MLS Power Rankings: New York Red Bulls Close out the Regular Season on Top
MLS Decision Day lived up to the hype on Sunday.
The New York Red Bulls won their second Supporters' Shield in three years. The rest of the playoff picture was also finalized, with the postseason beginning on Wednesday with the knockout round matches.
The epic conclusion of the regular season has drastically altered the final power rankings before the playoffs.
As always, every team will be ranked based on the following criteria:
- Quality of opponent and performance.
- Recent form beyond the previous match.
- Key absences.
- Current standing.
Here's where every MLS team stands at the end of the regular season.
20. Chicago Fire (Previous: 20)
1 of 20
The Chicago Fire's 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls has left them in the basement of the Eastern Conference and the power rankings.
A late goal from Gilberto gave Chicago a glimmer of hope. However, the Red Bulls were able to ward off the hosts and clinched the Supporters' Shield in the Fire's own venue.
New general manager Nelson Rodriguez will have a long, tedious offseason ahead of him. There's a desperate need for a couple of defenders, a central midfielder and another attack-minded designated player.
19. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 18)
2 of 20
The Colorado Rapids ended their season with a whimper after a 4-1 loss to the Portland Timbers.
This was Colorado's fifth defeat in its last six matches and has led to the Rapids finishing at the bottom of the Western Conference. It also demotes them to No. 19 after the Philadelphia Union's victory.
The Rapids will likely begin the 2016 season without many significant changes. Head coach Pablo Mastroeni will be in charge next year but will likely have a new assistant on staff, per the Denver Post's Woody Paige.
If Colorado wants to make a big splash, the club has the first right of refusal on Mexico international Carlos Vela, per ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle. This move would certainly boost the Rapids offensively.
18. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 19)
3 of 20
The Philadelphia Union gave their fans a reason to cheer thanks to a 1-0 victory over Orlando City SC.
The win guides the Union into the 18th spot in the power rankings after losses for the Colorado Rapids and Chicago Fire.
The Union currently hold the longest active MLS playoff drought. Philadelphia has not made the postseason in four straight seasons but will be undergoing a few major changes this winter.
Former U.S. international Earnie Stewart has been hired as the Union's new sporting director, per MLS Soccer. He was previously working at AZ Alkmaar where he did some phenomenal work.
This is one of the Union's smartest moves in quite some time. Stewart will need to bolster the squad in midfield and on the back line. If he can do that, Philadelphia might be an outside contender for the playoffs in 2016.
17. New York City FC (Previous: 17)
4 of 20
David Villa scoring, Josh Saunders making several saves and New York City FC losing 3-1 to the New England Revolution were fitting ways to end the 2015 season.
Villa and Saunders have been NYCFC's most important and consistent players in 2015. Both men constantly bailed out their team during a tumultuous campaign.
Speaking of tumultuous, head coach Jason Kreis is in danger of losing his job, per Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl. Just when all three of NYCFC's designated players settle into the squad, the club might execute another significant move.
It's clear that NYCFC needs a strong, consistent back line. New loanees and signings constantly forced Kreis to rotate the defense. Stability is key in the defensive third, but it's also crucial to be patient with the coach.
The team's latest defeat doesn't alter their spot in the power rankings. However, if the expansion side doesn't address the defense and sacks Kreis, it could be in trouble in 2016.
16. Real Salt Lake (Previous: 16)
5 of 20
Real Salt Lake lost 3-1 to the Seattle Sounders, but the score flattered RSL.
Defender Tony Beltran perfectly described his team's performance. RSL did not appear to be interested in the match, and it led to three quick goals by the Sounders.
RSL's offseason will be intriguing now that Jason Kreis, Bill Manning and Garth Lagerwey are all with different clubs.
The head coach, president and general manager, respectively, built the Claret and Cobalt into an MLS Cup winner in 2009. It might not be the official ending to an unlikely era, but it's close.
15. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 15)
6 of 20
The Houston Dynamo were resilient in the first half against the hosting Vancouver Whitecaps. Then the Whitecaps turned on the afterburners and crushed the Dynamo 3-0.
Houston had a penalty shout in the opening half when Russell Teibert appeared to handle the ball in his box. However, referee Kevin Stott and his assistants did not spot the incident, and the Canada international got away with it.
Head coach Owen Coyle experienced a decent debut season, but he clearly isn't satisfied with his squad. The Scot has previously described his team as "soft, fragile and disappointing" after a loss. There's been more than one occurrence in 2015.
