THIS WEEK’S POWER RANKINGS
1. Columbus Crew SC – The champions deserve the top spot until proven otherwise. The scary news for the rest of the league is that the Crew improved the roster in the offseason, adding a few weapons while keeping together most of the roster. A new stadium opens in July.
2. Seattle Sounders - The Sounders are always in the thick of the MLS race, coming off their fourth MLS Cup final in five years.
3. Los Angeles FC - Led by Carlos Vela, Los Angeles FC were disappointing in 2020, finishing seventh in the Western Conference. A run to the CONCACAF Champions League final after the season propelled LAFC towards the front of the pack heading into the 2021 season.
4. Philadelphia Union - Philadelphia should be brimming with confidence heading into 2021 after winning the Supporters' Shield in 2020. It was the club's first ever trophy.
5. Sporting KC - Sporting Kansas City finished first in the Western Conference in 2020, finishing its 21-match regular season with 12 wins, six losses and three draws. The club retained most of its offense. 6. Portland Timbers - Veteran stalwarts Diego Chara and Diego Valeri lead a talented roster with enough depth to push Seattle and LAFC through the 34-match season.
7. Toronto FC – A new era arrived in Toronto with Chris Armas taking over as head coach for Greg Vanney. But the roster is recognizable with veterans Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Omar Gonzalez back.
8. Orlando City - Orlando surprised the league in 2020 when head coach Oscar Pareja's squad overachieved en route to a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference.
9. Minnesota United - Led by the midseason addition of Emanuel Reynoso, 2020 was the club's best season. Reynosa recorded a goal and seven assists in three playoff games.
10. New York City FC – NYCFC must find a way to replace Ronald Matarrita and Alex Ring to return to the playoffs and threaten the Eastern Conference. One way to do that is to keep Maximiliano Moralez healthy. The veteran was limited to 10 starts in 2020.