Featured Image: © Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
It’s the penultimate MLS Power Rankings of the campaign, but there is still plenty of movement in the top-10. Let’s take a look at who fell and who climbed after matchdays 36 and 37.
The Dynamo have gone cold in recent weeks since racing into the Western Conference top-four picture after the Leagues Cup break. They remain a dark-horse in the conference heading into the postseason, but after two losses in their last three games, including a thumping in St. Louis they have slipped to down to 10th.
Pat Noonan’s men faced two tests against bonafide contenders in the last two matchdays, LAFC and Orlando City, losing both showdowns in front of their own fans. Last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners will surely get their act together by the start of the playoffs, but they certainly have some kinks to work out.
Minnesota are finding form at the right time this season, winning five of their last seven games to move all the way up into the top-seven in the Western Conference.
It’s that time of year where facing Seattle begins to become a scary proposition for Western Conference teams. After a win in Colorado over the weekend, the Sounders can wrap up a top-three finish on the final day of the season.
The Pigeons are flying once again. After thumping the Red Bulls in a demolition derby in the last week, the Bronx boys we’re at it again with a comfortable victory over Nashville. They should head into the postseason in fine fettle.
LAFC seem to have recovered from their little slump in September. Perhaps the buzz from winning the U.S. Open Cup has revitalized the SoCal club in MLS, as they are back to winning ways on a regular basis. Look out Western Conference playoff foes.
Orlando just keep proving the doubters wrong with every passing week. After racing into the Eastern Conference top-four picture, the Lions showed why they have to be considered dark-horse contenders in the east with an impressive win in Cincinnati.
The Galaxy remain the best chance of Western Conference success in the MLS Cup Playoffs as arguably the two favorites to win the cup come from the east. But the dynamic attacking force at Gregg Vanney’s disposal could just be too much to deal with for the majority of the teams in the postseason.
The Crew keep on ticking on, and with a win that they were made to work for against Philadelphia over the weekend they wrapped up second place in the Eastern Conference heading into the postseason. Attention will deservedly be on our team at number one, but the reigning Champions can absolutely not be counted out at any moment.
Nuestro Nueve 🦁
Thanks to his two-goal performance against the Philadelphia Union, Cucho has been named the MLS Player of the Matchday for Matchday 37. pic.twitter.com/WfjOrSJD79
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) October 7, 2024
They just keep doing it. After wrapping up the Supporters’ Shield, the club’s first ever domestic trophy, Inter Miami now sit with history at their fingertips. With a win on decision day, they can break the Revolution’s MLS record points tally of 73. The team that stands in their way on the final matchday of the season? The Revolution themselves.
