Soccer <\/p>\n
The Power Rankings are back. You\u2019re welcome. Or, um, we\u2019re sorry? I\u2019ve been doing this like four years now and it\u2019s never been clear which.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
What’s clear is a collection of Major League Soccer soccer dot com experts and experts adjacent got together and did their best to rank each team from 1 \u2192 30 based on whatever \u201cpower\u201d means. We averaged those rankings out and got the list you see below.<\/p>\n
Think of this less like a preseason prediction and more like a preseason Rorschach test for each team that tells us we\u2019re all broken in some way.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
The Supporters\u2019 Shield is still here. Lionel Messi<\/a> is still here. And the questions that followed Inter Miami<\/a> for all of 2024 until they crashed out of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs are still here, too.<\/p>\n Can the additions of midfielder Telasco Segovia<\/a> and defenders Gonzalo Luj\u00e1n<\/a> and Maxi Falc\u00f3n<\/a> (plus a full season of center back David Mart\u00ednez<\/a>) help them sort out those defensive issues? And can they really keep outrunning their underlying numbers? Because, folks, take out Messi and Luis Su\u00e1rez<\/a>\u2019s comical 16 goals worth of overperformance and Inter Miami still would have ended up as the eighth-most overperforming team in American Soccer Analysis\u2019 database (back to 2013).<\/p>\n Anyway, it\u2019s cups (plural) or bust for this group in 2025. It\u2019s weird to say it, but a second straight Supporters\u2019 Shield alone won\u2019t be enough to call this year a success.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Things aren\u2019t going to feel the same for the defending MLS Cup champs.<\/p>\n Star No. 10 Riqui Puig<\/a> isn\u2019t expected back from his ACL tear until late in the season and striker Dejan Jovelji\u0107<\/a> got traded to Sporting KC<\/a>. Key midfielders Gast\u00f3n Brugman<\/a> and Mark Delgado<\/a> got traded within MLS, too.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Year two of Joseph Paintsil<\/a> and Gabriel Pec<\/a> on the wings should make all those losses relatively manageable, though. Also, looking at the sixth star above their crest always helps.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n LAFC<\/a> went out this winter and did a whole bunch to remind everyone of their pre-2022 offseason. Basically, they added a whole handful of proven MLS Guys to an already impressive roster.<\/p>\n Former San Jose<\/a> striker Jeremy Ebobisse<\/a>, former Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado and former FC Dallas<\/a> center back Nkosi Tafari<\/a> are all here (among others). Those are the kind of smart moves we\u2019ve come to expect from one of the best front offices in MLS.<\/p>\n However, we\u2019ve gotta point out how the central midfield is basically entirely remade and attackers Mateusz Bogusz<\/a> and Cristian Olivera<\/a> are gone, too. There are some questions Steve Cherundolo’s group needs to answer early on.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Yeah, they\u2019re fourth in \u201cpower,” but some believe Seattle<\/a> are the odds-on favorite to win the Western Conference this year after adding former FC Dallas standouts Jes\u00fas Ferreira<\/a> and Paul Arriola<\/a>.<\/p>\n They’ll be your typically stout Seattle side with a needed dose of attacking flexibility (and a ready-made stand-in if DP Pedro de la Vega<\/a> can\u2019t stay healthy). With all the questions surrounding the LAs, Seattle\u2019s floor is the highest in the conference.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n You might have spent a few days panicking about 2023 MLS MVP Luciano Acosta<\/a> leaving for FC Dallas. That\u2019s understandable. He might have been even better in 2024. But you can go ahead and stop panicking now.<\/p>\n In typical Cincy fashion, they immediately spent big to find a more-than-suitable replacement. Evander<\/a> arrives from Portland<\/a> after a 15-goal, 19-assist season that would have been MVP-caliber in any other year. On top of that, they splashed a then-MLS-record $16.2 million on striker K\u00e9vin Denkey<\/a>. Expectations should be sky-high once again.<\/p>\n (Man, imagine showing this blurb to someone in 2021.)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cAtlanta United<\/a> are back\u201d is back. Maybe, just maybe, it has some merit this time.<\/p>\n The Five Stripes had an all-timer of an MLS offseason, swiping sporting director Chris Henderson from Inter Miami, hiring former MLS Cup-winning head coach Ronny Deila, and spending reportedly roughly $33 million to bring back Miguel Almir\u00f3n<\/a> and add MLS-record transfer Emmanuel Latte Lath<\/a>. Somewhere along the way, they added D.C. United<\/a> DP midfielder Mateusz Klich<\/a> for practically nothing.<\/p>\n If \u201cAtlanta United are back\u201d isn\u2019t true this time, it may never be.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n No one gets rich betting against a Wilfried Nancy-led team. But, man, this will be more of an uphill battle than expected after the departure of superstar striker Cucho Hern\u00e1ndez<\/a> to LaLiga side Real Betis.