It's almost time for the culmination of the eMLS season, as some of the world's top FIFA competitors are set to face off in this weekend's 2021 eMLS Cup presented by Coca-Cola. It will be the last of three eMLS competitions in 2021, following League Series One and League Series Two earlier this year, with a massive $20,000 prize on the line for the winner come Sunday night.
The top 11 finishers from the overall 2021 standings automatically qualified for eMLS Cup, with the 12th spot going to FC Dallas' AlanAvi, the winner of the Last Chance Qualifier. Ahead of this weekend's event, here are the latest eMLS power rankings.
Power Rankings are voted on by eMLS staff, reflecting gamers' performance both in eMLS events and on the wider pro-FIFA circuit.
1. NYC_Chris
Previous rank: #1 (no change)
There's really no debate as to who should lay claim to the top spot at the moment. The NYCFC man has been dominant in 2021, winning both League Series One and League Series Two titles, separating himself as the class of the circuit and as the player to beat going into eMLS Cup.
2. KingCJ0
Previous rank: #2 (no change)
He didn't quite pull off the upset but D.C. United's rep gave Didychrislito everything he could handle in the League Series Two final, showing that he's one of the most formidable competitors around in his own right. KingCJO retains his perch in the No. 2 spot for these rankings.
3. xbLeU
Previous rank: #3 (no change)
The Austin FC man has been one of the top statistical performers in eMLS all season, topping the overall table with 64 points and a blistering +45 goal differential. He'll have an argument for the top spot if he can get some silverware at eMLS Cup.
4. G_Adamou
Previous rank: #6 (+2 spot)
The reigning eMLS Cup champion rises back into the top five thanks to his usual dominant form on the league table. Adamou boasts 16W-7D-3L record and a +32 goal differential as he sets his sights on a repeat.
5. AlanAvi
Previous rank: #5 (no change)
AlanAvi was the winner of the Last Chance Qualifier to become the final competitor to qualify for eMLS Cup and has proven to be a formidable competitor, leaving him at his same No. 5 spot in our rankings.
6. FCC Fiddle
Previous rank: #4 (-2 spot)
Fiddle falls out of the top five, but he should never be slept on after making a run at a treble last year with League Series One and League Series Two titles. The FC Cincy rep will be looking to recapture that form at eMLS Cup.
7. Kid M3mito
Previous rank: #7 (no change)
Kid M3mito retains his No. 7 spot as he heads into eMLS Cup with a 14W-5D-7L record and a +29 goal differential.
8. PhilB94
Previous rank: #8 (no change)
After a strong year, the TFC pro (14W-6D-6L) qualified for the coveted final competition of the year by finishing fifth out of 27 teams in the regular season
9. Godfather
Previous rank: #9 (no change)
Godfather stays at his spot just inside the top 10 as he looks ahead to his opening matchup with Philadelphia's cisseSZN.
10. Doolsta
Previous rank: #10 (no change)
Doolsta's +5 goal differential doesn't jump off the page, but you can't argue with his results. The Nashville SC man is into eMLS Cup with his 11th place finish on the table, allowing him to keep the final spot in the top 10 of our rankings.
11. cisseSZN
Previous rank: #13 (+2 slots)
The Philly rep has a chance to set up one of the most intriguing matchups of the tournament. If he can win his opening match against Godfather, it will set up a sibling rivalry clash with his brother KingCJO.
12. Alekzandur
Previous rank: #14 (+2 spots)
Alekzandur moves up two spots thanks to a strong run of form that saw him finish at eighth on the table and qualify for eMLS Cup.
13. IMCF_Pabs
Previous rank: #16 (+3 spots)
A solid +17 goal differential wasn't enough for the Miami rep to qualify, but he'll still move up three spots in our rankings thanks to some strong play of late.
14. tokyorift
Previous rank: #18 (+4 spots)
It's been an erratic season for the Minnesota United man, who shows his high skill level in flashes but ultimately emerged with a +2 goal differential and a 10W-5D-11L record that leaves him on the outside looking in for eMLS Cup qualifying.
15. RemiMartinn
Previous Rank: #15 (no change)
Too many draws have been the story for the LAFC man, who ended up with 11 of them this season, the highest mark of any competitor. He retains his spot at No. 15 on the table.
16. BENR
Previous rank: #11 (-5 spots)
He's shown to be one of the most exciting rookies on the circuit, but BENR falls from 11 to 16 in these rankings after winding up with a -30 goal differential.
17. Skill Shack
Previous rank: #17 (no change)
The Whitecaps rep stays at No. 17 after finishing with a 10W-6D-10L record and a -2 goal differential.
18. Maloney
Previous rank: #12 (-6 spots)
Another exciting rookie, Maloney's +10 goal differential is respectable, but he'll fall from 12 to 18 after finding himself unable to make it into the top 12 for eMLS Cup qualifying.
19. RCTID_Thiago
Previous rank: #19 (no change)
Thiago has had a rough go of it lately, finishing with a 9W-5D-12L record and -21 goal differential.
20. mehdibob
Previous rank: #20 (-3 spots)
The CF Montréal rep finished with a +7 goal differential but falls three spots after finishing at 15th on the table.
21. Gonzo
Previous rank: #22 (+1 spot)
Gonzo moves up one spot, but his overall form left a lot to be desired this season, as the Rapids rep ends with 16 losses and a -37 goal differential.
22. JordyReyes
Previous rank: #23 (+1 spot)
The Dynamo FC man moves up to No. 22 in our rankings, which is exactly where he also finished on the table for the season at 6W-5D-15L.
23. STL CITY SC HASIB
Previous rank: #25 (+2 spots)
Hasib moves from No. 25 to No. 23 in our latest rankings, although he wasn't able to put together a strong enough run to get St. Louis CITY SC into eMLS Cup in their first year competing.
24. JKO
Previous rank: #21 (-3 spots)
JKO falls three spots to No. 21 after finishing the season at 5W-3D-18L.
24. Adrian
Previous rank: #24 (no change)
Adrian stands pat at No. 24 at the back end of a tough campaign that saw the Rave Green rep go 6W-6D-14L and post a -26 goal differential.
26. Enzo
Previous rank: #26 (no change)
Enzo brings up the rear of our rankings, with his -77 goal differential representing the low mark on the table.