MLS Power Poll: Week 11

Result: 2-0 loss to Sporting KC and 2-1 win at Orlando City

Not a bad week for the Five Stripes, which were described as the best team in MLS by Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes.

How they got here: LWWWWDWWWLW

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2. New York Red Bulls (6-3-0)

Last week: 2

Result: 2-1 win at Colorado

The Red Bulls are the team that no one wants to face right now, especially after going to Colorado and coming out with three points.

How they got here: WLWLWLWWW

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3. NYCFC (6-2-3)

Last week: 4

Result: 2-2 draw at LAFC

NYCFC bounced back from the debacle in New Jersey to salvage a point in L.A.

How they got here: WWWDWWDLWLD

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4. Sporting KC (7-2-2)

Last week: 5

Result: 2-0 win at Atlanta United

Sporting KC is the class of the West.

How they got here: LWWDWWDWLWW

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5. Columbus (6-3-3)

Last week: 6

Result: 1-0 win vs. Philadelphia and 3-0 win vs. Chicago

Things I’d never thought I’d write: Gyasi Zardes leads MLS with eight goals.

How they got here: WWDWLLLDWDWW

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6. L.A.F.C. (6-2-2)

Last week: 7

Result: 2-0 win vs. Minnesota United

Probably still a good thing to earn a draw at home against NYCFC.

How they got here: WWLLWWWDWD

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7. Orlando City (6-3-1)

Last week: 3

Result: 2-1 loss vs. Atlanta United

I think this team will make the playoffs, but it has some issues it needs to work on.

How they got here: DLLWWWWWWL

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8. New England (5-3-2)

Last week: 8

Result: 3-2 win vs. Toronto

Their unbeaten streak at home is at seven games after dispatching reeling Toronto.

How they got here: LWDWWLDWDW

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9. Houston (3-3-3)

Last week: 9

Result: 2-2 draw at Vancouver

Twice giving up one-goal leads, and allowing the final tying goal in the final minutes ... isn’t good.

How they got here: WLDLDWLWD

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10. Portland (4-3-2)

Last week: 10

Result: 1-0 win vs Seattle

Another late winner for the Timbers, who are slowly moving up the table.

How they got here: LLDDLWWWW

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11. Dallas (4-1-4)

Last week:11

Result: 3-2 win vs. L.A. Galaxy

Dallas becomes the latest team to defeat the Galaxy.

How they got here: DWDDWWLDW

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12. Vancouver (4-5-2)

Last week: 16

Result: 2-2 draw vs. Houston

Brek Shea with the miss of the year in the sub-optimal draw.

How they got here: WWLDWLLLWLD

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13. Chicago (3-5-2)

Last week: 12

Result: 1-0 win vs. Montreal and 3-0 loss at Columbus

No Bastian Schweinsteiger in the week’s second game and no chance of victory.

How they got here: LLDWLWDLWL

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14. Real Salt Lake (4-5-1)

Last week: 18

Result: 3-2 win vs. D.C. United

Nick Rimando picks up his 200th win, which is cool.

How they got here: DLWLWLWLLW

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15. Minnesota United (4-7-0)

Last week: 13

Result: 2-0 loss at LAFC and 3-1 loss vs. San Jose

Dropping six points in a week isn’t the confidence-inspiring week the Loons sought.

How they got here: LWWLLLLWWLL

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16. Toronto (2-6-1)

Last week: 14

Result: 2-1 loss vs. Seattle and 3-2 loss at New England

Perhaps people have underrated Jozy Altidore and overrated a couple of other members of Toronto, which are in real danger.

How they got here: LLWLLDWLL

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17. Montreal (3-8-0)

Last week: 15

Result: 1-0 loss at Chicago and 2-0 loss vs. Philadelphia

It’s early, but this was a make-or-break win for Montreal with two winnable games. Instead, six points lost.

How they got here: LLWWLLLLWLL

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18. L.A. Galaxy (3-6-1)

Last week: 17

Result: 3-2 loss at Dallas

Third time I’ve written this in the power poll: how much longer will the Galaxy keep Sigi Schmid as manager?

How they got here: WLDWLWLLLL

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19. Philadelphia (3-5-2)

Last week: 20

Result: 1-0 loss at Columbus and 2-0 win at Montreal

This team is better than its record, I think, it just needs to score more.

How they got here: WDLDLLWLLW

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20. Seattle (2-5-2)

Last week: 23

Result: 2-1 win at Toronto and 1-0 loss at Portland

How a team wins at Toronto and losses at Portland is surprising, unless Toronto isn’t that good this year and the Timbers are.

How they got here: LLLDWLDWL

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21. San Jose (2-5-2)

Last week: 22

Result: 3-2 win at Minnesota United

It snapped a three-game losing streak, but that doesn’t mean the team is poised to start a winning streak.

How they got here: WLLDDDLLLW

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22. Colorado (2-5-2)

Last week: 19

Result: 2-1 loss vs. New York Red Bulls

Tell me one interesting thing about Colorado the team, other than what you could do with Tim Howard’s salary.

How they got here: LDWDWLLLL

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23. D.C. United (1-5-2)

Last week: 21

Result: 3-2 loss at Real Salt Lake

I’m not sure Wayne Rooney, a man without a position, is going to be able to help.

How they got here: DLDLLWLL