Disappointing Week Sends RSL Down MLS Power Rankings
Jun 4, 2019, 1:11 PM
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake lost their last two matches by a combined score of 6-1. They have significantly dropped in the latest KSL Sports MLS Power Rankings.
The league schedule will lighten up a little bit with national team matches for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and U.S. Open cup action next week.
LAFC is basically cemented into the top spot as they are on a roll.
Here are the rest of the rankings after Week 14:
1. LAFC (11-1-4, 37 Points)
Result: 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers on the road.
Recap: LAFC was the first team in Major League Soccer to travel to the new and improved Providence Park after their renovations. The best team in the league got the better of the Timbers, Carlos Vela scored in the 6th minute, Diego Rossie in the 34th and Latif Blessing put the game away in the 54th.
Previous Ranking: 1
On the money 💸@tristannb3's first career assist was picture perfect.#LAFC pic.twitter.com/oGKBmSbqMl
— LAFC (@LAFC) June 2, 2019
Next Up: Bye Week
2. Philadelphia Union (8-4-4, 28 Points)
Result: 1-1 draw against the Colorado Rapids at home on Wednesday.
3-2 win over Minnesota United FC on the road.
Recap: The Union continue their positive season by picking up four points from a possible six this week. However, they will be kicking themselves that they were only able to pick up one point on the road against the worst team in MLS, the Colorado Rapids.
Previous Ranking: 5
FINAL:
🗣 First 2019 goal for Haris.
🗣 First 2019 goal for Trusty.
🗣 First MIN loss at Allianz Stadium.
🗣 First place for the Union!#DOOP | #MINvPHI 2 – 3 pic.twitter.com/80eY3xuh38— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) June 2, 2019
Next Up: vs. New York Red Bulls (7-5-3), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
3. LA Galaxy (9-6-1, 28 Points)
Results: 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City on the road on Wednesday.
2-1 loss to the New England Revolution at home.
Recap: LA had two games in a matter of weeks and picked up three points from a possible six. Their first game was on the road against SKC in which Alvarez and Ibrahimovic scored the only two goals of the game. Just when LA thought that their hard work was done, they returned home and lost to the Revs. Ibrahimovic is back from his two game suspension.
Previous Ranking: 4
ZLO-MO ZLATAN
🚲🦁 @Ibra_official pic.twitter.com/jTgZvUfDNe
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) June 3, 2019
Next Up: Bye Week
4. D.C. United (7-4-6, 27 Points)
Result: 3-3 draw against the Chicago Fire at home on Wednesday.
1-1 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes at home.
Recap: D.C. United found themselves down a goal in the 37th minute after Chris Wondolowski found the back of the net. Fortunately for the hosts, Luciano Acosta scored to give United a point in the 67th minute. A disappointing result for United at home.
Previous Ranking: 2
Full time | 1-1. Points are shared at @AudiField. #DCU | #DCvSJ pic.twitter.com/jtUszHfJG5
— D.C. United (@dcunited) June 2, 2019
Next Up: Bye Week
5. Atlanta United FC (8-5-2, 26 Points)
Result: 3-0 win over Minnesota United FC at home on Wednesday.
2-0 win over the Chicago Fire at home.
Recap: Atlanta bounced back from a heartbreaking loss on the road against RSL with two victories in a week, both at home. They also kept a clean sheet in the process. Atlanta is tracking in the right direction and look to be making a playoff run.
Previous Ranking: 11
List of players with more clean sheets than @bguzan this year:
…
…Get this man to the All-Star game 🙌
VOTE: https://t.co/HrkVRTnG9j pic.twitter.com/c7qHi9mTDW
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) June 3, 2019
Next Up: Bye Week
6. Seattle Sounders FC (7-3-5, 26 Points)
Result: 2-1 loss to FC Dallas on the road.
Recap: FC Dallas star found himself in space down the left hand side in the first half, on two separate occasions Barrios played a ball into the box in which Seattle defenders put the ball into their own net for own goals. Raul Ruidiaz scored in the 65th minute but it was not enough to pick up three points on the road.
