FRISCO — FC Dallas earned a bounce-back win following the 3-1 home victory against the Chicago Fire on Saturday. It was a dominant performance against a team on short rest, and FCD took advantage of it. The victory was full of different milestones and puts Dallas back on the right track, and it extended its lead at the top of the Western Conference standings.
Now FC Dallas turns its attention to the Houston Dynamo for the battle for El Capitan on Saturday. FCD will travel to Houston to face an inconsistent side for the majority of the season. Houston is coming off a road draw to the Colorado Rapids after playing to a 0-0 result at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Here's how the two shape up in this week's power rankings entering this weekend.
MLS Soccer
1. Atlanta United FC (No change)
2. New York City FC (+3)
3. Portland Timbers (-1)
4. Los Angeles FC (-1)
5. New York Red Bulls (-1)
6. FC Dallas (+1) — Dallas have to be pleased that Kellyn Acosta was back on the scoresheet, and Carlos Gruezo chipped in with another one this season as well. They still feel like an enigma, but if they can get goals from midfield and defense, they're probably still in good shape to contend at the end of the season.
9. Houston Dynamo (-1) — The Dynamo could have used a win, but a scoreless draw in Colorado isn't half bad. Houston have probably the toughest week in the league ahead, between the Open Cup clash against Sporting and a derby game against FC Dallas.
ESPNFC
1. New York City FC (+5)
2. LAFC (No change)
3. Atlanta United FC (-2)
4. New York Red Bulls (-1)
5. Portland Timbers (-1)
6. FC Dallas (-1) — The top team in the West stayed the top team in the West by taking advantage of a poor Chicago defense and a second-half red card in a 3-0 win. The result was never really in doubt for Oscar Pareja's team.
8. Houston Dynamo (No change) — The high-flying, goal-scoring Dynamo fell to earth a bit with a goalless effort in Colorado. Wilmer Cabrera's team came off of four straight multiple-goal efforts but couldn't put the ball past Tim Howard at Dick's Sporting Good Park.
Soccer America
1. Portland Timbers (No change)
2. FC Dallas (No change) — It’s been a rocky season for Kellyn Acosta, but five minutes after replacing goalscorer Carlos Gruezo he drilled the winning goal from distance. Brandt Bronico iced the victory with his first MLS goal in the final minutes.
3. New York City FC (+3)
4. Atlanta United FC (-1)
5. LAFC (-1)
9. Houston Dynamo (-1) — The Dynamo posted a second straight shutout for the first time this season and has a modest yet valuable haul of five points from the past three games.