MLS RANKINGS: TOP 10 POWER POLL

1. New England Revolution: The Revolution remain atop the poll following a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union. New England is 10 points clear of second-place Orlando City in the Eastern Conference and six points ahead of Sporting Kansas City for the race toward a Supporters’ Shield. Its 35 goals scored are most in the league.

2. Sporting Kansas City: Its plus-13 goal differential is tied with New England for the best in MLS. Sporting is one point clear of Seattle in the Western Conference after 18 matches. Consistency is the key: The club has lost only one game since June 19.

3. Seattle Sounders: Roster hurdles brought Seattle back to earth after a historic start to the season. The Sounders limped into August with three losses in four games, including the 1-0 loss at Minnesota that broke its unbeaten streak. Seattle must now maneuver around a busy week that started Tuesday with a Leagues Cup match versus Tigres, which the Sounders won 3-0, and Sunday’s Cascadia Derby showdown against Portland.

4. New York City FC: NYCFC is in third place in the East despite playing fewer games than any other club inside the conference’s playoff spots. The club started August with draws against Chicago and Toronto. Its five-game unbeaten streak extends back to the fluky 2-1 defeat at Columbus on July 17. NYCFC has allowed only three goals during that five-match span.

5. Orlando City SC: Nani is propelling Orlando City into Eastern contention with his unique ability to score from seemingly nowhere. He’s scored nine goals in 15 matches. No other player on the squad has scored more than three in the entire season. Eleven players have scored goals for Orlando City in 2021.

6. Los Angeles Galaxy: The absence of Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, who missed his eighth consecutive match on Sunday, hasn’t hurt the Galaxy much in the standings. LA’s 32 points are third most in the West and only two behind Sporting Kansas City for the top spot. Its 29 goals are second best in the West.

7. Philadelphia Union: Philadelphia is another MLS team juggling participation in a competition against Liga MX teams – in the Union’s case, the CONCACAF Champions League – with a hectic MLS summer schedule that includes seven total matches in August.

8. Nashville SC: Nashville last won a match July 24 against Cincinnati. The last time the club defeated a playoff team was in a 1-0 win July 3 at home against the Philadelphia Union. Nashville possesses a league-low two losses.

9. Colorado Rapids: The Rapids quietly sit in fourth place in the West with 28 points through 16 matches, which is two fewer games played than any of the three teams above Colorado in the conference standings. There is nothing flashy about Colorado, however, with its leading scorer sitting on four goals.

10. Minnesota United: Minnesota has overcome a wretched start to the season to climb into playoff contention. Its last loss came to Colorado on July 7. United began the season with four consecutive losses, but it is currently on a five-game unbeaten streak.

Moving in: Minnesota United

Dropping out: Los Angeles FC (previously: 10)

Others receiving votes: DC United

– Mike Craven Austin American-Statesman