The MLS has had an exciting season so far, with a level of parity unmatched by any other league in the world. Unlike the top leagues in the world, 18 teams can win the league in a postseason format similar to those of the NBA, MLB, and NHL.
The parity in the East has six teams battling for the top seeds, only separated by eight points. It hasn’t been viewed the same on the other side of the league thanks to Vancouver.
In the Western Conference, it has been a different story; the Vancouver Whitecaps have run away with the top seed. Vancouver is viewed as the clear-cut contender out of the West and the only team that can compete with Eastern Conference teams.
As the West tightens up in points and we see what teams are claiming the playoff seeds, I believe that the Western Conference is more competitive than originally thought.
These three teams that will be discussed are teams I believe can compete for the Western Conference title and go to the MLS Cup.
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Seattle Sounders
The Seattle Sounders are the fourth seed, sitting just one point behind the second and third seeds after defeating San Diego by one goal.
Despite not getting any goal production from Jesus Ferreira, who was viewed as a top-tier striker in the MLS., with his production lacking they have relied on midfielder Albert Rusnak and his seven goals to put them near the top of the leaderboards.
They have also gotten six key assists from midfielder Cristian Roldan, the 29-year-old American has held things down passing-wise for the Sounders as they continue to look for production from their Forwards.
I like Seattle to compete and win a game in the playoffs, I can’t see them being the team to beat Vancouver due to their lackluster offensive production.
What keeps me optimistic about this team is how dominant they are at home with a 5-0-2 record. If they can maintain that pace and improve their away record, second place could be something they can obtain.
LAFC
LAFC has been one of the top clubs in the West since it formed as a team and challenged the LA Galaxy for the Los Angeles market.
LAFC has fallen in the standings after two straight draws with teams they should have defeated. Expecting that they will snap out of this rut, LAFC should rise in the standings in the next few months and be a true competitor.
Their next three league games are against opponents below them in the standings that are either out of the playoff race or have an uphill fight that will be too much to overcome. The next three games will be big momentum builders to get this team more confidence in a playoff push.
If LAFC can’t jump on the chance to get three straight wins and end up losing or drawing, their season could be on the line when playing Vancouver, and they are at risk of dropping out of the playoffs.
Portland Timbers
I know fans of Minnesota and San Diego will be mad that I left them off this list and replaced them with two lower seeds.
The Portland Timbers won a must-win game against Colorado to give me the optimism that they can make a run for a solid playoff spot. If they can avoid being the 8/9 seed, they can get a matchup that could play to their advantage.
Three wins in ten games doesn’t seem like a playoff team, their next six games are all against equal or less than opponents that they can defeat. A run in June could be all the difference for the Timbers and turn what could be a loss season into a winning one.
Portland is just one good month away from being a top team in the West.
Main Photo
Credit IMAGO / Sports Press Photo
Recording Date 27.05.2025