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.
- Columbus (2-0)
Last week: 1
Result: 3-2 win vs. Montreal
Gyasi Zardes is reborn under manager new Gregg Berhalter with two goals in last week’s game.
Next: at Philadelphia, 2 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: WW
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2. L.A.F.C. (2-0-0)
Last week: 6
Result: 5-1 win at Real Salt Lake
Wow! Diego Rossi with two more goals and three assists and Bob Bradley’s men are flying.
Next: Off
How they got here: WW
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3. NYCFC (2-0-0)
Last week: 3
Result: 2-1 win vs. L.A. Galaxy
David Villa keeps scoring and NYCFC looks solid in its first two games.
Next: vs. Orlando City, 3:30 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: WW
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4. New York Red Bulls (1-0-0)
Last week: 15
Result: 4-0 win vs. Portland
Well, I’ll admit I wasn’t as convinced as others that the Red Bulls were going to be good, but what a week they had: a win in the CONCACAF Champions League and a dismantling of Portland.
Next: at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: W
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5. Vancouver (2-0)
Last week: 12
Result: 2-1 win at Houston
Kei Kamara and Brek Shea, seems like an odd combination, but it worked last week.
Next: at Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: WW
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6. Houston (1-1-0)
Last week: 2
Result: 2-1 loss vs. Vancouver.
After destroying Atlanta United, the Dynamo played well but were brought back down by Vancouver.
Next: at D.C. United, 1:30 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: WL
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7. L.A. Galaxy (1-1-0)
Last week: 4
Result: 2-1 loss at NYCFC
There’s no shame in losing at NYCFC. Ashley Cole picking up two yellow cards isn’t good, though.
Next: Off
How they got here: WL
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8. San Jose (1-0)
Last week: 5
Result: DNP
Next: at Sporting KC, 8:30 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: W
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9. Atlanta United (1-1-0)
Last week: 23
Result: 3-1 win vs. D.C. United
When the team plays with the freedom it had against D.C. United, watch out.
Next: vs. Vancouver, 7:30 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: LW
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10. Dallas (0-0-1)
Last week: 8
Result: DNP
Next: vs. Seattle, 5 p.m. Sunday
How they got here: D
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11. D.C. United (0-1-1)
Last week: 9
Result: 3-1 loss at Atlanta United
Their first loss to Atlanta United in four games comes in front of more than 72,000.
Next: vs. Houston, 1:30 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: DL
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12. Philadelphia (1-0)
Last week: 11
Result: DNP
Next: vs. Columbus 2 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: W
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13. Sporting KC (1-1-0)
Last week: 17
Result: 4-3 win at Chicago
If Felipe Gutierrez the answer to Sporting KC’s scoring woes? He scored two goals last week.
Next: vs. San Jose, 8:30 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: LW
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14. Toronto (0-1)
Last week: 19
Result: DNP
Next: at Montreal, 3 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: L
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15. Seattle (0-1)
Last week: 20
Result: DNP
Next: at Dallas, 5 p.m. Sunday
How they got here: L
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16. Chicago (0-1-0)
Last week: 13
Result: 4-3 loss vs. Sporting KC
The Fire gave up four goals to offensively challenged Sporting KC. Four. Not good.
Next: at Minnesota United, 2 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: L
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17. Minnesota United (1-1-0)
Last week: 21
Result: 2-1 win at Orlando City
Kevin Molino scored two goals against his former team. But he also sustained an ACL tear.
Next: vs. Chicago, 2 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: LW
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18. Orlando City (0-1-1)
Last week: 10
Result: 2-1 loss vs. Minnesota United
Five points dropped from the Lions’ first two home games. Jason Kreis’ seat should be slightly warm.
Next: at NYCFC 3:30 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: DL
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19. Colorado (0-1-0)
Last week: 14
Result: 2-1 loss at New England
Colorado dropped three points against the Revs in excruciating fashion: a deflected free kick.
Next: Off
How they got here: L
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20. Real Salt Lake (0-1-1)
Last week: 7
Result: 5-1 loss vs. LAFC
Well, a team that was supposed to challenge in the West looks instead like a dumpster fire early.
Next: vs. New York Red Bulls, 9 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: DL
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21. New England (1-1-0)
Last week: 22
Result: 2-1 win vs. Colorado
Even if the Revs were lucky to defeat Colorado, three points are three points.
Next: vs. Colorado, 1:30 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: LW
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22. Montreal (0-2)
Last week: 18
Result: 3-2 loss at Columbus
Giving up a goal in the final seconds at Columbus isn’t the morale-boost a young team needs.
Next: vs. Toronto, 3 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: LL
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23. Portland (0-2-0)
Last week: 16
Result: 4-0 loss at New York Red Bulls.
Giovanni Savarese’s team looks to already be in trouble.
Next: Off
How they got here: LL
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