MLS: Power Rankings – Seattle Sounders on top
By Matt Coles
5. New York City FC
It all looked to be going so swimmingly for New York City FC in 2019. They topped the Eastern Conference for the first time, but for the fourth straight year, the Conference semi-finals were their downfall.
Ronny Deila now comes to the club to take over the reins, tasked with the job of getting NYCFC past the dreaded sem-finals and through to at least the last four come October.
He inherits one of the best squads in the league, with Heber, Valentin Castellanos and Alexandra Mitrita all well within the goals in 2019. Could NYCFC finally break that barrier down this year?
4. LA Galaxy
The five-time winners of the MLS Cup are looking to bounce back at take their title back for the first time since going back-to-back in 2012 and 2013.
The LA Galaxy lost Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the offseason after he scored 30 goals in 29 games, but the arrival of Javier Hernandez has lifted aspirations once again. Cristian Pavon is back as well and is ready to sear through MLS defences based on his preseason form, though defensive questions remain.
In summary, then, an ex-Premier League striker arrives in Los Angeles and takes them to the playoffs. Where have we heard that one before?
3. Atlanta United
2019 was another solid year for Atlanta United, despite failing to retain the MLS Cup title they won so easily the year before. They did add a trophy to the cabinet, though, winning the U.S. Open Cup in September.
One issue the club has going into the 2020 season is that they have no real cover for Josef Martinez. If he is to get injured, the club could struggle for goals, with the former MLS MVP making up the majority of the score count over the last few seasons.
The likes of Pity Martinez and Ezequiel Barco will continue to improve, but Frank de Boer may have a tricky job on his hands this season, especially after losing Julian Gressel, Darlington Nagbe and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez.
2. Los Angeles FC
Just missing out on the top spot are Los Angeles FC after they failed to deliver on such promise last time around. They broke nearly every record under the sun in the regular season but came unstuck against Seattle in the Western Conference finals.
They hit new highs for points scored, goals scored and goal differential, and with Carlos Vela scoring 34 of those in 31 games, he broke the single-season scoring record on his way to MLS MVP.
The Mexican could be a shoe-in for the award again this season, but the decision to trade away their best defender in Walker Zimmerman just before the season starts is a surprising one. Only time will tell if it was the right decision or not.
1. Seattle Sounders
The 2019 campaign was another fantastic one for the Seattle Sounders, who took home the MLS Cup after defeating Toronto FC 3-1 in the final in November.
Unsurprisingly, they take the top spot on the MLS Multiplex Power Rankings ahead of the 2020 season. If anything, their squad is only more complete than last year after adding Joao Paulo in central midfield.
Next. MLS: Top 5 contenders to win MLS Cup. dark
The likes of Raul Ruidiaz and Jordan Morris will look to continue their fine form, while Nicolas Lodeiro, Cristian Roldan and a whole host of others will be able to chip in. A fourth final in five years could well be on the cards for the Rave Green!