My weekly MLS Power Poll is out. As with player ratings, this is just meant to start conversation and not to be taken too seriously.
Here we go:
1. Dallas (4-0-3).
Last week: 1.
Result: 2-2 tie with Portland.
They remain the last unbeaten team in MLS after fighting back to tie Portland.
Next game: at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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2. Orlando (6-1-0).
Last week: 2.
Result: 2-0 win over Columbus.
Orlando remains unbeaten at home this season and Kaka has returned. Can it replicate its home form on the road. It’ll get two huge tests this week.
Next game: at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, TSN1 and at Houston, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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3. Portland (5-2-2).
Last week: 3.
Result: 2-2 tie with Dallas.
The Timbers earned a point against Dallas, but should be upset they didn’t take all three.
Next game: at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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4. New York Red Bulls (5-3-1).
Last week: 5.
Result: 2-1 win over Chicago.
The Red Bulls are winners of three consecutive with a curious two-game stretch this week.
Next game: at Sporting KC, 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, MLS Live, and at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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5. Sporting KC (4-1-3).
Last week: 6.
Result: 3-0 win over Real Salt Lake.
Six points this week and Sporting KC should be a quiet contender in the West. Quiet because Portland and Dallas are still the favorites.
Next game: vs. New York Red Bulls, 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, MLS Live and at Minnesota United, 1:30 p.m. Sunday, FS1.
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6. Atlanta United (3-3-2).
Last week: 4.
Result: 3-1 loss to D.C. United.
Atlanta United dominated the game in every area except the score, which is kind of important.
Next game: at NYCFC, 4 p.m. Sunday, Univision.
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7. Toronto (3-1-4).
Last week: 9.
Result: 2-0 win over Houston.
Though Toronto was offsides in the build-up on its first goal, it was impressive in dispatching Houston on Friday. Jozy Altidore seems to have either 100-percent touch, or none at all. Two really tough games this week that could re-establish Toronto as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
Next game: vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, TSN1 and at Seattle, 3 p.m. Saturday, ESPN.
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8. NYCFC (4-3-1).
Last week: 10.
Result: 3-2 win over Columbus.
It will be curious to see how Atlanta United’s speed will work on the narrow field that NYCFC calls home.
Next game: vs. Atlanta United, 4 p.m. Sunday, Univision.
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9. Columbus (4-4-1).
Last week: 7.
Result: 3-2 loss to NYCFC.
I have officially given up on trying to figure out if Columbus is good or great this season.
Next game: vs New England, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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10. Houston (4-3-1).
Last week: 8.
Result: 2-0 loss at Toronto.
Hey, Houston lost on the road. Go figure. It is 4-0-1 at home and 0-3-0 on the road. Huge game this weekend.
Next game: vs Orlando, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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11. Chicago (3-3-2).
Last week: 11.
Result: 2-1 loss to New York Red Bulls.
Chicago has lost its past two games. It could easily regain some momentum this weekend.
Next game: at L.A Galaxy, 10:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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12. Seattle (2-2-4).
Last week: 12.
Result: 3-3 tie with New England.
Seattle remains a bit of an enigma after fighting back from 3-0 down to tie New England 3-3. It seldom dominates unless circumstances dictate the need.
Next game: vs. Toronto, 3 p.m. Saturday, ESPN.
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13. San Jose (3-3-3).
Last week: 13.
Result: 1-0 win over Minnesota United.
San Jose has eight points from four homes games this season. Saturday’s home game should be fun to watch
Next game: vs. Portland, 10:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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14. Vancouver (3-4-1).
Last week: 16.
Result: 2-1 win over Montreal.
If recent form holds, it will follow its win against Montreal with a loss this week.
Next game: at Colorado, 10 p.m. Friday, TSN1.
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15. D.C. United (3-3-2).
Last week: 17.
Result: 3-1 win over Atlanta United.
D.C. United did what it needed to frustrate Atlanta United and earn a rare three points on the road.
Next game: vs. Montreal, 6 p.m. Saturday, TVAS.
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16. Los Angeles (2-5-1).
Last week: 14.
Result: 0-0 tie with Philadelphia.
Tying toothless Philadelphia isn’t the way to jump-start a season.
Next game: vs. Chicago, 10:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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17. New England (2-3-4).
Last week: 15.
Result: 3-3 tie with Seattle.
Losing a 3-0 lead to Seattle isn’t the way to jump-start a sputtering season. Now it will face another team with a potent offense.
Next game: at Columbus, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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18. Montreal (1-3-4).
Last week: 18.
Result: 2-1 loss to Vancouver.
After a win and a tie, it lost its momentum with a loss to Vancouver in which it led 1-0, but could gain it back this week.
Next game: at D.C. United, 6 p.m. Saturday, TVAS.
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19. Real Salt Lake (2-5-2).
Last week: 19.
Result: 3-0 loss to Sporting KC.
Real Salt Lake seems stuck in a place where its defense is too old (15 goals allowed is second-most in Western Conference) and its offense too young (9 goals scored is tied for third-fewest in West). Now it will face unbeaten Dallas. Not a good place to be.
Next game: vs. Dallas, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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20. Minnesota United (2-5-2).
Last week: 20.
Result: 1-0 loss to San Jose.
You could argue that no team has improved as much as Minnesota United in its past six games. Adrian Heath and the front office are doing a very good job.
Next game: vs. Sporting KC, 1:30 p.m. Sunday, FS1.
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21. Colorado (1-5-1).
Last week: 21.
Result: 2-0 loss to Orlando City.
Instead of spending money to buy goalkeeper when the team already had a good goalkeeper, perhaps it should have invested those funds in someone that can score.
Next game: vs. Vancouver, 10 p.m. Friday, TSN1.
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22. Philadelphia (0-4-4).
Last week: 22.
Result: 0-0 tie with L.A. Galaxy.
The Union don’t seem likely to earn their first win this week.
Next game: vs. New York Red Bulls, 7 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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