The top two stay the same for this week’s MLS power rankings, along with the bottom two. In the middle, however, there is a lot of movement as teams are jockeying for playoff position.
Toronto FC continues to reign supreme as they have a whopping 65 points so far this season. They have scored an incredible 72 goals in 32 games so far, which is nearly 2.0 goals per game. No other team in the league has more than 60 points and only two other teams have more than 50: NYCFC (56) and Vancouver (51). Let’s take a closer look at this week’s power rankings.
1. Toronto FC
Last Week: 1
MLS Cup Odds: +250
Toronto FC are nine points clear in the Eastern Conference and they clinched the Supporters Shield for the best record on the league after a 4-2 win at home over New York Red Bulls. Justin Morrow bagged a hat trick for Toronto FC, while Victor Vazquez added one from the penalty spot and now, Toronto has over a week off until their next game, their home finale against their rivals from the Montreal Impact.
2. New York City FC
Last Week: 2
MLS Cup Odds: +650
NYCFC are second in the Eastern Conference after a 1-1 draw away in Chicago as David Villa scored in the first half to equalize for his club. He is now one goal behind Bradley Wright-Phillips for the league lead in goals as he has 23 markers, but New York City FC doesn’t play again until October 15 when they head out on the road to face the New England Revolution.
3. Sporting Kansas City
Last Week: 4
MLS Cup Odds: +800
Sporting Kansas City are third in the Western Conference after a 1-0 loss at home to the Vancouver Whitecaps, and they’re not out of the woods yet as they’re on 47 points. The San Jose Earthquakes and FC Dallas are hanging around with 42 points, so Sporting Kansas City probably need just one more win to clinch their spot in the postseason. Because of their play in cup competitions, they have four games to do so and their first chance comes on Saturday when they visit Minnesota United FC.
4. Atlanta United FC
Last Week: 5
MLS Cup Odds: +900
Atlanta United FC is third in the Eastern Conference as they drew 0-0 at New England on Saturday, and then on Tuesday, they fell 3-2 at home to Minnesota United FC in a game where they allowed two goals in injury time. Hector Villalba and Julian Gressel both scored after goalkeeper Kyle Reynish got a red card, and while Atlanta is already in the playoffs, they can’t afford to be as sloppy as they were in this game. They also have over a week off as they return to action on the road on October 15th when they take on New York Red Bulls.
5. Vancouver Whitecaps
Last Week: 3
MLS Cup Odds: +900
The Whitecaps lead the Western Conference after their 1-0 win at Sporting Kansas City in which they clinched their ticket to the postseason thanks to a goal by Erik Hurtado. Christian Bolanos picked up a red card in injury time, as did Sporting Kansas City’s Graham Zusi in what was a wild finish, and the Whitecaps will get back out on the pitch on Saturday as they travel on the road to face New York Red Bulls.
6. Portland Timbers
Last Week: 6
MLS Cup Odds: +1000
The Timbers are second in the Western Conference and one of a trio of teams on 47 points, along with Sporting Kansas City and the Seattle Sounders, after a 2-1 loss on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes. Sebastian Blanco notched a late goal to give the Timbers a chance to come back from a 2-1 deficit, but in the end it wasn’t enough and now the Timbers will be scrambling to make it into the postseason. They’re not back in action until October 15th as they’ll host D.C. United.
7. Chicago Fire
Last Week: 8
MLS Cup Odds: +1200
The Fire are fourth in the Eastern Conference and are going to the postseason after their 1-1 draw at home with New York City FC, and Nemanja Nikolic scored to give the Fire a lead, but they couldn’t hold on to it. The Fire can still move up to second place with some help from New York City FC and Atlanta United FC, but they’ll be off for over a week right now as they have their home finale on October 15th against the Philadelphia Union.
8. Seattle Sounders
Last Week: 7
MLS Cup Odds: +1200
The Sounders are fourth in the Western Conference after their 2-0 loss on the road against the Philadelphia Union, and that was a chance to book their ticket to the postseason. The Sounders are still in decent shape as one of the trio of teams on 47 points, but they would love to get the job done sooner than later, preferably in their next match. That comes on October 15th when the Sounders play host to FC Dallas, who are still in the hunt for a playoff spot themselves.
9. Columbus Crew
Last Week: 9
MLS Cup Odds: +1600
The Crew are fifth in the Eastern Conference and they’re going to the playoffs as they won 2-0 at home against D.C. United thanks to goals from Josh Williams and Justin Meram. That was the final home game of the regular season for the Crew, and they could also move up the standings as they head out on the road on October 15th to face Orlando City SC, but they could also decide to rest a few players.
10. New York Red Bulls
Last Week: 10
MLS Cup Odds: +1600
The Red Bulls are sixth in the Eastern Conference and holding on to the final postseason spot after a 4-2 loss at Toronto FC as Gonzalo Veron and Daniel Royer (from the penalty spot) found the back of the net, but the Red Bulls couldn’t stop Justin Morrow. Still, the Red Bulls are four points clear of Montreal, New England, Philadelphia and Orlando City and they have three games left to play. The first game comes on Saturday as they’re at home against the Whitecaps, and this is a great chance for the Red Bulls to get the job done.
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