📈 MLS Cup Playoff Power Rankings: The east rule the roost

The true MLS Cup Playoffs are upon us, and that means the Power Rankings we return as we give a mark to each of the 14 teams in the postseason based on their chances to win the whole thing. Let’s get straight into it.

14. Atlanta United

Atlanta head into the after a dramatic win on penalties in Montréal in the Wild Card round, but with a first-round matchup against Inter Miami and a serious dearth in the firepower department, their days in the playoffs are likely numbers. Miracles do happen though!

13. New York Red Bulls

Like Atlanta before them, New York are hindered by a one-sided matchup with Columbus in the best-of-three series. Their reliance Emil Forsberg is major issue for a team looking to make a deep run in the playoffs.

12. Charlotte FC

Charlotte were a bit of a Cinderella story in the regular season. Making the playoffs with relative comfort was a superb accomplishment for a team that has a serious lack of top-end talent. But a lengthy run in the postseason may just be a bit too much for this side — for now.

11. Colorado Rapids

Rapids fans may feel that being in 11th is a disservice the growth of this team in 2024, but finishing the season with four straight losses is just about the worst thing that could happen to a team headed into a knockout competition that is largely dependent on momentum.

10. Real Salt Lake

RSL’s entry into the rankings at 10 may be the biggest shock on the whole list, but one thing goes against Pablo Mastroeni’s side in the postseason — they could not beat the big boys all season long. In six games against LAFC, LA Galaxy, Columbus, and Inter Miami respectively, Real Salt Lake picked up just one win.

9. NYCFC

It was an almighty struggle for NYCFC in the beginning of the season, but they did find their feet when it mattered and even raced into a top-six finish. But when the going gets tough against the real big sides in the Eastern Conference playoffs, they may crumble.

8. Seattle Sounders

It wasn’t pretty for most of the season for Seattle, but once they reach the postseason they become the proverbial ‘tough nut to crack’ for any opponent in the Western Conference.

7. Houston Dynamo

As one of the hottest teams in the last couple of months of the regular season, the Dynamo should head into the postseason with a chip on their shoulders, but their lack of depth could curtail any deep run.

6. Orlando City

Orlando are sneaky dark-horses in the Eastern Conference. Their attacking prowess has been on full display since September. Don’t count them out of pulling off a shock or two in the late stages of the playoffs.

5. LA Galaxy

The Galaxy were nearly unplayable at times this season, but their naievity on Decision Day revealed that this team still has another 12 months of development before they can contend with the likes of Miami and Columbus, or even LAFC in a playoff game.

4. FC Cincinnati

Cincinnati thoroughly cooled off in the back-half of the season. But Pat Noonan’s team will have revenge on their mind after a heartbreaking Eastern Conference final loss last season. Do not sleep on Lucho Acosta and his mates.

3. LAFC

We get into the real big boys in the MLS Cup Playoffs now. LAFC may have had a small slump in the late summer, but heading into the knockout phase of the campaign their is few teams with the ability to grind out results like Steve Cherundolo’s side.

2. Columbus Crew

The Crew have absolutely been the best team in North America for nearly 18 months now, but their early season blip due to prioritizing continental duties meant they couldn’t keep up in the Supporters Shield race. But should they win a second-straight MLS Cup six weeks time, would anybody be even remotely surprised?

1. Inter Miami

They did it in the Supporters Shield race. They broke the points record. But now it’s time for Messi and his mates to show they can win in MLS when it truly matters. Nonetheless, they come into the postseason as firm favorites to add another piece of silverware to their growing cabinet.