FRISCO – FC Dallas returns to Toyota Stadium this weekend to take on Minnesota United FC.
The two teams met on June 19, resulting in a 1-0 win for Dallas, but both teams have changed a lot since then. Dallas has found a reliable left back in Marquinhos Pedroso and has tried to boost their offense with the acquisitions of Dominique Badji and Pablo Aránguiz.
Here’s where Dallas and Minnesota landed in the latest MLS power rankings roundup.
MLS Soccer
1. Atlanta United FC (no change)
2. New York Red Bulls (+1)
3. NYCFC (+1)
4. Portland Timbers (-2)
5. Sporting Kansas City (+2)
6. FC Dallas (-1) - Two losses in a row, although the latest, on the road against a surging Sounders team, isn't a huge upset. But Dallas' cushion at the top of the Western Conference is down to three points, so they can't afford to keep dropping points.
18. Minnesota United FC (+1) - Minnesota began the post-Christian Ramirez era by scoring twice and earning a road point against the Galaxy. Michael Boxall probably won't turn into a regular scoring option at this point, but Romario Ibarra getting off the mark could be a good omen to help Darwin Quintero on the scoring front.
ESPNFC
1. Atlanta United (no change)
2. New York Red Bulls (no change)
3. NYCFC (+1)
4. Portland Timbers (-1)
5. Columbus Crew SC (no change)
6. FC Dallas (no change) - Dallas exited CenturyLink Field on Sunday night more than just a little frustrated. Its lead at the top of the West is three points, but Oscar Pareja's first losing streak of the season does not bode well for his side's ability to hold on to that buffer.
14. Minnesota United FC (+2) - The Loons went across the country and scored a point on the road in Los Angeles, thanks to the inaugural MLS goal of Ecuadorian attacker Romario Ibarra. Abu Danladi's run setup the equalizer and secured the big result for Minnesota.
Soccer America
1. Atlanta United (no change)
2. New York Red Bulls (+1)
3. Portland Timbers (-1)
4. NYCFC (+1)
5. FC Dallas (-1) - Dominique Badji, who scored in his debut after coming over from Colorado, could be the answer as the No. 9 FCD has lacked.
19. Minnesota United FC (no change) - Romario Ibarra had the late equalizer at the StubHub Center.
