We here at SB Nation struggled with the idea of whether or not to do multiple power rankings before the season started. As you may remember, we released our first preseason power rankings poll a couple of weeks ago. Well, we’ve added a couple of voters this week and a few more tweaked their rankings, so I figured it would be worth sharing our new results.
SB Nation MLS Power Rankings, Preseason Edition: Yes, There Actually Was Some Movement
Two more editors add their names to SB Nation’s power rankings, now bringing 19 collective voices into the conversation.
Of course, we recognize that any preseason rankings should be viewed more as a conversation starter than one that is designed to settle any arguments. That said, it's worth noting a few things: Our top tier has dwindled to just three teams, as FC Dallas dropped out. Our second tier, reserved for teams we think will make the playoffs, remained at five, as the Houston Dynamo fell into the third tier.
What does this all mean? Well, I guess we really believe there are three teams clearly ahead of everyone else in terms of perception as the season begins. It's also safe to say that we see another chunk of three teams (Dallas, the Seattle Sounders and the Colorado Rapids) clumped together in the second tier. Beyond that, though, I think it's generally agreed that there's a lot of uncertainty. Anyway, onto the rankings:
| Playing For The Shield | ||
|---|---|---|
 | Real Salt Lake |  100% (57 out of 57 points) |
 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 98% (56 out of 57 points) |
 | New York Red Bulls | 94% (54 out of 57 points) |
This top group was solidified, with all three teams appearing in the top tier on no fewer than 16 of the 19 ballots. On paper, none of these teams have any glaring weaknesses, except maybe age.
| Enjoy The Playoffs | ||
|---|---|---|
 | FC Dallas | 80% (46 out of 57 points) |
 | Seattle Sounders | 82% (47 out of 57 points) |
 | Colorado Rapids | 78% (45 out of 57 points) |
 | Sporting Kansas City | 61% (35 out of 57 points) |
 | San Jose Earthquakes | 54% (31 out of 57 points) |
This group is really two tiers, with the FC Dallas, the Sounders and the Rapids all just missing out on the first tier.
| Still Something To Prove | ||
|---|---|---|
 | Houston Dynamo | 49% (28 out of 57 points) |
 | Philadelphia Union | 43% (25 out of 57 points) |
 | DC United | 31% (18 out of 57 points) |
 | Portland Timbers | 22% (13 out of 57 points) |
 | Chicago Fire | 22% (13 out of 57 points) |
 | Chivas USA | 22% (13 out of 57 points) |
 | Toronto FC | 21% (12 out of 57 points) |
 | Columbus Crew | 19% (11 out of 57 points) |
I’m not sure anyone would be hugely surprised if any of these teams managed to find their way into the playoffs. All of them have significant question marks, but they also have various interesting pieces.
| At Least There's No Relegation | ||
|---|---|---|
 | New England Revolution | 7% (4 out of 57 points) |
 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 0% (0 out of 57 points) |
The Revolution seem to be picking up a little bit of support, at least as far as that goes, but it would clearly count as a huge surprise at this point if one of these teams made a serious playoff run.
How It Works: Each of the 19 participants puts Major League Soccer’s clubs into one of the four tiers. Teams in the top tier get three points. Next tier, two points, then one, then zero. Voters can put as many teams into each tier as they see fit. Though the vote total orders the teams, the clubs are intended to be grouped, not sorted. Although some of the names may indicate otherwise, the point of this is to assess current form and our voters are instructed to place teams in tiers based how those teams will fair in coming weeks.
Who participated: Richard Farley (SB Nation, soccer); Jeremiah Oshan (SB Nation, soccer); Kevin McCauly (SB Nation, soccer); Aaron Campeau (SB Nation, soccer); Ryan Rosenblatt (SB Nation, soccer); Steve Davis (Daily Soccer Fix); Ben Schneider (Once a Metro); Martin Shatzer (Black and Red United); Scott Kessler (Brotherly Game); Chris “UZ” White (Burgundy Wave); Zach Woosley (Dynamo Theory); Denzel Eslinger (RSL Soapbox); Robert Jonas (Quake, Rattle and Goal); Daniel Robertson (Big D Soccer); Dave Clark (Sounder at Heart); Andy Edwards (The Daily Wiz); Geoff Gibson (Stumptown Footy), Duncan Fletcher (Waking the Red), Steve Stoehr (The Bent Musket).
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