Here are the results of Doug Roberson’s weekly MLS Power Poll:
1. LAFC (15-3-4)
Last week: 1.
Defeated Atlanta United, 4-3.
As long as this team doesn’t have to win 1-0, it’s going to be fine.
2. San Jose (11-7-4)
Last week: 2.
Defeated Colorado 3-1.
What Matias Almeyda is doing is fantastic to watch. It shows how much a difference confidence can make.
3. Portland (9-8-4)
Last week: 7.
Defeated L.A. Galaxy 4-0.
Unbeaten in six with 14 of possible 18 points.
4. Seattle (11-6-5)
Last week: 8.
Won at Houston 1-0.
5. Minnesota (10-7-5)
Last week: 5.
Drew with Vancouver 0-0.
6. NYCFC (9-3-8)
Last week: 9.
Defeated Sporting KC 3-1.
It’s unfair to describe them as a darkhorse to win the East. They should be considered the favorite at this point because of their inexplicable games in hand.
7. Philadelphia (11-7-6)
Last week: 3.
Defeated at Montreal 4-0.
Just one win from past four. But Atlanta United has failed to make up ground.
8. L.A. Galaxy (12-9-1)
Last week: 4.
Defeated at Portland 4-0.
The opposite of Portland or San Jose: a team with no self-belief, it appears.
9. New York Red Bulls (10-9-4)
Last week: 6.
Defeated by Columbus 3-2.
10. Atlanta United (11-9-3)
Last week: 10.
Defeated at LAFC, 4-3.
It's hard to envision how Frank de Boer is going to be able to use all of the weapons at his disposal now that Ezequiel Barco is back and Hector Villalba may be close to returning.
11. D.C. United (9-6-9)
Last week: 11.
Drew at Chicago 0-0.
12. Real Salt Lake (9-9-4)
Last week: 12.
Drew at Dallas 0-0.
13. Montreal (10-11-3)
Last week: 13.
Defeated Philadelphia 4-0.
14. Dallas (9-8-6)
Last week: 15.
Draw with Real Salt Lake 0-0.
15. New England (9-8-6)
Last week: 16.
Defeated Orlando 4-1.
Its win, combined with Toronto’s, means eight teams are competing for seven playoff spots, in my opinion.
16. Toronto (9-9-5)
Last week: 18.
Defeated Cincinnati 2-1.
17. Columbus (7-14-3)
Last week: 19.
Won at New York Red Bulls 3-2.
18. Orlando (7-11-5)
Last week: 14.
Defeated at New England 4-1.
Looks probable they will the playoffs for fourth consecutive year.
19. Houston (9-10-3)
Last week: 17.
Defeated by Seattle 1-0.
20. Chicago (5-10-9)
Last week: 22.
Drew with D.C. United 0-0.
21. Colorado (5-12-5)
Last week: 20.
Defeated at San Jose 3-1.
22. Vancouver (4-11-9)
Last week: 23.
Drew at Minnesota 0-0.
23. Sporting KC (6-10-7)
Last week: 21.
Defeated at NYCFC 3-1.
24. Cincinnati (5-16-2)
Last week: 24.
Defeated at Toronto 2-1.
