MLS Power Rankings

[notthesun]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...-season-opener

MLSsoccer.com has released the first edition of their power rankings for the upcoming season. Here's the full list, with last season's final edition placement in brackets:

1. Sporting Kansas City (1)
2. Portland Timbers (3)
3. L.A. Galaxy (5)
4. Real Salt Lake (2)
5. New York Red Bulls (4)
6. Seattle Sounders (8)
7. New England Revolution (7)
8. Houston Dynamo (6)
9. San Jose Earthquakes (10)
10. Vancouver Whitecaps (11)
11. Philadelphia Union (14)
12. Columbus Crew (15)
13. Chicago Fire (13)
14. Toronto FC (17)
15. FC Dallas (16)
16. Colorado Rapids (9)
17. D.C. United (19)
18. Chivas USA (18)
19. Montreal Impact (12)

[smtavare]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...-season-opener

MLSsoccer.com has released the first edition of their power rankings for the upcoming season. Here's the full list, with last season's final edition placement in brackets:

1. Sporting Kansas City (1)
2. Portland Timbers (3)
3. L.A. Galaxy (5)
4. Real Salt Lake (2)
5. New York Red Bulls (4)
6. Seattle Sounders (8)
7. New England Revolution (7)
8. Houston Dynamo (6)
9. San Jose Earthquakes (10)
10. Vancouver Whitecaps (11)
11. Philadelphia Union (14)
12. Columbus Crew (15)
13. Chicago Fire (13)
14. Toronto FC (17)
15. FC Dallas (16)
16. Colorado Rapids (9)
17. D.C. United (19)
18. Chivas USA (18)
19. Montreal Impact (12)

Wow 16. Colorado Rapids (9) what a drop!!

[Initial B]

They're smart to put both DCU and TFC low at the start of the year. It lowers expectations and shows they have a lot to prove.

[TFCwestcan]

The extra time radio guys have pegged TFC to finish in the bottom three. Realism or incentive?

[MightyDM]

The extra time radio guys have pegged TFC to finish in the bottom three. Realism or incentive?

Nonsense. Based on roster strength, I'd put us in the top ten.

[Shakes McQueen]

The extra time radio guys have pegged TFC to finish in the bottom three. Realism or incentive?

Conservative guess, based on where we finished last season. I suspect their top four are probably pretty safe guesses too, but beyond that, who knows. They moved the Caps up a spot from their finish last season, which strikes me as daft. Plus, if they end up being right about TFC, they get to brag about what they saw that no one else did, all season.

But whatever - some teams will win and lose in week one, and then those rankings will all change. The Toronto Blue Jays were top five in a lot of power rankings going into last season, and then dropped like a rock from there.

Power rankings are popular, for the same reason BuzzFeed listicles are popular. They are fun conversation pieces, and can be useful to reflect the current form of teams, but not much beyond that.

- Scott

[ensco]

Montreal dead last.

That is silly in my opinion.

[Shakes McQueen]

Montreal dead last.

That is silly in my opinion.

Agreed. There were one spot behind Vancouver last season, but now are nine spots worse? Give me a break.

- Scott

[LFC8]

What it should be:

1. Toronto FC
2. Los Angeles Galaxy
3. Seattle Sounders
4. Montreal Impact
5. Portland Timbers
6. New York Red Bulls
7. Sporting Kansas City
8. Real Salt Lake
9. Vancouver Whitecaps
10. D.C. United
11. FC Dallas
12. Philadelphia Union
13. Houston Dynamo
14. Chivas USA
15. Colorado Rapids
16. San Jose Earthquakes
17. Columbus Crew
18. Chicago Fire
19. New England Revolution

[Shakes McQueen]

What it should be:

1. Toronto FC
2. Los Angeles Galaxy
3. Seattle Sounders
4. Montreal Impact
5. Portland Timbers
6. New York Red Bulls
7. Sporting Kansas City
8. Real Salt Lake
9. Vancouver Whitecaps
10. D.C. United
11. FC Dallas
12. Philadelphia Union
13. Houston Dynamo
14. Chivas USA
15. Colorado Rapids
16. San Jose Earthquakes
17. Columbus Crew
18. Chicago Fire
19. New England Revolution

TFC are not going to finish in first place. You can mark that down. I win either way.

- Scott

[LFC8]

^Wasn't saying the were, just saying what they should finish based on what i see on paper.

[notthesun]

The top 6 is correct I think. I might change the order on a couple, but not the teams. And though it warms my heart, Montreal in last is too harsh. But I'd have them fairly low. Keep in mind, this is the power rankings to begin the season, meaning you have to consider the fact that Di Vaio is suspended for the opening 3 matches.

Houston, San Jose, and Vancouver are all higher than I'd have them. I don't see Houston making the playoffs this year. They might have the thinnest forward line in the league, I think their finishing is going to do them in.

[prizby]

Montreal dead last.

That is silly in my opinion.

they aren't going to score a goal from open play in the first 3 games

[Pookie]

It's funny sometimes reading how strong people think we are on paper. The number of MLS fans that really know other rosters is probably really small. I'd say most in Toronto are TFC fans and rarely have the opportunity or interest in watching other MLS teams play if TFC isnt involved.

I mean do we really know how strong or weak other rosters are?

It's ok. Just makes comparing our team to others more of a challenge.

As for the rankings, I sort of expected TFC to be in the 10-12 place but as others have said here, there are many gaps and players like Bradley are only 1 player. There are 11 guys.

[LFC8]

Vegas has us 5th at 10-1 odds. Sounds about right. Plus i don't think we'll see Cesar after the World Cup(back to QPR) and my faith in Bendik is quite minimal.

