Here are the results of Doug Roberson's (@DougRobersonAJC) weekly MLS Power Poll:
1. LAFC (20-4-9)
Last week: 1.
Won at Houston 3-1 and 1-1 draw with Minnesota.
They have 69 points, same as Atlanta United finished with last year, with one game remaining.
The media “shock and awe” coverage of this team is fascinating. There’s a good chance that it won’t break the points record set by Red Bulls last season. There’s a possibility that Carlos Vela will not break Josef Martinez’s record for goals scored in a single season. But to read about this team all year, it’s been made out to be the best thing in North America. Ever. Red Bulls didn’t receive nearly the same platitudes last year, and it accomplished the feat with a payroll significantly cheaper than LAFC’s.
Just saying.
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2. NYCFC (17-6-10)
Last week: 2.
Defeated Atlanta United 4-1 and 2-0 loss at New England.
This team team is getting healthy, but can it finally put it together in the playoffs?
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3. Atlanta United (17-12-4)
Last week: 3.
Lost at NYCFC 4-1 and 1-1 draw at Montreal.
This team hasn’t looked great since its win against NYCFC in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It has played more games this season than any other team in MLS, and I think the cumulative effect has been showing. The two-week break should do it wonders.
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4. Philadelphia (16-10-7)
Last week: 4.
Won at San Jose 2-1 and 2-0 loss at Columbus.
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5. Minnesota (15-10-8)
Last week: 6.
Defeated Sporting KC 2-1 and 1-1 draw against LAFC.
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6. L.A. Galaxy (16-14-3)
Last week: 5.
Won at Real Salt Lake 2-1 and 4-3 loss vs. Vancouver.
MLS Cup teams don’t lose at home to Vancouver.
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7. Real Salt Lake (15-13-5)
Last week: 7.
Defeated by L.A. Galaxy 2-1 and 2-1 win against Houston.
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8. Seattle (15-10-8)
Last week: 8.
Won at San Jose 1-0.
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9. D.C. United (13-10-10)
Last week: 9.
Draw with Red Bulls 0-0.
Another team facing an interesting offseason.
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10. New York Red Bulls (14-13-6)
Last week: 10.
Draw with D.C. United 0-0.
I wouldn’t want to face this team in the playoffs, even with its horrible record in the postseason.
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11. Toronto (12-10-11)
Last week: 12.
Draw at Chicago 2-2.
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12. Portland (13-13-7)
Last week: 13.
Draw with New England 2-2 and 2-2 draw at Sporting KC.
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13. New England (11-10-12)
Last week: 16.
Draw at Portland 2-2 and 2-0 win vs. NYCFC.
Sunday’s game at Atlanta United could be a preview of the playoffs.
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14. San Jose (13-15-5)
Last week: 11.
Defeated by Philadelphia 2-1 and defeated by Seattle 1-0.
Limping toward the finish with five consecutive losses, which is similar to how it started the season.
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15. Colorado (12-15-6)
Last week: 17.
Defeated Dallas 3-0.
On its third manager this season, it has a slight chance to reach the postseason.
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16. Dallas (12-12-9)
Last week: 14.
Lost at Colorado 3-0.
This team isn’t going to do anything in the playoffs because it can’t win on the road.
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17. Columbus (10-15-8)
Last week: 15.
Defeated Philadelphia 2-0.
I don’t know what Caleb Porter’s plan is, but he needs to rebuild his midfield.
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18. Sporting KC (10-15-8)
Last week: 18.
Lost at Minnesota 2-1 and 2-2 draw with Portland.
If Peter Vermes loses his job, it will set back this franchise years.
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19. Orlando (9-14-10)
Last week: 19.
Draw at Cincinnati 1-1.
Four consecutive seasons with no playoffs. Orlando City supporters and I have had our differences, but they deserve better.
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20. Chicago (9-12-12)
Last week: 20.
Draw with Toronto 2-2.
If I’m the new owner, I clean house this offseason and start anew.
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21. Houston (11-18-4)
Last week: 21.
Lost at LAFC 3-1 and 1-0 loss at Real Salt Lake.
This team needs a re-brand, new money, new everything but a stadium. It’s odd.
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22. Montreal (11-17-5)
Last week: 22.
Draw with Atlanta United 1-1.
It’s going to be an interesting offseason for this team.
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23. Vancouver (8-15-10)
Last week: 23.
Won at L.A Galaxy 4-3.
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24. Cincinnati (6-22-5)
Last week: 24.
Draw with Orlando 1-1.
Your winners of the Wooden Spoon, and the worst defense in MLS history with 75 goals allowed and game to play! That’s something.
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