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 (14-4-6)
Last week: 1.
Result: Did not play.
How they got here: LWWWWDWWWLWLDWDWDWLWDWWD.
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2. New York Red Bulls (15-6-2)
Last week: 4.
Result: 1-0 win at Chicago.
A ho-hum win for a team that is humming right along.
How they got here: WLWLWLWWWWDLDWWWLWWWLWW.
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3. NYCFC (14-5-5)
Last week: 3.
Result: 3-2 win at Toronto.
A last-minute win against a 10-man Toronto shouldn’t be considered a worrisome sign.
How they got here: WWWDWWDLWLDWLWDWLWWWWLDW.
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4. Dallas (12-5-6)
Last week: 2.
Result: 2-1 loss at Seattle.
One win in their past four could be a sign of things to come.
How they got here: DWDDWWLDWDWWWWLWWLWDWLL.
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5. Columbus (11-7-6)
Last week: 7.
Result: 1-0 win vs. Houston.
The Crew are a lock for the playoffs and looking dangerous.
How they got here: WWDWLLLDWDWWWDDDLLWLLWWW.
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6. Sporting KC (11-6-6)
Last week: 10.
Result: 2-0 win at LAFC.
Two consecutive wins and Sporting KC is starting to show signs of life.
How they got here: LWWDWWDWLWWDDWDWLLDLLWW.
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7. Portland (10-3-7)
Last week: 5.
Result: 3-0 win vs. Philadelphia.
Its 15-game unbeaten streak was snapped with a loss to Vancouver.
How they got here: LLDDLWWWWWWDDDWWDDWWL.
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8. L.A.F.C. (10-7-6)
Last week: 6.
Result: 2-0 loss vs. Sporting KC.
It appears that things are starting to come undone for Bob Brady’s team, which is winless in its past four.
How they got here: WWLLWWWDWDLDLWWWDWDLDLL.
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9. L.A. Galaxy (10-8-6)
Last week: 8.
Result: 2-2 draw vs. Minnesota United.
As soon as I say L.A. Galaxy is a contender they go and drop five points in their next two games.
How they got here: WLDWLWLLLLWWLDWDDWWWDWLD.
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10. Montreal (9-13-3)
Last week: 9.
Result: 1-1 draw vs. Real Salt Lake.
Things aren’t going as well for Montreal as they were.
How they got here: LLWWLLLLWLLLLWLWWWWLWDLDD.
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11. Philadelphia (9-11-3)
Last week: 11.
Result: 3-2 win at New England.
They’ll go with the players that got them to this point, which isn’t a sign of good ownership.
How they got here: WDLDLLWLLWWDWLWLLLWLWLW.
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12. Seattle (9-9-5)
Last week: 12.
Result: 2-1 win vs. Dallas.
Unbeaten in eight but still not among the top six in the West.
How they got here: LLLDWLDWLLLWLDLWDDWWWWW.
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13. Real Salt Lake (10-9-5)
Last week: 13.
Result: 1-1 draw vs. Montreal.
Unbeaten in its past four, but not really inspiring confidence with its play.
How they got here: DLWLWLWLLWLWWWLDLWWLDDWD.
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14. Minnesota United (9-13-2)
Last week: 14.
Result: 2-2 draw at L.A. Galaxy.
With a little luck, this team could be in the playoffs.
How they got here: LWWLLLLWWLLDWLLLWLWWWLLD.
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15. Vancouver (9-9-6)
Last week: 15.
Result: 2-1 win at Portland.
The Whitecaps aren’t out of the playoff chase yet.
How they got here: WWLDWLLLWLDDDDWWLLWLLWDW.
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16. Houston (7-10-6)
Last week: 16.
Result: 1-0 loss at Sporting KC.
The summer swoon has moved from Dallas to Houston.
How they got here: WLDLDWLWDWWLLWLDWDLLLL.
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17. New England (7-8-8)
Last week: 17.
Result: 3-2 loss vs. Philadelphia.
Along with Chicago, a team that is throwing away its postseason chances.
How they got here: LWDWWLDWDWLDDWDDWDLLLDL.
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18. Toronto (6-12-5)
Last week: 18.
Result: 3-2 loss vs. NYCFC.
Red cards in back-to-back games for Toronto, which will miss the playoffs barring something bizarre.
How they got here: LLWLLDWLLWLWDLLLDLLWWDL.
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19. D.C. United (5-9-6)
Last week: 21.
Result: 3-2 win vs. Orlando City.
Wayne Rooney’s play to win the game against Orlando City was an amazing moment. I don’t think it will matter in the long run, but it was still awesome.
How they got here: DLDLLWLLWDLDLDWLLWDW.
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20 .Colorado (6-12-5)
Last week: 22.
Result: 2-1 win vs. San Jose.
A pair of 2-1 wins that won’t matter in the long run.
How they got here: LDWDWLLLLLLLLDWWLLDDLWW.
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21. Chicago (6-14-5)
Last week: 19.
Result: 1-0 loss vs. New York Red Bulls.
Seven consecutive losses. What has happened to this team?
How they got here: LLDWLWDLWLLWLWDDDWLLLLLLL.
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22. Orlando City (7-15-2)
Last week: 20.
Result: 3-2 win at D.C. United.
Orlando City needs a reboot in a league that doesn’t allow reboots.
How they got here: DLLWWWWWWLLLLLLLLLWLLLDL.
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23. San Jose (3-13-7)
Last week: 23.
Result: 2-1 loss at Colorado.
This team wouldn’t win one of the USL divisions.
How they got here: WLLDDDLLLWDLLLLDDDLLLDWL.
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