MLS

MLS Week 12 Power Rankings: LAFC remains on top, Colorado finally wins

The CST Week 12 MLS Power Rankings are taking shape. The top of the league is rising and the bottom of the league is showing

Week 12 of the 2019 MLS season yielded few surprises. Colorado Rapids perhaps scored the biggest one of all. Their 1-0 victory at the Los Angeles Galaxy finally ended their season opening 11-game winless streak. Meanwhile, LAFC took four points from Western Conference rival FC Dallas to further solidify their top billing.

Here is a look at our MLS Power Rankings after Week 12:

(Legend: (W-L-T, LW: last week’s rankings )

Top Ten

1. LAFC (9-1-4, LW: 1)

LAFC earned a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas at home on May 15. They followed up that win with a tie in the return match at FC Dallas. What stands out about LAFC right now is how well-balanced they are. They don’t give up many goals, and they feature several scorers that can change a match in the blink of an eye. The only question I have is whether or not they have peaked early. Can LAFC keep this up all year?

2. Seattle Sounders FC (7-1-5, LW: 2)

The Sounders faced a tough stretch with resilience. First, they earned a 2-1 victory at home against Orlando City but lost Jordan Morris. Seattle then went to Philadelphia and fought their way to a tie against the Union despite getting out-shot 20-6. Not bad for a week’s work.

3. Houston Dynamo (7-2-2, LW: 3)

Houston had a chance to move up the Western Conference standings last week with two home matches. They pulled off a solid 2-1 victory over D.C. United, but the 1-1 tie with struggling Portland may come back to haunt the Dynamo later in the year.

4. Philadelphia Union (7-3-3, LW: 4)

On one hand, the Union held a Western Conference power at home. On the other, the Union missed a unique opportunity to solidify their spot in the East. The Union outplayed the Sounders for much of their match. It’s a shame the standings don’t show that.

5. D.C. United (7-4-3, LW: 5)

No one can blame D.C. United for the tough loss at Houston, but like Philadelphia and Houston above, they missed an opportunity. Slumping Toronto F.C. was ripe for the picking during their match last week. Instead, D.C. United showed up flat and gave up a mind-blowing 36 shots to Toronto. Somehow, they survived with a point.

6. Atlanta United FC (6-4-2, LW: 6)

The 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls ended Atlanta’s unbeaten streak. Atlanta will have matches like this until their offense gets it together, and it may be the club’s undoing come November.

7. NYC FC (4-1-6, LW: 7)

NYC FC got the week off, but poor performances from the clubs below them keep the club ranked seventh.

8. L.A. Galaxy (7-5-1, LW: 8)

The Galaxy’s losing streak remains one of the league’s biggest stories in the last couple of weeks. It could get better or worse for the Galaxy. They hit the road for four of their next five matches, but their opponents rank among the worst in the league. If the Galaxy are going to recover, the opportunity is there.

9. Minnesota United FC (5-4-3, LW: 10)

Minnesota’s improvement was on full display with the home shutout of Columbus.

10. New York Red Bulls (5-5-2, LW: 13)

The 1-0 shutout victory over Atlanta matters. The Red Bulls appeared primed for a run over the summer.

Next Nine

11. FC Dallas (5-5-3, LW: 9)

FC Dallas’ inconsistency is killing the team’s chances long-term in the tough Western Conference.

12. Montreal Impact (6-5-3, LW: 12)

Montreal’s 0-0 home tie with New England is symbolic of their season. Great moments, and disappointing finishes. Montreal must win games like this. Ties aren’t good enough.

13. Toronto FC (5-5-2, LW: 11)

There isn’t a whole lot to say following Toronto’s 3-0 loss at Real Salt Lake. Their back line them down in altitude when the club really needed at least a point on the road.

14. Real Salt Lake (5-6-1, LW: 16)

RSL’s 3-0 victory over Toronto should serve as a reminder of how hard it is to play at Rio Tinto. The question is whether or not this team can rack up enough points on the road.

15. Chicago Fire (4-5-4, LW: 14)

The Fire’s inconsistency continued in a 4-1 loss at San Jose.

16. Orlando City (4-6-3, LW: 18)

Did the light finally turn on for Orlando City in the second half of their 5-1 victory over FC Cincinnati?

17. San Jose Earthquakes (4-6-3, LW: 21)

Congratulations Chris Wondolowski for breaking the all-time MLS career goals scored record.

18. Columbus Crew (5-8-2, LW: 15)

The Crew were shut out for the second straight game.

19. Vancouver Whitecaps (3-6-4, LW: 17)

Vancouver’s loss to Atlanta United was expected, but a tie with Sporting Kansas City on the road salvaged a point for the week.

Final Five

20. Portland Timbers (3-6-2, LW: 19)

One more match. Just one more match, and the Timbers will finally play at home

21. Sporting Kansas City (2-4-5, LW: 20)

Should congratulations be in order for SKC earning a home tie with Vancouver? Maybe they should after the team’s failure to meet expectations this season.

22. New England Revolution (3-8-3, LW: 23)

Bruce Arena will turn this club around, and it will happen sooner than people think.

23. FC Cincinnati (3-8-2, LW: 22)

FC Cincinnati’s 5-1 loss to Orlando City is a solid reminder that the team has a long way to go. Their victory over Montreal last week was a moment, not a positive sign of the future.

24. Colorado Rapids (1-9-2, LW: 24)

The Rapids won their first game of the season at one of the toughest places to play in MLS.

@dciapala for @CincySoccerTalk

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