Erick Torres was supposed to provide an offensive spark. However, he failed to score a goal in 11 appearances, and three of those were starts. A full preseason might help the Mexican in 2016.
14. San Jose Earthquakes (Previous: 13)
7 of 20
The San Jose Earthquakes narrowly missed out on the playoffs after a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas.
The Earthquakes started brightly and opened the scoring through Quincy Amarikwa, but then it became ugly. Matias Perez Garcia slapped Mauro Diaz and was rightly sent off. Dallas bagged the winner 12 minutes later.
Despite the disappointing conclusion to the regular season, the Earthquakes should improve in 2016.
Goalkeeper David Bingham was a revelation all year long as he made countless crucial saves. Summer signings Marc Pelosi and Anibal Godoy have boosted the defense, and Quincy Amarikwa gives the Quakes another scoring option.
Head coach Dominic Kinnear led San Jose to six wins in its final 12 matches. The Quakes lost just three of those games, so they can inflict damage in the Western Conference.
13. Orlando City SC (Previous: 11)
8 of 20
Orlando City SC lost 1-0 to the Philadelphia Union but still finished above its expansion cousin New York City FC in the standings.
Orlando narrowly missed out on the playoffs in the end. However, considering how young the team is, this was a formidable debut in MLS.
The Lions were also forced to rotate their lineup 28 times in 32 games, per the Orlando Sentinel's Paul Tenorio. When the starting XI changes that often, it's tough to gain chemistry.
Now that Orlando has a settled squad and an established XI, 2016 won't be as inconsistent. However, the franchise had playoff aspirations this year. If it fails to qualify for the postseason again, head coach Adrian Heath's seat will be hot.
Orlando falls to No. 13 in the power rankings after their loss and postseason elimination. However, it is, arguably, the strongest side outside of the postseason heading into next season.
12. D.C. United (Previous: 3)
9 of 20
D.C. United will enter the playoffs on a sour note following a crushing 5-0 loss against the Columbus Crew.
D.C. still clinched the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. However, this was easily the poorest performance of the year, and the team has a tough match against the New England Revolution to open the postseason.
Goalkeeper Bill Hamid was visibly frustrated with his team on several occasions, which was understandable. While it's unlikely that D.C. will produce this type of showing in the playoffs, there are some lingering issues.
Firstly, D.C. is still leaking goals early and often. The 4-0 win against the Chicago Fire on October 18 was United's first clean sheet since August 8—a span of seven games.
D.C. lost by a larger margin than any other playoff team on the final day of the regular season. For that reason, it slips to No. 12.
11. LA Galaxy (Previous: 10)
10 of 20
The LA Galaxy lost 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City on Sunday and will have to face the Seattle Sounders on the road to begin the playoffs.
LA won just once in its final seven regular-season games. That led to a fifth-place finish in the Western Conference.
Another worrying statistic is the Galaxy's two wins on the road during the regular season. Only the Chicago Fire had fewer victories away from home with zero.
The Galaxy are the defending champions, and head coach Bruce Arena has five MLS Cup rings. However, given the team's current form and road woes, it falls outside the top 10 in the power rankings.
10. Toronto FC (Previous: 7)
11 of 20
Toronto FC's 2-1 loss to the Montreal Impact was a bitter defeat, and not just due to the rivalry.
Following TFC's win over the New York Red Bulls, it was in second. Two games later, they had to settle for the final playoff spot in the East. Now Toronto has to face Montreal on the road in the knockout round.
Ahmed Kantari was abysmal and at fault for both of the goals scored by Didier Drogba. It was easily his worst performance of the season.
However, with Damien Perquis battling fitness, Kantari might have to start again in the playoffs. Other options at center back include the inexperienced Eriq Zavaleta and full-back Justin Morrow.
TFC's defending has been poor, especially on the road. It has conceded 36 goals away from home this year, more than any other playoff team. This is why Toronto has been demoted to 10th in the power rankings this week.
9. New England Revolution (Previous: 14)
12 of 20
The New England Revolution ended their four-game winless skid with a 3-1 victory over New York City FC.
Lee Nguyen scored and is hitting form at the right time. Charlie Davies recorded his 10th goal of the year, his first since August 1, which is crucial if the Revolution hope to repeat last season's playoff run.
If there's a low seed who can challenge anyone in the Eastern Conference, it's New England. The Revs have speed, technique and grit in every position.
The Revolution have conceded 35 goals on the road, but if they replicate the NYCFC performance against D.C. United, they'll be in good shape.
