MLS: Power Rankings – Seattle Sounders on top
By Matt Coles
15. Columbus Crew SC
After a horrendous season, which saw the 2015 MLS Cup finalists drop down to 10th in the Eastern Conference, the Columbus Crew are back for another run at the postseason this year.
The club has lost the likes of Wil Trapp, Romario Williams, Lalas Abubakar and Federico Higuain, but they have recruited well and now boast one of the more well-rounded rosters in the league.
Fanendo Adi will be aiming to find his goalscoring touch again, while Darlington Nagbe and Lucas Zelarayan join the Crew as the big-money signings in the offseason to complete a terrific central midfield. With Caleb Porter at the helm, expect Columbus to be fighting for a top-seven spot.
14. Real Salt Lake
Coming into the 2020 season, Real Salt Lake are carrying a lot of baggage. Despite finishing in third place in the Western Conference last season, they rank at only 14th in our preseason rankings.
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They lost some huge names, including last year’s best player, Jefferson Savarino, sold for just $2million to Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro. Brooks Lennon, Kelyn Rowe and Nick Rimando have also departed.
RSL’s issue is that they have not done much recruiting. Of the eight players that have come in, just four of those come from top-flight sides. Justin Meram and Jeizon Ramirez will have to be at their best to get RSL into the postseason once again.
13. New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls continued their remarkable record of reaching the postseason in 2019, making the playoffs for the 11th consecutive season. But that imperious run could be in danger this time around.
They were once the marquee side in the league, with the likes of Thierry Henry, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Luis Robles, but these days, no-one really speaks about the club, especially with NYCFC just down the road.
The club’s record goalscorer, Wright-Phillips, is gone, along with Kemar Lawrence, Michael Murillo and Robles, and not many have come in to replace those. It could be tough start to the decade for the club.
12. D.C. United
Off the back of Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta, D.C. United made it into the postseason in 2019. However, after an up-and-down regular season, they failed to win their playoff clash with Toronto after a manic first period of extra time.
The club has been busy this offseason. Rooney and Acosta are gone, the likes of Edinson Flores and Julian Gressel are now here, along with signing Bill Hamid to a long-term deal, but the injury to Paul Arriola could curtail things before they even really get going.
11. FC Dallas
The higher-ranked of the two Texan sides going into the 2020 campaign is FC Dallas, and with good reason thanks to a playoff run last time out.
Once again, though, FCD have failed to bring in several stars, signing just four players ahead of the season, with one of those not joining up with the club until July.
Fafa Picault and Thiago Santos will join a youthful and talented squad, which features Paxton Pomykal and Reggie Cannon, but the playoffs could be a stretch this time around in an intensely competitive Western Conference.