Power Rankings never cease to spark outrage. But here at Backheeled? We’re not here to cause anger. No, we’re here to dissect the latest performances, trends, tactics, and news for each of MLS’s 30 clubs. Every week during the MLS season, Ben Wright will guide you through the Eastern Conference teams and Joe Lowery will do the same for the West.
Okay, fine. We’re also here to spark some outrage, because we’re ranking all 30 teams, too. Power Rankings are based on each club’s average position across Ben and Joe’s individual rankings. Onwards.
1. Vancouver Whitecaps
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I went deep on the Whitecaps in Winners and Losers on Sunday after they clinched a playoff spot by scoring a touchdown and an extra point in a 7-0 demolition of the Philadelphia Union.
It was a full-on beat down up in Canada on Saturday, to the point where Bradley Carnell made a trio of substitutions before halftime. That comprehensive victory didn’t just push the ‘Caps into playoff-lock territory. It also pushed them back into legitimate Supporters’ Shield contention, with their 1.86 points per game pace just barely behind Philadelphia’s 1.90 and San Diego’s 1.87.
That the Whitecaps have sustained such a strong regular season pace this season even with a run to the Concacaf Champions Cup final making their path more difficult than most is extremely impressive. Of the last four MLS teams to make the CCC final — Vancouver included — only last year’s Columbus Crew team ended the year with a better points per game figure (1.94) than the Whitecaps’ current tally. The ‘Caps need to be taken very, very seriously.
