MLS Power Poll Week 14: Atlanta United makes a huge jump

Won at Portland 3-2.

Carlos Vela is on pace to score 34 goals in the regular season.

-

2. New York Red Bulls (7-5-3)

Last week: 2.

Defeated Real Salt Lake 4-0.

Red Bulls are No. 2, ahead of the teams ahead of them in the standings, because they are playing better than they are and I think they are a better team AND the results are there.

-

3. Atlanta United (8-5-2)

Last week: 15.

Defeated Minnesota, 3-0, and Chicago, 2-0.

A 12-spot jump is way too much, but results of teams ahead of them helped.

-

4. Houston (7-3-3)

Last week: 5.

Draw with Sporting KC 1-1.

-

5. Philadelphia (8-4-4)

Last week: 6.

Drawn by Colorado 1-1 and won at Minnesota 3-2.

-

6. D.C. United (7-4-6)

Last week: 3.

Draw with Chicago 3-3 and drew with San Jose 1-1.

No wins in their past five.

-

7. Minnesota (6-6-3)

Last week: 4.

Defeated at Atlanta United 3-0 and 3-2 loss to Philadelphia.

I knew that putting them a No. 4 last week was too high.

-

8. Seattle (7-3-5)

Last week: 7.

Defeated at Dallas 2-1.

-

9. Montreal (7-7-3)

Last week: 8.

Defeated Real Salt Lake 2-1 and defeated by Orlando 3-0.

-

10. San Jose (5-6-3)

Last week: 9.

Draw at D.C. United 1-1.

-

11. NYCFC (4-1-8)

Last week: 11.

Draw at Columbus 2-2.

Eight draws is a ridiculous total for a team with such a homefield advantage.

-

12. Dallas (6-6-3)

Last week: 14.

Defeated Seattle 2-1.

Their first win in their past seven games.

-

13. Orlando (5-7-3)

Last week: 17.

Won at Montreal 3-0.

The Lions are better than their record and they are starting to make their own good luck.

-

14. L.A. Galaxy (9-6-1)

Last week: 10.

Won at Sporting KC 2-0 and lost 2-1 to New England.

Two wins from their past seven.

-

15. Vancouver (4-6-6)

Last week: 16.

Draw with Toronto 1-1.

The Whitecaps are unbeaten in their past four. I thought they would finish as the worst team in MLS this season. I may be wrong.

-

16. Real Salt Lake (6-8-1)

Last week: 13.

Defeated at Montreal 2-1 and defeated at New York Red Bulls 4-0.

Four consecutive losses. Two wins. Two losses. Three wins. Two losses. The story of this team for the past few seasons.

-

17. Portland (4-7-2)

Last week: 12.

Defeated by LAFC 3-2.

Looking forward to seeing the renovated Providence Park.

-

18. New England (4-8-4)

Last week: 21.

Won at L.A. Galaxy 2-1.

Unbeaten it is past four since it fired Brad Friedel.

-

19. Colorado (3-9-3)

Last week: 23.

Draw at Philadelphia 1-1 and win against Cincinnati 3-1.

How bad was Anthony Hudson? Team has 10 points from its past four games.

-

20. Toronto (5-6-3)

Last week: 18.

Draw at Vancouver 1-1.

This team is in seventh in the East but has picked up just two of its past 18 points.

-

21. Sporting KC (3-5-6) 

Last week: 19.

Defeated by L.A. Galaxy 2-0 and draw at Houston 1-1.

One win its past 10 with injuries a key factor.

-

22. Chicago (4-6-6)

Last week: 20.

Draw at D.C. United 3-3 and defeated at Atlanta United 2-0.

A team that plays better than its record, but that doesn’t matter much.

-

23. Columbus (5-9-2)

Last week: 22.

Drew with NYCFC 2-2.

Caleb Porter doesn’t seem to have many answers for a team that has won of its past 10.

-

24. Cincinnati (3-10-2)

Last week: 24.

Defeated at Colorado 3-1.

They haven’t hit bottom yet.