<\/p>\n Columbus<\/a> will spend to bring in a replacement, but it’s unclear when. Also, Cucho was a unicorn. He did everything at an extremely high level; you don\u2019t just find another player like him lying around.<\/p>\n The Crew’s ceiling is limited until they find a solution. It\u2019s the first time in a long time there are actual concerns with a Nancy-led team.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Charlotte<\/a> seem primed to pile up points. They should be strong defensively and they\u2019ve added DP winger Wilfried Zaha<\/a> on loan from Galatasaray. He should elevate an attack that doesn\u2019t have to be elite for this team to be successful. They should be better and more cohesive than the 2024 side that earned 51 points.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Orlando City<\/a> had two major concerns this offseason after DP winger Facundo Torres<\/a> was transferred to Palmeiras (for reportedly up to $14 million) and central midfielder Wilder Cartagena<\/a> picked up a season-ending Achilles injury.<\/p>\n They\u2019ve replaced Torres with Croatian winger Marco Pa\u0161ali\u0107<\/a>, who arrives as a DP from the Croatian first division. We\u2019ll just have to assume Orlando know something we don\u2019t there. They\u2019ve replaced Cartagena with Eduard Atuesta<\/a>, who arrives as a proven high-level MLS starter and clearly makes the team better. We\u2019ll have to give Orlando full marks there.<\/p>\n Will those moves be enough to improve on last year\u2019s Eastern Conference Final appearance?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n New York<\/a> added DP striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting<\/a> and jettisoned former DP striker Dante Vanzeir. There\u2019s some concern about the defense after the departures of John Tolkin<\/a> and Andr\u00e9s Reyes<\/a>. Yet, as always, the Red Bulls\u2019 success likely comes down to whether Choupo-Moting and DP To Be Named Later can lift their attack to somewhere near 2018 levels.<\/p>\n It will be tough to follow up an MLS Cup appearance, but the 2025 regular season will be more enjoyable than 2024 if those new pieces are clicking and Emil Forsberg<\/a> remains healthy.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n If DP striker Kelvin Yeboah<\/a> is as good as the 9g\/2a in his first 12 MLS matches suggest he is, Minnesota<\/a> will be just fine. They\u2019re at least a top-tier central midfielder away from truly contending, but there\u2019s significant upside during Eric Ramsay\u2019s second year in charge.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n It\u2019s not a bad idea to default to placing New York City FC<\/a> this high, but there are more question marks around this team than normal.<\/p>\n Central midfielder James Sands<\/a> is injured long-term (after being loaned to FC St. Pauli), attacking midfielder Santiago Rodr\u00edguez<\/a> is reportedly set to join Botafogo, and new head coach Pascal Jansen is an unknown in MLS.<\/p>\n They\u2019ll have DP flexibility if Rodr\u00edguez indeed leaves\u2026 but, as always, NYCFC are leaving their big offseason moves a bit late for everyone\u2019s comfort. As of now, a team that finished sixth in the Eastern Conference last year hasn\u2019t improved.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Houston<\/a> at No. 13 is\u2026 well, it\u2019s not a Puig-less LA at No. 2. But still, I\u2019ve got a dissenting opinion.<\/p>\n The Dynamo lost midfielders Coco Carrasquilla and H\u00e9ctor Herrera this offseason. They added Philadelphia<\/a>\u2019s Jack McGlynn<\/a> via trade to help compensate for those subtractions, but replacing them is easier said than done. Elsewhere, it\u2019s largely the same team. They have an open DP spot and need to use it, likely on a No. 10.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Austin<\/a> might be the most interesting team in the Western Conference?<\/p>\n They unexpectedly hired ex-FC Dallas manager Nico Est\u00e9vez, then turned heads when reportedly spending $20+ million combined to acquire DP forwards Myrto Uzuni<\/a> and Brandon Vazquez<\/a>. Add in Osman Bukari<\/a> and Austin broke their club-record transfer three times in about eight months.<\/p>\n Also, they’ve got a reworked midfield with Nicol\u00e1s Dubersarsky<\/a>, Ilie S\u00e1nchez<\/a> and Besard Sabovic<\/a> joining this offseason. Should be fun!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Last year, the Rapids<\/a> took a major step forward in attack after a busy 2023-24 offseason. However, their defense did not get the memo. Can the additions of center backs Chidozie Awaziem<\/a> and Ian Murphy<\/a> from Cincy and midfielder Josh Atencio<\/a> from Seattle correct that?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n It\u2019s been a relatively quiet offseason in St. Louis<\/a>, but new head coach Olof Mellberg seemingly has talent to work with after last year\u2019s midseason additions of Marcel Hartel<\/a> and Cedric Teuchert<\/a> in attack looked like bonafide plus-starters in MLS.<\/p>\n A full season with Hartel and Teuchert, plus a refreshed game model, could be enough to get St. Louis back to the playoffs.