FRISCO - It was good to get back in MLS action last week, don’t you think?
FC Dallas’ 3-0 win over Seattle felt good. It was Dallas first outright victory over the Sounders since October 2016. Beyond that the energy at Toyota Stadium was outstanding. Here’s hoping that it carries over into a midday matchup against the Portland Timbers on Saturday at Toyota Stadium.
The Timbers, who were off this past weekend, are still looking for their first victory in 2018 after losing to both the Galaxy and Red Bulls and being outscored by a score of 6-1 in both matches.
Here’s where both FC Dallas (1-0-1, 4 points) and the Timbers (0-2-0, 0 points) landed in the latest MLS power rankings roundup.
MLS
1. NYCFC (no change)
2. Toronto FC (no change)
3. Columbus Crew (+1)
4. Atlanta United FC (+3)
5. New York Red Bulls (-2)
13. FC Dallas (+5) - Clint Dempsey's arm gave FC Dallas a boost, and the hosts took full advantage against a reeling Sounders side. Roland Lamah entered the season with many projecting him on the bench, but his production leaves Oscar Pareja no choice but to start him.
18. Portland Timbers (-1) - The Timbers were off last week, and likely spent the time working on their defense. They've struggled historically playing FC Dallas in Frisco, but maybe Gio Savarese will shrug off the past issues.
ESPNFC
1. NYCFC (no change)
2. Atlanta United (+1)
3. Columbus Crew (-1)
4. New York Red Bulls (+1)
5. LAFC (+2)
16. FC Dallas (+4) - A win at home over the Sounders means the season is now out of the gates in Frisco. The confidence coming out of the game might be more important than the three points.
21. Portland Timbers (-4) - The Timbers got a needed week off to better settle into Giovanni Savarese's system.
Soccer America
1. Columbus Crew (no change)
2. New York City FC (no change)
3. LAFC (+1)
4. Houston Dynamo (+2)
5. Atlanta United (+3)
11. FC Dallas (+8) - All is not yet well in Big D, but a pair of goals by Roland Lamah is more encouraging than his 10-game goalless start to the 2017 season.
21. Portland Timbers (no change) - Timbers take on another team with a lot of question marks when they play at FC Dallas on Saturday.
