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 6
1. NYCFC (4-0-1)
Last week: 1.
Result: DNP.
Next: vs. Real Salt Lake, 7 p.m. Wednesday and at Atlanta United, 6 p.m. Sunday.
How they got here: WWWDW.
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2. Atlanta United (4-1-0)
Last week: 3.
Result: 5-0 win vs. LAFC.
The scoreline was a bit deceiving, but the Five Stripes remain unbeaten at home with a tough one coming Sunday.
Next: vs. NYCFC, 6 p.m., Sunday.
How they got here: LWWWW.
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3. Sporting KC (4-1-1)
Last week: 9.
Result: 2-0 win at L.A. Galaxy.
Sporting KC looks like an MLS Cup contender.
Next: vs. Seattle, 4 p.m. Sunday.
How they got here: LWWDWW.
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4. Columbus (3-2-1)
Last week: 2.
Result: 1-0 loss at Chicago.
Well, that’s two consecutive losses for the Crew.
Next: at D.C. United, 7 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WWDWLL.
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5. New York Red Bulls (2-2-0)
Last week: 5.
Result: Off in league play.
Next: vs. Montreal, 1 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WLWL.
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6. Vancouver (3-2-1)
Last week: 4.
Result: 2-1 loss at Real Salt Lake.
Break Shea scored again but the Whitecaps couldn’t pull out a point at Rio Tinto.
Next: vs. LAFC, 10 p.m. Friday.
How they got here: WWLDWL.
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7. Houston (1-2-1)
Last week: 8.
Result: DNP.
Next: at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WLDL.
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8. Dallas (1-0-3)
Last week: 10.
Result: 1-1 draw vs. Colorado.
It took a last-minute goal for Dallas to rescue a point in a home game against Colorado.
Next: at New England, 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: DWDD.
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9. New England (3-1-1)
Last week: 16.
Result: 4-0 win vs. Montreal.
The Revs are among the hottest teams in MLS after destroying hapless Montreal. And they are doing it without Lee Nguyen.
Next: vs. Dallas, 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LWDWW.
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10. Colorado (1-1-2)
Last week: 15.
Result: 1-1 draw at Dallas.
This Rapids team may be better than most assumed after it picked up another point in a tough place to play.
Next: vs. Toronto, 3 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LDWD.
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11. San Jose (1-2-1)
Last week: 12.
Result: 1-1 draw at Philadelphia.
Not a bad point considering the game was on the road.
Next: vs. Houston, 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WLLD.
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12. Orlando City (2-2-1)
Last week: 20.
Result: 3-2 win vs. Portland.
The Lions once again battled back, this time scoring three goals to secure the three points at home.
Next: vs. Philadelphia, 8 p.m. Friday.
How they got here: DLLWW.
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13. Toronto (1-2-0)
Last week: 14.
Result: DNP in league play.
Next: at Colorado, 3 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LLW.
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14. Real Salt Lake (2-2-1)
Last week: 17.
Result: 2-1 win against Vancouver.
Two consecutive wins at home for Real Salt Lake with a tough test coming up on the road on Wednesday.
Next: at NYCFC 7 p.m. Wednesday.
How they got here: DLWLW.
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15. Philadelphia (1-1-2)
Last week: 13.
Result: 1-1 draw with San Jose.
Holy cow, Alejandro Bedoya scored for the Union!
Next: vs. Orlando, 8 p.m. Friday.
How they got here: WDLD.
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16. Chicago (1-2-1)
Last week: 18.
Result: 1-0 win vs. Columbus.
Nemanja Nikolic powers Chicago to first win this season, but this experiment with Bastian Schweinsteiger as sweeper is fascinating.
Next: vs. L.A. Galaxy, 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LLDW.
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17. L.A. Galaxy (2-2-1)
Last week: 6.
Result: 2-0 loss to Sporting KC.
Well, this team may still be exactly what I thought before the season: not very good.
Next: at Chicago, 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: WLDWL.
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18. L.A.F.C. (2-2-0)
Last week: 7.
Result: 5-0 loss at Atlanta United.
This team has given up nine unanswered goals in the past 11/2 games.
Next: at Vancouver, 10 p.m. Friday.
How they got here: WWLL.
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19. Montreal (2-3-0)
Last week: 11.
Result: 4-0 loss at New England.
Down to 10 men early, the Impact simply aren’t good enough to beat anyone when facing that disadvantage, especially when Ignacio Piatti isn’t playing.
Next: at New York Red Bulls, 1 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LLWWL.
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20. Minnesota United (2-3-0)
Last week: 19.
Result: DNP.
Next: at Portland, 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LWWLL.
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21. D.C. United (0-3-2)
Last week: 21.
Result: DNP.
Next: vs. Columbus, 7 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: DLDLL.
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22. Portland (0-3-2)
Last week: 22.
Result: 3-2 loss at Orlando City.
The Timbers coughed up a two-goal lead in the final 10 minutes to the Lions.
Next: vs. Minnesota United, 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
How they got here: LLDDL.
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23. Seattle (0-3-0)
Last week: 23.
Result: DNP.
Next: at Sporting KC, 4 p.m. Sunday.
How they got here: LLL.
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