Week 11 of the 2019 MLS season featured two clubs with new managers earning potential season-saving victories and the continued rise of defending champion Atlanta United. Meanwhile, the L.A. Galaxy lost twice during the week, while their crosstown rival LAFC absolutely dominated the Columbus Crew at MAPFRE Stadium.
Here is a look at our MLS Power Rankings after Week 11:
(Legend: (W-L-T, LW: last week’s rankings )
Top Ten
1. LAFC (8-1-3, LW: 1)
If anyone doubted how good LAFC really is, take a look at the road beating they gave a Columbus team that just hammered the Galaxy at the same venue. There’s so much firepower with Carlos Vela and his teammates, that I’m starting to the think the only club capable of stopping them is Atlanta United.
2. Seattle Sounders FC (6-1-4, LW: 4)
Cristian Roldan scored the only goal of the match early, but it was the Sounders defense that proved elite for 90 minutes. Seattle held the Houston Dynamo to one shot on goal and withstood every offensive challenge to earn a critical Western Conference victory.
3. Houston Dynamo (6-2-1, LW: 2)
There’s no shame in a tough 1-0 loss at Seattle for the Dynamo. They still remain one of the most well-rounded teams in the league.
4. Philadelphia Union (7-3-2, LW: 5)
Philadelphia did two things with their 2-1 road victory at Toronto FC. The Union exposed Toronto FC as a middling playoff contender, and they also staked their claim as Atlanta United’s chief rival in the Eastern Conference race. D.C. United may have something to say about that at some point, but right now Atlanta United remains the most talented and the Union is becoming the most consistent club in the East.
5. D.C. United (7-3-2, LW: 7)
D.C. United’s talent level should keep the club in the top 10, but something doesn’t fit with this club. They’ve dominated some opponents and fallen flat against others in critical situations. In short, we don’t know what to expect from D.C. United, despite featuring one of the top goalscorers (Wayne Rooney) in MLS.
6. Atlanta United FC (5-3-2, LW: 12)
Frank De Boer’s club still hasn’t quite gotten the offense together, but they lead the league in fewest goals allowed (8). It took some time, but the defending champs appear to have figured it out.
7. NYC FC (4-1-6, LW: 10)
It took some time, but NYC FC finally figured it out. Their dominant victory over the slumping L.A. Galaxy puts them a great position for the rest of the season if they keep performing at this level.
8. L.A. Galaxy (7-4-1, LW: 3)
Clubs are finally exposing the Galaxy’s problems on the back line. It’s also worth noting how vital Jonathan dos Santos is to this lineup. He’s often been criticized by fans, but I saw it first hand in the Columbus game. The Galaxy fell apart once dos Santos left the game. Everything changed for the Galaxy, and they better hope he gets back in the lineup soon. Fortunately, the Galaxy gets some time off to recover over the next two weeks.
9. FC Dallas (5-4-2, LW: 8)
I don’t even know where to begin Dallas. It blows my mind that this club still can’t find consistency, despite owning one of the best academy systems in MLS.
10. Minnesota United FC (4-4-3, LW: 9)
One of the more impressive things about Minnesota United is their never-say-die attitude. The club improved the roster with mentally tough players that often bounce back from adversity. Don’t sleep on Minnesota. They still have a ways to go, but Minnesota United’s future is bright.
Next Nine
11. Toronto FC (5-4-1, LW: 5)
Toronto’s home loss to Philadelphia will haunt them as the season goes on.
12. Montreal Impact (6-5-2, LW: 11)
Montreal will hover between 10-14 as long as the club continues to play the Jekyll and Hyde game.
13. Chicago Fire (4-4-4, LW: 19)
The Fire recorded two straight victories in dominant fashion last week. No one was surprised by their 5-0 demolition of New England. However, a solid 2-0 win over Minnesota meant a lot more.
14. New York Red Bulls (4-5-2, LW: 13)
The word of this week in MLS is inconsistency. The Red Bulls have been that all season. It’s mind-blowing to see a team as talented as the Red Bulls lose at home to Montreal and then dominate Dallas in Texas.
15. Columbus Crew SC (5-7-2, LW: 17)
The Crew sent two statements last week. Columbus showed it could still be dominant in a 3-1 victory over Galaxy. And the club also showed it could drop the ball in 3-0 loss to LAFC. With Atlanta, Philadelphia and NYC FC rising, Columbus needs to wake up sooner rather than later.
16. Real Salt Lake (4-6-1, LW: 20)
The Colorado Rapids may be the league’s worst club right now, but rivalry games still matter. RSL’s victory over Colorado put them back in playoff position.
17. Vancouver Whitecaps (3-5-3, LW: 21)
Vancouver needed the 1-0 win over their Cascadia Cup rivals if they were going to make up some ground out west.
18. Orlando City (3-5-3, LW: 14)
Orlando City gave Atlanta a match on the road, but they couldn’t handle the defending champions’ back line.
19. Portland Timbers (3-6-1, LW: 15)
Two more games. Portland must survive two road matches before finally heading home from their 12-match season-opening road trip.
Final Five
20. Sporting Kansas City (2-4-4, LW: 18)
No one can fault SKC for dropping a 1-0 match at Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United. However, the club should be more than it is after 10 matches.
21. San Jose Earthquakes (3-6-2, LW: 16)
Just when it seemed that San Jose had it all figured out, they fell apart at New England.
22. FC Cincinnati (3-7-2, LW: 22)
FC Cincinnati fielded a much different team after Alan Koch’s firing. Their 2-1 victory over Montreal was their most complete performance of the season.
23. New England Revolution (3-8-2, LW: 23)
What a trainwreck in New England. Can Bruce Arena save the season for the Revs?
24. Colorado Rapids (0-9-2, LW: 24)
Sorry, I’ve got nothing for you here. You’re looking at the team picking first in the next MLS SuperDraft.
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