Power Rankings

MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus

Power Rankings: Red Bulls closing in on summit after massive win

Note: Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. The Power Rankings are voted on by the editorial staff at MLSsoccer.com, and remarks are written by Senior Editor Matt Doyle. All times Eastern.


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MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus -

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MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus -

Ten points from four games to open the season. The scary part? They still look like they're only just figuring things out. This team's ceiling is ridiculously high.


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The Jesse Marsch era has started off with a point in KC, a dominant home win against D.C., and a convincing road win at Columbus.


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Went on the road missing five starters – including their four best players – and got a point. Forget the other mitigating circumstances, because that's always an acceptable result.


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MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus -

Like Dallas, this is a team scraping out results even if it hasn't been pretty. Unlike Dallas, they look to have a clear Achilles' heel, in that their transition defense is wanting.


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This propensity for conceding late goals – which started last year – is so atypical of a Bruce Arena-coached team. The Galaxy will be fine long-term, but last weekend was yet another point squandered.


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MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus -

Stop me if you've heard this before: they're getting results even if it's not particularly pretty. Watching RSL – of all teams! – scramble without the ball for so long is jarring.

  • Last Week: Won vs. Toronto, 2-1
  • This Week: Sunday at San Jose Earthquakes (5 pm; ESPN2/ESPN Deportes/WatchESPN)

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Seemed to rediscover a bit of the midfield balance that's been missing for quite a bit. Still waiting for a Dom Dwyer slump-busting goal, however.

  • Last Week: Won at NYCFC, 1-0
  • This Week: Sunday vs. Philadelphia (7 pm, FOX Sports, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports GO)

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MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus -

Missing a creative presence in central midfield, but they can afford to play without one if Nick DeLeon and Chris Pontius are going to return to their 2012 form. It happened for just a second this past weekend.


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MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus -

We expected better out of the Columbus midfield, even without Wil Trapp and Justin Meram. They're slower in their movements defensively this year, and RBNY carved them up.


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Painful lesson for young central defenders Nick Hagglund and Clement Simonin. Even more painful to be on the wrong side of two calls. Still, to breakdown at the end like that was disappointing.


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That Kaká guy is pretty decent. Perhaps even more important is the confidence Pedro Ribeiro played with at center forward vs. Montreal, and Cyle Larin played with for Canada. OCSC has a few options up top now.


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MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus -

The Power Rankings Politburo happily bet the house on the Revs this past weekend – you've got to expect them to dominant teams with loose central midfields. They're still far from firing on all cylinders, however.


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MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus -

Adam Jahn changed the game when he came on, and you've got to think he's in line for a start or two going forward. Same for Shea Salinas.


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MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus -

Looked punchless. Not a surprise, given the quality and number of players they were missing.


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MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus -

It's starting to feel a lot like last year, when a slow start cost Portland a playoff spot. The good news is that more teams make the postseason in 2015, and Darlington Nagbe is still on fire.


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MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus -

For the first time all year they looked slow and disorganized on the defensive side of the ball. But JackMac is back!


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They flood the midfield with bodies, which has led to a pretty good defensive record. It's also led to two goals scored in four games.


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MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus -

Continued to show some pretty nifty ideas in the attack and are playing prettier soccer than they're given credit for. They just don't finish with any consistency.


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MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus -

Set the league record for consecutive scoreless draws to start the season. 


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MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: New York Red Bulls make massive move after win at Columbus -

Looked disorganized in central midfield, which has been the theme for this group over the last 180 minutes.

  • Last Week: Lost at Chicago, 1-0
  • This Week: Sunday at Sporting KC (7 pm, FOX Sports, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports GO)