MLS: Playoff Power Rankings

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his goal during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /

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SANDY, UT – SEPTEMBER 25 : Jefferson Savarino #7 of Real Salt Lake reacts after being tackled during their game against the LA Galaxy at Rio Tinto Stadium September 25, 2019 in Sandy, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

11. Real Salt Lake

The lowest-ranked team with a home match to open their playoff account, Real Salt Lake fans might feel slightly hard done by to be ranked at 11th by MLS Multiplex. However, dig into their record a little deeper and it is difficult to see how they can topple the elite MLS teams, especially when on the road later in the postseason.

If D.C. United are the least inspiring attack in the playoffs, by the numbers, RSL are right behind. They scored only 46 goals — no other playoff team scored fewer than 50 — and have only one player in double figures, Albert Rusnak with ten. They have also leaned hard on their home form to seize the third seed in the West, only LAFC winning more home games in all of MLS. But away from home, RSL are poor, winning just four games all season. Only FC Dallas and New England won fewer.

Not only that, but Salt Lake open the playoffs against the Portland Timbers, arguably the toughest opponent of the lower seeds in the playoffs. The Timbers are perfectly suited to play on the counter-attack, with a strong defence, mobile midfield and excellent front three. Even at Rio Tinto Stadium, they will be a very difficult opening game for Salt Lake.

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