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.Advertisement2Vancouver 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.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.