Because no one asked for it, I decided to bring back my weekly MLS Power Poll. Here are the results, which only take into account the results and not potential:
- LAFC (5-0-1)
Last week: 1.
Won at D.C. United 4-0.
This team is playing better than any other in MLS right now.
2. Seattle (4-0-1)
Last week: 2.
Defeated Real Salt Lake 1-0.
3. L.A. Galaxy (4-1-0)
Last week: 5.
Defeated Vancouver 2-0.
When Zlatan Ibrahimovic plays, this team is difficult to beat.
4. Columbus (4-1-1)
Last week: 6.
Defeated New England 1-0.
5. D.C. United (3-1-2)
Last week: 3.
Defeated by LAFC 4-0 and drew 0-0 with Montreal.
Between the second half at Orlando the previous week and last week’s drubbing by LAFC, cracks are starting to show in D.C. United’s defense. On offense, two consecutive shutouts aren’t good.
6. Houston (3-0-1)
Last week: 4.
Did not play.
7. Philadelphia (3-2-1)
Last week: 10.
Defeated Dallas 2-1.
8. Dallas (3-2-1)
Last week: 7.
Lost at Philadelphia 2-1.
9. Sporting KC (2-1-2)
Last week: 8.
Drew with Cincinnati 1-1.
A fine draw for a team that was without eight starters after getting drubbed by Monterrey 5-0 during the semifinals of the Champions League.
10. Toronto (3-0-1)
Last week: 9.
Drew with Chicago 2-2.
On my soapbox again because for the umpteenth time, Toronto would have gotten a result if Michael Bradley would have tracked Nemanja Nikolic on the second goal.
You can watch the play for yourself, but you will see Nikolic pass, run past Bradley, and then it’s obvious what is going to happen. The cross comes in and Nikolic is unmarked for the goal. Bradley did do his jogging/trot thing several yards behind Nickolic, but it didn’t matter.
11. Minnesota (3-2-0)
Last week: 14.
Won at New York Red Bulls 2-1.
A confidence-building win for the Loons after last week’s disappointment.
12. Montreal (2-2-2)
Last week: 11.
Drew at NYCFC 0-0 and drew at D.C. United 0-0.
A good rebound after draw after the 7-0 loss the previous week.
13. Cincinnati (2-2-2)
Last week: 13.
Drew with Sporting KC 1-1.
Cincinnati has scored eight goals, with eight different players scoring. Atlanta United has scored two goals.
14. Orlando (2-2-2)
Last week: 15.
Defeated Colorado 4-3.
A character-building rally but the Lions shouldn’t have been in that position in the first place.
15. New York Red Bulls (1-3-1)
Last week: 12.
Defeated by Minnesota 2-1.
Alarm bells may be ringing for the Red Bulls, which can’t generate any offense.
16. Real Salt Lake (1-4-1)
Last week: 16.
Defeated by Seattle 1-0.
17. Chicago (1-2-2)
Last week: 17.
Drew at Toronto 2-2.
18. San Jose (1-4-0)
Last week: 24.
Defeated Portland 3-0.
What a win for the Quakes.
19. New England (1-4-1)
Last week: 18.
Defeated by Columbus 1-0.
And the Revs crash back to Earth.
20. NYCFC (0-1-4)
Last week: 19.
Drew with Montreal 0-0.
Dome Torrent may be the first manager to go.
21. Atlanta United (0-2-2)
Last week: 20.
Did not play.
22. Portland (0-4-1)
Last week: 21.
Lost at San Jose 3-0.
What’s happened with Atlanta United can be somewhat explained. What’s happening with the Timbers is more difficult but can be attributed to the abundance of road games.
23. Colorado (0-4-2)
Last week: 22.
Defeated by Orlando 4-3.
24. Vancouver (0-4-1)
Last week: 23.
Lost to L.A. Galaxy 2-0.
I’ve never seen a Panenka taken so badly that the goalkeeper that had time to react, and then recover to make a save. Thank you for that, Whitecaps.
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