MLS Power Poll Week 10: Big changes in top 10

ajc.com

Here are the results of the weekly MLS Power Poll, which only take into account the results and not potential:

1. LAFC (7-1-3)

Last week: 1.

Drew with Chicago 0-0.

It will be curious to see if their form is sustainable, but there are so many parallels to what Atlanta United achieved in its second season that it’s eerie.

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2. Houston (6-1-1)

Last week: 3.

Defeated Dallas 2-1.

The best team in the West?

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3. Philadelphia (6-3-2)

Last week: 9

Defeated Cincinnati 2-0 and New England 6-1.

Where were all these goals last year?

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4. L.A. Galaxy (7-2-1)

Last week: 2.

Defeated by New York Red Bulls 3-2.

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5. D.C. United (6-3-2)

Last week: 6.

Defeated Columbus 3-1.

Scoring three goals after giving up one is a good sign.

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6. Dallas (5-3-2)

Last week: 4.

Defeated by Houston 2-1.

Can’t be punished too much for losing to the second-best team in the West..

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7.  Seattle (5-1-4)

Last week: 5.

Drew at Minnesota United 1-1.

Jordan Morris isn’t a passer, isn’t a dribbler, isn’t a play-maker and isn’t an onside-stayer, apparently after he was flagged five times.

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8. Toronto (5-2-1)

Last week: 8.

Won at Orlando 2-0.

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9. Montreal (5-4-2)

Last week: 7.

Defeated by NYCFC 2-0.

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10. Minnesota (4-3-3)

Last week: 11.

Drew with Seattle 1-1.

I’m feeling average-sonic….

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11. NYCFC (3-1-6)

Last week: 14.

Won at Montreal 2-0.

This team has turned itself around just in time.

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12. San Jose (3-5-2)

Last week: 16.

Defeated Cincinnati 1-0.

It’s beating or drawing the good teams as well as the bad.

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13. Portland (3-5-1)

Last week: 17.

Won at Real Salt Lake 2-1.

Three consecutive wins for the Timbers and a huge DP signing is a good week.

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14. New York Red Bulls (3-4-2)

Last week: 18.

Defeated L.A. Galaxy 3-2.

Maybe the East isn’t so bad after all?

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15. Atlanta United (3-3-2)

Last week: 19.

Won at Sporting KC 3-0.

If its wins its games in hand, it moves into a tie for first on points in the East.

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16. Sporting KC (2-3-4) 

Last week: 10.

Defeated by Atlanta United 3-0.

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17. Real Salt Lake (3-6-1)

Last week: 15.

Defeated by Portland 2-1.

As it has done for the past few seasons, a short good stretch is followed by a long poor stretch.

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18. Vancouver (2-5-3)

Last week: 22.

Won at Colorado 3-2.

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19. Columbus (4-6-1)

Last week: 12.

Defeated at D.C. United 3-1.

Five consecutive losses with basically the same roster as last season. Either Gregg Berhalter was really great, Caleb Porter is really bad, or some combination. Ted Unkel didn’t help, but you don’t lose five consecutive games solely because of horrendous refereeing decisions.

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20. Orlando (3-4-3)

Last week: 13.

Defeated by Toronto 2-0.

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21. Chicago (2-4-4)

Last week: 16.

Drew at LAFC 0-0.

A positive step in trading for Francisco Calvo to shore up one of its weak fullback spots. Still doesn’t get Bastian Schweinsteiger in a place where he can influence games.

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22. Cincinnati (2-7-2)

Last week: 20.

Lost at Philadelphia 2-0 and lost at San Jose 1-0.

This team can’t score and doesn’t really have anyone who can score. It has lost five consecutive games and hasn’t scored from open play in more than a month. Finally, it fired its coach. Not a good few weeks.

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23. New England (2-7-2)

Last week: 21.

Defeated at Philadelphia 6-1.

Brad Friedel looks like he will be the second manager fired in as many weeks.

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24. Colorado (0-8-2)

Last week: 24.

Defeated by Vancouver 3-2.