MLS end-of-season Power Rankings: Toronto FC tops the bunch in 2017

Welcome to the 2017 MLS Power Rankings, where we rank each team after each week with consideration to form, latest results, stats, and other intangibles to craft an idea of how things stand in one single table.

Here's our final ranking for the 2017 MLS season:

1. Toronto FC

• Achievements: MLS Supporters' Shield, Voyageurs Cup, Trillium Cup, won 401 Derby, most wins (20), most goals scored (74), best goal differential (+37), set the MLS all-time points record (69)
• First Playoff Match: Eastern Conference Semi-Final (Oct. 30/31)

Toronto FC had an absolutely outstanding 2017 season, setting new club and league records and winning every trophy available. The MLS Cup beckons.

2. Atlanta United

• Achievements: Set league attendance record (71,874)
• First Playoff Match: Knockout Round vs. Columbus (Oct. 26)

Atlanta United enjoyed an incredible debut season, spurred by stars Josef Martinez, Miguel Almiron, and more. Tata Martino should be proud of his team.

3. New York City FC

• Achievements: Winner of 2017 Hudson River Derby
• First Playoff Match: Eastern Conference Semi-Final (Oct. 30/31)

New York City FC once again finished second in the Eastern Conference, but Patrick Vieira's side is much-improved and is playing some effective soccer.

4. Portland Timbers

• Achievements: Winner of 2017 Cascadia Cup
• First Playoff Match: Western Conference Semi-Final (Oct. 29/31)

The Portland Timbers emerged as the top team in the Pacific Northwest - and the Cascadia Cup proves it. Diego Valeri enjoyed a blistering season, too.

5. Chicago Fire

• Achievements: Nemanja Nikolic won 2017 Golden Boot
• First Playoff Match: Knockout Round vs. NY Red Bulls (Oct. 25)

Signing Bastian Schweinsteiger saved the Chicago Fire from futility, but it was the acquisition of Nikolic that made this team the most improved from 2016.

6. Columbus Crew

• Achievements: Made playoffs despite uncertain future
• First Playoff Match: Knockout Round vs. Atlanta (Oct. 26)

There's a chance the 2018 season will be the last for the Columbus Crew as the owner eyes a move to Austin. Could an MLS Cup win change his mind?

7. Seattle Sounders

• Achievements: Didn't lose to rivals Portland
• First Playoff Match: Western Conference Semi-Final (Oct. 29/31)

The reigning MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders had a pretty ... lackluster season, all things considered. But maybe that's fine, for now. It was last year.

8. Vancouver Whitecaps

• Achievements: Finally signed a real No. 9 and No. 10
• First Playoff Match: Knockout Round vs. San Jose (Oct. 25)

The Vancouver Whitecaps finally figured out their attacking shape in the duo of Yordy Reyna and Fredy Montero. Oh, and then there's Alphonso Davies ...

9. New York Red Bulls

• Achievements: Successfully replaced Dax McCarty
• First Playoff Match: Knockout Round vs. Chicago (Oct. 25)

The New York Red Bulls finished on top of the East last year, but barely got into the postseason in 2017. Tyler Adams did well to replace McCarty in midfield.

10. Sporting Kansas City

• Achievements: Won 2017 U.S. Open Cup, fewest goals conceded (29)
• First Playoff Match: Knockout Round vs. Houston (Oct. 26)

Sporting Kansas City is an enigma. Defensively, Peter Vermes' side is second to none, but offensively, this team scored just 40 goals, fifth-fewest in 2017.

11. Houston Dynamo

• Achievements: Enjoyed rebirth under Wilmer Cabrera
• First Playoff Match: Knockout Round vs. Sporting KC (Oct. 26)

Wilmer Cabrera rejuvenated the Houston Dynamo, and while it wasn't smooth sailing the whole time, Erick Torres, Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto are class.

12. San Jose Earthquakes

• Achievements: Chris Wondolowski tied 2nd all-time in MLS scoring (134)
• First Playoff Match: Knockout Round vs. Vancouver (Oct. 25)

The San Jose Earthquakes earned a playoff spot despite boasting one of the worst goal differentials in 2017. It's what you do with those goals that counts.

13. FC Dallas

• Achievements: Pulled off the biggest nosedive in MLS history
• First Playoff Match: Did not qualify

Last year's Shield winner FC Dallas had a rough follow-up year, failing to make playoffs after nosediving midway through 2017. At least Mauro Diaz is back?

14. Real Salt Lake

• Achievements: Transitioned to new head coach Mike Petke
• First Playoff Match: Did not qualify

Real Salt Lake had four different players tie for club top scorer this season, suggesting a good spread in attacking contribution, but it just wasn't enough.

15. New England Revolution

• Achievements: Just like last season, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
• First Playoff Match: Did not qualify

The New England Revolution were, once again, largely irrelevant this season. It's a shame, but unless Robert Kraft is willing to spend, success won't come.

16. Montreal Impact

• Achievements: Nurtured Canadian talent, kept Ignacio Piatti
• First Playoff Match: Did not qualify

Age and fatigue finally caught up to the Montreal Impact, but keeping Piatti and adding Samuel Piette make for a good core of options for the next head coach.

17. Philadelphia Union

• Achievements: C.J. Sapong set club season scoring mark (15)
• First Playoff Match: Did not qualify

The Philadelphia Union endured a down year, but there were a few positives. Haris Medunjanin was the big one, but Sapong's goal-scoring form helped, too.

18. Orlando City

• Achievements: Opened new home Orlando City Stadium
• First Playoff Match: Did not qualify

It was a homecoming year for Orlando City as the Lions moved into their new digs, but the team will look different next year as its captain Kaka moves on.

19. Minnesota United

• Achievements: Drafted Abu Danladi, wasn't actually totally awful
• First Playoff Match: Did not qualify

Minnesota United was slated to endure the worst expansion season in MLS history, if early talk was to be believed. But the Loons showed fight in 2017.

20. Colorado Rapids

• Achievements: Didn't finish last in the Western Conference
• First Playoff Match: Did not qualify

The Colorado Rapids didn't do much this year, besides firing Pablo Mastroeni. Still, this team proved an obstacle at times - that resilience is a silver lining.

21. D.C. United

• Achievements: Finally set plans for new stadium, Audi Field
• First Playoff Match: Did not qualify

D.C. United will want to forget the 2017 season, but 2018 promises all the fun of moving to a new home at Audi Field. Adding Paul Arriola? Also not bad.

22. LA Galaxy

• Achievements: Hired Sigi Schmid, signed a few new stars
• First Playoff Match: Did not qualify

The LA Galaxy finished dead last but a rebirth is possible under Sigi Schmid. Romain Alessandrini and Jonathan Dos Santos are good new signings, too.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)