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 18
1. Atlanta United (11-3-4)
Last week: 1
Result: 4-0 win vs. Orlando City
This was probably one of Atlanta United’s most complete games this season.
How they got here: LWWWWDWWWLWLDWDWDW
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2. New York Red Bulls (10-4-2)
Last week: 2
Result: 1-0 win at Toronto
The Red Bulls and Atlanta United are the two most entertaining teams in MLS.
How they got here: WLWLWLWWWWDLDWWW
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3. Columbus (8-5-6)
Last week: 5
Result: 2-1 win vs. Real Salt Lake
The Crew snap a two-game losing streak.
How they got here: WWDWLLLDWDWWWDDDLLW
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4. Portland (7-3-5)
Last week: 6
Result: 3-2 win at Seattle
Unbeaten in 10 consecutive.
How they got here: LLDDLWWWWWWDDDW
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5. NYCFC (9-4-4)
Last week: 3
Result: 3-2 loss at Chicago
Giving up a lead on the road is a worrisome sign for a new coach.
How they got here: WWWDWWDLWLDWLWDWL
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6. L.A.F.C. (9-4-3)
Last week: 7
Result: 4-1 win vs Philadelphia
LAFC is going to make the playoffs. It’ll be interesting to see how far they can go in a weak, weak West.
How they got here: WWLLWWWDWDLDLWWW
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7. Sporting KC (9-3-5)
Last week: 4
Result: 2-0 loss at Montreal
How do you rally to defeat Houston one week and then lost at Montreal the next?
How they got here: LWWDWWDWLWWDDWDWL
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8. Dallas (9-2-5)
Last week: 8
Result: 1-0 win at Minnesota United
Three points are three points, but how will Dallas respond to selling Mauro Diaz?
How they got here: DWDDWWLDWDWWWWLW
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9. New England (7-4-6)
Last week: 9
Result: 3-2 win vs. D.C. United
The Revs are going to make the playoffs.
How they got here: LWDWWLDWDWLDDWDDW
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10. Chicago (6-7-5)
Last week: 14
Result: 3-2 win vs. NYCFC
Rallying to defeat NYCFC is a good sign. Now, they must keep Katai.
How they got here: LLDWLWDLWLLWLWDDDW
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11. Philadelphia (6-8-3)
Last week: 10
Result: 4-1 loss at LAFC
And the Union are starting to regress with three losses in their last four.
How they got here: WDLDLLWLLWWDWLWLL
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12. Houston (6-6-3)
Last week: 11
Result: DNP
How they got here: WLDLDWLWDWWLLWL
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13. Montreal (7-11-0)
Last week: 17
Result: 2-0 win vs. Sporting KC
This team has suddenly sprung to life for Remi Garde.
How they got here: LLWWLLLLWLLLLWLWWW
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14. Vancouver (6-7-5)
Last week: 12
Result: 1-0 loss to Colorado
Well, the Whitecaps are quickly crashing.
How they got here: WWLDWLLLWLDDDDWWLL
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15. Real Salt Lake (7-8-2)
Last week: 13
Result: 2-1 loss at Columbus
Just can’t get figure out if this team is better than average.
How they got here: DLWLWLWLLWLWWWLDL
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16. L.A. Galaxy (6-7-3)
Last week: 16
Result: 3-3 draw at San Jose
Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a brace as this team continues to show that it plays better without the dos Santos brothers.
How they got here: WLDWLWLLLLWWLDWD
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17. Orlando City (6-10-1)
Last week: 15
Result: 4-0 loss vs. Atlanta United
Eight consecutive losses. No where to go but up.
How they got here: DLLWWWWWWLLLLLLLL
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18. Colorado (4-9-3)
Last week: 21
Result: 1-0 win at Vancouver
Two consecutive wins. Two.
How they got here: LDWDWLLLLLLLLDWW
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19. Minnesota United (5-10-1)
Last week: 18
Result: 1-0 loss vs. Dallas
Three consecutive losses and the Loons are starting to swoon.
How they got here: LWWLLLLWWLLDWLLL
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20. Toronto (4-9-3)
Last week: 19
Result: 1-0 loss vs. New York Red Bulls
Sebastian Giovinco looks out of sorts. Jozy Altidore is clearly missed and Michael Bradley mostly jogs around and earns $6 million.
How they got here: LLWLLDWLLWLWDLL
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21. Seattle (3-9-3)
Last week: 20
Result: 3-2 loss vs. Portland
Seattle should win MLS pass of the week and goal of the week awards, if that's any consolation.
How they got here: LLLDWLDWLLLWLDL
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22. San Jose (2-9-6)
Last week: 22
Result: 3-3 draw vs. L.A. Galaxy
Chris Wondolowski edges ever closer to breaking Landon Donovan’s goal-scoring record in MLS. I just can’t think of a more inconsequential scorer than Wondo.
How they got here: WLLDDDLLLWDLLLLDDD
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23. D.C. United (2-7-4)
Last week: 23
Result: 3-2 loss at New England
Wayne Rooney may help the team sell tickets, but he’s not going to help them win.
How they got here: DLDLLWLLWDLDL
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