My weekly MLS Power Poll is out. As with player ratings, this is just meant to start conversation and not to be taken too seriously.
Here we go:
1. Dallas (2-0-1)
Last week: 1.
Result: 2-1 win over New England.
Dallas posted a 2-1 win in the CONCACAF Champions League and then bounced back with another win against New England. They haven’t looked great, but the potential is immense.
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2. Portland (3-0-0)
Last week: 2.
Result: 4-2 winners over Houston.
The Timbers trail only Atlanta United in goals scored (10) this season.
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3. New York Red Bulls (2-1-0)
Last week: 4.
Result: 3-1 loss to Seattle.
The Red Bulls stay ahead of Atlanta United by virtue of their 2-1 win over the expansion team. Also, no shame in losing at Seattle, especially considering only one of their goals seemed legit, but it was a great goal.
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4. Atlanta United (2-1-0)
Last week: 7.
Result: 4-0 win over Chicago.
Certainly the hottest team on offense in the Eastern Conference right now. It will be interesting to see a result in a “normal” game that doesn’t involve a first game, snow, or early red card.
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5. Houston (2-1-0)
Last week: 3.
Result: 4-2 loss to Portland.
Like New York Red Bull’s loss, there’s no shame in losing at Portland.
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6. San Jose (2-1-0)
Last week: 5.
Result: 2-1 loss to Sporting KC.
San Jose wasn’t helped by a horrible error by goalkeeper David Bingham. They should have had a 1-1 draw.
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7. NYCFC (1-1-1)
Last week: 6.
Result: 1-1 draw with Montreal.
Thrashing D.C. United 4-0 and then only getting a draw with Montreal. Hard to figure this team sometimes.
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8. Toronto (1-0-2)
Last week: 9.
Result: 2-0 win over Vancouver.
Seems like Toronto is slowly starting to find its footing with a tie and win in back to back weeks.
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9. Orlando (2-0-0)
Last week: 10.
Result: 2-1 win over Philadelphia.
Enjoy Cyle Larin while you can. Pundits seems to think he will soon be headed to Europe, possibly as soon as the summer transfer window.
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10. Seattle (1-1-1)
Last week: 11.
Result: 3-1 win over New York Red Bulls.
First goal was the result of a dubious penalty call because there’s no way anyone was going to catch that ball. Second goal was awesome team play that was finished by Jordan Morris. On the third goal, scored by Harry Shipp, it could be argued that Dempsey being offside affected Luis Robles.
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11. Colorado (1-1-1)
Last week: 8.
Result: 2-2 draw with Minnesota United.
Coughing up the chance at three points against a poor Minnesota United side isn’t a good sign.
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12. Chicago (1-1-1)
Last week: 12.
Result: 4-0 loss to Atlanta United.
The team didn't really stand a chance against Atlanta United on Saturday after the red card in the 12th minute.
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13. Los Angeles (1-2-0)
Last week: 13.
Result: 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake.
An impressive win considering the players L.A. was missing.
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14. Sporting KC (1-0-2)
Last week: 14.
Result: 2-1 win over San Jose.
Its first two goals and its first win.
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15. Philadelphia (0-1-2)
Last week: 15.
Result: 2-1 loss to Orlando.
The team just can’t seem to find second gear yet with its offense.
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16. Vancouver (0-2-1)
Last week: 18.
Result: 2-0 loss to Toronto.
After being sent off, Brek Shea seems to have totally lost whatever “it” factor he may have once had. That move to Stoke City was the worst thing that could have happened to him.
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17. Columbus (1-1-1)
Last week: 21.
Result: 2-0 win over D.C.United.
There’s the Columbus team I thought we’d see two games ago. Of course, it was helped by two penalty calls.
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18. Real Salt Lake (0-2-1)
Last week: 16.
Result: 2-1 loss to L.A Galaxy.
One goal against an L.A. side that was without its best defender. Not good. So not good that the manager was fired on Monday.
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19. Montreal (0-1-2)
Last week: 20.
Result: 1-1 draw with NYCFC.
Dominic Oduro rescued a point for the squad.
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20. New England (0-2-0)
Last week: 19.
Result: 2-1 loss to Dallas.
The Revs looked great before two simple passes turned the game in Dallas’ favor.
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21. D.C. United (0-2-1)
Last week: 17.
Result: 2-0 loss to Columbus.
Three games in and still no goals scored. They are the only team in the league that have yet to touch the net.
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22. Minnesota United (0-2-1)
Last week: 22.
Result: 1-1 draw with Colorado.
A point on the road is a nice first step. So is using some of the players on offense that helped the team perform so well in NASL. Chemistry is important.
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