MLSAces April / May Power Rankings
We’re seven weeks in to the 2021 MLS season, and there’s been no shortage of highlights, controversies and storylines. With that in mind, as we reflect on each team’s performance and discuss their rankings through the first international break, we thought we might try something different. Rather than put out weekly power rankings, like other media outlets do, we’ll be releasing monthly power rankings based on an AP-style poll of MLS Aces podcasters Tom Sweezy, Sam Nelson, Jason Vevang and Vaughn Pollman, as well as MLS Aces blog editor Graham Capobianco. Each of us will take a closer look at the top five and bottom five teams to discuss what teams are doing well, how these teams can maintain their form and how the bottom dwellers can rise.
1.Seattle Sounders – Sam Nelson (@Uncle_SamXIII)
The best team in MLS so far this year is Seattle. One of the only undefeated teams left in the league, the Sounders are off to their best start in franchise history. Manager Brian Schmetzer has done what many thought could not be achieved: he replaced a back line and midfield that had brought Seattle to the MLS Cup finals year after year and is still dominating MLS. Brad Smith and company will need to continue put in good shifts over the next month, since Stephan Frei is out with a sprained knee until the end of June, at the earliest. Rookie netminder Stefan Cleveland will do his best between the posts until Frei returns. All this while Raul Ruidiaz is putting on a show up top, with 6 goals in 8 matches. Seattle appears to be heading into the summer in the driver's seat for a Supporters Shield campaign.
2. New England Revolution – Tom Sweezy (@TomSweez)
With all the talk of top tier MLS clubs heading into the 2021 season, one team that was constantly left out was the New England Revolution. Through seven weeks, the Revs are sitting in 1st place in the Eastern Conference and are in the early running for the Supporters Shield. If I had to handout a MVP for this team so far, it would have to go to the man who recently got a contract extension - Carlos Gil. Gil leads the league with 5 assists to start this season and has the most key passes in MLS by a large margin. Another key piece of this offense has been Adam Buksa, who leads the Revs with 4 goals, sitting tied for 4th in the league. Matt Polster has been a force at defensive midfield, as he has been breaking things up and allowing the backline behind him to gain confidence. This is a top team in MLS and 2021 could be a bit of a revolution for this league.
3. Orlando City Soccer Club – Graham Capobianco (@Grahamalogue)
Considering how dreadful their first 5 seasons in MLS were, it’s amazing that Orlando City SC’s are one of the best teams in the league partway through their seventh season. Whether it was the 2020 addition of head coach Oscar Pareja or the many weapons they have in their attack, perhaps it’s no surprise they’ve turned things around. With the leadership and flair of winger Nani, the distribution from #10 Mauricio Pereyra or contributions from the likes of Junior Urso, Tesho Akindele, Benji Michel or Chris Mueller, Orlando can be a dangerous team in the attacking third. However, what is surprising is that Orlando have their defense to thank for their run of form so far. Orlando have only allowed 4 goals through 7 games – only the league-leading Seattle Sounders have allowed fewer. With an in-form Daryl Dike set to make his return from The EFL Championship following the international break, Orlando may only get more dangerous in the months to come.
4. Sporting Kansas City – Vaughn Pollman (@vipollman)
Sporting KC have earned their spot as a top 5 MLS side early in 2021, despite considerable roster rotation by Head Coach and General Manager Peter Vermes. SKC have been nursing multiple injuries, including Alan Pulido, Johnny Russell, Graham Zusi, Nicolas Isimat-Mirin, and Tim Melia, who have all missed time this season. However, SKC have found results and are currently sitting 2nd in the Western Conference, behind only the Seattle Sounders. This is due in large part to the positional flexibility of Midfielder Gianluca Busio and D Mid Ilie Sanchez, who have filled in at Defensive Midfielder and Centerback, respectively. By shifting these two players around, SKC have been able to control possession, build from the back and press the hell out of teams without giving up many opportunities. Left Winger Daniel Salloi has had a resurgent season so far, with 3 goals and 2 assists through 7 games. Salloi’s offensive contributions have added a pleasant and unexpected wrinkle to SKC’s attack. When everything is clicking for SKC, they are a side that can create chances, dominate possession, and compete with the MLS elite moving forward.
5. Nashville Soccer Club – Jason Vevang (@JasonVevang)
Coming off a successful inaugural season that saw Nashville SC make it all the way to the semi-finals of the MLS Cup playoffs, Nashville have continued to find ways to grind out results. Nashville has shown resilience time and time again, as they often find a way to fight back into games – perhaps that’s why they are now one of only 2 unbeaten sides in MLS this year. Manager Gary Smith seems to have a great hold on this team and is able to make quick decisions and tactical changes, even mid-game, which has contributed to many of Nashville’s comebacks. However, it will take more than grinding out draws if Nashville hope to stay near the top of the table in the months to come. The biggest issue is that they are so frequently playing from behind; With 5 draws and 2 wins through 7 weeks, they need to start taking more control from the start to really jump to the top of the standings.