[Cashcleaner]

It's funny sometimes reading how strong people think we are on paper. The number of MLS fans that really know other rosters is probably really small. I'd say most in Toronto are TFC fans and rarely have the opportunity or interest in watching other MLS teams play if TFC isnt involved.

I mean do we really know how strong or weak other rosters are?

It's ok. Just makes comparing our team to others more of a challenge.

As for the rankings, I sort of expected TFC to be in the 10-12 place but as others have said here, there are many gaps and players like Bradley are only 1 player. There are 11 guys.

I agree with you for the most part regarding the awareness of other MLS teams. I think myself and many others do try to keep up with what's happening in Vancouver and Montreal, though.

And in both instances I'm confident we are the stronger team. That said, I don't think Montreal should be at the bottom of these ranking. They had a marginally better preseason than Toronto and were able to at least play Philly to a shoot-out in their final Walt Disney tournament match.

Vancouver, on the other hand, has had a pretty good preseason with a record of 4-2-1 against teams of varying quality, recently beating San Jose 2-nil and playing Portland to a 1-1 draw. I think they're going to be coming into the regular season well-prepared and ready to go.

http://www.soccerbyives.net/2014/03/...itecaps-1.html

http://www.soccerbyives.net/2014/03/...-impact-1.html

[tfcleeds]

It's funny sometimes reading how strong people think we are on paper. The number of MLS fans that really know other rosters is probably really small. I'd say most in Toronto are TFC fans and rarely have the opportunity or interest in watching other MLS teams play if TFC isnt involved. I mean do we really know how strong or weak other rosters are? It's ok. Just makes comparing our team to others more of a challenge. As for the rankings, I sort of expected TFC to be in the 10-12 place but as others have said here, there are many gaps and players like Bradley are only 1 player. There are 11 guys.

Even with Bradley and Defoe, I still think our overall roster is not nearly as strong from top to bottom as most other teams in MLS. Bottom line, I think most other teams are better equipped in the case of injuries to key players than we are. We're pretty thin on the bench. However, our top choice XI (on paper anyway) is as good as any in the league.

[OgtheDim]

Vegas has us 5th at 10-1 odds. Sounds about right. Plus i don't think we'll see Cesar after the World Cup(back to QPR) and my faith in Bendik is quite minimal.

Cesar has stated he's here for the season. His loyalty to Nelsen is quite strong.

[ag futbol]

Cesar has stated he's here for the season. His loyalty to Nelsen is quite strong.

Hardly seems like the way it's going to play out. He might formally be on loan for the whole MLS season - in line with his statement - but if he plays in Brazil and does well, he'll be gone for second half. Teams he'd play for are far less likely to be keeper shopping in the winter, with the exception of the brazilian squads which would mean less money.

[Detroit_TFC]

Herb Scribner at Deseret News (Salt Lake) did his Supporters Shield list, had TFC at 6th of 19. I thought that was too high.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8...m-19-to-1.html

[levyashin]

Results over the 1st 5 games will tell who has problems and who does not.
Vancouver look just as strong as Toronto while Montreal look destined for a tough start.
Portland looks to be the team to beat.
Chivas could be the dark horse.
Here's hoping that we get off to at least a 2/2 split over the 1st 4 games.

[QBall]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...-season-opener

MLSsoccer.com has released the first edition of their power rankings for the upcoming season. Here's the full list, with last season's final edition placement in brackets:

1. Sporting Kansas City (1)
2. Portland Timbers (3)
3. L.A. Galaxy (5)
4. Real Salt Lake (2)
5. New York Red Bulls (4)
6. Seattle Sounders (8)
7. New England Revolution (7)
8. Houston Dynamo (6)
9. San Jose Earthquakes (10)
10. Vancouver Whitecaps (11)
11. Philadelphia Union (14)
12. Columbus Crew (15)
13. Chicago Fire (13)
14. Toronto FC (17)
15. FC Dallas (16)
16. Colorado Rapids (9)
17. D.C. United (19)
18. Chivas USA (18)
19. Montreal Impact (12)

But Tim Leiweke said we'd make the playoffs this year. I even wrote it down like he said!

[LFC8]

Even with Bradley and Defoe, I still think our overall roster is not nearly as strong from top to bottom as most other teams in MLS. Bottom line, I think most other teams are better equipped in the case of injuries to key players than we are. We're pretty thin on the bench. However, our top choice XI (on paper anyway) is as good as any in the league.

The MLS has become very watered down though with all the expansion. I don't think there's one team in the league that has a bench to overcome injuries or players leaving for the World Cup.

[ryan]

Montreal is too high on that list.

[Ivy]

Vegas has us 5th at 10-1 odds. Sounds about right. Plus i don't think we'll see Cesar after the World Cup(back to QPR) and my faith in Bendik is quite minimal.

Have you seen Bendik play? Last year or preseason?

[Initial B]

But Tim Leiweke said we'd make the playoffs this year. I even wrote it down like he said!

I think we all need to hold him accountable to that quote.

As for TFC's ranking, I'd put them around 10th-11th.

[Yohan]

The MLS has become very watered down though with all the expansion. I don't think there's one team in the league that has a bench to overcome injuries or players leaving for the World Cup.

SKC, RSL, LA, Portland

[LFC8]

SKC, RSL, LA, Portland

Other than Picquionne and Wallace for Portland, i don't see any key bench players. Maybe Samuel for LA but that would mean he's replacing Keane or Donovan.

[Canary10]

Other than Picquionne and Wallace for Portland, i don't see any key bench players. Maybe Samuel for LA but that would mean he's replacing Keane or Donovan.

Portland is about 8 deep in the midfield. Weaker up front. Ok at the back.

[LFC8]

Have you seen Bendik play? Last year or preseason?

Yes, am i missing something?