‘Tis the season, everyone. As all the league promotional material says, MLS is, indeed, Back.

For Year 30 with a 30th team.

With the league’s triumphant return, I’d be remiss not to give my, at best, misguided evaluations of every team in the league headed into the 2025 season.

Here are my preseason power rankings:

1. Inter Miami 

In 2024: Finished on 74 points (1st in East), lost in Round One of the playoffs

Is anyone surprised? You shouldn’t be. Inter Miami broke the points record last year with Lionel Messi out for three months and big question marks defensively. This year, there is no Copa America and the backline has improved. There also seems to be a non-stop flow of talented Argentines waiting to come to South Beach. 

2. FC Cincinnati

In 2024: Finished on 59 points (3rd in East), lost in Round One of the playoffs

If there’s any team ready to battle Miami for the regular season crown it’s Cincy. Former Defender of the Year Matt Miazga is back and healthy, Kevin Denkey looks like the striker Pat Noonan’s been looking for for years, and Evander is a younger version of Lucho Acosta who actually works off the ball. If this team gets clicking early, they could be Champions Cup contenders. 

3. Seattle Sounders

In 2024: Finished on 57 points (4th in West), lost in Conference Finals

Seattle is the pinnacle of consistency. This year, as it seems to be the case every year, the Sounders retained every starter from its deep playoff run. While the cream of the league in 2024 lost stars by the handful, Seattle filled holes and added a top-end attacker in Jesús Ferreira. Some more midfield depth could be helpful though. 

4. LAFC

In 2024: Finished on 64 points (1st in West), lost in Conference Semifinals

Los Angelinos cashed in in a big way this winter—Mateusz Bogusz, Cristian Olivera, Omar Campos and more left the club for over $15 million. That leaves this team a little thin in midfield and up top, but the starting talent is still near the best in the league. But we all know what LAFC is saving that money for, oui? 

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