MLS Power Poll: Week 8

Last week: 1.

Result: 1-0 win over Sporting KC.

They are the last unbeaten team in MLS with the second-highest point-per-game total in the league (2.33).

Next game: vs. Portland, 8 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.

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2. Orlando (5-1-0)

Last week: 2.

Result: 2-1 win over NYCFC.

Sebastian Giovinco may be the most exciting player in MLS. Cyle Larin has to be the most feared.

Next game: vs. Colorado, 3:55 p.m. Saturday, UniMas.

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3. Portland (5-2-1)

Last week: 3.

Result: 2-1 win over Vancouver.

The Timbers again put in a professional approach in dispatching another opponent.

Next game: at Dallas, 8 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.

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4. Atlanta United (3-2-2)

Last week: 8.

Result: 3-1 win at Real Salt Lake.

No team has earned as many points on the road (8) this season as Atlanta United this season.

Next game: vs. D.C. United, 3 p.m. Sunday, FS1.

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5. New York Red Bulls (4-3-1)

Last week: 7.

Result: 2-0 win over Columbus.

Jesse Marsch has things turned around with two consecutive wins. MLS Analyst Matt Doyle points out that it coincides with a change in formation.

Next game: vs. vs. Chicago, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.

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6. Sporting KC (3-1-3)

Last week: 5.

Result: 1-0 loss to FC Dallas.

Well, Sporting KC shouldn’t be punished too badly for losing to Dallas, especially considering it was its first this season.

Next game: vs. Real Salt Lake, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.

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7. Columbus (4-3-1)

Last week: 4.

Result: 2-0 loss to New York Red Bulls.

Columbus is just a tough team to figure out this season. Every time it appears it can be one of the best in the East, it loses.

Next game: vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.

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8. Houston (4-2-1)

Last week: 11.

Result: 2-0 win over San Jose.

Hey, Houston won at home. Go figure. It is 0-4-1 at home and 0-2-0 on the road.

Next game: at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Friday, TSN4.

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9. Toronto (2-1-4)

Last week: 12.

Result: 3-1 win over Chicago.

Sebastian Giovinco was back to working his magic in last week’s win over Chicago. When he’s on, it doesn’t matter what else is going right or wrong with the team.

Next game: vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m. Friday, TSN4.

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10. NYCFC (3-3-1)

Last week: 6.

Result: 2-1 loss to Orlando.

The East is shaping up to be very tight. Three points for NYCFC from this game could be huge. It will be interesting to see if Andrea Pirlo starts.

Next game: at Columbus, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.

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11. Chicago (3-2-2)

Last week: 9.

Result: 3-1 loss to Toronto.

Playing away from home, Chicago’s midfield magic that was carrying it disappeared against a Toronto team that bossed the middle of the field.

Next game: at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.

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12. Seattle (2-2-3)

Last week: 16.

Result: 3-0 win over L.A. Galaxy.

Either L.A. is playing that badly or Seattle found something that it was missing. Either way, a good win for squad.

Next game: vs. New England, 10 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.

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13. San Jose (2-3-3)

Last week: 10.

Result: 2-0 loss at Houston.

Another MLS team that has trouble earning points on the road and will now face a team that is growing in confidence.

Next game: at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.

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14. Los Angeles (2-5-0)

Last week: 13.

Result: 3-0 loss to Seattle.

I asked last week if it was too soon to ask if the Galaxy are in danger of not making the playoffs? The answer is no, it’s not too soon.

Next game: vs. Philadelphia, 10:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.

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15. New England (2-3-3)

Last week: 14.

Result: 0-0 draw with San Jose and 2-2 draw with D.C. United.

Two points from two games last week isn’t bad, but both were at home, which is why they dropped a spot.

Next game: at Seattle, 10 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.

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16. Vancouver (2-4-1)

Last week: 15.

Result: 2-1 loss to Portland.

A team that just can’t get any momentum. Every win is followed by a loss.

Next game: at Montreal, 3 p.m. Saturday, CTV.

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17. D.C. United (2-3-2)

Last week: 17.

Result: 2-2 draw with New England.

D.C. United seems back to its pedestrian ways with a draw and loss in its past two games. It has just one point from three road games.

Next game: at Atlanta United, 3 p.m. Sunday, FS1.

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18. Montreal (1-2-4)

Last week: 19.

Result: 3-3 tie with Philadelphia.

This team seems like it’s starting to believe in itself following a 2-1 win over Atlanta United two weeks ago and fighting back from a 3-0 deficit to tie Philadelphia last week.

Next game: vs. Vancouver, 3 p.m. Saturday, CTV.

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19. Real Salt Lake (2-4-2)

Last week: 18.

Result: 3-1 loss at Atlanta United.

Like a few of the teams that have played Atlanta United, Real Salt Lake will likely feel it could have done a bit better. That’s not a knock on Atlanta United, it’s more of a reflection of the style of play. It seems like there are chances when there really aren’t.

Next game: at Sporting KC, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.

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20. Minnesota United (2-4-2)

Last week: 21.

Result: 1-0 win over Colorado.

A team that got off to a horrible start now has eight points, just three less than Atlanta United. Granted, it has played one more game than its fellow expansion squad, but still …

Next game: vs. San Jose, 8 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.

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21. Colorado (1-4-1)

Last week: 20.

Result: 1-0 loss to Minnesota United.

Well, the wheels have come off for Colorado in a top-heavy Western Conference.

Next game: at Orlando, 3:55 p.m. Saturday, UniMas.

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22. Philadelphia (0-4-3).

Last week: 22.

Result: 3-3 tie with Montreal.

Well, they didn’t play a dull game, but no one should be happy giving up a 3-0 lead. Inexcusable.

Next game: at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 p.m. Saturday, MLS Live.