MLS Power Rankings, preseason edition

MLS begins season No. 15 on Thursday. For some of you, that news really jingles your keys. For others, not so much. That’s just where MLS is today, although I think the pool of engaged fans grows yearly, especially as the national footprint grows.

For the next 32 weeks, I’ll generate a weekly power ranking for SI.com. As the previews are just now rolling out, I haven’t done one just yet. So, here is the pre-season power stack-up, a bold work based on careful analysis of preseason form and available talent across the field, filtered through the impact of off-season personnel churn and pollinated with Jack Bauer-like instinct.

In other words, I’m guessing, just like everyone else.

Enjoy.

1. RSL: They’re the champs. They’re confident. The manager won’t be complacent. Kyle Beckerman will be pissed off about not getting on the World Cup squad.

2. Columbus: Guillermo Barros Schelotto won’t last forever, but he knows how to manage his body and he’ll be inspired after last year’s early playoff exit.

4. Chicago: I picked Chicago ahead of Columbus in the East preview. Well, this Jon Busch release has me bamboozled. So, I’m punishing the Fire for said bamboozlement.

5. Toronto: I still worry about any defense that may have to start Nick Garcia, but I’ve watched Preki-bossed team win games with less talent for far too long.

6. Red Bull New York: I’m going against one of my own golden rules and putting too much stock in a pre-season friendly. But Hans Backe’s men DID look good against Santos the other night, didn’t they? (I suppose it’s more of a guideline than a rule.)

7. Colorado: This belief in Gary Smith’s shrewd, steady assemblage of good talent could seriously blow up in my face if the midfield talent can’t bounce back from off-season surguries. (I do hope they got a group rate, by the way.)

8. Los Angeles: A great back line (+) Landon Donovan (-) too many old legs in midfield (=) a mid-pack finish. But they’ll be OK in the playoffs.

9. Dallas: The Red Stripes will move up in the order if they go find a worthwhile second striker to partner and push Jeff Cunningham. Otherwise, they’ll be fighting for a playoff spot at the end with a bunch of other mid-pack sides.

10. D.C. United: United faithful really believe Danny Allsopp can strike at a reasonable rate. If they’re right, DC will push steadily up the rankings.

11. Houston: My man Kyle McCarthy at Goal.com picked center back Eddie Robinson as one of the most important figures in MLS this year. If ER is back to 2008 form, this is a far better team.

12. New England: They’ll play hard. They’ll play smart. But it won’t matter if Taylor Twellman can’t get back on the field.

13. Kansas City: Manager Peter Vermes likes the personnel and elected not to make many changes. I think that was a mistake – but that’s why they play these games. Prove me wrong, Pete!

14. San Jose: By my best guess: Frank Yallop has about half a season to show he finally has the formula right around Buck Shaw. If he can’t show progress, I’ve got “Yallop” in the pool of first managers to be let go. He’s a helluva fellow, so I hope he has it figured out.

15. Philadelphia: Peter Nowak has built a nice defense and has a good situation in goal. He’s also got very little offensive firepower, and what he has is awfully young.

16. Chivas USA: I have no idea what a Martin Vasquez-coached team will look like, but I do know that depth seems to be a huge problem, and I see holes in the first-choice selections, too.

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