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 7
1. NYCFC (5-0-2)
Last week: 1.
Result: 4-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake on Wednesday and 2-2 draw at Atlanta United.
Well, when you get goals like the one from Alexander Ring and you twice fight back to earn a 2-2 draw the bonafides are building.
Next: at Portland, 6 p.m. Sunday.
How they got here: WWWDWWD.
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2. Atlanta United (4-1-1)
Last week: 2.
Result: 2-2 draw vs. NYCFC.
A fair result against NYCFC, but the team was disappointed it couldn’t hold onto the lead for the final 34 minutes.
Next: at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 p.m., Saturday.
How they got here: LWWWWD.
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3. New York Red Bulls (3-2-0)
Last week: 5.
Result: 3-1 win vs. Montreal.
Kaku scores his first goal and Bradley Wright-Phillips adds a goal and an assist for the Red Bulls, which are much better than their record indicates.
Next: vs. Chicago, 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WLWLW.
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4. Sporting KC (4-1-2)
Last week: 3.
Result: 2-2 draw with Seattle.
Sporting KC fights back to grab a point, but they should have done more against a weak Seattle side.
Next: vs. Vancouver, 9 p.m., Friday.
How they got here: LWWDWWD.
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5. Dallas (2-0-3)
Last week: 8.
Result: 1-0 win at New England.
Jacori Hayes secures the points for Dallas against the Revs, who were unlucky not to get a point.
Next: vs. Philadelphia, 8 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: DWDDW.
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6. Columbus (3-3-1)
Last week: 4.
Result: 1-0 loss at Chicago.
Well, that’s three consecutive losses for the Crew as Gyasi Zardes 2.0 is starting to resemble Gyasi Zardes 1.0.
Next: vs. New England, 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WWDWLLL.
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7. Orlando (3-2-1)
Last week: 12.
Result: 2-0 win at Philadelphia.
Orlando City notched another win that doesn’t inspire because Philadelphia wasted so many chances. Still difficult to tell is the Lions are contenders or pretenders.
Next: vs. San Jose, 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: DLLWWW.
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8. Vancouver (3-3-1)
Last week: 6.
Result: 2-0 loss to LAFC.
Well, the Whitecaps are starting to disappoint with just one win in their last five.
Next: at Sporting KC, 9 p.m. Friday.
How they got here: WWLDWLL.
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9. Colorado (2-1-2)
Last week: 10.
Result: 2-0 win vs. Toronto.
It’s hard to take much from the win against Toronto but the Canadian club used a “B” or “C” squad. But three points are three points.
Next: at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LDWDW.
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10. Houston (1-2-2)
Last week: 7.
Result: 2-2 draw at San Jose.
Now winless in its past four, Houston still can’t replicate the formula it used to destroy Atlanta United in its opening game.
Next: vs. Toronto, 3 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WLDLD.
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11. New England (3-2-1)
Last week: 9.
Result: 1-0 loss v. Dallas.
These Revs are proving tough. They should have taken at least a point from Dallas despite not starting Juan Agudelo and seeing a penalty claim denied.
Next: at Columbus, 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LWDWWL.
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12. L.A. Galaxy (3-2-1)
Last week: 17.
Result: 1-0 win at Chicago.
With a winner from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Galaxy bounced back from last week’s horrid showing. Still not sure if this team is a contender.
Next: vs. Atlanta United, 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WLDWLW.
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13. L.A.F.C. (3-2-0)
Last week: 18.
Result: 2-0 win at Vancouver.
After giving up nine unanswered goals in the past 11/2 games, LAFC bounced back to post a solid win on the road. A good sign for Bob Bradley’s team.
Next: at Montreal, 1 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WWLLW.
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14. San Jose (1-2-2)
Last week: 11.
Result: 2-2 draw vs. Houston.
Magnus Eriksson notches his first goal, but it took a late goal from Jahmir Hyka to take a point from a home game.
Next: at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WLLDDD.
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15. Toronto (1-3-0)
Last week: 13.
Result: 2-0 loss at Colorado.
This team will eventually be fine, but it keeps dropping points in league play because it’s planning on the Champions League.
Next: at Houston, 3 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LLWL.
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16. D.C. United (1-3-2)
Last week: 21.
Result: 1-0 win vs. Columbus.
Well, just when it appears that D.C. United is going to sink all the way to the bottom of the Power Poll, it posts a win over Columbus. Gotta love MLS.
Next: Off.
How they got here: DLDLLW.
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17. Portland (1-3-2)
Last week: 22.
Result: 3-2 win vs. Minnesota United.
The Timbers earn their first win in their first home game this season.
Next: vs. NYCFC, 6 p.m. Sunday.
How they got here: LLDDLW.
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18. Real Salt Lake (2-3-1)
Last week: 14.
Result: 4-0 loss at NYCFC.
An impossible team to read: every good performance is followed by a stinker.
Next: vs. Colorado, 9 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: DLWLWL.
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19. Philadelphia (1-2-2)
Last week: 15.
Result: 2-0 loss vs. Orlando City.
What Philadelphia wouldn’t give for a finisher. It should have run Orlando City out of the park, but couldn’t put away myriad chances.
Next: at Dallas, 8 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WDLDL.
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20. Montreal (2-4-0)
Last week: 19.
Result: 3-1 loss at New York Red Bulls.
The Impact dominated possession in losing to the Red Bulls, but it doesn’t mean anything if nothing is done with it.
Next: vs. LAFC, 1 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LLWWLL.
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21. Chicago (1-3-1)
Last week: 16.
Result: 1-0 loss vs. L.A. Galaxy.
This team is listless, lifeless and in big trouble, it appears.
Next: at New York Red Bulls, 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LLDWL.
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22. Minnesota United (2-4-0)
Last week: 20.
Result: 3-2 loss at Portland.
Darwin Quintero made a promising debut with a goal, but this year’s Loons are starting to resemble last year’s team.
Next: at Seattle, 4 p.m. Sunday.
How they got here: LWWLLL.
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23. Seattle (0-3-1)
Last week: 23.
Result: 2-2 draw with Sporting KC.
Next: vs. Minnesota United, 4 p.m. Sunday.
Seattle grabs its first two goals of the season but its slow defense causes space for Sporting KC’s tying goal.
How they got here: LLLD.
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