More data, more interesting games. We are probably still three or four games away from everyone having some balance in their schedule between quality of opponent and home v away, but overall we are getting to know who these teams are.
Top Shelf
1. Inter Miami (Previously 1)
Seems like they have picked up right where they left off last year – top of the league, no matter what. This time is was a 1-0 home win over Charlotte despite a first half red card.
2. Columbus Crew (2)
It was not the best result, as Houston is struggling a little this season, but 0-0 at home against the other teams around the Crew is good enough to keep them No. 2.
Quality
3. FC Cincinnati (5)
While a 2-0 home win over Toronto is nothing to write home about, it is better than other teams that were this high, so FCC moves up.
4. Minnesota United (6)
The Loons went to San Jose and beat the rising Earthquakes, 1-0. Impressive.
5. Seattle Sounders (8)
A 5-2 demolishing of LAFC, even at home, is a result of note. The other games the Sounders played this year were less impressive, but that one lights the lamp.
6. Los Angeles FC (3)
Don’t care it was on the road, don’t care it was against a quality Sounders side. Lose 5-2 and it is just not a good look. It is unlikely they lose like this again, but for now they have to earn their way back up.
7. Charlotte FC (4)
This is probably more other teams moving up, but when you go up a player in the first half, a quality side finds a way to get a win. Losing 1-0 to Miami means you drop.
8. New York City FC (7)
A little tough to drop NYC after beating Orlando, 2-1 at home, but Seattle had to move up and the rest shuffled around.
Good
9. New York Red Bulls (9)
A 0-0 draw at Atlanta is a decent result for a good team. It doesn’t really move the needle too much, hence the lack of movement.
10. Philadelphia Union (12)
The constency is legit. This time it was a 2-0 road win against the poor Revolution. If it weren’t for how bad New England was, they would move up more. Maybe they deserve to.
11. Vancouver Whitecaps (14)
Montreal may not be a great team, but Vancouver got another good win, this time winning 2-0 at home.
12. Colorado Rapids (18)
Austin is not good, but the Rapids still went and got a 1-0 road win, and relatively, that is impressive.
13. San Diego FC (19)
They started with a bang, beating the Galaxy on the road. Then they were tied 0-0 at home against St. Louis. So maybe this was them getting up for the opening game, and maybe they were falling back to earth some. But then they went on the road and demolished RSL, 3-1. They are for real.
Decent
14. FC Dallas (10)
Playing a team that had struggled to start the season in the Fire, FC Dallas took a 1-0 lead and should have been able to finish the game. They ended up losing 3-1. My goodness, not good.
15. Atlanta United (13)
Tied 0-0 at home by the Red Bulls, Altanta is not having the start to the season they wanted.
16. LA Galaxy (11)
Whoa now. What is going on here? The latest shocking result is a 3-0 home loss to St. Louis. Goodness, thtat is not good at all. Here is the truth – if they don’t win next week, all the talent in the world means nothing.
17. Orlando City (15)
It was a road loss, but still 2-1 to NYCFC is not where the Lions want to be.
18. San Jose Earthquakes (16)
Il Bruce sure seemed to have things turned around in the Bay Area, but then they lost 1-0 to Minnesota. Now the Loons are good. Very good. But this shows he has work to do.
19. St. Louis City SC (27)
What a significant win. Maybe St. Louis will be good this season after all. Say what you want about the Galaxy, but a 3-0 victory on the road is serious.
20. Chicago Fire (23)
The Brimstone Cup stays in Chicago thanks to a smash-and-grab job as the Fire score three goals late to overcome Dallas’ opener and ruin FCD’s first home game.
Suspect
21. Real Salt Lake (17)
Lose 3-1 at home to the expansion team and you drop. Sorry, them’s the rules.
22. Houston Dynamo (22)
They didn’t lose, and it was on the road against the Crew, so this 0-0 result isn’t awful. It is actually solid, but not enough to result in movement.
23. D.C. United (24)
Yes, they won. It was 2-1 at home against the worst team in the league. Yay?
24. Austin FC (21)
So Austin’s opening-day victory against Sporting is well in the rearview at this point. Since then they lost 1-0 at Portland and last week they lost 1-0 at home to the Rapids. They will continue to drop as long as all they are relying on is that first victory.
25. Nashville SC (28)
They worked a 2-0 home win over Portland, and while the Timbers are struggling, so they don’t move too much.
26. Portland Timbers (20)
Lots of poor results for the Timbers. All they can hang their hat on is a 1-0 home win over Austin. Last week’s 2-0 loss at Nashville says they have to do more to move up.
Poor
27. CF Montreal (25)
All losses for Montreal, although that first loss was a dynamic 3-2 loss at Atlanta. This week’s 2-0 loss at Vancouver was not good.
28. New England Revolution (26)
These have not been good results for the Revs. Maybe the Union are higher quality, but still, a 2-0 home loss to Philadelphia is poor. Very poor.
29. Toronto FC (29)
Not sure what to say about Robin Fraser’s guys. This week’s 2-0 road loss to Cincinnati is another bad match.
30. Sporting Kansas City (30)
How many results do we need before there is a real discussion about Vermes? This time it was a 2-1 loss at D.C.