4hOm9Z
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) May 27, 2019
Next Up: at Sporting Kansas City (3-4-5), Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
vs. New England Revolution (3-8-4), Sunday at 8:30 p.m.
5. Philadelphia Union (7-4-3, 24 Points)
Result: 3-1 loss to the Portland Timbers at home.
Recap: Another powerhouse goes down in MLS, the Union lost to a team that is yet to play a home game. Kacper Przybylko scored the Unions only goal of the match in the 47th minute.
Previous Ranking: 3
A huge crowd and awesome atmosphere here at @talenenergystdm, but two posts and a couple good saves kept us from staging the comeback tonight.
Thank you to all the fans who spent their Saturday night with us!! 👏👏 We're back at it Wednesday 😤#DOOP pic.twitter.com/jLzJ6CltBt
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 26, 2019
Next Up: vs. Colorado Rapids (2-9-2), Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
at Minnesota United FC (6-4-3), Sunday at 2 p.m.
6. Montreal Impact (6-6-3, 21 Points)
Result: 4-2 loss against LAFC on the road.
Recap: Montreal found out the hard way just how good Carlos Vela and his team is. Montreal was down 4-0 at one point but were able to muster two goals to give the visitors some consolation leaving Los Angeles.
Previous Ranking: 6
Next Up: vs. Real Salt Lake (6-6-1), Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. on KSLSports.com or the KSL TV app.
vs. Orlando City SC (4-7-3), Saturday at 3 p.m.
7. Houston Dynamo (7-3-2, 23 Points)
Result: 1-0 loss to Minnesota United on the road.
Recap: Minnesota is a talented team, and they showed that against the Dynamo who lost away from home 1-0. The Dynamo had 58 percent possession but were unable to capitalize on their 15 shots as they were only able to put 3 of them on target.
Previous Ranking: 4
Next Up: vs. Sporting Kansas City (), Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
8. NYCFC (4-1-7, 19 Points)
Result: 1-1 draw against the Chicago Fire on the road.
Recap: NYCFC stumbled on the road against a poor Fire team as they were outplayed for most of the 90 minutes. Alexandru Mitrita scored the visitors only goal of the game in the 40th minute.
Previous Ranking: 7
Next Up: at Columbus Crew (5-9-1), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
9. Real Salt Lake (6-6-1, 19 Points)
Result: 2-1 win over Atlanta United at home.
Recap: Jefferson Savarino scored in the 94th minute to give RSL the win over Atlanta United, their third straight victory. Bofo Saucedo scored his second goal in as many games. The Claret and Cobalt have a big week ahead with two road games in the Eastern Conference.
Previous Ranking: 10
3️⃣Straight Wins pic.twitter.com/fCKCISfc4s
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 25, 2019
Next Up: at Montreal Impact (6-6-3), Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
at New York Red Bulls (6-5-3), Saturday at 5 p.m.
Both games will be streamed on KSLSports.com or the KSL TV app.
10. Minnesota United FC (6-4-3, 21 Points)
Result: 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo at home.
Recap: Defender Romain Metanire had some luck in his goal that eventually gave the hosts the three points after his attempted cross was deflected and found the inside of the back post.
Previous Ranking: 12
Next Up: at Atlanta United FC (6-5-2), Wednesday at 5 p.m.
vs. Philadelphia Union (7-4-3), Sunday at 2 p.m.
11. Atlanta United FC (6-5-2, 20 Points)
Result: 2-1 loss against Real Salt Lake on the road.
Recap: Atlanta gave up a last second goal by Jefferson Savarino. Since winning five straight, the defending MLS Cup Champions have lost two straight.
Previous Ranking: 9
Next Up: vs. Minnesota United FC (6-4-3), Wednesday at 5 p.m.
vs. Chicago Fire (4-5-5), Saturday at 4 p.m.
12. FC Dallas (5-6-3, 18 Points)
Result: 2-1 loss against the Vancouver Whitecaps on the road.
Recap: The Galaxy got back on track without their marque man Ibrahimovic. Jonathon Dos Santos scored the game winner in the 19th minute. The Galaxy travelled to the East coast and picked up a very impressive three points.
Previous Ranking: 11
Next Up: vs. Seattle Sounders FC (7-2-5), Saturday at 6 p.m.
13. New York Red Bulls (6-5-3, 21 Points)
Result: 2-2 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps at home on Wednesday.
2-0 win over FC Cincinnati on the road.
Recap: Two second half goals for the Red Bulls was enough to give them three points on the road. Despite only having two shots on target, the visitors made the most of their opportunities and won 2-0.
Previous Ranking: 13
Next Up: vs. Real Salt Lake (6-6-1), Saturday at 5 p.m. on KSLSports.com or the KSL TV app.
