The top two teams remain the same in the MLS power rankings as the odds makers agree that Toronto FC is the clear-cut favorite while NYCFC is right behind them. That’s how it’s been most of the season in the standings too as these are the only two teams with more than 51 points but Toronto is the only team with more than 60.
The playoffs are right around the corner and there is a lot to play for, especially in the Western Conference where everyone is bunched up. Meanwhile in the Eastern Conference, only the first-place team is assured of their spot going into the postseason.
1. Toronto FC
Last Week: 1
MLS Cup Odds: +275
Toronto FC is 11 points clear in the Eastern Conference after a 5-3 loss at home to the Montreal Impact, their first home loss of the season. We haven’t seen this team do much losing at all recently – or this season – so we’ll have to see how they rebound. They got an own goal, as well as two goals from Tosaint Ricketts, but Toronto’s defense looked out of sorts and it’s a good thing they already have a playoff spot secured. They’ll get a chance to redeem themselves on Saturday when they travel on the road to face the New England Revolution.
2. New York City FC
Last Week: 2
MLS Cup Odds: +800
NYCFC are 11 points behind Toronto FC after a 1-1 draw at Colorado in which Thomas McNamara scored in the 19th minute, but NYCFC allowed an 88th-minute equalizer to drop two more points. It is always good to get a point on the road, but those points could be crucial as the Eastern Conference is jammed up behind Toronto; only nine points separate NYCFC and sixth-place New York Red Bulls. NYCFC returns home on Saturday to face the Houston Dynamo.
3. Seattle Sounders
Last Week: 4
MLS Cup Odds: +900
The Sounders are fourth in the Western Conference after a 0-0 draw at FC Dallas, but they’re on 44 points, which is level with the Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City, and that is only a point behind the Vancouver Whitecaps. One win and a loss for two other teams, at least, can really change the complexion of the Western Conference, so their trip to Real Salt Lake on Saturday is really important.
4. Vancouver Whitecaps
Last Week: 5
MLS Cup Odds: +1000
The Whitecaps are on top of the Western Conference after a 2-2 home draw with the Columbus Crew, in which Fredy Montero opened the scoring, but Tony Tchani needed to score in injury time to grab a crucial point for the Whitecaps. Vancouver will host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, and this game is important as they will be on the road for their next three games. Three points are imperative this weekend to staying at the top of the Western Conference.
5. Portland Timbers
Last Week: 3
MLS Cup Odds: +1000
The Timbers are second in the Western Conference after falling 2-1 at Real Salt Lake, and a loss like that could really hurt them down the line. From first to eighth, the Western Conference is separated by seven points, so you’ve got to get the points where you can and the Timbers should have gotten a point from that game. They’ll host Orlando City SC on Sunday, and the Timbers will host three of their last four games.
6. Atlanta United FC
Last Week: 9
MLS Cup Odds: +1000
Atlanta United FC is fourth in the Eastern Conference after a 4-0 rout of the LA Galaxy, with Yamil Asad netting a pair, and then Josef Martinez and Miguel Almiron added singles for Atlanta, who had an extra man for the last 40-plus minutes of the game. Brandon Vazquez picked up a late red card for the team, who will now host the Montreal Impact on Sunday.
7. Sporting Kansas City
Last Week: 5
MLS Cup Odds: +1200
Sporting Kansas City is third in the Western Conference following a 3-1 win at home over the New England Revolution, who lost a man to a red card after 11 minutes. Gerso scored shortly afterwards, and then Diego Rubin added two goals for Sporting Kansas City, who then went on to win the U.S. Open Cup with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls. Latif Blessing and Daniel Salloi found the back of the net for Sporting Kansas City, who won the competition for the fourth time. They’ll look to carry that momentum into Sunday’s visit from the LA Galaxy.
8. New York Red Bulls
Last Week: 6
MLS Cup Odds: +1200
The Red Bulls are sixth in the Eastern Conference after a 0-0 draw at home against the Philadelphia Union, and then they lost the U.S. Open Cup final at Sporting Kansas City. Bradley Wright-Phillips got an injury-time goal in the Cup final to keep the Red Bulls alive, but it was temporary and now they have to switch their focus to the league, where they’re just three points ahead of the Montreal Impact in the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They’ll take on the Columbus Crew on the road on Saturday.
9. Chicago Fire
Last Week: 8
MLS Cup Odds: +1400
The Fire are third in the Eastern Conference and three points behind New York City FC after a 3-0 win at home over D.C. United. An own goal gave the Fire the lead, and then Brandon Vincent and Nemanja Nikolic sealed the three points for Chicago, who get to host the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. The Union are one spot ahead of last-place D.C. United in the standings right now, and these are the games from which the Fire have to get maximum points to solidify a good playoff spot.
10. Columbus Crew
Last Week: —
MLS Cup Odds: +2000
The Crew are fourth in the Eastern Conference, four points behind Chicago, after their 2-2 draw in Vancouver. Ola Kamara and Kekuta Manneh scored for the Crew, who did get the point, but giving up an equalizer in injury time has to be a punch to the gut for the Crew, who host the New York Red Bulls on Saturday; two of their last four games are at home, but the last two are both on the road.
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