MLS Power Poll: Week 4
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.
1. Columbus (3-0-1)
Last week: 2
Result: 3-1 win vs. D.C. United
Federico Higuain notched his 50th assist, getting it on Norcross native Ricardo Clark’s first goal with the Crew.
Next: vs. Vancouver, 3 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: WWDW
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2. NYCFC (3-0-1)
Last week: 1
Result: 2-2 draw at New England
No David Villa again but Ismael Tajouri scored two more goals to save a point for NYCFC.
Next: at San Jose, 8 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: WWWD
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3. New York Red Bulls (2-1-0)
Last week: 4
Result: 3-0 win vs. Minnesota United
The Red Bulls continue to roll with two more goals from Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Next: at Orlando City, 1 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: WLW
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4. L.A.F.C. (2-0-0)
Last week: 3
Result: DNP
Next: at L.A. Galaxy, 3 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: WW
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5. Atlanta United (2-1-0)
Last week: 5
Result: DNP
Next: at Minnesota United, 8 p.m., Saturday
How they got here: LWW
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6. Vancouver (2-1-1)
Last week: 6
Result: 0-0 draw vs. L.A. Galaxy
The Whitecaps are starting to come back to Earth following their 2-0 start.
Next: at Columbus, 3 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: WWLD
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7. Houston (1-1-1)
Last week: 7
Result: DNP
Next: vs. New England, 8:30 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: WLD
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8. Dallas (1-0-2)
Last week: 8
Result: 1-1 draw vs. Portland
Dallas remains unbeaten, but not taking advantage of a man advantage for the final 15 minutes is concerning.
Next: Off
How they got here: DWD
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9. L.A. Galaxy (1-1-1)
Last week: 9
Result: 0-0 draw at Vancouver
A goalless draw isn’t a bad result for a depleted Galaxy squad that dressed just 17 players.
Next: vs. L.A.F.C. 3 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: WLD
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10. San Jose (1-1-0)
Last week: 10
Result: DNP
Still not sure if they are good.
Next: vs. NYCFC, 8 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: WL
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11. Philadelphia (1-0-1)
Last week: 12
Result: DNP
Next: at Colorado, 9 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: WD
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12. Sporting KC (2-1-1)
Last week: 13
Result: 2-2 draw at Colorado
Sporting KC keeps putting itself in bad spots – it trailed Colorado 2-0 -- but keeps finding ways to get out.
Next: vs. D.C. United, 8:30 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: LWWD
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13. Montreal (1-2-0)
Last week: 15
Result: DNP
Next: at Seattle, 10 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: LLW
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14. Real Salt Lake (1-1-1)
Last week: 16
Result: DNP
Next: at Toronto, 8 p.m. Friday
How they got here: DLW
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15. Minnesota United (2-2-0)
Last week: 13
Result: 3-0 loss at New York Red Bulls
Minnesota United’s two-game winning streak snapped and now it must face hot Atlanta United.
Next: vs. Atlanta United 8 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: LWWL
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16. D.C. United (0-2-2)
Last week: 14
Result: 3-1 loss at Columbus
Yamil Asad’s second goal wasn’t enough to lift D.C. United.
Next: at Sporting KC, 8:30 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: DLDL
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17. Colorado (0-1-1)
Last week: 17
Result: 2-2 draw vs. Sporting KC
Blowing a 2-0 lead at home isn’t good for a team that is expected to struggle.
Next: vs. D.C. United, 9 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: LD
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18. Chicago (0-2-0)
Last week: 18
Result: DNP
Next: vs. Portland, 6 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: LL
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19. Toronto (0-2-0)
Last week: 19
Result: DNP
Next: vs. Real Salt Lake, 8 p.m. Friday
How they got here: LL
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20. New England (1-1-1)
Last week: 22
Result: 2-2 draw vs. NYCFC
Twice blowing leads at home isn’t a good sign for a team that really doesn’t look playoff-caliber this season.
Next: at Houston, 8:30 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: LWD
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21. Portland (0-2-1)
Last week: 23
Result: 1-1 draw at Dallas
Scratching out the season’s first point may be a building block for the Timbers.
Next: at Chicago, 6 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: LLD
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22. Orlando City (0-2-1)
Last week: 20
Result: DNP
If the Lions don’t get at least a point from this game ...
Next: vs. New York Red Bulls, 1 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: DLL
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23. Seattle (0-2-0)
Last week: 21
Result: DNP
Next: vs. Montreal, 10 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: LL
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