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. Atlanta United (15-4-6)
Last week: 1.
Result: 3-1 win vs. Columbus.
With nine games remaining, Atlanta United has surpassed its win total from last season and again is the favorite to the win the Supporters’ Shield.
How they got here: LWWWWDWWWLWLDWDWDWLWDWWDW.
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2. New York Red Bulls (15-6-3)
Last week: 2.
Result: 2-2 draw at Vancouver.
Daniel Royer has been a man on fire for the Red Bulls of late, adding two more goals to help New York keep pressure on Atlanta United.
How they got here: WLWLWLWWWWDLDWWWLWWWLWWD.
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3. Dallas (13-5-6)
Last week: 4.
Result: 2-0 win vs. Minnesota.
Dallas stops its minor skid, but not sure how much to take from beating a short-handed Minnesota squad.
How they got here: DWDDWWLDWDWWWWLWWLWDWLLW.
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4. NYCFC (14-6-5)
Last week: 3.
Result: 2-0 loss at Philadelphia.
Things are starting to unravel for the Pigeons at the worst possible time.
How they got here: WWWDWWDLWLDWLWDWLWWWWLDWL.
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5. Sporting KC (12-6-6)
Last week: 6.
Result: 3-0 win vs. Portland.
Three consecutive wins and Sporting KC is starting to pressure Dallas.
How they got here: LWWDWWDWLWWDDWDWLLDLLWWW.
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6. Columbus (11-8-6)
Last week: 5.
Result: 3-1 loss at Atlanta United.
The Crew had chances to take a lead against Atlanta United, but didn’t have the last little bit of quality. Still, this isn’t a team anyone wants to face in the postseason.
How they got here: WWDWLLLDWDWWWDDDLLWLLWWWL.
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7. L.A.F.C. (12-7-6)
Last week: 8.
Result: 2-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake and 2-0 win vs. Colorado.
Six gigantic points for LAFC, which was in danger of falling below the red line.
How they got here: WWLLWWWDWDLDLWWWDWDLDLLWW.
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8. Montreal (10-13-3)
Last week: 10.
Result: 2-1 win vs. Chicago.
The Impact snap their four-game winless streak and now seem like a lock as one of the five of six teams in the East that will make the playoffs.
How they got here: LLWWLLLLWLLLLWLWWWWLWDLDDW.
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9. Philadelphia (10-11-3)
Last week: 11.
Result: 2-0 win vs. NYCFC.
Jason Longshore is my witness: I said Philadelphia and Orlando were going to be the last two teams to make up the Eastern Conference playoff teams. I’ll get 1 of 2 correct.
How they got here: WDLDLLWLLWWDWLWLLLWLWLWW.
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10. Seattle (10-9-5)
Last week: 12.
Result: 5-0 win vs. L.A Galaxy.
Unbeaten in nine with six consecutive wins and they are in the playoffs as of now.
How they got here: LLLDWLDWLLLWLDLWDDWWWWWW.
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11. Portland (10-6-7)
Last week: 7.
Result: 4-1 loss at D.C. United and 3-0 loss at Sporting KC.
Three consecutive losses and it appears that teams have figured out how to beat the Timbers’ bunker.
How they got here: LLDDLWWWWWWDDDWWDDWWLLL.
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12. L.A. Galaxy (10-9-7)
Last week: 9.
Result: 2-2 draw vs. Colorado and 5-0 loss at Seattle.
Whoa, the Galaxy have lost whatever it was they had going.
How they got here: WLDWLWLLLLWWLDWDDWWWDWLDDL.
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13. Real Salt Lake (11-10-5)
Last week: 13.
Result: 2-0 loss at LAFC and 2-1 win at Houston.
Albert Rusnak can carry this team, I’m not sure how far, but he can.
How they got here: DLWLWLWLLWLWWWLDLWWLDDWDLW.
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14. Vancouver (9-9-7)
Last week: 15.
Result: 2-2 draw vs. New York Red Bulls.
Giving up a late goal when up a man is a down sign.
How they got here: WWLDWLLLWLDDDDWWLLWLLWDWD.
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15. Minnesota United (9-14-2)
Last week: 14.
Result: 2-0 loss at Dallas.
Well, the Loons have reverted back to the form we know and expect.
How they got here: LWWLLLLWWLLDWLLLWLWWWLLDL.
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16. D.C. United (7-9-6)
Last week: 19.
Result: 4-1 win vs. Portland and2-0 win vs. New England.
Three consecutive wins and D.C. United is slowly climbing into the playoff hunt. Here’s the issue, and one that Atlanta United dealt with this last year when it hosted a slew of games late in the season: the fatigue does catch up.
How they got here: DLDLLWLLWDLDLDWLLWDWWW.
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17. Houston (7-11-6)
Last week: 16.
Result: 2-1 loss vs. Real Salt Lake.
Five consecutive losses and this team is rivaling Chicago for death spirals.
How they got here: WLDLDWLWDWWLLWLDWDLLLLL.
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18. New England (7-9-8)
Last week: 17.
Result: 2-0 loss at D.C. United.
Winless in its last eight and showing nothing on offense that will turn around its spiral.
How they got here: LWDWWLDWDWLDDWDDWDLLLDLL.
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19. Toronto (6-12-6)
Last week: 18.
Result: 1-1 draw at San Jose.
Lucky to leave California with a point after being outplayed by lowly San Jose. Now nine points adrift of sixth in the East.
How they got here: LLWLLDWLLWLWDLLLDLLWWDLD.
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20. Colorado (6-13-6)
Last week: 20.
Result: 2-2 draw at L.A. Galaxy and 2-0 loss at LAFC.
Colorado couldn’t take advantage of the few chances it created to draw with LAFC. That’s why it has just six wins this season.
How they got here: LDWDWLLLLLLLLDWWLLDDLWWDL.
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21. Chicago (6-15-5)
Last week: 21.
Result: 2-1 loss at Montreal.
Eight consecutive losses. What has happened to this team?
How they got here: LLDWLWDLWLLWLWDDDWLLLLLLLL.
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22. Orlando City (7-15-2)
Last week: 22.
Result: Bye.
How they got here: DLLWWWWWWLLLLLLLLLWLLLDL.
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23. San Jose (3-13-8)
Last week: 23.
Result: 1-1 draw vs. Toronto.
If not for poor man management, this team should have gotten three points against Toronto.
How they got here: WLLDDDLLLWDLLLLDDDLLLDWLD.
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