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. New York Red Bulls (22-7-5)
Last week: 1.
Result: 1-0 win vs. Orlando.
How they got here: WLWLWLWWWWDLDWWWLWWWLWWDDWWLDWWWWW.
The winners of the Supporters’ Shield and new holder of a single-season points record.
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2. Sporting KC (18-8-8)
Last week: 3.
Result: 2-1 win vs. LAFC.
How they got here: LWWDWWDWLWWDDWDWLLDLLWWWWLWWLDDWWW.
The top team in the West did what it needed to take the top seed.
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3. Atlanta United (21-7-6)
Last week: 2.
Result: 4-1 loss at Toronto.
How they got here: LWWWWDWWWLWLDWDWDWLWDWWDWWLWWWLWWL.
The team collapsed in its final game when it had everything to play for. Not a good sign with the playoffs coming up.
» More: Atlanta United focused on what's next - Playoffs
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4. Seattle (18-11-5)
Last week: 6.
Result: 2-1 win vs. San Jose.
How they got here: LLLDWLDWLLLWLDLWDDWWWWWWWWWLLWWWWW.
They still just don’t inspire me.
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5. Dallas (16-9-9)
Last week: 4.
Result: 2-1 loss at Colorado.
How they got here: DWDDWWLDWDWWWWLWWLWDWLLWDLWDWDWLLL.
Their second-half collapse continued with Sunday’s abject showing.
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6. L.A.F.C. (16-9-9)
Last week: 5.
Result: 2-1 loss at Sporting KC.
How they got here: WWLLWWWDWDLDLWWWDWDLDLLWWDWDWLWWDL.
And now they are in a knockout game.
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7. D.C. United (14-11-9)
Last week: 7.
Result: 0-0 draw vs. Chicago.
How they got here: DLDLLWLLWDLDLDWLLWDWWWLLWDWDWWWWWD.
I was so, so wrong about what Wayne Rooney could do for D.C. United.
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8. Columbus (14-11-9)
Last week: 10.
Result: 3-2 win vs. Minnesota United.
How they got here: WWDWLLLDWDWWWDDDLLWLLWWWLDWDLWDLLW.
N offense, but not a team anyone wants to face in the playoffs.
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9. NYCFC (16-10-8)
Last week: 11.
Result: 3-1 win vs. Philadelphia.
How they got here: WWWDWWDLWLDWLWDWLWWWWLDWLDLLDDWLW.
As long as they keep getting to play at Yankee Stadium, they are a threat in the playoffs.
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10. Philadelphia (15-14-5)
Last week: 8.
Result: 3-1 loss at NYCFC.
How they got here: WDLDLLWLLWWDWLWLLLWLWLWWWWDLWWDWLL.
A team that is cooling off at the worst possible time.
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11. Portland (15-10-9)
Last week: 9.
Result: 2-1 loss at Vancouver.
How they got here: LLDDLWWWWWWDDDWWDDWWLLLLWDWLWLDWWL.
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12. Real Salt Lake (14-13-7)
Last week: 14.
Result: Did not play.
How they got here: DLWLWLWLLWLWWWLDLWWLDDWDLWWWDLDLWL.
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13. L.A. Galaxy (13-12-9)
Last week: 12.
Result: 3-2 loss vs. Houston.
How they got here: WLDWLWLLLLWWLDWDDWWWDWLDDLDLLWWDWL.
I think that may be the last time you see Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the dos Santos brothers playing for the Galaxy.
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14. Montreal (14-16-4)
Last week: 13.
Result: 1-0 loss at New England.
How they got here: LLWWLLLLWLLLLWLWWWWLWDLDDWLWWDLWWL.
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15. Vancouver (13-13-8)
Last week: 15.
Result: 2-1 win vs. Portland.
How they got here: WWLDWLLLWLDDDDWWLLWLLWDWDWLLLWLDW.
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16. New England (10-13-11)
Last week: 16.
Result: 1-0 win at Montreal.
How they got here: LWDWWLDWDWLDDWDDWDLLLDLLLDWDDLLWLW.
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17. Minnesota United (11-20-3)
Last week: 17.
Result: 3-2 loss at Columbus.
How they got here: LWWLLLLWWLLDWLLLWLWWWLLDLLLDWWLLLL.
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18. Toronto (10-18-6)
Last week: 18.
Result: 4-1 win vs. Atlanta United.
How they got here: LLWLLDWLLWLWDLLLDLLWWDLDWLLWLWLLLW.
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19. Houston (10-16-8)
Last week: 20.
Result: 3-2 win at L.A. Galaxy.
How they got here: WLDLDWLWDWWLLWLDWDLLLLLDLWDWLLLW.
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20. Chicago (8-18-8)
Last week: 22.
Result: 0-0 draw at D.C. United.
How they got here: LLDWLWDLWLLWLWDDDWLLLLLLLLDWDLWLLD.
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21. Colorado (8-19-7)
Last week: 23.
Result: 2-1 win vs. Dallas.
How they got here: LDWDWLLLLLLLLDWWLLDDLWWDLLLLLLLWDW.
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22. San Jose (4-21-9)
Last week: 19.
Result: 2-1 loss at Seattle.
How they got here: WLLDDDLLLWDLLLLDDDLLLDWLDLWLLLLLLDL.
23. Orlando City (8-22-4)
Last week: 21.
Result: 1-0 loss at New York Red Bulls.
How they got here: DLLWWWWWWLLLLLLLLLWLLLDLLDLLDLLLWL.
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