Quest for MLS Cup
Toronto FC could find itself returning to play for the MLS Cup again this season
After a wild final day of regularseason play, the Major League Soccer postseason field is set. Here’s USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings of the 12 playoff teams.
1. TORONTO FC
The skinny: Last year Toronto FC hosted the MLS Cup, only to lose on penalty kicks to the Seattle Sounders. This season Toronto steamrolled to one of the greatest regular seasons in history, setting a record for points in a season with 69.
Player to watch: Sebastian Giovinco. After being lost in the wilderness for its first eight years of existence, Toronto became a playoff team once Giovinco came on board in 2015. With Giovinco and Jozy Altidore, TFC has a potent one-two scoring punch.
2. PORTLAND TIMBERS
The skinny: The Timbers followed up their MLS Cup triumph by failing to make the playoffs in 2016. Portland is back in the postseason after finishing with the best record in the Western Conference.
Player to watch: Diego Valeri, who had a record-setting season that could earn him the league’s MVP award. He scored a goal in nine consecutive games.
3. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
The skinny: The defending MLS Cup champions have a strong shot at a repeat. As the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed, the Sounders will get at least one game at home, where they are nearly unbeatable.
Player to watch: Clint Dempsey, who picked up a red card in the regular-season finale and will miss the playoff opener. The Sounders will get “Deuce” back for the critical second leg of a home-and-home playoff series.
4. ATLANTA UNITED FC
The skinny: As Toronto FC chases history, Atlanta United would like to make some of its own. Only one expansion team has won the MLS Cup, and that was in 1998, when the Chicago Fire won in a 12-team league.
Player to watch: Josef Martinez, who missed a chunk of the season with a foot injury. However, he managed to score goals at an alarming rate: 19 in 20 games.
5. NEW YORK CITY FC
The skinny: NYCFC got wrecked by Toronto FC last year, losing 7-0 on aggregate in the Eastern Conference semifinals. So this team will need to solve Toronto if it has any chance. Player to watch: David Villa, who is one of the top two or three players in the league. His goalscoring fortunes will determine just how far NYCFC can go.
6. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
The skinny: With the Timbers and Sounders winning the MLS Cup in 2015 and 2016, respectively, it would seem to be Vancouver’s turn to complete the Cascadia dominance.
Player to watch: Fredy Montero, the Whitecaps’ goal-scoring leader, suffered an injury last week and was used as a sub in the season finale. His health will be vital to Vancouver’s playoff hopes.
7. COLUMBUS CREW SC
The skinny: It’s been a nightmare of a week for Columbus fans. Before the off-field turmoil, the Crew had surged into the playoffs. Could the Crew continue on that run and provide a potential parting gift for their loyal supporters? With an owner threatening to relocate the franchise, guess there’s only one thing left to do.
Player to watch: Federico Higuain. A classic midfield maestro, Higuain is the fulcrum of the Crew’s attack.
8. HOUSTON DYNAMO
The skinny: The Dynamo lost just once this season at BBVA Compass Stadium, where they will play Sporting Kansas City on Thursday. But Houston’s road record has been as bad as its home record is good: just one away win.
Player to watch: Erick Torres, who led his team in goals (14) but hasn’t put the ball into the back of the net since late August.
9. NEW YORK RED BULLS
The skinny: The New York Red Bulls (formerly the MetroStars) have one of the more abysmal playoff records of any pro team in American sports. In 22 seasons, this franchise has missed the playoffs only four times. However, it has only one MLS Cup appearance to show for it. Player to watch: Tyler Ad- ams. The 18-year-old midfielder is one of a number of promising young players to watch as he should play a role on the U.S men’s national team in the future.
10. CHICAGO FIRE
The skinny: After a four-season absence — which included finishing with the league’s worst record in back-to-back years — the Fire are back in the playoffs. Bastian Schweinsteiger has been sidelined because of a thigh injury.
Player to watch: Nemanja Nikolic. With 24 goals, the Serbian striker earned the Golden Boot in his first season.
11. SPORTING KANSAS CITY
The skinny: SKC is going for the domestic double, having already claimed its fourth U.S. Open Cup title. This is a battle-tested team that is four years removed from its last MLS Cup triumph, so it is not to be underestimated.
Player to watch: Andrew Dykstra. Sporting KC was dealt a late-season blow when starting goalkeeper Tim Melia suffered a hamstring injury. SKC’s hopes now ride on the untested Dykstra.
12. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
The skinny: Perennial contenders FC Dallas and the Los Angeles Galaxy are sitting these playoffs out, and that opened the door for the Earthquakes. Despite a managerial change midseason, this team is in the playoffs for the first time in five years. Player to watch: Chris Wondolowski. As has been the case for the better part of a decade, Wondo is the biggest scoring threat for the Quakes.