1. 2017 Toronto FC
Whether they win this year’s MLS Cup or not, this 2017 Reds team is the best this league has seen. They are on the verge of a treble — Canadian Championship (a tough, highly competitive competition), Supporters’ Shield (in absolutely commanding fashion) and MLS Cup. No MLS team has ever done that.
Their dominance in the regular season was unparalleled. They finished with 69 points from 34 games, the highest of all time, and clinched the Shield in September, beating second-place NYCFC by 12 points. TFC won 20 MLS games (tied for the most ever), lost just five times, and finished with the second best goal differential in league history, plus-37.
So many others have gone over how they did it in depth elsewhere, so just know that they’ve done things in model fashion, and are setting important precedents that will change the shape of the league.
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Manager Greg Vanney, a shoo-in for Coach of the Year, played a flexible 3-5-2 with a number of capable center-backs (Drew Moor, Eriq Zavaleta, Chris Mavinga and Nick Hagglund were the top four) and saw Alex Bono emerge as a quality starting goalkeeper. Justin Morrow was incredible as a left wing-back and Nick Hasler and Steven Beitashour both were good on the right. Their midfield of Michael Bradley, Marky Delgado and Victor Vazquez dominated games behind Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore, who combined for 31 goals and 12 assists.
There is no question about this team’s greatness, which almost certainly will be sustainable for 2018 and beyond.