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. NYCFC (12-4-4)
Last week: 1
Result: Did not play
How they got here: WWWDWWDLWLDWLWDWLWWW
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2. New York Red Bulls (12-5-2)
Last week: 2
Result: 2-0 win vs. New England
The Red Bulls keep rolling along, with a style that may suit them better for the playoffs.
How they got here: WLWLWLWWWWDLDWWWLWW
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3. Atlanta United (13-4-5)
Last week: 3
Result: 3-1 win vs. D.C. United
Josef Martinez keeps scoring, Atlanta United loses another player, plugs another in and keeps rolling.
How they got here: LWWWWDWWWLWLDWDWDWLWDW
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4. Portland (8-3-7)
Last week: 4
Result: 2-2 draw vs. Montreal
Now unbeaten in 13 consecutive league games, but are they a true threat in the playoffs?
How they got here: LLDDLWWWWWWDDDWWDD
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5. Dallas (11-3-6)
Last week: 6
Result: 1-1 draw at Houston
I really like how this team is playing.
How they got here: DWDDWWLDWDWWWWLWWLWD
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6. L.A.F.C. (10-5-5)
Last week: 5
Result: 5-1 loss to Minnesota United
A bit of a comeuppance for Bob Bradley and his team in a performance similar to the one at Atlanta United.
How they got here: WWLLWWWDWDLDLWWWDWDL
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7. Montreal (9-12-1)
Last week: 7
Result: 2-2 draw vs. Portland
Grinding out a draw at Providence Park is a good sign.
How they got here: LLWWLLLLWLLLLWLWWWWLWD
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8. Sporting KC (9-5-6)
Last week: 8
Result: Did not play
How they got here: LWWDWWDWLWWDDWDWLLDL
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9. Columbus (9-7-6)
Last week: 9
Result: 3-2 win vs. Orlando City
Gyasi Zardes scores twice and Wil Trapp hits a Goal of the Week winner in final seconds.
How they got here: WWDWLLLDWDWWWDDDLLWLLW
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10. L.A. Galaxy (9-7-4)
Last week: 10
Result: 3-1 win at Philadelphia
I thought Sigi Schmid was going to be fired about six weeks ago. Now, look at what he’s doing. Good stuff.
How they got here: WLDWLWLLLLWWLDWDDWWW
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11. Real Salt Lake (9-9-3)
Last week: 11
Result: 2-2 draw vs. Colorado
A horrible result for RSL, which may rue dropping two critical points.
How they got here: DLWLWLWLLWLWWWLDLWWLD
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12. Minnesota United (9-11-1)
Last week: 18
Result: 2-1 win vs. New England and 5-1 win at LAFC
Three consecutive wins in an eight-day span and four of five have the team knocking on the door to the playoffs.
How they got here: LWWLLLLWWLLDWLLLWLWWW
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13. Houston (7-6-6)
Last week: 12
Result: 1-1 draw vs. Dallas
Tying Dallas isn’t a bad result. Tying them at home is.
How they got here: WLDLDWLWDWWLLWLDWD
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14. Philadelphia (7-10-3)
Last week: 13
Result: 3-1 loss vs. L.A. Galaxy
Open the coffers and buy someone to score goals. A promising season is falling apart.
How they got here: WDLDLLWLLWWDWLWLLLWL
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15. Seattle (5-9-5)
Last week: 17
Result: 2-0 win vs. Vancouver
There’s a pulse. It’s slight, but there.
How they got here: LLLDWLDWLLLWLDLWDDW
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16. New England (7-7-7)
Last week: 14
Result: 2-1 loss at Minnesota United and 2-0 loss at New York Red Bulls.
The Revs are starting to look like they are in big, big trouble.
How they got here: LWDWWLDWDWLDDWDDWDLLL
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17. Vancouver (7-9-5)
Last week: 15
Result: 2-0 loss at Seattle
The Whitecaps are in freefall and about to lose their best player.
How they got here: WWLDWLLLWLDDDDWWLLWLL
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18. Chicago (6-11-5)
Last week: 16
Result: 2-1 loss vs. Toronto
Four consecutive losses. What has happened to this team?
How they got here: LLDWLWDLWLLWLWDDDWLLLL
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19. Orlando City (7-12-1)
Last week: 19
Result: 3-2 loss at Columbus
Of all of the losses, this may be the one that sinks the season. They had Columbus beat, only to give up a soft penalty and then a bomb in the final minutes.
How they got here: DLLWWWWWWLLLLLLLLLWL
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20. Toronto (5-11-4)
Last week: 22
Result: 2-1 win at Chicago
A big win for Toronto, but I’m still not sure they have enough time to make up the lost ground.
How they got here: LLWLLDWLLWLWDLLLDLLW
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21. D.C. United (3-8-5)
Last week: 20
Result: 3-1 loss at Atlanta United
Wayne Rooney and Yamil Asad were almost invisible against Atlanta United. D.C. United isn’t good enough to overcome that.
How they got here: DLDLLWLLWDLDLDWL
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22. Colorado (4-11-5)
Last week: 21
Result: 2-2 draw at Real Salt Lake
They aren’t going to make the playoffs, but they are trying to make it harder for others.
How they got here: LDWDWLLLLLLLLDWWLLDD
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23. San Jose (2-11-6)
Last week: 23
Result: Did not play
How they got here: WLLDDDLLLWDLLLLDDDLL