Previous Ranking: 3
Next Up: at Montreal Impact (7-7-3), Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
7. New York Red Bulls (7-5-3, 24 Points)
Result: 4-0 win over Real Salt Lake at home.
Recap: The Red Bulls embarrassed RSL at home, scoring all four goals in the second half. They were unfortunate to not score in the first half, if it weren’t for RSL goalkeeper and MLS legend Nick Rimando, the score would have been more than the 4-0 final.
Previous Ranking: 13
Next Up: at Philadelphia Union (8-4-4), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
8. Houston Dynamo (7-3-3, 24 Points)
Result: 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City at home.
Recap: Houston left points on the board as they drew with SKC at home over the weekend. After going down a goal in the 63rd, Alberth Elis responded just six minutes later to give the hosts a point.
Previous Ranking: 7
Next Up: Bye Week
9. Montreal Impact (7-7-3, 24 Points)
Result: 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake at home on Wednesday.
3-0 loss to Orlando City SC at home.
Recap: Montreal had a hard time adjusting after a 2-1 win at home against RSL midweek as they suffered an embarrassing 3-0 loss at home against Orlando over the weekend. All three goals against Orlando were conceded in the first half which effectively ended the game early for the Impact.
Previous Ranking: 6
Next Up: vs. Seattle Sounders FC (7-3-5), Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
10. FC Dallas (6-6-3, 21 Points)
Result: 2-1 win over Seattle Sounders FC at home.
Recap: FC Dallas held their own at home against a top Western Conference rival. Michael Barrios was unstoppable on the left hand side as his creativity and persistence eventually led to two own goals from the Sounders due to his deliveries into the box.
Previous Ranking: 12
Next Up: at San Jose Earthquakes (5-6-3), Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
11. NYCFC (4-1-8, 20 Points)
Result: 2-2 draw against the Columbus Crew on the road.
Recap: NYCFC picked up a point on the road against the Crew, however I am sure they would be disappointed with it. The Crew have been atrocious as of late, NYCFC were saved by Valentin Castellanos as he scored the last goal of the match in the 76th minute.
Previous Ranking: 8
Next Up: vs. FC Cincinnati (3-10-2), Thursday at 5 p.m.
12. Minnesota United FC (6-6-3, 21 Points)
Result: 3-0 loss at Atlanta United FC on Wednesday.
3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Union at home.
Recap: Minnesota United picked up zero points from a possible six as they were embarrassed by Atlanta United on the road and then suffered a narrow 3-2 loss at home against the Union.
Previous Ranking: 10
Next Up: at Colorado Rapids (3-9-3), Saturday at 7 p.m.
13. Orlando City SC (5-7-3, 18 Points)
Result: 3-0 win over the Montreal Impact on the road.
Recap: Nani and Dwyer were too much for the Impact to handle as Orlando capitalized on the midweek game Montreal played against RSL. A very impressive victory on the road for Orlando.
Previous Ranking: 14
Next Up: Bye Week
14. San Jose Earthquakes (5-6-3, 18 Points)
Result: 1-1 draw against D.C. United on the road.
Recap: San Jose pinched a point on the road against Wayne Rooney and D.C. United. Chris Wondolowski is finding his form and the Earthquakes look like a completely different team.
Previous Ranking: 16
Next Up: vs. FC Dallas (6-6-3), Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
15. Real Salt Lake (6-8-1, 19 Points)
Result: 2-1 loss at Montreal Impact on Wednesday.
4-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls on the road.
Recap: Once again, RSL was very disappointing on their East coast road trip. A poor performance against Montreal led to an even worse 90 minutes against the Red Bulls. Just when you thought RSL was back to form, they found themselves humiliated on the road.
Previous Ranking: 9
"In this break we’ll have time to spend time with our families and recharge our batteries. Then we have to go at it."
