MLS is Back: The top 3 contenders to LAFC dominance

1. San Jose Earthquakes

At one stage last season, the San Jose Earthquakes were one of the only teams to match LAFC’s Supporters’ Shield-winning pace. For a three-month period following a rough start to the campaign, Matias Almeyda’s team were excellent, their high-pressing scheme befuddling and suffocating their opponents.

However, they ran out of steam in the final stages of the season, the physical nature of the system taking its toll on a tired, beleaguered squad. For a full campaign, questions need to be asked of Almeyda’s hell-to-leather management style. But in a knockout competition where form is far more important than consistency, the Earthquakes are among the very best in the league.

Their results in MLS is Back have proven as much. They remain unbeaten, have scored 11 goals across their four games, and won each of their last three. Their only blot was a 0-0 draw against the defending champion Seattle Sounders that they entirely dominated and were unfortunate not to win.

Based on form, the Earthquakes are the best team in MLS not named LAFC. And while they may not be able to keep pace for an entire season, for three more games, they could yet cause an upset.