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. Atlanta United (10-3-4)
Last week: 1.
Result: 1-1 draw vs. Portland.
They are playing well, but the recent results don’t indicate they are the best team in MLS right now.
How they got here: LWWWWDWWWLWLDWDWD.
-
2. New York Red Bulls (9-4-2)
Last week: 4.
Result: 3-0 win vs. Dallas.
Again, the Red Bulls play so, so well against the league’s better teams.
How they got here: WLWLWLWWWWDLDWW.
.
3. NYCFC (9-3-4)
Last week: 3.
Result: 2-1 win vs. Toronto.
A two-goal rally for their new coach, which is a good sign for that team.
How they got here: WWWDWWDLWLDWLWDW.
-
4. Sporting KC (9-2-5)
Last week: 5.
Result: 3-2 win vs. Houston.
Two late goals rescued all three points in a confidence-building performance.
How they got here: LWWDWWDWLWWDDWDW.
-
5. Columbus (7-5-6)
Last week: 2.
Result: 2-0 loss at LAFC.
The Crew were out of sorts in L.A. Is the stress of the news finally catching up?
How they got here: WWDWLLLDWDWWWDDDLL.
-
6. Portland (6-3-5)
Last week: 7.
Result: 1-1 draw at Atlanta United.
The Timbers are unbeaten in nine, but still don’t seem as good as Sporting KC right now.
How they got here: LLDDLWWWWWWDDD.
-
7. L.A.F.C. (8-4-3)
Last week: 8.
Result: 2-0 win vs. Columbus.
To win without their best player in Carlos Vela is impressive.
How they got here: WWLLWWWDWDLDLWW.
-
8. Dallas (8-2-5)
Last week: 6.
Result: 3-0 loss at New York Red Bulls.
It’s like Dallas didn’t know that the Red Bulls were going to press.
How they got here: DWDDWWLDWDWWWWL.
-
9. New England (6-4-6)
Last week: 9.
Result: DNP.
How they got here: LWDWWLDWDWLDDWDD.
-
10. Philadelphia (6-7-3)
Last week: 18.
Result: 4-0 win vs. Vancouver.
This could be the win that sparks the Union, which is back above the red line.
How they got here: WDLDLLWLLWWDWLWL.
-
11. Houston (6-6-3)
Last week: 10.
Result: 3-2 loss at Sporting KC.
The Dynamo had this game in hand until collapsing in the final minutes.
How they got here: WLDLDWLWDWWLLWL.
-
12. Vancouver (6-6-5)
Last week: 11.
Result: 4-0 loss at Philadelphia.
Too many cheesesteaks? Not sure how to explain such an abject effort.
How they got here: WWLDWLLLWLDDDDWWL.
-
13. Real Salt Lake (7-7-2)
Last week: 13.
Result: 1-1 draw vs. San Jose.
Have to do better at home against one of the league’s worst teams.
How they got here: DLWLWLWLLWLWWWLD.
-
14. Chicago (5-7-5)
Last week: 14.
Result: 1-1 draw at Seattle.
May have expected more against hapless Seattle.
How they got here: LLDWLWDLWLLWLWDDD.
-
15. Orlando City (6-9-1)
Last week: 12.
Result: 2-0 loss vs. Montreal.
Seven consecutive losses. This team is slow of foot and unmotivated.
How they got here: DLLWWWWWWLLLLLLL.
-
16. L.A. Galaxy (6-7-2)
Last week: 15.
Result: DNP.
How they got here: WLDWLWLLLLWWLDW.
-
17. Montreal (6-11-0)
Last week: 20.
Result: 2-0 win at Orlando.
Two consecutive wins against Orlando and the Impact are back in the playoff hunt.
How they got here: LLWWLLLLWLLLLWLWW.
-
18. Minnesota United (5-9-1)
Last week: 16.
Result: 3-2 loss at Colorado.
Giving up two goals to drop all three points may be the end for Adrian Heath
How they got here: LWWLLLLWWLLDWL:.
-
19. Toronto (4-8-3)
Last week: 17.
Result: 2-1 loss at NYCFC.
The defending champs look void of everything right now after giving up two goals after taking a 1-0 lead and dropping three points.
How they got here: LLWLLDWLLWLWDL.
-
20. Seattle (3-8-3)
Last week: 19.
Result: 1-1 draw vs. Chicago.
Every point matters, but dropping two at home isn’t good.
How they got here: LLLDWLDWLLLWLD.
-
21. Colorado (3-9-3)
Last week: 23.
Result: 3-2 win vs. Minnesota.
Their first win since the middle of April. Yikes.
How they got here: LDWDWLLLLLLLLDW.
-
22. San Jose (2-9-5)
Last week: 22.
Result: 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake.
Yawn.
How they got here: WLLDDDLLLWDLLLLDD.
-
23. D.C. United (2-6-4)
Last week: 21.
Result: DNP.
How they got here: DLDLLWLLWDLD.
-
About the Author
