D.C. United Takes Over Top Spot In MLS Power Rankings

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – After an impressive showing in a 5-0 blowout over Real Salt Lake, D.C. United catapulted into the top spot in this week’s MLS power rankings.

In the win, D.C. United striker Wayne Rooney posted a hat-trick and had a hand in another goal as well.

The Seattle Sounders sit high in the standings as well after winning their first three games.

The reigning champs, the Atlanta United, finally got their first points of the season after a draw against the Philadelphia Union.

Here are the rest of the rankings after Week 3:

1. D.C. United (2-0-1, 7 Points)

Result: 5-0 win over Real Salt Lake at home.

Recap: DC United were the most dominant team in MLS this past week. Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick and was rewarded with MLS Player Of The Week. The game ended with DC United having a two man advantage as two red cards were given to Savarino and Silva for RSL.

Previous Ranking: 4

Next Up: Bye Week

2. Seattle Sounders FC (3-0-0, 9 Points)

Result: 4-2 win over Chicago Fire on the road.

Recap: Seattle are yet to lose a game this season after the 4-2 drumming against the Chicago Fire. Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei made 10 saves as the Fire ended the match with 25 shots and 12 shots on target yet only scored twice. 

Previous Ranking: 2

Next Up: Bye Week

3. LAFC (2-0-1, 7 Points)

Result: 2-2 draw against NYCFC on the road.

Recap: A Carlos Vela braced helped the visitors gain a very impressive point on the east coast. LAFC are one of the best teams in MLS and they proved that after the draw with NYCFC.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next Up: vs. Real Salt Lake (1-1-1), Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on sports.ksl.com and the KSL TV app.

4. Columbus Crew (2-0-1, 7 Points)

Result: 1-0 win over FC Dallas at home.

Recap: A clean sheet for Zack Steffen and the first home win for the Crew has momentum in their favor. It only took Gaston Sauro 10 minutes to find the back of the net after he slotted the ball away very calmly with his head.

Previous Ranking: 7

Next Up: at Philadelphia Union (0-2-1), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

5. Houston Dynamo (2-0-1, 7 Points)

Result: 3-2 win over Vancouver Whitecaps at home.

Recap: Memo Rodriguez scores a brace as the hosts dominated the shot count 21 to 7. It is their best three game start in team history.

Previous Ranking: 9

Next Up: Bye Week

6. Toronto FC (2-0-0, 6 Points)

Result: 3-2 win over New England Revolution at home.

Recap: Jozy Altidore scored an 80^th minute goal that gave Toronto three points. A game in which Toronto were very much deserving of the win, dominating the pace and tempo of the game.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next Up: Bye Week

7. Minnesota United FC (2-1-0, 6 Points)

Result: 3-2 loss to LA Galaxy on the road.

Recap: Minnesota United came crashing back down to earth as the Galaxy made the most of home field advantage and beat one of the in form teams in the league. A poor display from United as they were only able to control 39% of possession.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next Up: Bye Week

8. Montreal Impact (2-1-0, 6 Points)

Result: 3-1 win over Orlando City SC on the road.

Recap: Ignacio Piatti scored a brace as the Impact powered their way past Orlando City away from home. Montreal dominated the chances and were constantly attacking Orlando’s defense. Two goals inside the first 15 minutes helps your chances of winning on the road…

Previous Ranking: 12

Next Up: Bye Week

9. LA Galaxy (2-1-0, 6 Points)

Result: 3-2 win over Minnesota United FC at home.

Recap: A much needed victory at home without Zlatan Ibrahimović against an in form team. Zlatan is expected to return for the Galaxy’s next game against the Portland Timbers on March 31.

Previous Ranking: 11

Next Up: Bye Week

10. Real Salt Lake (1-1-1, 4 Points)

Result: 5-0 loss to D.C. United on the road.

Recap: Real Salt Lake ended the game with 9 men against DC United, while also losing 5-0 away from home. Just when you thought things were going well for Mike Petke and the club, RSL were unable to prove to fans that they can win on the east coast.

Previous Ranking: 6

Next Up: at LAFC (2-0-1), Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on sports.ksl.com and the KSL TV app.

11. FC Dallas (1-1-1, 4 Points)

Result: 1-0 loss to Columbus Crew on the road.

Recap: Shooting will be on the top of FC Dallas’s list this week during practice. Just two shots on goal from a combined 10 shots is not good enough and will not win you many MLS games.

Previous Ranking: 8

Next Up: vs. Colorado Rapids (0-1-2), Saturday at 3:45 p.m.

12. Sporting Kansas City (1-1-1, 4 Points)

Result: 1-1 draw against Colorado Rapids on the road.

