Pre-season MLS Power Rankings
I don't know if anyone will even look at this...I'd love some feed back if you do though.
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I don't know if anyone will even look at this...I'd love some feed back if you do though. 〰️〰️〰️
I’ve thought about it for years. I’ve wanted to put together a #POWERRANKINGS for the MLS on the BLOG.
Remember- this is just my opinion… backed up by a little bit of information that I do have about the teams in the league, my experiences as a coach, and the enjoyment of JUST BEING A FAN.
The 2024 Season starts tonight at 8 PM Eastern… as Inter Miami takes on Real Salt Lake.
#1 Columbus Crew SC
This one hurts to post as #1 but, we have to take into consideration that at the end of 2023 they were the best team. Until someone knocks them off their pedestal or puts together an absolutely unbelievable performance… the Crew sit at number one.
Fun information about the last time the CREW won MLS Cup (2020) they missed the playoffs the following season. Maybe we will be lucky enough that they do that in 2024?
#2 FC Cincinnati
As an FCC fan, I’m sure I’ll take some heat for this… I don’t know if my heart or my head has them at #2. Really… I don’t.
With Barreal leaving, they had 4 starters from 2023’s supporter’s shield championship leave. They brought in 2 big pieces in Miles Robinson and Cory Baird to fill some of the void.
I feel as though the goal in 2024 is to just make the playoffs for FCC. Maybe they even earn another piece of hardware along the way but, I’d rather see them focus on just making the playoffs and then taking an honest run at the MLS Cup.
My other big concern… what formation is this squad going to run? I’m interested to see how they play tomorrow night in the CONCACAF event.
#3 Inter Miami CF
I have a lot of questions about this team.
- How is their roster complient with the league rules?
- How long can this group of “retirees” hang with the fixture congestion that everyone is so worried about (which is why MLS isn’t having all it’s teams in the Open Cup)
- How many posts a week from MLS on Social Media will include pics of Messi?
Outside of that. Five years ago, this is the greatest roster of players ever assembled. This isn’t five years ago either.
The game in the US is different than the game in Spain. I’ve seen it first hand. Overseas, the game is more possession based. It’s starting to make a transition here but, theres still a lot more speed and agression in MLS than technical ability I believe.
Miami has a chance, if the do things right to win the MLS Cup. They will not win the Supporters Shiled this year though. They are going to have to rest players in spurts in order to get them through the long season ahead.
While pre-season has me thinking they could end in the top five in the east, I wonder if they can get through the whole season healthy.
#4 Seattle Sounders
I love the new logo. I hate the new kit. I think the Sounders could be great, or they could be shit.
Every season that I think the Sounders are going to be good, they suck, and every season I think they aren’t going to be good, they play good soccer.
Unfortunately for Sounders Fans, I think they are going to be good this season so that means they are going to suck.
Defensively in 2023- they were nothing short of outstanding.
If Pedro De La Vega shines this season out on the wing, the 23 year old will own Seattle. The Young DP has a chance to really be the man in Seattle and if he plays well, they probably have a great chance this season to be successful out west.
#5 Philadelphia Union
I could have very well put Philly at Number 1 and been okay with my choice there. I mean really, they just seem to reload every season.
Last year, they were +16 in Goal Differential, and it was a “DOWN YEAR” in their minds.
Similar to Seattle, a lot of Philly’s success this year in my opinon will depend on the growth of one of their young stars. Jack McGlynn is 20 years old, and he could play a very important role for the Union.
McGlynn had a pretty goal against DC United that you can watch below.
Tonight’s Match:
Inter Miami CF (9-7-18) Vs. REAL Salt Lake (2023 14-8-12)
Nothing says 2024 MLS more than the season opening to night with INTER MIAMI CF starting the season off on Apple TV.
8 PM Eastern Kickoff means we are about 1 hour away from the kickoff from when this post is going live.
Big news going into this match is that Inter Miami CF have used their offseason buyout on attacker Corentin Jean meaning the Frenchman won't occupy an international roster slot or count against their cap.
Real Salt Lake lost two DPs in the offseason and didn’t make any attempt to replace them. It’s going to be a down year for them in my opinion. They finished fifth in the Western Conference last year but I think they will be lucky to be in the playoff hunt if they don’t make some changes in the Summer Window.
My anticipated Starters for Inter Miami:
Callender; Alba, Avilés, Kryvtsov, Yedlin; Gómez, Busquets, Gressel; Taylor, Suárez, Messi
I’d expect to see them in a 4-3-3 (I think everyone listed is healthy)
Real’s expected starting lineup:
MacMath; Katranis, Vera, Glad, Brody; Luna, Ruiz, Ojeda, Gómez; Crooks; Arango