As we mentioned in the introduction, though some power rankings look at the top 10, we at MLS Aces chose to also look at the bottom 5 teams of our power rankings, in order to assess what is going wrong and what these teams can hope to improve in the months to come.
23. Red Bull New York – Graham Capobianco (@Grahamalogue)
Despite their current standing in MLS, there is plenty to be hopeful and excited about when it comes to Red Bull New York. First, Head Coach Gerhard Struber appears to have implemented an exciting gegenpressen system that is similar to Jessie Marsch’s high press – perhaps this will result in a return to the winning ways of Marsch’s RBNY teams. Second, Head of Sport Kevin Thelwell has brought in a swarm of young, exciting domestic and international players, giving Struber just what he needs to create the organized chaos that Red Bull is globally known for. Though Red Bull sit 2 places outside of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, there are a lot of encouraging signs – namely, they’ve scored 10 goals already this season, which is nearly half the goals they scored in all of 2020. RBNY are very clearly in a rebuild, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this team starts to rise up the table following the international break, especially if the many players that are nursing injuries are able to return.
24. FC Dallas - Tom Sweezy (@TomSweez)
Boy, was I wrong about FC Dallas heading into 2021. Dallas currently sit dead last in the West. Dallas – do you have any more prospects that you can call up? With a revolving door at goalkeeper, a lack of production from Striker and Designated Player Franco Jara, and young players that are, well, showing their youth, this Dallas team just looks poor, to say the least. Though Dallas’ academy has been producing star talent, who often end up getting scooped up by European clubs, their first team is going to need some serious help if they are going to crawl back up to table. With that said, I am expecting a bit of a turnaround for this club, especially if Matt Hedges can get healthy and start to see consistent playing minutes, if Paxton Pomykal can get back to his old self, and if we are able to see a Jesus Ferreria sighting at some point.
25. D. C. United - Sam Nelson (@Uncle_SamXIII)
After an extremely poor showing in 2020, you could assume that this season was never going to be a championship year for DC United. With a new and somewhat inexperienced coach in Hernán Losada, a new front office and a new scouting department, this team was somewhat destined to spend at least some of the 2021 season near the bottom of the table. Losada has brought a new style to a DCU team desperate to get away from 'Bennyball', a style they were known for under long-time Head Coach Ben Olsen. Losada’s new pressing system has worked out well, considering that 3 of DCU’s 5 losses were tight games with a one goal margin. This DCU team is struggling for a leader up top that can put the ball in the back of the net - if they can find one, DC might not stay in the bottom 5 all year.
26.FC Cincinnati - Vaughn Pollman (@vipollman)
As back-to-back wooden spoon champions, FC Cincinnati has become synonymous with MLS cellar-dwellers. Unfortunately, they find themselves back in a familiar position through the first 7 weeks of the season - clawing their way up from the bottom. This past week, they earned their first win of the season, a 2-1 road win over CF Montreal. Most importantly, it was their first come-from-behind victory as an MLS franchise. Head Coach Jaap Stam’s side is clearly trying to right the ship by shoring up their defense. Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen a bevy of new signings make their way into the starting lineup, with the Centerback pairing of Geoff Cameron and Gustavo Vallecilla playing in front of former LAFC keeper, Kenneth Vermeer. Cincinnati will need to be strong in the back and create more consistent goalscoring opportunities through the play of Lucho Acosta and Brenner if they’re going to earn their way out of the back of the MLS pack.
27. Chicago Fire Football Club - Jason Vevang (@JasonVevang)
Only 4 goals scored through 7 weeks - 2 of which came within the first 20 minutes of Week 1 - does not bode well for the Chicago Fire this season. An overall unimpressive win over Inter Miami in Week 6 proved to be an outlier and doesn’t appear to have helped the Fire much in terms of form. Following the win, the Fire got right back to their losing ways, as they went down 1-0 to CF Montreal late in a game that they largely dominated, in terms of chances created. The inability to finish off their chances, as well as the constant defensive breakdowns that allow for easy goals, are burying the Fire at the bottom of the MLS table. VAR overturned their lone goal this past weekend, resulting in yet another defeat. With 5 losses this season, Chicago continue to dig themselves into a deeper hole at the bottom of a competitive Eastern Conference.
Here's our full power rankings for April and May of the 2021 MLS season.
1. Seattle - 135
2. NE - 129
3. Orlando - 121
4. SKC - 117
5. Nashville - 113
6. NYCFC - 101
7. LAG - 100
8. Philly - 93
9. Colorado - 89
10. Portland - 87
11. Houston - 81
12. LAFC - 76
13. ATL - 74
14. Columbus - 73
15. RSL - 59
16. SJ - 53
17. Toronto - 46
18. Vancouver - 44
19. Inter - 43
20. MUFC - 41
21. Austin - 38
22. Montreal - 35
23. RBNY - 31
24. Dallas - 28
25. DCU - 16
26. FCC - 8
27. Chicago - 7
