With Toronto FC mercifully limping towards the end of its terrible season, this space will turn its attention to MLS issues for the duration of the season. That’s not to say that TFC news won’t be covered – of course it will be – but rather we will endeavor to provide coverage of the league it plays in as we enter an intriguing playoff season.
With Seattle’s 3-1 win over Dallas, the 10 playoff teams were determined. Today, we rank them from most likely to least likely to win the MLS Cup.
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1. Kansas City – 60 pts (23 pts since August 1)
The former Wizards started the season hotter than anyone and, after a little blip in early summer, are once again among the hottest teams in the league. They will have home advantage throughout the eastern playoffs and you know that every last soul at MLS head office is hoping they will be the host of the MLS Cup final.
2. Chicago – 56 pts (24 pts since August 1)
The hottest team in the league since the transfer window and a team that no one is paying any attention to. The caveat is that the east is still wide open. They need a result against DC United next weekend to ensure that they don’t drop into the play-in game. However, if you’re looking for a darkhorse pick you can’t do worse than Chicago.
3. San Jose - 65 pts (22 pts since August 1)
The Shield winners are not being discounted. Chris Wondolowski might be able to take them there himself. However, the top teams in the west seen a little tougher than the top teams in the east and, therefore, it’s slightly more difficult for the Earthquakes to get to the final – at least that’s what the league is hoping.
4. Galaxy – 51 pts (24 pts since August 1)
They are champions and that’s not to be ignored. They are one of the hottest teams since August and that’s not to be ignored. They also have to play a play-in game and, well, that’s not to be ignored either. If they can survive Vancouver, the Galaxy become even odds to get back to the final.
5. Seattle – 56 pts (22 pts since August 1)
Seattle enters the playoffs much as it has every year. They look strong, but they’ve looked strong before. Can they finally breakthrough in the playoffs? Until they do, there will be questions.
6. Salt Lake – 56 pts (20 pts since August 1)
Their home advantage will always keep them in the conversation in a playoff tie, but SLC seems like a club that might have peaked.
7. DC United – 57 pts (21 pts since August 1)
They have gamely held on despite DeRo’s injury, but the lack of a game changer might hurt them in the playoffs. They will desperately want to avoid playing in the play-in game.
8. Houston – 53 pts (19 pts since August 1)
Houston has just sort of been there this year. They benefit from the blackhole that is the bottom of the east. However, they are well coached and went on an unexpected run last year. So, maybe. Just not probably.
9. New York – 54 pts (16 pts since August 1)
The Red Bulls are broken (year 16)
10. Vancouver – 42 pts (11 pts since August 1)
Some readers will accuse me of bias here, but the hard truth is that the Whitecaps are not only the team on the worst form going into the playoffs (by a long ways), but one of the worst teams in MLS, period, since August 1. They will bunker and hope against L.A. but it would be a massive upset if they were to turn around things and go on a playoff run.
My pre-playoff MLS Cup pick: Sporting Kansas City over LA Galaxy 3-1.
Although I've ranked San Jose above L.A. in terms of what team is more likely to win, it's my opinion that L.A.'s experience will help them pull an upset over San Jose in the second round.
Kansas City will complete a dream season with a fairly easy win at home in what will be remembered as a exciting and rambunctious final.