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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Portland Timbers, New York Red Bulls, Chris Armas

BRONX, NY – AUGUST 24: Chris Armas Head Coach of New York Red Bulls yells as he runs out to the pitch for the 2nd half of the MLS Heineken Rivalry Week match between New York City FC and New York Red Bulls at Yankee Stadium on August 24, 2019 in the Bronx Borough of NY, USA. This was the 2nd leg of the New York Hudson River Derby. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /

10. New York Red Bulls

Well, if this was the New York Red Bulls of last season, they certainly would not be ranked at 10th by the MLS Multiplex staff. This time last year, the Supporters’ Shield winners were the favourites to make a deep run at the MLS Cup, despite their historical failures. One year on, those same expectations do not quite abound.

Chris Armas’ team are still capable. Josh Sims has injected an element of offensive ingenuity, while the defence has improved as the year has progressed, but Tyler Adams still has not been replaced, Bradley Wright-Phillips is not Bradley Wright-Phillips anymore, and the high press is not quite as suffocating as it used to be.

They have proven that they can beat the best. The only Eastern playoff side they have not been victorious against this year is New England. Now can they string together three good results? By seed, they will play Philadelphia, Atlanta and then New York City, all away from home. That might be the toughest run to the MLS Cup of any team in the playoffs. In the end, that might do for their hopes.

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