It’s time for my weekly MLS Power Poll, the only MLS Power Poll that recognizes that arbitrarily ranking teams means nothing in the grand scheme of things and is done just to spark debate and not attach importance to the reporter’s ego.
1. Atlanta United (7-1-1)
Last week: 1
Result: 2-1 win at Chicago
Ezequiel Barco scores his first, Josef Martinez his seventh and Atlanta United keeps rolling.
How they got here: LWWWWDWWW
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2. New York Red Bulls (5-3-0)
Last week: 4
Result: 4-0 win vs. NYCFC
Kaku was magnificent in leading the Red Bulls past the Pigeons.
How they got here: WLWLWLWW
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3. Orlando City (6-2-1)
Last week: 3
Result: 3-1 win vs. Real Salt Lake
Now Orlando City will begin to show if it’s a contender in MLS.
How they got here: DLLWWWWWW
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4. NYCFC (6-2-2)
Last week: 2
Result: 4-0 loss at New York Red Bulls
NYCFC looked horrid, once again, against Red Bulls.
How they got here: WWWDWWDLWL
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5. Sporting KC (6-2-2)
Last week: 5
Result: 1-0 win vs. Colorado
Sporting KC wins to set up a possible MLS Cup showdown on Wednesday.
How they got here: LWWDWWDWLW
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6. Columbus (4-3-3)
Last week: 6
Result: 0-0 draw at Seattle
Despite Seattle’s horrible form, this is still a good result for the Crew, which played most of the match with 10 men
How they got here: WWDWLLLDWD
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7. L.A.F.C. (5-2-1)
Last week: 7
Result: 1-1 draw vs. Dallas
Laurent Ciman giveth and he taketh away with a horrible decision that led to Dallas’ tying goal.
How they got here: WWLLWWWD
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8. New England (4-3-2)
Last week: 8
Result: 4-2 loss at Montreal
I wrote last week that this team is for real. Maybe I wrote too soon.
How they got here: LWDWWLDWD
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9. Houston (3-3-2)
Last week: 10
Result: 3-2 win vs. L.A. Galaxy
Houston, a team that I’m not sure anyone can figure out.
How they got here: WLDLDWLW
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10. Portland (3-3-2)
Last week: 11
Result: 1-0 win at San Jose
Diego Valeri’s late winner lifts the Timbers to their third win.
How they got here: LLDDLWWW
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11. Dallas (3-1-4)
Last week: 9
Result: 1-1 draw at LAFC
Dallas remains an enigma, but it still good enough to content in the West.
How they got here: DWDDWWLD
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12. Chicago (2-4-2)
Last week: 12
Result: 2-1 loss to Atlanta United
Chicago had every chance to take a lead on Atlanta United lead early in the game, but couldn’t take advantage.
How they got here: LLDWLWDL
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13. Minnesota United (4-5-0)
Last week: 18
Result: 1-0 win vs. Vancouver
Down to 10 men early, the Loons fought back and found a winning goal.
How they got here: LWWLLLLWW
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14. Toronto (2-4-1)
Last week: 20
Result: 3-0 win vs. Philadelphia
You can say Toronto is back and watch out and all that other rah-rah stuff. The truth is they beat a team that simply can’t score.
How they got here: LLWLLDW
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15. Montreal (3-6-0)
Last week: 22
Result: 4-2 win vs. New England
Ignacio Piatti is a great player stuck once again on a horrible team, but they played better than the teams below them in this poll.
How they got here: LLWWLLLLW
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16. Vancouver (4-5-1)
Last week: 13
Result: 1-0 loss at Minnesota United
The Whitecaps are underachieving after such a hot start.
How they got here: WWLDWLLLWL
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17. L.A. Galaxy (3-5-1)
Last week: 14
Result: 3-2 loss at Houston
I wonder how patient the team is going to remain with Sigi Schmid because the results just aren’t happening.
How they got here: WLDWLWLLL
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18. Real Salt Lake (3-5-1)
Last week: 15
Result: 3-1 loss at Orlando City
This team may make the playoffs in a weak West, but it’s still not very good.
How they got here: DLWLWLWLL
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19. Colorado (2-4-2)
Last week: 17
Result: 1-0 loss at Sporting KC
They should have been blown out by KC if not for their friends, posts and crossbar.
How they got here: LDWDWLLL
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20. Philadelphia (2-4-2)
Last week: 19
Result: 3-0 loss at Toronto
And the Union are back ....
How they got here: WDLDLLWL
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21. D.C. United (1-4-2)
Last week: 21
Result: Off
How they got here: DLDLLWL
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22. San Jose (1-5-2)
Last week: 16
Result: 1-0 loss to Portland
A team that many liked before the season, it is instead the worst team in the league, winless since Week 1.
How they got here: WLLDDDLLL
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23. Seattle (1-4-2)
Last week: 23
Result: 0-0 draw vs. Columbus
Again, just not good enough.
How they got here: LLLDWLD
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