1. D.C. United – 44 pts | 1-0 win vs. Montreal Impact; this week: vs. New York City FC
After scoring a whopping nine goals in its previous two matches, D.C. United’s match against the Impact provided a drastic change of pace. Chris Rolfe registered United’s only shot of the match in the 13th minute, which just so happened to be the game-winning goal. The Impact outshot D.C. 25-1, but the away team hung on to become the only MLS club to ever win a match with just one registered shot.
2. New York Red Bulls – 36 pts | 2-0 win vs. New York City FC; this week: vs. Toronto FC
Two Hudson Derbies so far, two Red Bulls victories. Bradley Wright-Phillips and Felipe each scored in the rivalry’s second edition, while the Red Bulls backline held a star-studded New York City attack in check.
3. Columbus Crew SC – 34 pts | 2-1 win at Colorado; this week: BYE
Having the League’s top goal-scorer sure does come in handy. Kei Kamara registered goals number 16 and 17 in a physical match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Kamara stole the headlines, but the Crew SC’s backline held down the fort in the second half against an aggressive Colorado attack. Crew SC registered 41 clearances and defended 42 crosses.
4. Toronto FC – 31 pts | 4-1 win vs. Orlando City SC, 3-1 loss vs. Sporting Kansas City; this week: at New York Red Bulls
Sebastian Giovinco put on a clinic during Toronto FC’s midweek clash with Orlando City, registering a hat trick in his club’s dominant win over the Lions. The Reds then followed up a monster performance with a pedestrian one against Sporting Kansas City. The box score did not lean towards either side especially, but Toronto FC was forced to play from behind for the majority of the match.
5. New England Revolution – 31 pts | BYE; this week: vs. Houston Dynamo
The Revolution currently find themselves in the midst of their schedule’s lightest portion. They will have had two weeks off by the time they play Houston on the 15th, followed by another 14 days ahead of playing Philadelphia on the 29th.
6. Montreal Impact – 28 pts | 1-0 loss vs. D.C. United; this week: vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
Allowing only one shot and losing 1-0 is as crushing a way to be defeated as any. The chances were there for Montreal, but the finishing details were not. The Impact only have a few days to move on from the unusual defeat and prepare to host the cross-country rival Vancouver Whitecaps.
7. Orlando City SC – 28 pts | 4-1 loss at Toronto FC, 0-0 draw vs. Philadelphia; this week: at Seattle Sounders FC
The Lions registered only five shots against Toronto, a far cry from their impressive offensive showing against Crew SC just four days prior. Orlando City’s offense continued to be dormant when it hosted Philadelphia last Saturday, but fortunately for the Lions Philadelphia’s offense was not lively either. The two clubs fired off only 18 shots, cumulatively.
8. New York City FC – 24 pts | 2-0 loss at New York Red Bulls; this week: vs. D.C. United
New York City continues its work to build chemistry between its newest players, but Sunday’s match marked the beginning of a very difficult stretch. NYCFC's next six matches will be played against clubs which currently hold a playoff spot, including Crew SC on August 19.
9. Philadelphia Union – 23 pts | 0-0 draw vs. Orlando City; this week: vs. Chicago Fire
Since beating Portland 3-0 on July 11, the Union have been outscored 8-4 over the past four matches (3 losses, 1 draw). Defense continues to be an issue for the Union with its 40 goals against standing as the worst in MLS.
10. Chicago Fire – 22 pts | 1-0 loss at Portland; this week: at Philadelphia Union
Chicago was unable to maintain its momentum after a 2-0 win over FC Dallas on August 2. The Fire have not won consecutive matches since ripping off three in a row in April.
