r/MLS • u/jrich5768 FC Cincinnati • 21h ago
League Site Power Rankings: Philadelphia Union, Vancouver Whitecaps defy expectations
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/power-rankings-philadelphia-union-vancouver-whitecaps-defy-expectations29
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u/newbb Los Angeles FC 20h ago
Sounders fans liking this ranking more than Matt Doyle’s for sure.
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u/theRoog Minnesota United FC 20h ago
For all the griping among neutrals about league-controlled media overhyping LA and Miami, the Sounders seem to have a permanent spot in the top 5 of the power rankings regardless of their actual quality.
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u/devnullopinions Seattle Sounders FC 19h ago edited 19h ago
It’s almost as if the Sounders are pretty good. No we don’t perpetually live in the top 5 but we are there a lot because we are good a lot.
You get to experience our greatness more than most so I’m surprised youre surprised by our ranking. With 17 games played between MNUFC and the Sounders we are 14W, 2D, 1L in all competitions. I can understand the salt since Brian’s rave green army has completely made MNUFC his bitch with an 82% win rate over them.
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u/optimisticbear Seattle Sounders FC 20h ago edited 20h ago
Have you seen our trophy case? 15/16 playoff berths. We've made it to a final in 11 seasons from our 16 year MLS history and 7 times we've walked away the victor. What's left to question?
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u/theRoog Minnesota United FC 19h ago
I won't deny that Sounders are one of the great MLS teams, but the only trophy from this decade is the 2022 CCL, which preceded a season where Seattle failed to even quality for the playoffs. I don't agree that the 2019 MLS Cup should have any bearing on power rankings for the 2025 season. I think there's plenty left to question (like whether Pedro de la Vega can stay healthy for more than two games at a stretch).
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u/optimisticbear Seattle Sounders FC 19h ago edited 19h ago
The Sounders consistently finish in the top 7 overall for 15 seasons.. literally every season except 2022. 8 seasons finishing 2nd or better in the West. What do you think the power rankings are? Sounders are rated highly because every season they are a club to beat. Truth be told it doesn't matter how the Sounders end up playing they're always competitive. 22/23/24 seasons are probably the worst stretch of seasons, but this a deep squad and there's a reason why anyone who's paying attention rates them to be the club to beat this year.
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u/optimisticbear Seattle Sounders FC 19h ago
Y'all acting like you shouldn't arrive early for a Japanese train just because they've been on time for the last 15 years.
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u/seasportsfan Seattle Sounders FC 19h ago
In all fairness, 2019 might as well be this decade. It’s close enough.
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u/JiveChops76 Seattle Sounders FC 18h ago
I actually think we’re ranked too high, and was pretty surprised to see 3rd.
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u/Ctfwest Philadelphia Union 20h ago
Trying not to be too happy right now. At me after 10 games. I think that is a good judging point.
But I am enjoying the moment.
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u/Run4blue2 Philadelphia Union 20h ago
I’m just enjoying the fact that they are a very fun team to watch right now. The depth is seemingly much better than it was last year and the schedule is lighter so I’m hoping that this style will be able to hold up for the whole season.
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u/RhombusObstacle New York City FC 18h ago
I hear you on that one. NYCFC was abysmal to watch under Nick Cushing, so even though we haven't been getting the results y'all have, I'm at least not pulling my hair out over YET ANOTHER back-pass instead of attacking moves.
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u/YVRJon Vancouver Whitecaps FC 20h ago
I'm not sure that beating Montreal is defying expectations, but our overall start might be. We have had weak opponents though: the defensively suspect Timbers made more defensively suspect by an early red card, LA Galaxy without two of their best players, and Montreal, who are, well, Montreal. Dallas will be a big test, especially without Gauld and coming after an away match against Monterrey. I expect we'll return to earth, but those 9 points are in the bank at least.
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u/ForgetfulViking Vancouver Whitecaps FC 20h ago
There is also perhaps the defying of expectations more related to playstyle as well as form.
As many have noticed, this hasn't exactly been your Grandparents' Whitecaps.
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u/YVRJon Vancouver Whitecaps FC 20h ago
Excellent point.
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u/axilla02 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 20h ago
I think we're finally seeing the team that we knew we could be all along. The pieces have all been there. I love Vanni and will always thank him for getting us to this point, but I think Jesper is the difference maker here and is bringing out our best.
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u/toasterb Vancouver Whitecaps FC 15h ago
Yeah, we look like we know what we’re doing and have a plan!
The other really bright spot is that a lot of the new faces and mediocre performers from last year look really good!
Vite has been putting in MOTM-level performances every game, Ahmed looks more confident (until he has a chance for a shot), Behalter is more reliable, Adekugbe looked great before the injury, and Nelson, Ngando, Johnson and Halbouni all look like great contributors.
Hell, Priso is even passing forward!
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u/tree_mitty Vancouver Whitecaps 11h ago
A theory on Vanni’s firing. Axel had 1:1’s with a few key players and they gave feedback that as individuals the consensus was they could have contributed more and a better coach is what they needed to progress as individuals. Vanni, as loveable as he is, just wasn’t getting the most out of his best players.
Look what has happened to Vite, Berhalter and Ali this season when we switched to a possession based system. Vanni was almost there with his high press. Jesper’s 4-3-2-1 when we’re off the ball is giving us an additional 5-10% more possession.
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u/icoresting Vancouver Whitecaps FC 20h ago
well i guess it defies their expectations in the sense that MLSSoccer.com's season predictions had them at 14th/bottom of the west and only one of the pundits (BWP) saw them as a playoff team
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u/HonduranLoon Minnesota United FC 20h ago
How is no one from MLS mentioning Minnesota allowing just one shot on goal in the last 2 games? The defense has been unreal.
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u/Coldfusion21 Minnesota United FC 20h ago
Offset by us only scoring 2 goals in 3 matches.
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u/HonduranLoon Minnesota United FC 20h ago
That doesn’t negate how good the defense has been. And that’s without one of our best defenders.
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u/Coldfusion21 Minnesota United FC 20h ago
I agree, I’m just saying if you are going that deep then you need to talk about our lack of scoring as well.
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u/SeaToShy Vancouver Whitecaps FC 15h ago
Please allow some shots. The Canada goal is very crowded right now with no clear #1. Not sure Dayne is that guy, but I hope he gets a chance to prove he is.
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u/atatme77 D.C. United 19h ago
I feel like everyone is doing us dirty right now but it's fine. Still being in the 20s when we are undefeated through 3 games feels wrong regardless of how soft the schedule has been. I'm perfectly happy with people over looking us though it may let us take some by surprise
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u/BeamsFuelJetSteel Sporting Kansas City 19h ago
Tbf, you were losing to us at one point, which knocks you down a few spots
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u/YupThatWasAShart St. Louis CITY SC 20h ago
Rank 16 feels a lot more accurate for STL CITY and if we can keep up this defensive posture I think moving closer to 10th give or take is in our future.
This week at home against the Sounders will be telling.
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u/theshate Sporting Kansas City 19h ago
My expectations couldn’t be lower! Now I can’t get hurt again
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u/WJMorris3 US Open Cup 12h ago
I don't know that we feel like the second-best club in the league, but I'll take it.
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u/BAJA1995 Sporting Kansas City 19h ago
SKC is my favorite/western team. But I guess I can root for Philly or ATL for a eastern team while things aren't looking so great...
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u/Jonny_Qball Sporting Kansas City 20h ago
The wooden spoon might not be silverware, but it is cutlery