Week 6 of the 2019 MLS season featured a clash of the titans at the top of the power rankings. The result sent shockwaves across the league with Los Angeles FC dominating D.C. United 4-0 at Audi Field. The rest of the weekend featured some other interesting results as well.
Here is a look at our MLS Power Rankings after Week 6:
(Legend: (W-L-T, LW: last week’s rankings )
Top Ten
1. LAFC (5-0-1, LW: 2)
It’s not just Carlos Vela at LAFC. Diego Rossi netted a hat trick to lead his club to a dominant road win at one of the best teams the Eastern Conference offers. LAFC looks just as deadly as Atlanta United FC did last year. It is the clear early favorites for the MLS Cup.
2. Seattle Sounders FC (4-0-1, LW: 4)
Seattle remains unbeaten, but two close matches against the league’s bottom dwellers should be concerning.
3. Columbus Crew SC (4-1-1, LW: 6)
Columbus didn’t look its best at home in front of a rather sparse crowd (10,942) at MAPFRE Stadium.
4. LA Galaxy (4-1-0, LW: 8)
The rankings are probably inflated a little here. Vancouver should have taken a 2-0 lead early in this match, but its own ineptitude gave away the result. The jury is still out on the Galaxy, despite the nice road win last Friday.
5. Toronto FC (3-0-1, LW: 3)
Toronto FC’s 2-2 tie with the Chicago Fire should have been a win. It dominated most of the game, but it took a Jonathan Osorio equalizer in the 76th minute to save a point.
6. Houston Dynamo (3-0-1, LW: 5)
Houston drops due to wins by active teams.
7. D.C. United (3-1-1, LW: 1)
It would not have shocked anyone to see D.C. United lose to LAFC, even at home. However, the 4-0 loss should raise some questions.
8. Philadelphia Union (3-2-1, LW: 10)
Break out the Union. Three victories in a row have Philadelphia looking like contenders.
9. Minnesota United FC (3-2-0, LW: 11)
If you are a Loons fan, you have to be thrilled with nine points on the season-opening road trip.
10. FC Dallas (3-2-1, LW: 7)
FC Dallas remains in good shape after six games, but it probably wishes it could replay the final 10 minutes of the Philly loss. This one could haunt it for the rest of the season.
Next Nine
11. Sporting Kansas City (2-1-2, LW: 9)
A devastating 5-0 loss to Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions League hung over SKC’s heads entering its weekend meeting with FC Cincinnati. Their problems continued in a 1-1 draw at Nippert Stadium, despite controlling much of the play.
12. Montreal Impact (2-2-1, LW: 12)
Montreal did well to earn a road point at New York City FC after last week’s debacle.
13. FC Cincinnati (2-2-2, LW: 13)
FC Cincinnati probably had no business earning a point against Sporting Kansas City, given the talent disparity. However, FCC had its chances to win this one, which could come back to haunt the men in orange and blue later in the season.
14. Orlando City (2-2-2, LW: 16)
Orlando City deserves credit for the comeback victory, but a cloud hangs over this win. Nani should have been red-carded for headbutting a Rapids player in the second half. Instead, he played a major role in Orlando City’s last second win.
15. Chicago Fire (1-2-2, LW: 14)
The jury is still out on the Fire. They compete in every match, but they only have one victory to show for it. A victory over winless Vancouver this weekend would mean a lot for their season.
16. NYCFC (0-1-4, LW: 19)
It’s hard to believe that a winless club is sitting 16th in the power rankings, but NYCFC remains competitive. Unfortunately, it missed David Villa right now. No one has stepped up to take his place.
17. New York Red Bulls (1-3-1, LW: 15)
There are no excuses for the Red Bulls. They have played poorly throughout the season, and it might not be long before changes happen.
18. Atlanta United FC (0-2-2, LW: 18)
The defending champions have a chance to fix their season this weekend against struggling New England. A win would be huge in the standings.
19. New England Revolution (1-4-1, LW: 17)
New England gave one of the league’s best clubs all it could handle, but the Revolution simply can’t score.
Final Five
20. Real Salt Lake (1-4-1, LW: 20)
There’s hope for RSL. It has given multiple teams problems of late, including tough losses to LAFC and Seattle. Now it’s a question of whether or not RSL can take the next step.
21. San Jose Earthquakes (1-4-0, LW: 24)
The Earthquakes jump out of last place with their 3-0 demolition of the Portland Timbers. Oh, and it could have worse. San Jose may have a star on their hands with Cristian Espinoza.
22. Colorado Rapids (0-4-2, LW: 23)
Colorado’s horrid back line cost it again in the 4-3 loss at Orlando.
23. Vancouver Whitecaps (0-4-1, LW: 21)
The Whitecaps gave the Galaxy all kinds of problems in the first half of their Friday night match. However, foolish decisions and silly fouls eventually caught up to them. The Galaxy are too aggressive offensively for teams like the Whitecaps to play without discipline.
24. Portland Timbers (0-4-1, LW: 22)
Portland may be in the midst of a lost season. The Timbers’ back line can’t stop anyone, and their forwards lack scoring touch in the box.