14. Orlando City SC (4-7-3, 15 Points)
Result: 1-0 loss against the LA Galaxy at home.
Recap: Despite having home field advantage, Nani and his team could not capitalize on a Ibrahimovic-less Galaxy team. Dos Santos put the visitors ahead in the 20th minute and Orlando could not find an equalizer, despite generating more shots and having far more possession of the ball.
Previous Ranking: 15
Next Up: at Montreal Impact (6-6-3), Saturday at 3 p.m.
15. Toronto FC (5-6-2, 17 Points)
Result: 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes at home.
Recap: Toronto is in a slump. After losing on the road to RSL, they returned home only to lose 2-1 to a very poor Earthquakes team. Jozy Altidore returned to the starting lineup which gave the hosts momentum after Laryea put them up a goal. However two Wondolowski goals separated the teams as Toronto suffered yet another crucial defeat, this time at home.
Previous Ranking: 14
Next Up: at Vancouver Whitecaps FC (4-6-5), Friday at 8 p.m.
16. San Jose Earthquakes (5-6-2, 17 Points)
Result: 2-1 win over Toronto FC on the road.
Recap: Chris Wondolowski is finding form and so are the Earthquakes. Despite being down a goal, the visitors put two in the back of the net to run out of Toronto with three points. They sit in 8th place in the Western Conference.
Previous Ranking: 18
Next Up: at D.C. United (7-4-4), Saturday at 6 p.m.
17. Chicago Fire (4-5-5, 17 Points)
Result: 1-1 draw against NYCFC at home.
Recap: The Fire picked up an impressive point, despite being on the road and facing a talented NYCFC team. Chicago currently sits in 8th place in the Eastern Conferece with 17 points next to their name.
Previous Ranking: 17
Next Up: at D.C. United (7-4-4), Wednesday at 6 p.m.
at Atlanta United FC (6-5-2), Saturday at 4 p.m.
18. Vancouver Whitecaps (4-6-5, 17 Points)
Result: 2-2 draw at New York Red Bulls on Wednesday.
2-1 win over FC Dallas at home.
Recap: Two games in one week and four points to show from it. The Whitecaps put FC Dallas to bed after they beat them 2-1 at home thanks to first half goals from Ali Adnan and Lucas Venuto.
Previous Ranking: 19
Next Up: vs. Toronto FC (5-6-2), Friday at 8 p.m.
19. Portland Timbers FC (4-6-2, 14 Points)
Result: 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union on the road.
Recap: Portland will return home for the first time this season this weekend as they take on the best team in the land, LAFC. They gained momentum over the weekend however beating one of the best teams in MLS and arguably the best team in the East, the Philadelphia Union 3-1.
Previous Ranking: 20
Next Up: vs. LAFC (10-1-4), Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
20. Sporting Kansas City (3-4-5, 14 Points)
Result: 3-2 win over the Seattle Sounders at home.
Recap: Despite having a very poor season to date, SKC currently sits in the 11th spot in the West. They were able to take advantage of home field and beat the second best team in the conference 3-2 thanks to a Johnny Russell hat-trick.
Previous Ranking: 22
Next Up: vs. LA Galaxy (8-5-1), Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
at Houston Dynamo (7-3-2), Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
21. New England Revolution (3-8-4, 13 Points)
Result: 1-1 draw against D.C. United at home.
Recap: Heartbreak for Revs fans as they conceded a 90th minute penalty that eventually gave Wayne Rooney and the visitors a point. Regardless, a draw against a very good team at home is still something to hold their heads high and hopefully generate momentum.
Previous Ranking: 21
Next Up: at LA Galaxy (8-5-1), Sunday at 8:30 p.m.
22. Columbus Crew (5-9-1, 16 Points)
Result: 3-2 loss to the Colorado Rapids on the road.
Recap: The Columbus Crew are on a detrimental fall as they suffered a loss to the worst team in MLS. Credit the Rapids for picking up back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Previous Ranking: 16
Next Up: vs. NYCFC (4-1-7), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
23. FC Cincinnati (3-9-2, 11 Points)
Result: 2-0 loss against the New York Red Bulls at home.
Recap: The inaugural season for FC Cincinnati is not going to plan. The MLS newlyweds lost 2-0 at home thanks to two second half goals from the visitors.
Previous Ranking: 23
Next Up: at Colorado Rapids (2-9-2), Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
24. Colorado Rapids (2-9-2, 8 Points)
Result: 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew at home.
Recap: Just when you thought the Rapids could not pick up a single win, they have two on the trot. Nicolas Mezquida scored the game winner in the 89th minute to send the Rapids into the win column.
Previous Ranking: 24
Next Up: at Philadelphia Union (7-4-3), Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
vs. FC Cincinnati (3-9-2), Saturday at 6:30 p.m.