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.
- Atlanta United (9-3-3)
Last week: 1.
Result: 1-1 draw at NYCFC.
They didn’t look the better team, but a point at Yankee Stadium isn’t bad. Huge game on Wednesday.
How they got here: LWWWWDWWWLWLDWD.
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2. Columbus (7-3-6)
Last week: 2.
Result: 1-1 draw vs. New York Red Bulls.
The Crew are unbeaten in nine games. Nine. Huge game on Wednesday.
How they got here: WWDWLLLDWDWWWDDD.
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3. NYCFC (8-3-4)
Last week: 3.
Result: 1-1 draw vs. Atlanta United.
25 shots. 10 on goal. Just one went in. Now, Patrick Vieira is gone.
How they got here: WWWDWWDLWLDWLWD.
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4. New York Red Bulls (7-4-2)
Last week: 4.
Result: 1-1 draw at Columbus.
The Red Bulls may be the next New York team to lose their manager.
How they got here: WLWLWLWWWWDLD.
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5. Sporting KC (8-2-5)
Last week: 5.
Result: 0-0 draw at Portland.
Another good point for KC, which is emerging as a threat to whoever wins the West.
How they got here: LWWDWWDWLWWDDWD.
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6. Dallas (8-1-5)
Last week: 6.
Result: 2-0 win vs. Montreal.
Dallas now leads the league in points per game.
How they got here: DWDDWWLDWDWWWW.
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7. Portland (6-3-4)
Last week: 7.
Result: 0-0 draw vs. Sporting KC.
The Timbers are unbeaten in eight, but still don’t seem as good as Sporting KC or Dallas right now.
How they got here: LLDDLWWWWWWDD.
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8. L.A.F.C. (7-4-3)
Last week: 7.
Result: 4-3 win at San Jose.
They snap their four-game winless skid with two late goals against hapless San Jose.
How they got here: WWLLWWWDWDLDLW.
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9. New England (6-4-5)
Last week: 9.
Result: 1-1 draw at Chicago.
Well, the Revs have to be satisfied with five points from the past three tough games.
How they got here: LWDWWLDWDWLDDWD.
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10. Houston (6-5-3)
Last week: 12.
Result: 2-0 win vs. Colorado.
A win at home against the league’s worst team. OK.
How they got here: WLDLDWLWDWWLLW.
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11. Vancouver (6-5-5)
Last week: 13.
Result: 5-2 win vs. Orlando City.
I like what Vancouver is doing on offense. It took a few weeks to get there, but credit to them.
How they got here: WWLDWLLLWLDDDDWW.
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12. Orlando City (6-7-1)
Last week: 13.
Result: 5-2 loss at Vancouver.
Five consecutive losses. Jason Kreis telling reporters not to ask about individual players. Kreis saying everyone needs to be 10 percent better. It’s going to be a long summer.
How they got here: DLLWWWWWWLLLLL.
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13. Real Salt Lake (7-7-1)
Last week: 12.
Result: 3-0 loss at L.A. Galaxy.
Routed on the road isn’t a sign of a contender.
How they got here: DLWLWLWLLWLWWWL.
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14. Chicago (5-6-3)
Last week: 14.
Result: 1-1 draw vs. New England.
They tossed away three points by conceding a late goal.
How they got here: LLDWLWDLWLLWWD.
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15. L.A. Galaxy (6-7-2)
Last week: 16.
Result: 3-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake.
A two-striker formation switch may be the cure for what has ailed the Galaxy…or the absence of the dos Santos brothers.
How they got here: WLDWLWLLLLWWLDW.
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16. Minnesota United (5-8-1)
Last week: 15.
Result: DNP.
How they got here: LWWLLLLWWLLDWL.
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17. Toronto (4-7-2)
Last week: 18.
Result: 2-0 win at Philadelphia.
A win at Philadelphia is nice. It’s not a season-changing victory, but it’s a start..
How they got here: LLWLLDWLLWLW.
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18. Philadelphia (5-7-3)
Last week: 17.
Result: 2-0 loss vs. Toronto.
Philadelphia should have done better vs. Toronto.
How they got here: WDLDLLWLLWWDWLL.
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19. Seattle (3-7-2)
Last week: 21.
Result: 2-1 win vs. D.C. United.
A win is a win, I suppose.
How they got here: LLLDWLDWLLLW.
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20. Montreal (4-11-0)
Last week: 19.
Result: 2-0 loss at Dallas.
Remi Garde isn’t the solution in Montreal.
How they got here: LLWWLLLLWLLLLWL.
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21. D.C. United (2-6-3)
Last week: 20.
Result: 2-1 loss at Seattle.
Not much to say about this team.
How they got here: DLDLLWLLWDL.
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22. San Jose (2-9-3)
Last week: 22.
Result: 4-3 loss to LAFC.
A deflating loss in a deflating season.
How they got here: WLLDDDLLLWDLLLL.
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23. Colorado (2-9-2)
Last week: 23.
Result: 2-0 loss at Houston.
Eight consecutive losses. The worst team in MLS, hands down.
How they got here: LDWDWLLLLLLLL.
