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. New York Red Bulls (7-3-1)
Last week: 1
Result: 0-0 draw vs. Philadelphia
The Red Bulls probably feel like they threw away two points, but this is still a decent result.
How they got here: WLWLWLWWWWD
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2. Atlanta United (8-3-1)
Last week: 2
Result: DNP
Holding steady but face yet another tough stretch of games, starting at New England on Wednesday.
How they got here: LWWWWDWWWLWL
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3. Sporting KC (7-2-4)
Last week: 4
Result: 0-0 draw with Columbus
VAR negatively affects yet another MLS game, this time between Sporting KC and Columbus.
How they got here: LWWDWWDWLWWDD
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4. Columbus (7-3-4)
Last week: 5
Result: 0-0 draw at Sporting KC
Gyasi Zardes had two chances to win the game against Sporting KC.
How they got here: WWDWLLLDWDWWWD
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5. NYCFC (7-3-3)
Last week: 3
Result: 3-1 loss at Houston
Was this loss directly tied to Patrick Vieira’s future, or was it that Houston is really good at home?
How they got here: WWWDWWDLWLDWL
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6. L.A.F.C. (6-3-3)
Last week: 6
Result: 1-1 draw vs. D.C. United
Tying D.C. United at home isn’t a good result for a team competing for one of the top two seeds in the Western Conference.
How they got here: WWLLWWWDWDLD
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7. Houston (5-3-3)
Last week: 8
Result: 3-1 win vs. NYCFC
The Dynamo are now unbeaten four and are rounding into shape, it seems.
How they got here: WLDLDWLWDWW
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8. Portland (6-3-2)
Last week: 9
Result: 3-2 win at Colorado
Six consecutive wins and the Timbers may be the best team in the West.
How they got here: LLDDLWWWWWW
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9. Dallas (5-1-5)
Last week: 10
Result: 1-0 win vs. Toronto
Dallas may have gotten lucky to defeat Toronto, but three points are three points.
How they got here: DWDDWWLDWDW
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10. Orlando City (6-5-1)
Last week: 7
Result: 2-1 loss vs. Chicago
Have the Lions started their summer swoon a few weeks earlier than usual?
How they got here: DLLWWWWWWLLL
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11. New England (5-4-3)
Last week: 11
Result: 3-3 draw at Vancouver
Three goals scored and a point taken from Vancouver isn’t a bad weekend.
How they got here: LWDWWLDWDWLD
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12. Vancouver (4-5-5)
Last week: 12
Result: 3-3 draw vs. New England
Four consecutive draws for the Whitecaps….
How they got here: WWLDWLLLWLDDDD
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13. Minnesota United (5-7-1)
Last week: 13
Result: 2-0 win vs. Montreal
If Minnesota United can beat the teams it is supposed to beat, as it just did, it should make the playoffs.
How they got here: LWWLLLLWWLLDW
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14. L.A. Galaxy (5-6-1)
Last week: 15
Result: 1-0 win vs. San Jose
No Ibrahimovic and the Galaxy win. Is that a coincidence?
How they got here: WLDWLWLLLLWW
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15. Philadelphia (4-5-3)
Last week: 16
Result: 0-0 draw at New York Red Bulls
The Union are starting to figure out a balance of offense and defense.
How they got here: WDLDLLWLLWWD
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16. Chicago (4-6-2)
Last week: 17
Result: 2-1 win at Orlando City
Bastian Schweinsteiger said that everyone needed to perform better and they did that in Orlando.
How they got here: LLDWLWDLWLLW
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17. Real Salt Lake (5-6-1)
Last week: 18
Result: 1-0 win at Seattle
Beating Seattle isn’t an indicator of anything this season.
How they got here: DLWLWLWLLWLW
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18. Toronto (3-7-1)
Last week: 14
Result: 1-0 loss at Dallas
Toronto is eight points out of the sixth and final playoff spot. They are 12 points out of the fourth seed, which comes with a home game. They are in trouble.
How they got here: LLWLLDWLLWL
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19. D.C. United (2-5-3)
Last week: 21
Result: 1-1 draw at LAFC
A draw at LAFC is something the team can build on.
How they got here: DLDLLWLLWD
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20. Montreal (3-10-0)
Last week: 19
Result: 2-0 loss at Minnesota United
Remi Garde is done at Montreal. Has to be.
How they got here: LLWWLLLLWLLLL
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21. Seattle (2-7-1)
Last week: 20
Result: 1-0 loss vs. Real Salt Lake
Ugh.
How they got here: LLLDWLDWLL
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22. San Jose (2-7-3)
Last week: 22
Result: 1-0 loss at L.A. Galaxy
Another new coach in the league struggling to get results.
How they got here: WLLDDDLLLWDLL
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23. Colorado (2-7-2)
Last week: 23
Result: 3-2 loss vs. Portland
The worst team in MLS, hands down.
How they got here: LDWDWLLLLLL
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