AUSTIN, Texas — The first power rankings for the 2021 Major League Soccer (MLS) season were released Tuesday, with Austin FC being slated better than six other clubs prior to the club's inaugural match.
Austin FC was ranked No. 21 out of 27 total teams in the MLS. The rankings were tallied from 13 MLS.com writers, editors and columnists, then compiled into one uniform list.
MLS wrote this about Austin FC in its rankings:
"Look who’s already making seven other teams’ supporters feel bad about themselves. Win number one for Austin FC. It won’t be their last, though. The team appears to have taken lessons from the successful expansion teams of years past and incorporated them nicely throughout the offseason. Attacking DPs (Cecilio Dominguez and Tomas Pochettino) are there, the steadying presence in midfield (Alexander Ring) is there and that’s all surrounded by Some Guys who are definitely expansion guys but have the potential to contribute in meaningful ways.
They’ll be an expansion team, but they shouldn’t be a disaster. And, at least in theory, they still have a DP spot to fill in the summer to correct any glaring issues. The ceiling isn’t high, but it doesn’t have to be in year one."
- Columbus Crew SC
- LAFC
- Portland Timbers
- Philadelphia Union
- Minnesota United FC
- New England Revolution
- Orlando City SC
- Seattle Sounders FC
- Toronto FC
- Atlanta United
- Sporting Kansas City
- FC Dallas
- New York City FC
- Colorado Rapids
- Nashville SC
- San Jose Earthquakes
- New York Red Bulls
- LA Galaxy
- Chicago Fire FC
- Inter Miami CF
- Austin FC
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- D.C. United
- Houston Dynamo FC
- FC Cincinnati
- Real Salt Lake
- CF Montréal
Check out the full power rankings report with comments about each team on MLS.com.
KVUE took a deep dive into the multi-year process of Austin establishing its first professional sports team. Watch "Austin FC: The First Season" here:
Austin FC kicks off its inaugural MLS season against LAFC on April 17. For the latest Austin FC coverage, visit kvue.com/austinfc.
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- Austin FC reveals 'Legends' jersey ahead of inaugural MLS season
