LAFC, Sounders top Goal's MLS Week 6 Power Rankings

LAFC's rout over D.C. United solidified the second-year team's place atop Major League Soccer's rankings, while the Timbers hit rock bottom.

Los Angeles FC's trip to Audi Field to face D.C. United was seen as the chance to figure out which of the then-unbeatens was the class of Major League Soccer at the moment. Four LAFC goals later, there was no doubt which teams has to be called the best in the league.

LAFC's fifth win of the season was its most impressive, as Bob Bradley's side thoroughly dominated D.C. United on the way to a 4-0 victory that cemented LAFC's place atop the Supporters' Shield standings.

The Seattle Sounders are still within range of LAFC, but their 1-0 victory against Real Salt Lake wasn't exactly impressive. Raul Ruidiaz's absence with an injury hindered Seattle's attack, but Nicolas Lodeiro delivered some magic to secure the Sounders' fourth victory in five matches.

Three teams boast three-game winning streaks after week six, LAFC, the LA Galaxy and the Philadelphia Union. Alejandro Bedoya's stoppage-time winner helped the Union pull of a dramatic late comeback against FC Dallas, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic led the Galaxy to an impressive road win against Vancouver. The Union will face the Galaxy next weekend.

On the wrong end of streaks are the New York Red Bulls, who have suddenly suffered three straight defeats after their 2-1 home loss to Minnesota United. Chris Armas' side has struggled to find the defensive stinginess and attacking efficiency that lead the Red Bulls to the Supporters' Shield last season.

The two teams mired in the worst losing runs at the moment are a pair of 2019 playoff teams, the Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake. They're both stuck in four-match losing slides, with Portland's 3-0 loss to San Jose feeling like rock bottom for a team in the midst of a 12-match road trip to start the season. The Timbers reached the MLS Cup final just five months ago, but now find themselves at the bottom of the MLS power rankings.

Here are Goal's MLS power rankings after week six action:

1Portland Timbers (0-4-1)
The Timbers have hit a new low after being thrashed by the San Jose Earthquakes. Diego Valeri had a day to forget, missing a penalty kick and committing a turnover that led directly to an Earthquakes goal. Things get no easier, with another seven road games to go, and upcoming trips to Dallas, Columbus and Toronto.

2Vancouver Whitecaps (0-4-1)
Marc Dos Santos is still searching for his first victory as Whitecaps coach following the 2-0 loss to the Galaxy with a match against the Chicago Fire looming.
3Colorado Rapids (0-4-2)
Another loss and another four goals allowed for the worst defense in MLS. The Rapids are scoring goals, but their leaky back-line keeps giving up leads. The good news for the Rapids is they have two home games coming up. The bad news is those games are against Seattle and D.C. United, two of the best attacks in MLS.

