Reigning MLS Cup champion New York City FC is still searching for its first league win after two weeks while the New York Red Bulls have emerged as the fastest-starting team to begin the early going in the 2022 season.
The Red Bulls posted their second straight road win, with Lewis Morgan’s hat-trick leading the charge. Gerhard Struber’s side has looked very sharp, and is playing well despite the fact newly-signed Designated Player Luquinhas has yet to play. Their romp over Toronto FC, coupled with a season-opening win at San Jose, has propelled the Red Bulls into the Top Five in the latest SBI MLS Power Rankings.
NYCFC hasn’t exactly lit up the MLS results, but their play in Concacaf Champions League has reminded us why they are the defending champions. The draw against Vancouver was a disappointing one, but Ronny Deila isn’t likely to worry about the two draws to start the season.
D.C. United and Austin FC are the only other 2-0 teams along with the Red Bulls, though both have benefited from cushy scheduling to begin the campaign. Austin’s 5-1 thrashing of Inter Miami was an eye-opener though, and Josh Wolff’s squad is looking like a team to be taken seriously.
Atlanta United suffered the steepest fall in the rankings after a 3-0 humbling against the Colorado Rapids. The Five Stripes aren’t the first team to struggle in the altitude in Colorado, though you could argue Atlanta United had a fair amount of the play even if the scoreline didn’t suggest that.
Toronto FC is another team that tumbled down the standings. The blowout home loss to the Red Bulls was a painful one, but it was a reminder that Bob Bradley has a team that will need time to come together, particularly with the young players being integrated.
With all that in mind, here are SBI’s MLS Power Rankings after the second week of the season:
1. (Last week – 1) New England Revolution (1-0-1)
2. (2) Nashville SC (1-0-1)
3. (5) Los Angeles FC (1-0-1)
4. (6) LA Galaxy (2-0)
5. (10) New York Red Bulls (2-0)
6. (4) New York City FC (0-1-1)
7. (12) Philadelphia Union (1-0-1)
8. (7) Seattle Sounders (0-1-1)
9. (8) Columbus Crew (1-0-1)
10. (9) Orlando City (1-0-1)
11. (3) Atlanta United (1-1)
12. (16) Sporting Kansas City (1-1)
13. (13) Portland Timbers (0-0-2)
14. (17) Colorado Rapids (1-1)
15. (18) D.C. United (2-0)
16. (21) Austin FC (2-0)
17. (14) Minnesota United (0-0-2)
18. (22) Real Salt Lake (1-0-1)
19. (11) Toronto FC (0-1-1)
20. (19) Chicago Fire (0-0-2)
21. (15) FC Dallas (0-1-1)
22. (20) CF Montreal (0-2)
23. (24) San Jose Earthquakes (0-1-1)
24. (25) Vancouver Whitecaps (0-1-1)
25. (23) Inter Miami (0-1-1)
26. (26) Houston Dynamo (0-2)
27. (27) FC Cincinnati (0-2)
28. (28) Charlotte FC (0-2)
What do you think of our rankings? Who do you see being rated too highly? Who do you feel is the most underrated team in the group?
Share your thoughts below.