We are three weeks into the MLS season, and although this American brand of soccer isn’t for everyone, we love it! Before we get too far into the season, here’s how we would rank the clubs at this point:
1. Seattle Sounders
Seattle handed the Galaxy their first loss of the season, putting the Sounders at the top of the Western Conference standings and tied for most points in the league.
2. Los Angeles Galaxy
The Galaxy started the season strong, with five goals in each of their first two games. Their recent loss to Seattle is the least of their concerns with the upcoming El Trafico against LAFC.
3. New England Revolution
Carles Gile has shined for the Revolution as an attacking midfielder. He has a goal and two assists in his first three games. It’s early, but after their win over Atlanta, New England look like title contenders.
4. Columbus Crew
Columbus played to a 0-0 draw against Montreal this week, but that was expected with a big midweek match in the CONCACAF Champions League. We have been high on striker Gyasi Zardes for a long while.
5. Los Angeles FC
LAFC have struggled without their star forward Carlos Vela, but he is expected to return in time for the upcoming El Trafico.
6. Real Salt Lake
With two wins in two games, RSL is only MLS club yet to drop points in this very young season.
7. San Jose Earthquakes
Cade Cowell, San Jose’s seventeen year old star, is quickly becoming a player to keep an eye on. He has scored and assisted in both of his starts this season.
8. New York City FC
NYFC have played better than most would have expected, but they will be tested this weekend with a match against Orlando City.
9. Inter Miami
David Beckham’s Inter Miami look like real contenders this season. The high profile signings of Gonzalo Higuain and Blaise Matuidi seem to be working.
10. Orlando City
After two gorgeous goals in two weeks, Nani is as exciting to watch as ever. Orlando City, who played in last year’s MLS is Back tournament final, can easily climb our ranks if he keeps scoring like this.
11. CF Montreal
Montreal are still unbeaten after a 0-0 draw against a Columbus side that clearly was not playing their best lineup.
12. Sporting Kansas City
Sporting was expected to be better this season, but so far they have not shown in. Especially not in their 3-1 loss to RSL, in which they blew a 1-0 lead.
13. Austin FC
With six points in their first three games, Austin FC are seeing some early success as an expansion club in their inaugural season.
14. Atlanta United
Coming off a loss in the league and a draw against Philadelphia in CONCACAF Champions League, things won’t get any easier this weekend for Atlanta United as they prepare for a match against Inter Miami.
15. Colorado Rapids
A magnificent Diego Rubio free kick delivered the Rapids a 1-0 win over Vancouver, their first win of the young season. The Rapids will need to win more possession to climb higher in our ranks.
16. Vancouver White Caps
Although they controlled over 57% of possession, Vancouver had no goals on just four shots in their recent loss to Colorado.
17. Houston Dynamo
In their last match, the Dynamo impressively played LAFC to a 1-1 draw. Maybe we can see this team rise in the future.
18. Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia has only 1 point so far this season, but they also just advanced to the CONCACAF Champions League semi-final. This was one of the hardest teams to rank.
19. New York Red Bulls
New manager Gerhard Struber picked up his first win with the club in a decisive 2-0 win over lowly Chicago, but the team will need more goals from their new striker, Fabio, before they climb our ranks.
20. FC Dallas
After a dominant 4-1 win over Portland, in which Dallas started six homegrown players, this club could have found the momentum that they needed.
21. Portland Timbers
Portland was shocked by Dallas last week, then embarrassed in their CONCACAF match. They will need to turn things around quickly before this weekend’s match against rival Seattle.
22. Toronto FC
Toronto is yet to find a win on the short season and their CONCACAF ambitions are now gone after a midweek loss.
23. Nashville SC
Supporters are certainly not happy after three home draws in as many matches.
24. DC United
This team is battling with way too many injuries to be competitive at this point. They could easily climb these ranks once their health and depth returns.
25. Chicago Fire
Chicago seems to have fallen off this year and are conceding goals way too easily.
26. Minnesota United
If not for Cincinnati, Minnesota could be sitting last in our ranks. Through 3 weeks, they are the only team yet to pick up a point.
27. FC Cincinnati
After a 3-0 loss to Orlando, this Cincinnati team looks worse than they did last season, when they finished last in the league.