8. Seattle Sounders (Previous: 9)
13 of 20
The Seattle Sounders defeated Real Salt Lake 3-1 to clinch the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. This means the Sounders will face the LA Galaxy at home to open the playoffs.
The Galaxy eliminated the Sounders last year to progress to the MLS Cup final. However, this is a sudden-death game. There will be no second leg.
Seattle drew LA 1-1 at home on October 4. The Galaxy have won just twice on the road this season, so the Sounders have a great chance to progress to the next round.
The only worry for Seattle is the defensive organization. The Sounders have been punished through set pieces and by poor organization. If there's one team who can expose any weakness, it's the Galaxy.
7. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 8)
14 of 20
Sporting Kansas City clinched its playoff spot with an emphatic 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy.
Sporting might be the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference, but this is a dangerous team. SKC defeated the Portland Timbers 1-0 on the road by absorbing pressure and striking on the counter through Krisztian Nemeth.
SKC also has a higher points-per-game ratio against playoff teams than any other side. Sporting won the MLS Cup just two years ago with pace and defensive discipline. It can do it again.
6. Montreal Impact (Previous: 5)
15 of 20
The Montreal Impact have accrued 23 points in their last 11 games. Their latest triumph was a 2-1 win over Toronto FC. Now the Impact will host TFC as the No. 3 seed in the knockout round of the playoffs.
Didier Drogba bagged both goals in the season finale, and he now has 11 in as many appearances. With the Ivorian fit, the Impact will be a serious threat in the Eastern Conference.
The Impact have 11 wins and just four losses at home all season. TFC has allowed 36 goals on the road, which is more than any playoff team. Drogba and Co. should be salivating ahead of this match.
5. Portland Timbers (Previous: 6)
16 of 20
The Portland Timbers have suddenly reverted back into an offensive juggernaut, and they crushed the lowly Colorado Rapids 4-1 to finish third in the Western Conference.
A match against Sporting Kansas City will be tough, but the Timbers are emulating their 2013 form. Darlington Nagbe has become a menace again, as have the other forwards.
Portland has scored 10 goals in their last three games, all of them wins. Coincidentally, this run began after a 1-0 loss to SKC at home.
The Timbers' quick passing, movement and vertical running will be tested against SKC. However, in this form, they're a dangerous threat in the West.
4. Vancouver Whitecaps (Previous: 12)
17 of 20
The Vancouver Whitecaps secured a first-round bye after a 3-0 win over the Houston Dynamo.
The Whitecaps were riding a five-game winless skid, albeit they had several key injuries. Mauro Rosales and Nicolas Mezquida are back and should be available for the playoffs. Head coach Carl Robinson said that Pedro Morales could also play a role, per Marc Weber of the Province.
Vancouver has a cleaner bill of health and had an MLS-high seven wins on the road. There's no reason why the Whitecaps can't make a deep run with their balanced defense, midfield and pacey attack.
3. Columbus Crew (Previous: 3)
18 of 20
The Columbus Crew hammered D.C. United 5-0 to clinch the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and a first-round bye.
The Crew are incredibly lethal up front. The defense has been a worry for most of the year, but it has improved recently.
Columbus managed to record back-to-back clean sheets against D.C. and Toronto FC. And holding Sebastian Giovinco without a goal and an assist on the road takes some doing.
2. FC Dallas (Previous: 1)
19 of 20
FC Dallas won 2-1 against the San Jose Earthquakes but came up short in their quest for the Supporters' Shield.
Dallas is still the Western Conference's top seed, and the Hoops are undefeated in their last five games. There's no doubt that they'll be the team to beat in this conference.
The effective counterattacking and staunch defending will be a handful for any side. Dallas won more home matches (13) than any other MLS team. It also has a respectable five victories on the road.
1. New York Red Bulls (Previous: 2)
20 of 20
The New York Red Bulls claimed their second Supporters' Shield in three years. However, this trophy was won with MLS' lowest payroll, per ESPN FC.
The Red Bulls' pressing game and disciplined defending could lead to the team's first-ever MLS Cup. Luis Robles is a Goalkeeper of the Year candidate as he's made several integral saves.
New York's six wins on the road this season is above the league average of four. No other team has scored more than the Red Bulls' 62 goals, and they own the Eastern Conference's best defense with 43 allowed.
All of this considered, the Red Bulls are the deserved No. 1 team in the power rankings to finish the regular season.
