FRISCO - After defeating the Montreal Impact 2-0 on Friday, FC Dallas (8-1-5, 29 points) is now tied for first in the Western Conference. The team has not suffered a loss in their last four MLS games, and five games overall with the Open Cup win over San Antonio. The team has only allowed three goals in that span.
This week, FC Dallas will not have an MLS game, but they will face MLS-side Sporting KC (8-2-5, 29 points) in the Open Cup’s Round of 16. Sporting KC is tied for first with FC Dallas in the conference and are coming off a 0-0 tie in Portland. They won their last Open Cup game 2-0 over Real Salt Lake.
Here's where the two teams landed in the latest in the MLS power rankings.
ESPN
1. Atlanta United (no change)
2. Sporting Kansas City (no change) - Good defending, good goalkeeping and the hallmark organization of a Peter Vermes team pushed Sporting to a road draw against the Timbers. The point does nothing to hurt SKC's place among the West's elite group.
3. New York Red Bulls (no change)
4. Columbus Crew SC (no change)
5. FC Dallas (no change) - The winning run continued for Oscar Pareja's team on the weekend, with a 2-0 victory over Montreal putting FC Dallas on four straight. The Texas side is the toughest to beat in MLS and is near the top of the ranks because of that fact.
MLS
1. Atlanta United (no change)
2. Sporting Kansas City (no change) - Sporting also post a gritty road draw, this one in Portland, and show their defense is really back to its top form. They sit a point behind Atlanta in the Shield standings, and perhaps the World Cup break will give Peter Vermes' men a bit of time to rest before the remainder of the schedule comes along.
3. Columbus Crew (no change)
4. New York Red Bulls (no change)
5. NYCFC (no change)
6. FC Dallas (no change) - Dallas' win over Montreal initially looked like it would be a romp, but the Impact made them work to keep a two-goal lead over 90 minutes. But FCD have won four straight league games and are unbeaten in seven, and really seem ready to challenge Sporting for Western Conference supremacy.
Soccer America
1. Sporting Kansas City (no change) - A gritty goalless game at Providence Park extended SKC’s unbeaten streak to six games. It has lost just once since falling to New York City FC in the season opener and has posted seven shutouts in the last 11 games.
2. Atlanta United (no change)
3. Portland Timbers (no change)
4. FC Dallas (+1) Â- FCD extended its unbeaten streak to seven games after an early own goal and Mauro Diaz penalty kick opened up the lead.
5. Columbus Crew (-1)
