Week 18 MLS Power Rankings: SKC plunges after pair of awful losses

Sporting Kansas City looked to be a solid contender to represent the Western Conference in the MLS Cup.

After bad losses to both Montreal and Real Salt Lake, it’s caused us to reconsider their legitimacy.

How do you feel about our rankings?

10 Houston Dynamo [6-4-6] (+2)

The Dynamo continue to be such a bi-polar club and didn’t disappoint this week. They dominated offensively at home against LAFC and were somehow behind two goals deep into stoppage time. But Houston did the unthinkable, scoring goals in the 94th and 96th minutes to salvage a point against one of the best teams in Major League Soccer. Their attack is dangerous and they look like a formidable team more often than not. If they can get themselves into the playoffs, this team could go make a deep run.

9 New England Revolution [7-6-4] (NC)

Although New England got the win over Eastern Conference bottom-feeders DC United, they were anything but convincing, getting saved by a 78th-minute penalty to salvage all three points. New England is one of those teams we feel are punching well above their weight, and it will be interesting to see if they can maintain this type of form in the second half of the season.

8 Sporting Kansas City [9-5-4] (-5)

If memory serves us correctly, we haven’t had SKC ranked so low since the beginning of the season. Getting completely outplayed by Montreal and Real Salt Lake in the same week will do that, however. We think that this is just an unfortunate phase and that SKC will bounce back with a series of strong performances.

7 NYCFC [9-4-4] (-3)

Early on this season, NYCFC looked like they could be the best team in Major League Soccer. Lately, though, the Bronx-based club has won just three of their last nine matches in all competitions and have fallen to third place in the Eastern Conference. Their 3-2 loss to Chicago Fire is just the latest of bad performances.

6 Columbus Crew [8-6-5] (NC)

Columbus stays in the six spot for the third straight week after doing just enough to hold on to beat Real Salt Lake 2-1 after scoring twice in the first 25 minutes. It was their first win in seven matches in all competitions, and a much-needed one at that. The Crew have no problem controlling the pace of each match and getting their attack heavily involved. They simply have suffered from a lack of finishing touch, converting just under 9% of their shots, the third-worst rate in Major League Soccer.

5 FC Dallas [10-5-2] (+3)

FCD have finally convinced us that they are a true contender to not only compete for the MLS Cup title but to win the tournament as well. They showed great resolve in each of their wins this week, a 1-0 road triumph over Minnesota that was followed up by a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Atlanta United, with Tesho Akindele scoring a brace in the 86th and 88th minutes to give the hosts a shock three points. Doesn’t get much better than that.

4 Portland Timbers [7-5-3] (+3)

12 straight matches without a defeat in all competitions, including 10 straight in MLS after they got off to a terrible 0-2-3 start this season. Portland made the changes necessary in order to turn things around against Seattle, eventually coming back to win 3-2 behind a brace from defender Larrys Mabiala. Wake up, this is a dangerous team.

3 LAFC [9-5-2] (+2)

We’re going to give LAFC the benefit of the doubt after they failed to hold onto their 2-0 lead in stoppage time against Houston, giving up goals in the 94th and 96th minutes. However, LAFC throttled Philadelphia 4-1 earlier in the week behind a hat-trick from former Hull flop Adama Diomandé. There’s a real connection between him and manager Bob Bradley. Diomandé has scored nearly a goal a match under the former United States manager at both LAFC and Stabek in Norway.

2 New York Red Bulls [10-2-4] (NC)

Although New York took all three points this weekend in a 1-0 road win over defending champions Toronto FC, the Red Bulls were far from their best. NYRB goalkeeper Luis Robles came to the rescue with eight huge saves to earn the clean sheet and leave the Red Bulls in second place in the Eastern Conference.

1 Atlanta United [11-4-4] (NC)

Atlanta slipped up this week, losing 3-2 to FC Dallas despite leading in the 86th minute. This came days after the MLS Supporter’s Shield leaders steamrolled Orlando City 4-0 in a comprehensive performance from start to finish. We believe this was simply a case of being exhausted late. Atlanta continue to be our choice for MLS Cup champions at the end of the year. Their offense is too good, they’ve scored nine goals in their past four matches, going 2-1-1 in that span.