Major League Soccer's longest winning streak and losing streak were both snapped in Week 12, with Atlanta United's momentum halted and the Colorado Rapids finally escaping the ranks of the winless.
The reigning champions saw their steady climb up Goal's MLS Power Rankings halted by the New York Red Bulls, who are suddenly on the move up after posting their second consecutive win without stars Bradley Wright-Phillips and Aaron Long. The Red Bulls have won four of five matches without Wright-Phillips in the lineup, and appear to have recovered from an early season slump.
The Rapids tasted victory for the first time in 2019 and it came courtesy of an LA Galaxy side in full free-fall mode. The Galaxy suffered their fourth straight loss, and were definitely missing suspended star Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Sunday.
The Houston Dynamo made a strong statement in Week 12, earning four points from two matches, including an impressive win against D.C. United that came despite Alberth Elis' early exit from the match.
Here are Goal's MLS Power Rankings after week 12 action:
1Colorado Rapids (1-9-2)Tim Howard has had some rough outings in what is his last season before retirement, but his showing in Colorado's win against the LA Galaxy was vintage Howard. There's no denying the Rapids are playing better under interim coach Conor Casey, but the real rebuilding process in Colorado won't begin until the full-time head coach is hired.Advertisement2FC Cincinnati (3-8-2)So much for the coaching-change bounce. FC Cincinnati looked atrocious in suffering a 5-1 loss to Orlando City, and all the possession and attractive play we saw a week earlier vanished in the Florida sun. We're still waiting for Cincinnati to name a new full-time coach, but it's clear the real change will come this summer, when the front office makes some much-needed changes to the FCC roster.3New England Revolution (3-8-3)A team that was bleeding goals just two weeks ago has suddenly allowed just one goal in two matches, the biggest change we have seen in the wake of Brad Friedel's firing as Revs coach. The announcement of Bruce Arena's hiring as head coach and sporting director is something that won't truly be felt until he formally begins in June, but it's clear Revs players know they're playing for their jobs now. Up next is a home date against a struggling but dangerous D.C. United side.4Sporting Kansas City (2-4-5)Winless in seven straight, Sporting KC can find some consolation from its draw against Vancouver because Matt Besler returned from injury. He should help SKC's defense regain some of its stability, while the attack continues to struggle without so many missing pieces. Some tough tests are up next on the schedule, starting with a visit from Seattle on Sunday.