My weekly MLS Power Poll is out. Arranging the bottom was more difficult this week because a lot of those teams won.
As with player ratings, this is just meant to start conversation and not to be taken too seriously.
Here we go:
1. Dallas (3-0-1).
Last week: 1.
Result: 2-0 win over Minnesota United.
An anticipated easy match punctuated by an assist from Lawrenceville’s Walker Zimmerman.
Next game: at San Jose, 11 p.m. Friday, UniMas.
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2. Portland (4-1-1).
Last week: 2.
Result: 3-1 win over Philadelphia.
The Timbers were back to their winning ways with a slick victory over Philadelphia. Saturday’s game should be interesting because Sporting KC is neither scoring nor being scored upon. The Timbers already have seven points on the road.
Next game: vs. Sporting KC, 10:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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3. Atlanta United (2-1-2).
Last week: 5.
Result: 2-2 draw with Toronto FC.
Back-to-back ties against Seattle, the reigning MLS champs, and Toronto, the runners up, is a solid indicator that this team should make the playoffs.
Next game: at Montreal, 1 p.m. Saturday, CTV and FSS.
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4. Orlando (3-1-0).
Last week: 10.
Result: 1-0 win over New York Red Bulls.
The Lions probably aren’t the fourth-best team in MLS, but right now few teams are playing with any consitency.
Next game: vs. L.A Galaxy, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Fox.
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5. Houston (3-2-0).
Last week: 3.
Result: 2-0 loss at New England.
The Dynamo can’t replicate their form at home when they are playing on the road.
Next game: vs. Minnesota United, 8:30 p.m., Saturday, MLS Live.
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6. San Jose (2-2-1).
Last week: 7.
Result: 1-1 tie with Seattle.
They remain unbeaten at home, a record that will really be put to the test on Friday.
Next game: vs. Dallas 11 p.m. Friday UniMas.
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7. Columbus (3-2-1).
Last week: 4.
Result: 1-0 loss to Chicago.
Every time I start to believe the Crew go and lay an egg. They had 12 shots, but just three were on target in a very 2016-like performance.
Next game: vs. Toronto, 8 p.m. Saturday, TSN.
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8. NYCFC (2-2-1).
Last week: 6.
Result: 2-1 loss to D.C. United.
Geesh, NYCFC. It’s hard to take you seriously when you lose making mistakes like you did to D.C. United.
Next game: at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Friday, ESPN.
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9. New York Red Bulls (2-3-1).
Last week: 8.
Result: 1-0 loss to Orlando.
Where has the offense gone? The team has five goals in six games, and two of those came in the opener.
Next game: vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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10. Chicago (2-1-2).
Last week: 13.
Result: 1-0 win over Columbus.
Chicago is 1-0-1 since acquiring Bastian Schweinsteiger. Duluth’s Daniel Johnson made another cameo and again injected some energy into the offense.
Next game: vs. New England, 5 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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11. Toronto (1-0-4).
Last week: 9.
Result: 2-2 draw with Atlanta United.
This team had every chance to blow out Atlanta United last week, but Jozy Altidore kept skying his shots. As a DP, he has to be better.
Next game: at Columbus, 8 p.m. Saturday, TSN.
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12. Los Angeles (2-3-0).
Last week: 14.
Result: 2-0 win over Montreal.
A win is a win, even if it was helped by a dubious red card against Montreal in the first half.
Next game: at Orlando, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Fox.
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13. New England (2-2-1)
Last week: 16.
Result: 2-0 win over Houston.
The Revs held high-flying Houston to just five shots, one on goal, while post 12 shots, four on goal.
Next game: at Chicago, 5 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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14. Seattle (1-1-3).
Last week: 11.
Result: 1-1 tie with San Jose.
Seattle should be happy with ties after its poor start last season, but at some point it has got to start earning three points.
Next game: at Vancouver, 10 p.m., Friday, TSN.
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15. Sporting KC (2-0-3).
Last week: 15.
Result: 3-1 win over Colorado.
Three goals?!? Sporting KC doubled its season total in one game. Let’s see if it can keep it up against Portland.
Next game: at Portland, 10:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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16. D.C. United (2-2-1).
Last week: 18.
Result: 2-1 win over NYCFC.
Two consecutive wins for the Gridlocks and things are looking up for something in D.C.
Next game: at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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17. Colorado (1-2-1).
Last week: 12.
Result: 3-1 loss to Sporting KC.
Well, things didn’t turn out like the Rapids thought when they traded two defensive-minded players in an attempt to play more attacking.
Next game: vs. Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.
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18. Vancouver (1-3-1)
Last week: 17.
Result: 3-0 loss to Real Salt Lake.
Hope of a solid season is quickly unraveling.
Next game: vs. Seattle, 10 p.m. Friday, TSN.
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19. Real Salt Lake (1-3-2).
Last week: 22.
Result: 3-0 win over Vancouver.
Mike Petke sparked his team to its first win this season. Now comes a big rivalry game.
Next game: at Colorado, 9 p.m., Saturday, MLS Live.
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20. Montreal (0-2-3).
Last week: 19.
Result: 2-0 loss to L.A. Galaxy.
Well, this team looked like it would at least make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Now the question may be if it will finish with more points than Minnesota United.
Next game: vs. Atlanta United, 1 p.m. Saturday, CTV and FSS.
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21. Minnesota United (1-4-1).
Last week: 20.
Result: 2-0 loss to FC Dallas.
There’s no shame in losing at Dallas. Another tough test awaits this weekend for a defense that has allowed twice as many goals (22) as the next worst in MLS.
Next game: at Houston, 8:30 p.m., Saturday, MLS Live.
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22. Philadelphia (0-3-2).
Last week: 21.
Result: 3-1 loss to Portland.
Just a dull team playing a dull season.
Next game: vs. NYCFC, 7 p.m. Friday, ESPN.
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