MLS Power Poll: A new leader after Week 8

Result: 2-0 win at L.A. Galaxy

Atlanta United messing around and Ezequiel Barco brings another dimension to the offense similar to Miguel Almiron: a speedster who can dribble.

How they got here: LWWWWDW

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2. Sporting KC (5-1-2)

Last week: 4

Result: 6-0 win against Vancouver

Sporting KC was helped by two red cards in the first half, but six goals is six goals. The offense is rolling.

How they got here: LWWDWWDW

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3. NYCFC (5-1-2)

Last week: 1

Result: 3-0 loss at Portland

NYCFC finally looked human in a lifeless loss at Providence Park.

How they got here: WWWDWWDL

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4. Dallas (3-0-3)

Last week: 5

Result: 2-0 win vs. Philadelphia

Slowly, Dallas is starting to find its footing again as it works its way toward contender status.

How they got here: DWDDWW

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5. Orlando City (4-2-1)

Last week: 7

Result: 3-2 win vs. San Jose

Other than Sporting KC, they are the third-hottest in MLS with rookie Chris Mueller scoring his third goal. But you can also argue that they haven’t beaten anyone of consequence when they were at full strength. But, you can also argue you can only play the team in front of you.

How they got here: DLLWWWW

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6. New York Red Bulls (3-3-0)

Last week: 3

Result: 2-1 loss at Chicago

I’m betting the Red Bulls will win their next game.

How they got here: WLWLWL

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7. Columbus (3-3-2)

Last week: 6

Result: 2-2 draw with New England

Twice giving up a lead isn’t a good sign for the Crew, but getting a fifth goal from Gyasi Zardes is.

How they got here: WWDWLLLD

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8. L.A.F.C. (4-2-0)

Last week: 13

Result: 5-3 win at Montreal

Atlanta United’s defense was routinely criticized last year when it scored a lot of goals and gave up a few. LAFC’s defense is twice as bad with an offense that’s about as good.

How they got here: WWLLWW

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9. Houston (2-2-2)

Last week: 10

Result: 5-1 win vs. Toronto

Defeating Toronto’s B team is a good sign, I guess, for the struggling Dynamo. They still dropped because of the play of the other teams. Sorry.

How they got here: WLDLDW

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10. New England (3-2-2)

Last week: 11

Result: 2-2 draw with Columbus.

To twice come back from one-goal deficits is another indication that this team may be a contender to make the playoffs.

How they got here: LWDWWLD

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11. Portland (2-3-2)

Last week: 17

Result: 3-0 win vs. NYCFC

Gio Savarese is starting to push the right buttons with the Timbers, who have just one loss in their past five.

How they got here: LLDDLWW

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12. L.A. Galaxy (3-3-1)

Last week: 12

Result: 2-0 loss to Atlanta United

You stop Zlatan, and this team doesn’t offer much more than that. A nice collection of players that aren’t yet a good team. Plus, the defense and defensive midfielders are too slow.

How they got here: WLDWLWL

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13. Real Salt Lake (3-3-1)

Last week: 18

Result: 3-0 win vs. Colorado

Here’s betting they lose their next game.

How they got here: DLWLWLW

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14. Chicago (2-3-1)

Last week: 21

Result: 2-1 win at New York Red Bulls

Given up for dead by most, Chicago bounced back to defeat the Red Bulls with goals from Aleksander Katai and Nemanja Nikolic.

How they got here: LLDWLW

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15. Vancouver (3-4-1)

Last week: 8

Result: 6-0 loss to Sporting KC

This team hasn’t been the same since its loss to Atlanta United. It absolutely melted down with two red cards to Sporting KC.

How they got here: WWLDWLLL

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16. San Jose (1-3-2)

Last week: 14

Result: 3-2 loss at Orlando

Well, this team is a mess on defense, which isn’t enough for an average offense (at best) to overcome this season.

How they got here: WLLDDDL

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17. Colorado (2-2-2)

Last week: 9

Result: 3-0 loss at Real Salt Lake

Well, they were probably ranked too high, anyway.

How they got here: LDWDWL

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18. Toronto (1-4-0)

Last week: 15

Result: 5-1 loss at Houston

When Toronto committed to be all-in the CONCACAF Champions League, I wonder if it assumed that it would lose four of its first five games in MLS. And if it did, and assumed it would still make the playoffs and get to defend its MLS Cup, that seems fairly insulting to the rest of the teams in the league.

How they got here: LLWLL

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19. D.C. United (1-3-2)

Last week: 16

Result: Off

How they got here: DLDLLW

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20. Seattle (1-3-1)

Last week: 23

Result: 3-1 win vs. Minnesota United

No, they aren’t back. Beating Minnesota is the norm, not a catalyst for contender status.

How they got here: LLLDW

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21. Montreal (2-5-0)

Last week: 20

Result: 5-3 loss to LAFC

Ignacio Piatti scored three, but the defense gave up four unanswered goals. At one point this team looked like a contender for the sixth spot in the East. No more.

How they got here: LLWWLLL

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22. Minnesota United (2-5-0)

Last week: 22

Result: 3-1 loss at Seattle

Well, the Loons are right back where they started, it seems: an abject defense and not wanting to use their best offensive player in a starting role.

How they got here: LWWLLLL

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23. Philadelphia (1-3-2)

Last week: 19

Result: 2-0 loss at Dallas

Two consecutive weeks, two consecutive 2-0 losses for the punchless Union, which haven’t won since Week 1 and have been shut out four times.

How they got here: WDLDLL