Recap: A very disappointing game for Sporting Kansas City who are expected to beat the likes of the Rapids no matter the venue. It was an 88^th minute free kick from Johnny Russell that allowed the visitors to escape with a point.

Previous Ranking: 10

Next Up: Bye Week

13. New York Red Bulls (1-0-1, 4 Points)

Result: 4-1 win over San Jose Earthquakes at home.

Recap: After a disappointing first two weeks of the season, the Red Bulls got their season back on track after a dominant performance against the Earthquakes. The Red Bulls went down a goal early but responded with anger as they scored 4 unanswered goals to win 4-1. 

Previous Ranking: 16

Next Up: vs. Orlando City SC (0-1-2), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

14. FC Cincinnati (1-1-1, 4 Points)

Result: 3-0 win over Portland Timbers at home.

Recap: A historic day for FC Cincinnati as they were able to get their first MLS victory over the Portland Timbers. It was also the first clean sheet of the season for the newcomers.

Previous Ranking: 21

Next Up: at New England Revolution (0-2-1), Sunday at 2 p.m.

15. NYCFC (0-0-3, 3 Points)

Result: 2-2 draw against LAFC at home.

Recap: NYCFC will be disappointed with how the game ended against LAFC. They had no answer for Carlos Vela as his brace helped the away team pick up a point. Another superb performance from the young American midfielder Alexander Ring, however.

Previous Ranking: 13

Next Up: Bye Week

16. Orlando City SC (0-1-2, 2 Points)

Result: 3-1 loss to Montreal Impact at home.

Recap: Nani and Dwyer both played the full 90 minutes yet the hosts were still beaten badly. Nani has not been with the club long, and if this past weekend was any indication, it may take some time for him to get used to his new teammates.

Previous Ranking: 14

Next Up: at New York Red Bulls (1-0-1), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

17. Atlanta United FC (0-1-2, 2 Points)

Result: 1-1 draw against Philadelphia Union at home.

Recap: How Atlanta only got 1 point out of this weeks game against the Union is still yet to be solved. The hosts had 71% possession. The loss of Almiron seems to be hurting Frank de Boer, they do not look like the same team as they did a year ago.

Previous Ranking: 17

Next Up: Bye Week

18. Colorado Rapids (0-1-2, 2 Points)

Result: 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City at home.

Recap: If the Rapids could have held off Kansas City for a handful more minute, they would have picked up three points instead of the one. Kei Kamara has offered a real spark for the Rapid attack.

Previous Ranking: 19

Next Up: at FC Dallas (1-1-1), Saturday at 3:45 p.m.

19. Portland Timbers FC (0-2-1, 1 Point)

Result: 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati on the road.

Recap: Portland are usually atop the Western Conference, however this year seems to be a struggle for the normally very good Timbers team. Portland will go down in history as the first team to ever lose to MLS newcomers FC Cincinnati.

Previous Ranking: 15

Next Up: Bye Week

20. New England Revolution (0-2-1, 1 Point)

Result: 3-2 loss to Toronto FC at home.

Recap: An impressive performance away from home. If it weren’t for a Jozy Altidore game winner in the 80^th minute, the Revolution would be ecstatic with the result. Unfortunately, that is not how football works and the away team leaves Toronto empty handed.

Previous Ranking: 18

Next Up: vs. FC Cincinnati (1-1-1), Sunday at 2 p.m.

21. Chicago Fire (0-2-1, 1 Point)

Result: 4-2 loss to Seattle Sounders at home.

Recap: The Fire ended the game with 25 total shots, only 12 of them being on target and only 2 goals scored. The Fire allowed two goals within the first 15 minutes and were chasing the game the entire way.

Previous Ranking: 20

Next Up: Bye Week

22. Philadelphia Union (0-2-1, 1 Point)

Result: 1-1 draw against Atlanta United FC on the road.

Recap: A positive result for the Union on the road against the reigning MLS Cup Champs. They picked up their first point of the season, fortunately.

Previous Ranking: 23

Next Up: vs. Columbus Crew SC (2-0-1), Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

23. Vancouver Whitecaps (0-3-0, 0 Points)

Result: 3-2 loss to Houston Dynamo on the road.

Recap: The Whitecaps are yet to pick up a point this season. They have lost two games on the road and one at home. A nightmare start to the season continues for the new manager of Vancouver, Marc Dos Santos.

Previous Ranking: 22

Next Up: Bye Week

24. San Jose Earthquakes (0-3-0, 0 Points)

Result: 4-1 loss to New York Red Bulls on the road.

Recap: San Jose continue to struggle under new manager Matias Almeyda. They have already conceded 9 goals through 3 games, and only been able to score twice.

Previous Ranking: 24

Next Up: Bye Week