MLS Playoff Tier Rankings: Supporters' Shield winners Philadelphia Union favored, but can Inter Miami and LAFC unleash stars Lionel Messi and Son Heung-Min to make a run?

Philadelphia Union: Is it lazy to say that the team that won the Supporters' Shield are also the team best positioned to win MLS Cup? Of course. But in this case, it might be true. The Union, crucially, were steady all season. They never really blew anyone away, but they also developed a fantastic habit of rebounding from tough results. What we have here, then, is a battle hardened side, with the necessary belief to match up against anyone. Perhaps the only knock against them is an ACL tear suffered by Quinn Sullivan, as they lose an attacking spark.

San Diego FC: This would be excellent for the narrative. No one had a clue if expansion side San Diego FC would be good or not. Sure, they made some notable signings, and had the backing of the Right to Dream model. But young sporting directors, a rookie head coach, and distinctly not flashy DP signings don't always inspire confidence. Well, they got it right, and topped the Western Conference. Chucky Lozano's recurring fitness issues will always be a slight concern, but Anders Dreyer would walk the MVP race had it not been for the presence of Lionel Messi. There's quality here, and a groundswell of support.

FC Cincinnati: What happens when you take an already elite team and add Evander? As it turns out, good things. Cincinnati have been spellbinding at times, and with Kevin Denkey bagging 15 goals in his first season, can be among the best attacking sides in the league. Defense will be the question. Matt Miazga has returned from a long-term knee issue, but there are still questions to be asked about their rear guard. Roman Celentano has developed between the sticks, though, and can be counted on for a big save or two. 

Inter Miami: Obvious. If Messi decides to play football, Miami might win it.

Vancouver Whitecaps: Vancouver were excellent to start the season, but experienced some real issues as the campaign wore on. Pedro Vite's departure to Pumas hurt, and they have clear concerns at centerback. Enter former Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller, who has shown why he is one of the finest players of his generation with countless top performances. He will never truly stand out, but he can secretly pace this team. 

LAFC: Son Heung-Min has been the best player in MLS for the past two months and it's not really a debate. If he and Denis Bouanga work their magic, they will be hard to stop.

Minnesota United: There are two ways of looking at Minnesota's play style. They are either infuriatingly defensive set piece merchants who lack the verve and quality to take the game to another side, or a wonderfully set up side that is comfortable playing without the ball - and could quite easily engineer a series of 1-0 wins. Either way, they will hard to beat, especially if Kelvin Yeboah is able to find some form following a stretch out with a muscle injury. 

Nashville SC: Nashville's best performance of the season was their US Open Cup semifinal win over Philadelphia. It was a gutsy thing, B.J. Callaghan's side digging in, scrapping for 90 minutes, and getting three goals out of the best pure No. 9 this league has to offer. That is equal parts strength and weakness. If Nashville keep up that intensity and get Sam Surridge on the ball, they will be a true handful. But they do have some defensive frailties, and can be found out by more technical sides when their levels drop. 

Columbus Crew: There's one reason here: Wilfried Nancy. The Crew were supposed to be MLS Cup contenders, and many had them towards the top of the East. But it hasn't quite worked out for them this year. The good news? They have an elite coach at the helm. Count out Nancy at your peril - especially in a trio of derby matches.

NYCFC: The Pigeons are puzzling. They have pieced together some truly excellent performances against Charlotte, Columbus and Cincinnati. But they have also lost to D.C. United and been thumped by Miami. Perhaps the best compliment you can pay them is that you never know which version of the side will show up. If it's the one that has upset some of the East's best, look out. If not, things will be tricky.

Seattle Sounders: Never, ever, ever, ever count out Brian Schmetzer. That's pretty much it. 

Charlotte FC: They are lacking the consistency needed to go on a run. At their best, they are the side that battered Miami, 3-0. But they can go quiet in attacking areas at times, and will be without Wilfried Zaha for the first of their three-game series with NYCFC, which is an undeniable blow.

Chicago Fire: Welcome back, guys! Gregg Berhalter has done a fine job at the helm in his first year as Chicago manager. There was always going to be immense pressure, and a playoff appearance is an ideal start. Their attack will be key; only Miami have scored more goals in the East. 

Austin FC: It's almost been a dream year for Austin. What we have here is a really solid team forced to adjust after losing their star striker to an ACL tear. Head coach Nico Estevez has done a fine job adjusting, and getting this team to an Open Cup final was a real achievement. They have done well enough to get here, and could cause a problem or two while they're at it.

Portland Timbers: The inconsistency has been maddening - 11 wins, 11 draws, 12 losses. Some brilliant performances, some really drab ones. MLS is better when Portland are in the playoffs, but is there really any evidence to show that they deserve to be here? TBD.

Real Salt Lake: Teams that lose half of their games really shouldn't be here. RSL have been miserable at times, but have a real spark plug in Diego Luna. A good game from the USMNT hopeful - perhaps his last game in MLS - could lift them past Portland in the wildcard fixture. 

FC Dallas: Not many had them beating Vancouver on the final day to lock up seventh in the West. Whether that leads to any substantive momentum remains to be seen.

Orlando City: A generational midseason skid saw Orlando go from hipster faves to outsiders, but they have rather rebounded. Luis Muriel is a proper player, and on their day, they can be a real handful. Those days don't come often enough, though.