MLS Power Poll: Week 21 and a change in the top 5

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. NYCFC (12-4-4)

Last week: 1

Result: Did not play

How they got here: WWWDWWDLWLDWLWDWLWWW

2. New York Red Bulls (12-5-2)

Last week: 2

Result: 2-0 win vs. New England

The Red Bulls keep rolling along, with a style that may suit them better for the playoffs.

How they got here: WLWLWLWWWWDLDWWWLWW

3. Atlanta United (13-4-5)

Last week: 3

Result: 3-1 win vs. D.C. United

Josef Martinez keeps scoring, Atlanta United loses another player, plugs another in and keeps rolling.

How they got here: LWWWWDWWWLWLDWDWDWLWDW

4. Portland (8-3-7)

Last week: 4

Result: 2-2 draw vs. Montreal

Now unbeaten in 13 consecutive league games, but are they a true threat in the playoffs?

How they got here: LLDDLWWWWWWDDDWWDD

5. Dallas (11-3-6)

Last week: 6

Result: 1-1 draw at Houston

I really like how this team is playing.

How they got here: DWDDWWLDWDWWWWLWWLWD

6. L.A.F.C. (10-5-5)

Last week: 5

Result: 5-1 loss to Minnesota United

A bit of a comeuppance for Bob Bradley and his team in a performance similar to the one at Atlanta United.

How they got here: WWLLWWWDWDLDLWWWDWDL

7. Montreal (9-12-1)

Last week: 7

Result: 2-2 draw vs. Portland

Grinding out a draw at Providence Park is a good sign.

How they got here: LLWWLLLLWLLLLWLWWWWLWD

8. Sporting KC (9-5-6)

Last week: 8

Result: Did not play

How they got here: LWWDWWDWLWWDDWDWLLDL

9. Columbus (9-7-6)

Last week: 9

Result: 3-2 win vs. Orlando City

Gyasi Zardes scores twice and Wil Trapp hits a Goal of the Week winner in final seconds.

How they got here: WWDWLLLDWDWWWDDDLLWLLW

10. L.A. Galaxy (9-7-4)

Last week: 10

Result: 3-1 win at Philadelphia

I thought Sigi Schmid was going to be fired about six weeks ago. Now, look at what he’s doing. Good stuff.

How they got here: WLDWLWLLLLWWLDWDDWWW

11. Real Salt Lake (9-9-3)

Last week: 11

Result: 2-2 draw vs. Colorado

A horrible result for RSL, which may rue dropping two critical points.

How they got here: DLWLWLWLLWLWWWLDLWWLD

12. Minnesota United (9-11-1)

Last week: 18

Result: 2-1 win vs. New England and 5-1 win at LAFC

Three consecutive wins in an eight-day span and four of five have the team knocking on the door to the playoffs.

How they got here: LWWLLLLWWLLDWLLLWLWWW

13. Houston (7-6-6)

Last week: 12

Result: 1-1 draw vs. Dallas

Tying Dallas isn’t a bad result. Tying them at home is.

How they got here: WLDLDWLWDWWLLWLDWD

14. Philadelphia (7-10-3)

Last week: 13

Result: 3-1 loss vs. L.A. Galaxy

Open the coffers and buy someone to score goals. A promising season is falling apart.

How they got here: WDLDLLWLLWWDWLWLLLWL

15. Seattle (5-9-5)

Last week: 17

Result: 2-0 win vs. Vancouver

There’s a pulse. It’s slight, but there.

How they got here: LLLDWLDWLLLWLDLWDDW

16. New England (7-7-7)

Last week: 14

Result: 2-1 loss at Minnesota United and 2-0 loss at New York Red Bulls.

The Revs are starting to look like they are in big, big trouble.

How they got here: LWDWWLDWDWLDDWDDWDLLL

17. Vancouver (7-9-5)

Last week: 15

Result: 2-0 loss at Seattle

The Whitecaps are in freefall and about to lose their best player.

How they got here: WWLDWLLLWLDDDDWWLLWLL

18. Chicago (6-11-5)

Last week: 16

Result: 2-1 loss vs. Toronto

Four consecutive losses. What has happened to this team?

How they got here: LLDWLWDLWLLWLWDDDWLLLL

19. Orlando City (7-12-1)

Last week: 19

Result: 3-2 loss at Columbus

Of all of the losses, this may be the one that sinks the season. They had Columbus beat, only to give up a soft penalty and then a bomb in the final minutes.

How they got here: DLLWWWWWWLLLLLLLLLWL

20. Toronto (5-11-4)

Last week: 22

Result: 2-1 win at Chicago

A big win for Toronto, but I’m still not sure they have enough time to make up the lost ground.

How they got here: LLWLLDWLLWLWDLLLDLLW

21. D.C. United (3-8-5)

Last week: 20

Result: 3-1 loss at Atlanta United

Wayne Rooney and Yamil Asad were almost invisible against Atlanta United. D.C. United isn’t good enough to overcome that.

How they got here: DLDLLWLLWDLDLDWL

22. Colorado (4-11-5)