MLS Cup playoffs: Bet against Messi, Miami at your own peril

It's Monday, and the last week of MLS enactment is successful the books, which means it's clip for ESPN's Power Rankings.

Who looks the strongest heading into the postseason? Who whitethorn beryllium 1 and done? Our writers studied the enactment from crossed Decision Day to travel up with this week's bid of the playoff participants. Let's dive in.

1. Philadelphia Union

There are a fewer things moving against the Union. They ended the play with a 2-0 nonaccomplishment to Charlotte connected Decision Day, and conscionable 2 Supporters' Shield winners successful the past decennary person besides lifted MLS Cup. Still, Philly racked up the astir points of immoderate squad this twelvemonth with a operation of strengths that person propelled teams to the rubric earlier -- namely a resolute backmost enactment and a seasoned goalkeeper.

2. Inter Miami CF

Bet against Lionel Messi astatine your ain peril. The Argentine superstar capped an MVP play with a chapeau instrumentality and an assistance successful a 5-2 triumph implicit Nashville, the precise squad Miami present volition look successful a Round One series. Questions astatine the backmost persist, but what Messi, Luis Suárez & Co. tin bash going guardant whitethorn beryllium capable to insubstantial implicit those deficiencies.

play

1:19

Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami CF - Game Highlights

Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami CF - Game Highlights

3. Vancouver Whitecaps

A Decision Day bobble saw the Whitecaps autumn 2-1 to Dallas and miss retired connected a accidental to clasp the No. 1 effect successful the Western Conference. An aboriginal reddish paper to defender Mathías Laborda changed that match. Now, Vancouver looks up to a best-of-three bid against that aforesaid FCD, which volition supply an accidental to let their prime implicit the people of the play show.

4. San Diego FC

Now that's however you extremity a season. Despite missing Hirving "Chucky" Lozano, San Diego rolled past Portland successful a 4-0 roadworthy triumph and secured the No. 1 effect successful the Western Conference successful its enlargement campaign. Anders Dreyer starred with a brace of goals and an assistance but got a boost arsenic good from

1. Homepage
2. Sports
3. MLS Cup playoffs: Bet against Messi, Miami at your own peril