My weekly MLS Power Poll will make its debut, just like the team I cover, Atlanta United.
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 game: at Sporting KC.
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2. Portland.
Result: 5-1 winners over Minnesota.
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.
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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.
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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.
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5. Colorado.
Result: 1-0 win over New England.
Hey, Colorado won a 1-0 game. Shocking.
Next: at New York Red Bulls.
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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.
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7. Toronto.
Result: 0-0 tie with Real Salt Lake.
There’s no shame in tying in Utah.
Next: at Philadelphia.
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8. Real Salt Lake.
Result: 0-0 tie with Toronto.
There’s no shame in tying Toronto.
Next: at Chicago.
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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.
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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.
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11. Seattle
Result: 2-1 losers to Houston.
This is going to anger Seattle’s fan, 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.
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12. NYCFC
Result: 1-0 loss to Orlando.
Lots of shots, just not many good ones.
Next: vs. D.C. United.
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13. D.C. United
Result: 0-0 tie with Sporting KC.
Yawn.
Next: at NYCFC.
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14. Sporting KC
Result: 0-0 tie with D.C. United
Yawn again.
Next game: vs. Dallas.
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15. Vancouver
Result: 0-0 tie with Philadelphia.
I can’t stop yawning.
Next: at San Jose.
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16. Philadelphia
Result: 0-0 tie with Vancouver.
Seriously, I need coffee.
Next: vs. Toronto.
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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.
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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.
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19. New England
Result: 1-0 loss to Colorado.
Poor finishing and giving up a set piece goal aren’t good.
Next: vs. Orlando.
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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.
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21. Montreal
Result: 1-0 loss to San Jose
The team, which contains so many quick, fast players, just looked lifeless.
Next: vs. Seattle.
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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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