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 (6-1-1)
Last week: 1
Result: 4-1 win vs. Montreal
Two free kicks from Kevin Kratz as the Five Stripes show off yet another weapon.
How they got here: LWWWWDWW
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2. NYCFC (6-1-2)
Last week: 3
Result: 3-1 win vs. Dallas
NYCFC bounced back from last week’s puzzling loss to drop Dallas at home.
How they got here: WWWDWWDLW
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3. Orlando City (5-2-1)
Last week: 5
Result: 2-1 win at Colorado
Orlando City is rolling and must be considered as a challenger in the East based upon recent form.
How they got here: DLLWWWWW
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4. New York Red Bulls (4-3-0)
Last week: 6
Result: 3-2 win at L.A. Galaxy
It wasn’t without controversy, but the Red Bulls gave up a two-goal lead, fought back, and left L.A. with three points as they continue their odd pattern of results.
How they got here: WLWLWLW
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5. Sporting KC (5-2-2)
Last week: 2
Result: 1-0 loss at New England
Sporting KC’s seven game unbeaten streak is ended with what appeared to be a goal that should have been called back for offside.
How they got here: LWWDWWDWL
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6. Columbus (4-3-2)
Last week: 7
Result: 2-1 win vs. San Jose
Gregg Berhalter is slowly starting to right the ship after the Crew’s three-game losing streak.
How they got here: WWDWLLLDW
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7. L.A.F.C. (5-2-0)
Last week: 8
Result: 1-0 win vs. Seattle
They opened beautiful Banc of California stadium with a victory off a Laurent Ciman freekick.
How they got here: WWLLWWW
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8. New England (4-2-2)
Last week: 10
Result: 1-0 win vs. Sporting KC
This team is for real, even without Lee Nguyen. Credit to Brad Friedel.
How they got here: LWDWWLDW
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9. Dallas (3-1-3)
Last week: 4
Result: 3-1 loss at NYCFC
The league’s last unbeaten team falls at a place that most do: the volleyball court-sized pitch known as Yankee Stadium.
How they got here: DWDDWWL
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10. Houston (2-3-2)
Last week: 9
Result: 2-1 loss at Minnesota United
Well, so much for the Dynamo being a contender.
How they got here: WLDLDWL
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11. Portland (2-3-2)
Last week: 11
Result: Off
How they got here: LLDDLWW
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12. Chicago (2-3-2)
Last week: 14
Result: 2-2 draw at Toronto
Fighting back from two goals down is another good sign for a club that started the season poorly.
How they got here: LLDWLWD
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13. Vancouver (4-4-1)
Last week: 15
Result: 2-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake
The Whitecaps not only snapped a three-game losing streak, they may have found a way to score and win without Kei Kamara.
How they got here: WWLDWLLLW
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14. L.A. Galaxy (3-4-1)
Last week: 12
Result: 3-2 loss vs. New York Red Bulls
Goals from Ola Kamara and Gio dos Santos are nice, but the team was hurt by controversial decisions on Saturday.
How they got here: WLDWLWLL
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15. Real Salt Lake (3-4-1)
Last week: 13
Result: 2-0 loss at Vancouver
I wrote last week that Real Salt Lake was going to lose because of its pattern this season. The pattern held true.
How they got here: DLWLWLWL
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16. San Jose (1-4-2)
Last week: 16
Result: 2-1 loss at Columbus
This team just do any one thing particularly well, which may be why it has just one win.
How they got here: WLLDDDLL
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17. Colorado (2-3-2)
Last week: 17
Result: 2-1 loss vs. Orlando
They gave up one a one goal lead at home. Not good.
How they got here: LDWDWLL
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18. Minnesota United (3-5-0)
Last week: 22
Result: 2-1 win vs. Houston
The Loons snap their four-game losing streak with an impressive win at home.
How they got here: LWWLLLLW
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19. Philadelphia (2-3-2)
Last week: 23
Result: 3-2 win vs. D.C. United
They scored half of their season’s total in goals in this game.
How they got here: WDLDLLW
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20. Toronto (1-4-1)
Last week: 18
Result: 2-2 draw vs. Chicago
Giving up a two-goal lead isn’t a good sign for a team that is supposed to be playing with an extra edge following its loss to Chivas in the CONCACAF Champions League final.
How they got here: LLWLLD
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21. D.C. United (1-4-2)
Last week: 19
Result: 3-2 loss at Philadelphia
I’m not sure who much longer beloved coach Ben Olsen can stay in charge based upon the results.
How they got here: DLDLLWL
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22. Montreal (2-6-0)
Last week: 21
Result: 4-1 loss at Atlanta United
Montreal had several chances to kill off the game against Atlanta United after taking a 1-0 lead, but failed to convert any.
How they got here: LLWWLLLL
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23. Seattle (1-4-1)
Last week: 20
Result: 1-0 loss at LAFC
Back to punchless status.
How they got here: LLLDWL
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