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n There are serious concerns here after the departures of forwards Chicho Arango<\/a> and Anderson Julio<\/a>. DP No. 10 Diogo Gon\u00e7alves<\/a> didn\u2019t immediately click last season and, quite frankly, this team hasn\u2019t looked the same since losing Andr\u00e9s G\u00f3mez last August.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n If Austin aren’t the most interesting team in the Western Conference, San Jose are.<\/p>\n Bruce Arena is in charge now and immediately got to work doing Bruce Arena things. Former Arena-era Revs<\/a> Mark-Anthony Kaye<\/a>, Dave Romney<\/a>, Earl Edwards Jr<\/a>. and Ian Harkes<\/a> have reunited with their old coach in San Jose. Meanwhile, Chicho Arango and Josef Mart\u00ednez<\/a> have arrived as the club\u2019s new strikers.<\/p>\n Arena has won big everywhere he\u2019s been in MLS, and a very Arena-esque roster is starting to take shape.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n It\u2019s tough to be sold on the Timbers after losing Evander, but they at least had a contingency plan ready to go. Portland immediately struck a deal to acquire DP midfielder David Da Costa<\/a> from Ligue 1’s RC Lens. Evander is a mighty tough act to follow, though.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Stuart Armstrong era came and went in an instant. Now, the Whitecaps<\/a> are again looking for a third DP. Until they add one and he stays around a while, Vancouver\u2019s station as a good-but-not-great team is unlikely to change.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n It\u2019s officially Caleb Porter\u2019s team after the Revs worked overtime to reshape their roster. The big additions are striker Leo Campana<\/a>, winger Ignatius Ganago<\/a>, midfielder Jackson Yueill<\/a>, and center backs Brayan Ceballos<\/a> and Mamadou Fofana<\/a>. As a whole, this group has a ton of unknowns.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A quick check on our patented Chicago Fire FC<\/a> Season Timeline.<\/p>\n I can see it \u2192 Oh, no \u2192 Oh, yikes, no \u2192 Well, maybe \u2192 Nope \u2192 But let\u2019s just\u2026 \u2192 Oh, ok immediate no on that \u2192 But what if they tweak this \u2192 This looks better! \u2192 OH NO. THEY GOT ME AGAIN \u2192 No. \u2192 I\u2019m not falling for that \u2192 No, forever. \u2192 Offseason \u2192 I can see it.<\/em><\/p>\n We\u2019ve never been more at \u201cI can see it\u201d than right now. New head coach and director of football Gregg Berhalter has already started utilizing Chicago\u2019s deep pockets. DP winger Jonathan Bamba<\/a> is the standout of their new additions and they still have an open DP spot to utilize when they want. For the first time in a long time, things genuinely feel like they\u2019re heading in the right direction.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n FC Dallas had plenty to worry about and then Lucho Acosta showed up. They may not be an elite side on paper yet, but Acosta is a superstar who should only make Petar Musa<\/a> better.<\/p>\n Also, moves for central midfielder Ramiro<\/a>, wingers Anderson Julio and L\u00e9o Ch\u00fa<\/a>, and defenders Shaq Moore<\/a> and Osaze Urhoghide<\/a> give Dallas some extra upside. Don\u2019t count them out in year one under head coach Eric Quill.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n No. 24 feels\u2026 maybe a little high. D.C.<\/a> have reigning Golden Boot presented by Audi winner Christian Benteke<\/a>, but are missing other high-level pieces. There are real worries here.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Montr\u00e9al<\/a> might be the youngest team in the league this year, which at least makes them interesting. This could go so many ways.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n How much different will Nashville<\/a> look during B.J. Callaghan\u2019s first full year in charge? A new and more viewer-friendly game model can only take you so far if the pieces aren\u2019t there. Maybe the additions of midfielders Edvard Tagseth<\/a> and Gast\u00f3n Brugman can make what\u2019s new truly<\/em> matter.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n It\u2019s been years since we\u2019ve thought about Philadelphia sitting this low, but here we are. Bradley Carnell has replaced Jim Curtin as head coach and Jack Elliott<\/a>, Leon Flach and Jack McGlynn are all gone. The teardown of the best Union side we\u2019ve ever seen is essentially complete. Now, we\u2019ll find out how far Energy Drink Soccer can take this roster.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Starting out higher than 30th as an expansion side is a tremendous accomplishment (or an indictment of the teams below them). San Diego<\/a>\u2019s roster already includes DP wingers Chucky Lozano<\/a> and Anders Dreyer<\/a>, USMNTer\/San Diego native Luca de la Torre<\/a> in midfield, and former Red Bulls center back Andr\u00e9s Reyes as the centerpiece of their defense. They\u2019re already trending more towards LAFC than FC Cincinnati on the expansion spectrum.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Sporting KC added two new DPs in LA Galaxy striker Dejan Jovelji\u0107 and No. 10 Manu Garc\u00eda.<\/a> There are still real questions almost everywhere else though, especially in defense.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n