MLS Power Poll Week 19: Who is at the top?

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 (12-4-4)

Last week: 1.

Result: 3-2 loss at FC Dallas and 2-0 win at Philadelphia.

Four minutes away from taking all six points from last week’s game, so they will stay atop the poll.

How they got here: LWWWWDWWWLWLDWDWDWLW.

2. Portland (8-3-5)

Last week: 4.

Result: 2-1 win vs. San Jose.

Unbeaten in 11 consecutive, but are they a true threat in the playoffs?

How they got here: LLDDLWWWWWWDDDWW.

3. NYCFC (10-4-4)

Last week: 5.

Result: 1-0 win vs. New York Red Bulls.

A win for the new coach over a rival is a confidence-booster.

How they got here: WWWDWWDLWLDWLWDWLW.

4. New York Red Bulls (10-5-2)

Last week: 2.

Result: 1-0 loss at NYCFC.

How will losing Jesse Marsch affect this team? One game isn’t a large enough sample size.

How they got here: WLWLWLWWWWDLDWWWL.

5. L.A.F.C. (10-4-4)

Last week: 6.

Result: 2-2 draw at Houston and 4-1 win vs. Orlando City.

LAFC is up to second in the West and appears to be the most complete team in that conference.

How they got here: WWLLWWWDWDLDLWWWDW.

6. Dallas (10-3-5)

Last week: 8.

Result: 3-2 win vs. Atlanta United and 2-0 loss at Real Salt Lake.

I’m sure Dallas will take the three points from beating Atlanta United, but it may have a long-term effect.

How they got here: DWDDWWLDWDWWWWLWWL.

7. Sporting KC (9-4-6)

Last week: 7.

Result: 4-2 loss at Real Salt Lake and 2-2 draw vs. Toronto.

Things are not going well for SKC as injuries pile up.

How they got here: LWWDWWDWLWWDDWDWLLD.

8. Columbus (8-6-6)

Last week: 3.

Result: 4-0 loss at L.A. Galaxy.

Gyasi Zardes has one goal in the past four games. The Crew won that game. It was its only win in that stretch.

How they got here: WWDWLLLDWDWWWDDDLLWL.

9. Montreal (8-11-0)

Last week: 13.

Result: 2-1 win vs. Colorado.

Now, can it beat the good teams?

How they got here: LLWWLLLLWLLLLWLWWWW.

10. Real Salt Lake (9-8-2)

Last week: 15.

Result: 4-2 win vs. Sporting KC and 2-0 win vs. Dallas.

Well, Real Salt Lake posting two wins against two good teams is a good sign, but can it keep the momentum going?

How they got here: DLWLWLWLLWLWWWLDLWW.

11. Houston (7-6-4)

Last week: 12.

Result: 2-2 draw vs LAFC and 3-0 win vs. Minnesota United.

If it can’t get its road woes (1-4-3) solved it won’t be a threat in the West.

How they got here: WLDLDWLWDWWLLWLDW.

12. New England (7-4-7)

Last week: 9.

Result: 0-0 draw vs. Seattle.

The Revs are going to make the playoffs, but teams have figured out how to beat their press. A summer infusion of talent is needed.

How they got here: LWDWWLDWDWLDDWDDWD.

13. Vancouver (7-7-5)

Last week: 14.

Result: 3-2 win vs. Chicago.

Kei Kamara getting two goals is much-needed for this team.

How they got here: WWLDWLLLWLDDDDWWLLW.

14. L.A. Galaxy (7-7-4)

Last week: 16.

Result: 2-2 draw vs. D.C. United and 4-0 win vs. Columbus.

The team is unbeaten in five and seems like it may be figuring out a style for a group of individual talents.

How they got here: WLDWLWLLLLWWLDWDDW.

15. Chicago (6-8-5)

Last week: 10.

Result: 3-2 loss at Vancouver.

Another team that needs some help on offense sooner rather than later.

How they got here: LLDWLWDLWLLWLWDDDWL.

16. Philadelphia (6-9-3)

Last week: 11.

Result: 2-0 loss vs. Atlanta United.

A “devastating” loss for the Union, which simply can’t score. It missed so many chances against Atlanta United.

How they got here: WDLDLLWLLWWDWLWLLL.

17. Seattle (4-9-4)

Last week: 21.

Result: 2-1 win at Colorado and 0-0 draw at New England.

Signs of life, but I think it’s going to be too little, too late.

How they got here: LLLDWLDWLLLWLDLWD.

18. Minnesota United (6-11-1)

Last week: 19.

Result: 4-3 win vs. Toronto and 3-0 loss at Houston.

Is this a win to jumpstart a playoff push? Darwin Quintero certainly played like a man who wants bigger stakes. Of course, they then lay an egg at Houston.

How they got here: LWWLLLLWWLLDWLLLWL.

19. Orlando City (6-11-1)

Last week: 17.

Result: 4-1 loss at LAFC.

Nine consecutive losses. New coach but same results.

How they got here: DLLWWWWWWLLLLLLLLL.

20. Colorado (4-11-3)

Last week: 18.

Result: 2-1 loss vs. Seattle and 2-1 loss at Montreal.

Well, so much for it three-game unbeaten streak.

How they got here: LDWDWLLLLLLLLDWWLL.

21. Toronto (4-10-4)

Last week: 20.

Result: 4-3 loss at Minnesota United and 2-2 draw at Sporting KC.

Watch the goals conceded to the Loons…very little pressure applied on any of them. Not a good sign. Rallying to tie Sporting KC is a good sign, I suppose. But I won’t be surprised if some parts get traded/transferred soon if the wins don’t come. There’s some (almost) dead money on the books.

How they got here: LLWLLDWLLWLWDLLLD.

22. San Jose (2-10-6)

Last week: 22.

Result: 2-1 loss at Portland.

And San Jose is back….

How they got here: WLLDDDLLLWDLLLLDDDL.

23. D.C. United (2-7-5)

Last week: 23.

Result: 2-2 draw at L.A. Galaxy.

Not sure what this team’s plan is going forward.

How they got here: DLDLLWLLWDLDLD.