📕➡️ https://t.co/RR4KvVrvAx pic.twitter.com/Kc3h4eAEFt— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 3, 2019
Next Up: Bye Week
16. Toronto FC (5-6-3, 18 Points)
Result: 1-1 draw at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Friday.
Recap: Toronto traveled to Canadian rival Vancouver and found themselves down 1-0 in the 84th minute only for Nick DeLeon to equalize in the 90th minute and pinch a point from Vancouver in the all Canadian clash.
Previous Ranking: 15
Next Up: vs. Sporting Kansas City (3-5-6), Friday at 5 p.m.
17. Chicago Fire (4-6-6, 18 Points)
Result: 3-3 draw at D.C. United on Wednesday.
2-0 loss to Atlanta United FC on the road.
Recap: The Fire were tested midweek against D.C. United on the road but found a way to pick up a point. The energy consumed against United was taken as they traveled to Atlanta and lost 3-0, they had no answer to Josef Martinez, who scored a brace.
Previous Ranking: 17
Next Up: Bye Week
18. New England Revolution (4-8-4, 16 Points)
Result: 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy on the road.
Recap: The upset of the week goes to the Revs after they went on the road to LA and beat Ibrahimovic and the Galaxy 2-1. They went up 2-0 in the 60th after Teal Bunbery found the back of the net and were asked to hold on once Ibrahimovic scored in the 84th. Charles Gil had two assists on the evening. It was Bruce Arena’s debut as the Revs head coach.
Previous Ranking: 21
Next Up: Bye Week
19. Vancouver Whitecaps (4-6-6, 18 Points)
Result: 1-1 draw against Toronto FC at home on Friday.
Recap: Vancouver looked at home against their Canadian rivals after Fredy Montero scored from the penalty spot in the 84th minute, however late game heroics from Nick DeLeon gave the visitors a point. Yordy Reyna came on in the 62nd minute for Lucas Venuto and caused problems with his skill and speed.
Previous Ranking: 18
Next Up: Bye Week
20. Portland Timbers FC (4-7-2, 14 Points)
Result: 3-2 loss to LAFC at home.
Recap: The Timbers debuted their new and improved home stadium, Providence Park, against the best team in MLS. Unfortunately, Portland found Carlos Vela and his teammates too much to handle in the 3-2 loss.
Previous Ranking: 19
Next Up: Bye Week
21. Sporting Kansas City (3-5-6, 15 Points)
Result: 2-0 loss to the LA Galaxy at home on Wednesday.
1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo on the road.
Recap: SKC were faced with two very challenging games against very good opposition this week. Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned for LA and proved too much for SKC, but they were able to bounce back and pick up a valuable point on the road against the Houston Dynamo.
Previous Ranking: 20
Next Up: at Toronto FC (5-6-3), Friday at 5 p.m.
22. Columbus Crew (5-9-2, 17 Points)
Result: 2-2 draw against NYCFC at home.
Recap: Despite being in a slump, Columbus found a way to pick up a point on the road against a talented NYCFC team. Gyasi Zardes and Pedro Santos both scored for the hosts. However, Columbus only had 39 percent possession.
Previous Ranking: 22
Next Up: Bye Week
23. FC Cincinnati (3-10-2, 11 Points)
Result: 3-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids on the road.
Recap: FC Cincinnati are clearly still trying to find their feet. The MLS newcomers lost to the worst team in MLS 3-1 despite holding a 1-1 scoreline in the 72nd minute. Two goals in the final twenty minutes gave the match away for Cincinnati.
Previous Ranking: 23
Next Up: at NYCFC (4-1-8), Thursday at 5 p.m.
24. Colorado Rapids (3-9-3, 12 Points)
Result: 1-1 draw at Philadelphia Union on Wednesday.
3-1 win over FC Cincinnati at home.
Recap: Colorado is finding form after they found a way to pinch a point against the Eastern Conference leaders, Philadelphia Union and then went on to smother FC Cincinnati 3-1 at home.
Previous Ranking: 24