Week 4 of the 2019 MLS season featured a limited schedule with international matches underway. However, the few MLS games available provided some exciting viewing for fans across the league, including expansion FC Cincinnati’s 2-0 stunning road victory over the New England Revolution.
Here is a look at our MLS Power Rankings after a stunning Week 4:
(Legend: (W-L-T, LW: last week’s rankings )
Top Ten
1. Seattle Sounders FC (3-0-0, LW: 1) – Seattle’s early dominance leaves them in first place. The only thing that can hold them back is their sometimes questionable back line.
2. D.C. United (2-0-1, LW: 2) – Fans should appreciate D.C. United’s Week 3 5-0 victory even more after seeing RSL give LAFC all they could handle this week. D.C. United might be the best club in the East.
3. LAFC (3-0-1, LW: 4) – LAFC possesses some serious magic at Banc of California Stadium. The question is whether or not they can somewhat replicate that magic on the road.
4. Toronto FC (2-0-0, LW: 6) – Toronto got another weekend off, but questions still remain about the club.
5. Houston Dynamo (2-0-1, LW: 7) – The Dynamo move up with the Columbus and New York losses, but they might be better than both clubs anyways.
6. Montreal Impact (2-1-0, LW: 8) – The Impact return to action next week at Sporting Kansas City.
7. L.A. Galaxy (2-1-0, LW: 9) – Will the Galaxy’s early injury woes be solved by next Sunday’s match against Portland?
8. Minnesota United (2-1-0, LW: 10) – Minnesota faltered in a major road test, but the club fought back late. The jury is still out on how good they will be this year.
9. Columbus Crew SC (2-1-1, LW: 3) – I’m not sure what it is about the Philadelphia Union, but they have the Crew’s number at home. Columbus suffered yet another 3-0 loss at the Union last weekend. Caleb Porter’s club still rank as one of the best in the Eastern Conference, but this loss will sting for weeks to come.
10. FC Dallas (2-1-1, LW: 12) – It’s hard to tell how good FC Dallas is at this point. They earned a solid victory over the tough Colorado Rapids, and they shut down the L.A. Galaxy a couple week ago. However, when faced with a contender like Columbus, FC Dallas had little to show for themselves.
Next Nine
11. FC Cincinnati (2-1-1, LW: 13) – FC Cincinnati will not be the instant win on the schedule many clubs probably viewed them to be. This club lacks top-end MLS skill, but they are gritty. I doubt they can hang near the top 10 all season, but FCC will keep surprising people if they stay healthy.
12. Sporting Kansas City (1-1-1, LW: 11) – We’ll learn a lot more about Sporting Kansas City this weekend against Montreal.
13. N.Y. Red Bulls (1-1-1, LW: 5) – There is no excuse for the Red Bulls to lose at home against a struggling Orlando City.
14. Atlanta United FC (0-1-2, LW: 14) – Atlanta United needed the week off. They return to action at Columbus this weekend.
15. Orlando City (1-1-2, LW: 19) – Orlando surprised MLS with their upset victory at the Red Bulls last weekend. Can they build on the win?
16. NYC FC (0-0-3, LW: 16) – Will NYC FC finally get their first victory of the season at Toronto this Friday night?
17. Real Salt Lake (1-2-1, LW: 15) – RSL gave LAFC all they could handle, but they still suffered a late loss. Nonetheless, RSL looked much better than they did in their 5-0 drubbing at D.C. United the week before.
18. Philadelphia Union (1-2-1, LW: 23) – The Union’s 3-0 upset of Columbus could jump-start their season, or they could continue underachieving.
19. Chicago Fire (0-2-1, LW: 17) – Chicago will return from a week off to face an angry Red Bulls team.
Final Five
20. Colorado Rapids (0-2-2, LW: 18) – The Rapids’ toughness cannot make up for the lack of talent on the roster.
21. Vancouver Whitecaps (0-3-0, LW: 21) – Why do I rank a team that has lost every game over Portland, New England, and San Jose? The truth is the Whitecaps have been more competitive even in their losses.
22. New England Revolution (0-3-1, LW: 20) – The Revolution lost 2-0 at home to an expansion team put together in less than one season. Is there anything else to say?
23. Portland Timbers (0-2-1, LW: 23) – How will that awful Timbers back line deal with a returning Zlatan Ibrahimovic this Sunday?
24. San Jose Earthquakes (0-3-0, LW: 24) – Is there any hope for the Earthquakes?
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