MLS Power Poll: Week 3

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.

WEEK 3

NYCFC (3-0-0)

Last week: 3

Result: 2-1 win vs. Orlando City

No David Villa and NYCFC still wins, albeit against an Orlando City team that seems more smoke than substance.

Next: at New England, 1:30 p.m. Saturday

How they got here: WWW

2. Columbus (2-0-1)

Last week: 1

Result: 0-0 draw at Philadelphia

Grinding out a draw on the road isn’t a bad thing.

Next: vs. D.C. United, 6 p.m. Saturday

How they got here: WWD

3. L.A.F.C. (2-0-0)

Last week: 6

Result: DNP

Next: Off

How they got here: WW

4. New York Red Bulls (1-1-0)

Last week: 4

Result: 1-0 loss at Real Salt Lake

They still had a good week because of an expansive victory over Tijuana in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Next: vs. Minnesota United, 7 p.m. Saturday

How they got here: WL

5. Atlanta United (2-1-0)

Last week: 9

Result: 4-1 win vs. Vancouver

I find it funny that people are still debating Kendall Waston’s red card. I’m practically blind and I could see his elbow fly backward.

Next: Off

How they got here: LWW

6. Vancouver (2-1-0)

Last week: 5

Result: 4-1 loss at Atlanta United

Not having Kei Kamara hurt, but I still think Carl Robinson mismanaged his starting 11 in the loss to Atlanta United.

Next: vs. L.A. Galaxy, 10 p.m. Saturday

How they got here: WWL

7. Houston (1-1-1)

Last week: 6

Result: 2-2 draw at D.C. United

Houston’s issues on the road haven’t gone away after dropping two consecutive goals to limp away with a draw last week.

Next: Off

How they got here: WLD

8. Dallas (1-0-1)

Last week: 10

Result: 3-0 win vs. Seattle.

A confidence-building win for Dallas, which is slowly starting to resemble its old self.

Next: vs. Portland, 3:30 p.m. Saturday

How they got here: DW

9. L.A. Galaxy (1-1-0)

Last week: 7

Result: DNP

Next: at Vancouver, 10 p.m. Saturday

How they got here: WL

10. San Jose (1-1-0)

Last week: 8

Result: 3-2 loss at Sporting KC

Still not sure if they are good.

Next: Off

How they got here: WL

11. D.C. United (0-1-2)

Last week: 11

Result: 2-2 draw vs. Houston

Credit to D.C. United for fighting back to earn a draw against Houston.

Next: at Columbus, 6 p.m. Saturday

How they got here: DLD

12. Philadelphia (1-0-1)

Last week: 12

Result: 0-0 draw vs. Columbus

The Union can’t drop points at home early in the season if the playoffs are the goal.

Next: Off

How they got here: WD

13. Sporting KC (2-1-0)

Last week: 13

Result: 3-2 win vs. San Jose.

Scoring goals suddenly isn’t a problem for Sporting KC, but stopping goals is. Weird.

Next: at Colorado, 9 p.m. Saturday.

How they got here: LWW.

14. Minnesota United (2-1-0)

Last week: 17

Result: 2-1 win vs. Chicago

Break up the Loons, which have won two consecutive after truly awful performances in the preseason.

Next: at New York Red Bulls, 7 p.m. Saturday

How they got here: LWW

15. Montreal (1-2-0)

Last week: 22

Result: 1-0 win vs. Toronto

A huge win for the Impact last week.

Next: Off

How they got here: LLW

16. Real Salt Lake (1-1-1)

Last week: 20

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

RSL took advantage of a distracted, tired Red Bulls to pick up all three points. That’s not a bad thing.

Next: Off

How they got here: DLW

17. Colorado (0-1-0)

Last week: 14

Result: DNP

Next: vs. Sporting KC, 9 p.m. Saturday

How they got here: L

18. Chicago (0-2-0)

Last week: 16

Result: 2-1 loss at Minnesota United

I said before the season that I wasn’t sure Chicago was a playoff team. So far, this is one of the few times that I may make an accurate prediction.

Next: Off

How they got here: LL

19. Toronto (0-2-0)

Last week: 14

Result: 1-0 loss at Montreal

This team won’t stay this low in the Power Poll for long, but its soft defensive middle was again exposed by an opponent.

Next: Off

How they got here: LL

20. Orlando City (0-2-1)

Last week: 18

Result: 2-0 loss at NYCFC

Everything will be better when Sacha Kljestan is in the lineup, it was said. Just three shots on goal in loss at NYCFC. Two huge home games upcoming. The Lions have already dropped five points at home, however.

Next: Off

How they got here: DLL

21. Seattle (0-2-0)

Last week: 15

Result: 3-0 loss vs. Dallas

Clint Dempsey’s red card doomed this team against Dallas.

Next: at Dallas, 5 p.m. Sunday

How they got here: LL

22. New England (1-1-0)

Last week: 21

Result: DNP

Next: vs. NYCFC, 1:30 p.m. Saturday