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 5
1. NYCFC (4-0-1)
Last week: 2.
Result: 2-1 win vs. San Jose.
No David Villa again but the boys in blue continue to win.
Next: Off.
How they got here: WWWDW.
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2. Columbus (3-1-1)
Last week: 1.
Result: 2-1 loss to Vancouver.
The Crew sustained their first loss of the season, giving up a header to Kei Kamara. It’s rare for a team from the East to lose to one from the West. It’s even more rare at home.
Next: at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WWDWL.
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3. Atlanta United (3-1-0)
Last week: 5.
Result: 1-0 win at Minnesota United.
Three points is three points and to do it with 10 men is fairly impressive.
Next: vs. LAFC, 5 p.m., Saturday.
How they got here: LWWW.
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4. Vancouver (3-1-1)
Last week: 6.
Result: 2-1 win at Columbus.
The Whitecaps bounce back from two unsatisfying results to win at what has been the best team in the East this season.
Next: at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WWLDW.
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5. New York Red Bulls (2-2-0)
Last week: 3.
Result: 4-3 loss at Orlando City.
The weakened Red Bulls rallied a few times in Orlando, but couldn’t come away with a point.
Next: Off in league play.
How they got here: WLWL.
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6. L.A. Galaxy (2-1-1)
Last week: 9.
Result: 4-3 win vs. L.A.F.C.
Ibrahimovic was offside on his winning goal, but who cares? What a pair of goals.
Next: vs. Sporting KC, 9 p.m. Sunday.
How they got here: WLDW.
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7. L.A.F.C. (2-1-0)
Last week: 4.
Result: 4-3 loss to L.A. Galaxy.
Well, L.A.F.C. got Zlatan’ed, giving up four goals, including two to Ibrahimovic, in the final 30 minutes.
Next: at Atlanta United 5 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WWL.
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8. Houston (1-2-1)
Last week: 7.
Result: 2-0 loss at New England.
So much for the Dynamo being an MLS Cup contender. You just can’t be one and lose at home to New England.
Next: Off.
How they got here: WLDL.
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9. Sporting KC (3-1-1)
Last week: 12.
Result: 1-0 win vs. D.C. United.
Sporting KC’s defense finally came to play and its defense posted its first shutout this season.
Next: at L.A. Galaxy, 9 p.m. Sunday.
How they got here: LWWDW.
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10. Dallas (1-0-2)
Last week: 8.
Result: DNP.
Next: vs. Colorado, 8 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: DWD.
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11. Montreal (2-2-0)
Last week: 13.
Result: 1-0 win at Seattle.
This team may not be as bad as once thought.
Next: at New England, 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LLWW.
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12. San Jose (1-2-0)
Last week: 10.
Result: 2-1 loss at NYCFC.
Slightly more convinced that they aren’t good.
Next: at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WLL.
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13. Philadelphia (1-1-1)
Last week: 11.
Result: 3-0 loss at Colorado.
Playing the kids didn’t work this week for the Union.
Next: vs. San Jose, 7 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WDL.
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14. Toronto (1-2-0)
Last week: 19.
Result: 3-1 win against Real Salt Lake.
Toronto looked like Toronto in easily dispatching Real Salt Lake on Friday. Scoring margin should have been greater.
Next: Off in league play.
How they got here: LLW.
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15. Colorado (1-1-1)
Last week: 17.
Result: 3-0 win vs. Philadelphia.
Dominique Badji posts his first hat trick for the Rapids, who may not be as bad as assumed.
Next: at Dallas, 8 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LDW.
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16. New England (2-1-1)
Last week: 20.
Result: 2-0 win vs. Houston.
A team that looked rudderless has started to find a formula to take points.
Next: vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m. Friday.
How they got here: LWDW.
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17. Real Salt Lake (1-2-1)
Last week: 14.
Result: 3-1 loss at Toronto.
Well, so much for Real Salt Lake being a contender in MLS. They will likely make the playoffs in the West. They wouldn’t in the East.
Next: vs. Vancouver, 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: DLWL.
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18. Chicago (0-2-1)
Last week: 18.
Result: 2-2 draw with Portland.
It’s early and there’s lot of time to turn things around, but this team is floundering on offense.
Next: vs. Columbus, 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LLD.
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19. Minnesota United (2-3-0)
Last week: 15.
Result: 1-0 loss to Atlanta United.
The Loons desperately need a playmaker. Desperately.
Next: Off.
How they got here: LWWLL.
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20. Orlando City (1-2-1)
Last week: 22.
Result: 4-3 win vs. New York Red Bulls.
The Lions battled back after falling behind 1-0 but continuing to give up leads against a team not fielding its best is still worrisome.
Next: vs. Portland, 4 p.m. Sunday.
How they got here: DLLW.
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21. D.C. United (0-3-2)
Last week: 16.
Result: 1-0 loss at Sporting KC.
This team is sinking fast, really, really fast.
Next: Off.
How they got here: DLDLL.
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22. Portland (0-2-2)
Last week: 21.
Result: 2-2 draw at Chicago.
Scratching out another point is good, but twice giving up leads, including one in the final 10 minutes, isn’t for the Timbers.
Next: at Orlando City, 4 p.m. Sunday.
How they got here: LLDD.
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23. Seattle (0-3-0)
Last week: 23.
Result: 1-0 loss to Montreal.
This team is every bit as bad as once thought.
Next: Off.
How they got here: LLL.
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