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4New England Revolution (1-4-1)
Brad Friedel would pull his hair out if he had any due to the poor finishing by his Revs side in a loss to Columbus that could have at least been a draw. Neither of New England's strikers managed a shot on goal, spoiling an encouraging defensive performance, even though Michael Mancienne's red card made things more difficult. Up next is a rested Atlanta United in a very tough stretch of matches.
5San Jose Earthquakes (1-4)
Matias Almeyda secured his first victory in charge of the Earthquakes, shaking up San Jose's lineup after four straight losses. The result was positive, with Cristian Espinoza leading the attack and Danny Hoesen scoring a goal in place of Chris Wondolowski, but was the big win more about Portland's struggles or San Jose finally figuring things out under their new coach? A trip to face undefeated Houston on Saturday should tell us more.
6Real Salt Lake (1-4-1)
Mike Petke saw RSL's defense hold up better in Saturday's loss to Seattle, but the RSL attack couldn't break through despite outshooting the Sounders. Overall, it was a better performance than RSL had delivered in recent weeks, which bodes well for RSL's chances heading into a home match against Orlando City.
7New York City FC (0-1-4)
Five matches without a win, including three draws at home, has to have NYCFC fans worried that life after David Villa doesn't appear to be getting better any time soon. The terrible field conditions at Yankee Stadium haven't helped Dome Torrent's team play its preferred possession-based style, but that excuse feels a little hollow after five weeks and last week's beatdown in Toronto. Field conditions won't be an issue at the brand new Allianz Field on Saturday, so we shall see where the real blame for NYCFC's struggles can be placed.
8Atlanta United (0-2-2)
A bye week came at a good time for the reigning MLS Cup champions, who will be rested heading up to Gillette Stadium to face a beatable New England Revolution side. If Gonzalo Martinez is back to full health, we could see the Five Stripe finally get back to their winning ways.
9New York Red Bulls (1-3-1)
Another home loss and another disappointing performance for a Red Bulls side suddenly mired in a three-match losing slide. The normally-stingy Red Bulls defense has not held up well against teams looking to pump in long balls to big forwards, but the team's lack of consistent attacking punch has really been an issue early in the season. A trip to face Sporting Kansas City won't make things any easier, though the Red Bulls could benefit from SKC's first-team playing in CCL on Thursday.
10Chicago Fire (1-2-2)
Though it may feel like the Fire squandered some points by surrendering a late lead in Toronto, Veljko Paunovic's men can come away from Saturday's 2-2 draw gaining confidence from taking a road point from an unbeaten TFC side. C.J. Sapong has settled in well since the trade that brought him from the Philadelphia Union, but the Fire defense continues to struggle with consistency.
11FC Cincinnati (2-2-2)
A defensive blunder cost Cincinnati a great chance of securing three points against a Sporting KC side resting starters. Alan Koch's men played well enough to win, but didn't do enough in the first half, when it controlled play, to put away the three points. Now a trip to Los Angeles comes next, against an LAFC team that is built to expose FC Cincinnati's weaknesses.
12Montreal Impact (2-2-1)
The Impact recovered from the ugly loss to Sporting Kansas City by earning a road point against NYCFC, and doing so despite a Maxi Urruti red card. The absence of injured star Ignacio Piatti continues to hamper the Impact attack, which will make things difficult in a busy week that includes a trip to Audi Field to face D.C. United on Tuesday, and a home clash with an in-form Columbus Crew side.
13Orlando City (2-2-2)
James O'Connor would probably have preferred a more comfortable victory, but the dramatic 4-3 comeback win against Colorado was still satisfying for a Lions side that felt it played well enough to beat D.C. United a week earlier. Nani grabbed the headlines, but Tesho Akindele's outstanding play, along with Chris Mueller's impact off the bench were vital. Up next is a trip to Real Salt Lake, and a desperate RSL side mired in a four-match losing streak.
14FC Dallas (3-2-1)
Luchi Gonzalez's young side learned a harsh lesson on Saturday, failing to close out a match it led for 75 minutes. The suspensions of Jesse Gonzalez, Pablo Aranguiz and Carlos Gruezo for violating team policy hurt Dallas, but it provided a learning experience for a squad that started four teenagers on Saturday.
15Minnesota United (3-2)
Saturday's 2-1 win at Red Bull Arena made it three wins out of five from the Loons' five-game road trip to start the season. Now, with nine points in the bag, Minnesota United prepares to debut new home Allianz Field on Saturday against New York City FC.
16Philadelphia Union (3-2-1)
Alejandro Bedoya's stoppage-time winner helped complete an incredible comeback for the Union, who rallied from a goal down to grab their third straight win by knocking off FC Dallas. A very tough challenge awaits on Saturday with a road trip to face Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the LA Galaxy.
17Houston Dynamo (3-0-1)
Wilmer Cabrera's men probably weren't crazy about having a bye week in the midst of a three-match winning streak, but the Dynamo will be rested heading into a home clash with the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
18Sporting Kansas City (2-1-2)
Peter Vermes rested several starters against FC Cincinnati and still salvaged a road point, with Gianluca Busio scoring for the second straight match. The CCL semifinal series against Monterrey might be a lost cause, but SKC will look to make a statement in Thursday's second leg. A tricky home date against a struggling New York Red Bulls side looms on Sunday.
19Columbus Crew (4-1-1)
The Crew edged the New England Revolution, 1-0 at home, with another goal from a defender. This time it was Josh Williams providing the goal, while the Crew defense posted another shutout. A short road trip to Montreal is up next on Saturday.
20D.C. United (3-1-1)
Humbled at home by LAFC, D.C. United won't have time to dwell on the loss. Not with a Tuesday night clash looming against the Montreal Impact. Wayne Rooney's red card suspension will test the D.C. attack, but facing Montreal without Ignacio Piatti evens things out.
21Toronto FC (3-0-1)
Jozy Altidore continued his hot start to the 2019 season with a goal and assist in TFC's 2-2 tie with the Chicago Fire. Droppimg points at home was disappointing, especially in a match TFC controlled for long stretches. A very tough test looms with a trip to Seattle to face the unbeaten Sounders.
22LA Galaxy (4-1)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic led the way in the Galaxy's victory in Vancouver, which pushed LA's winning streak to three straight matches. The improved play of the Galaxy's midfield has helped LA reach a new level, but they'll be tested next at home against the Philadelphia Union
23Seattle Sounders (4-0-1)
The Sounders overcame the absence of injured striker Raul Ruidiaz to hold off Real Salt Lake and remain unbeaten. The 1-0 victory was a lackluster performance, and Brian Schmetzer's men will need to be better in their next match, at home against unbeaten Toronto FC.
24Los Angeles FC (5-0-1)
LAFC demolished D.C. United to stay three points clear of the pack atop the Supporters' Shield standings. Bob Bradley's men look unstoppable at the moment, and return home to face FC Cincinnati next.

1Portland Timbers (0-4-1)

2Vancouver Whitecaps (0-4-1)

3Colorado Rapids (0-4-2)

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4New England Revolution (1-4-1)

5San Jose Earthquakes (1-4)

6Real Salt Lake (1-4-1)

7New York City FC (0-1-4)

8Atlanta United (0-2-2)

9New York Red Bulls (1-3-1)

10Chicago Fire (1-2-2)

11FC Cincinnati (2-2-2)

12Montreal Impact (2-2-1)

13Orlando City (2-2-2)

14FC Dallas (3-2-1)

15Minnesota United (3-2)

16Philadelphia Union (3-2-1)

17Houston Dynamo (3-0-1)

18Sporting Kansas City (2-1-2)

19Columbus Crew (4-1-1)

20D.C. United (3-1-1)

21Toronto FC (3-0-1)

22LA Galaxy (4-1)

23Seattle Sounders (4-0-1)

24Los Angeles FC (5-0-1)