As with player ratings, this is just meant to start conversation and not to be taken too seriously. I put an emphasis on earning points in this edition.
Here we go:
1. Dallas
Result: 2-1 winners over Los Angeles.
Last year’s Open Cup and Supporters Shield winners got off to a strong start against one of the favorites in the West.
Next: at Sporting KC.
2. Portland
Result: 5-1 winners over Minnesota United.
The 2015 MLS Cup winners looked very strong against the league’s other expansion team on a cold, rainy night in Portland.
Next: as L.A. Galaxy.
3. Houston
Result: 2-1 winners over Seattle.
Do I think Houston will remain this high in this contrived poll? No. But for the first week they did what they needed to do against the MLS Cup champions.
Next: vs. Columbus.
4. New York Red Bulls
Result: 2-1 winners over Atlanta United.
This was an odd game because either team could have won it by a larger margin. But credit to the Red Bulls for gritting out a win, especially after playing Vancouver just a few days earlier.
Next: vs. Colorado.
5. Colorado
Result: 1-0 win over New England.
Hey, Colorado won a 1-0 game. Shocking.
Next: at New York Red Bulls.
6. San Jose
Result: 1-0 win over Montreal.
San Jose, which I thought would be one of the league’s weaker teams, had no trouble handling Montreal, which played in the Eastern Conference finals last season.
Next: vs. Vancouver.
7. Toronto
Result: 0-0 tie with Real Salt Lake.
There’s no shame in tying Utah.
Next: at Philadelphia.
8. Real Salt Lake
Result: 0-0 tie with Toronto.
There’s no shame in tying Toronto.
Next: at Chicago.
9. Orlando
Result: 1-0 win over NYCFC
A solid result for Jason Kreis’ team, especially considering its issues on defense last season.
Next: at New England.
10. Los Angeles
Result: 2-1 loss to FC Dallas.
They should probably be ranked higher because they played very well against Dallas. They just didn’t capitalize on their chances.
Next: vs. Portland.
11. Seattle
Result: 2-1 losers to Houston.
This is going to anger Seattle’s fans, but here goes: The team looks slow up the middle. I thought that while watching the Carolina Challenge Cup, and it was pretty clear in the loss to Houston. Slow isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s not great, either.
Next: at Montreal.
12. NYCFC
Result: 1-0 loss to Orlando.
Lots of shots, just not many good ones, as they were thwarted by Atlanta native Joe Bendik.
Next: vs. D.C. United.
13. D.C. United
Result: 0-0 tie with Sporting KC.
A point probably isn’t bad considering the team was without Luciano Acosta, arguably its best player, with an injury.
Next: at NYCFC.
14. Sporting KC
Result: 0-0 tie with D.C. United
Sporting KC had more than 60 percent of the possessions and 15 shots, but couldn’t find the breakthrough.
Next game: vs. Dallas.
15. Vancouver
Result: 0-0 tie with Philadelphia.
Considering they played at home Thursday, a point probably isn’t a bad thing.
Next: at San Jose.
16. Philadelphia
Result: 0-0 tie with Vancouver.
Good to see former Clemson standout Oguchi Onyewu playing again.
Next: vs. Toronto.
17. Columbus
Result: 0-0 tie with Chicago
I think Columbus is going to be much better than people give them credit for. They didn’t show it in this game.
Next: at Houston.
18. Chicago
Result: 0-0 tie with Columbus
For a team that has finished last in the Eastern Conference in back-to-back years, any point is a good point.
Next: vs. Real Salt Lake.
19. New England
Result: 1-0 loss to Colorado.
Poor finishing and giving up a set-piece goal aren’t good.
Next: vs. Orlando.
20. Atlanta United
Result: 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls.
Speaking of poor finishing and giving up a set-piece goal …
Next: at Minnesota United.
21. Montreal
Result: 1-0 loss to San Jose
The team, which contains so many quick, fast players, just looked lifeless.
Next: vs. Seattle.
22. Minnesota United
Result: 5-1 loss to Portland.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber said he thinks the rain and cold that permeated the game would have made it hard for even Manchester United to win at Providence Park. I’m guessing he hasn’t spent a lot of time in that part of England.
Next: vs. Atlanta United.
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