A recent trend: MLS teams look weaker at the top but stronger down the standings, making it tougher to outline an elite class. Only Atlanta United seem to have truly set themselves apart. The New York Red Bulls and NYCFC saw midseason coaching changes. FC Dallas have lost two in a row. Sporting KC are looking less than invincible. Columbus have potentially fatal weaknesses.
So if ATL are the Eastern Conference’s best, who holds that title in the West? With the recent struggles of FCD and SKC, the case for LAFC is only growing, as are the cases of Portland (unbeaten in 11) and Real Salt Lake.