It's a new year which means it's also time for the new eMLS power rankings ahead of the season-opening eMLS League Series One presented by Coca-Cola.
This year's competition, which officially begins with qualifiers Tuesday night, will be bigger than ever, with 27 clubs participating with the addition of Inter Miami CF and St. Louis City SC, and 18 players currently ranked in the Top 100 of their region in EA SPORTS FIFA 21 Global Series Rankings as of December 16.
Power Rankings are voted on by eMLS staff, reflecting gamers' performance both in eMLS events and on the wider pro-FIFA circuit.
1. G_Adamou
The reigning 2020 eMLS Cup Champion is the preseason favorite to defend the title won during his rookie season with RBNY. For FIFA 21, he's currently tied atop the North America Global Series Rankings and he participated in eMLS Tournament Special in the spring alongside RBNY teammate Aaron Long.
2. NYCChris
Will 2021 be the season for an elusive eMLS trophy for NYCChris? Consistently one of the best players in North America year after year, he came agonizingly close as the 2020 eMLS Cup runner-up. The inaugural eChampions League winner in 2019 participated in the eMLS Tournament Special alongside NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
3. FCC Fiddle
Claimed eMLS League Series One and eMLS League Series Two in 2020, but did not win eMLS Cup, falling short of the treble Doolsta captured in 2019. He participated in eMLS Tournament Special in the spring alongside FCC defender Kendall Waston.
4. Alekzandur
After a run to the finals of the eMLS Tournament Special this past spring alongside his SKC teammate Wan Kuzain, Alekzandur appears poised for a huge 2021. He's currently tied for 1st in the North America Global Series Rankings and has been performing very well in Weekend League, which bodes well for eMLS online format this season. Back in 2018, he was the only American to qualify to the FIFA eWorld Cup in London, ranking 9th in the world.
5. PhilB94
Another strong contender for eMLS Cup this year, PhilB94 is currently tied for 1st in North America Global Series Rankings. He has been performing well in Weekend League which could be a harbinger of things to come this season. PhilB94 participated in eMLS Tournament Special this past spring alongside TFC teammate Marky Delgado.
6. Kid M3mito
One of the big moves this eMLS offseason. Kid M3mito transfers to Chicago Fire FC after representing the Houston Dynamo from 2018-2020, where he won the inaugural eMLS Cup in 2018. He'll be looking to make a good first impression and win some hardware with his new club.
7. RemiMartinn
LAFC's eMLS rep performed well in his rookie season in 2020, but he'll be looking to take his game to the next level in 2021. Last year, he participated in the eMLS Tournament Special alongside LAFC teammate Adama Diomande.
8. Godfather
A FIFA OG, who is extremely experienced in the competitive scene, Godfather also participated in the eMLS Tournament Special this past spring alongside LA Galaxy teammate Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez.
9. AlanAvi
Alan makes his return to FC Dallas for 2021 after representing them in 2018 and 2019. Also a player for Complexity Gaming, he'll be looking to win some hardware for FC Dallas, where he got his start as a homegrown player. Alan won the Xbox Manchester City Cup in 2017 and was the winner of the inaugural eMLS All-Star Challenge presented by Wells Fargo in August 2018.
10. KingCJ0
The DCU rep is currently tied for first in North America in the North America Global Series Rankings. His brother is Cisse the eMLS player for the Philadelphia Union.
11. Doolsta
The eMLS treble winner of 2019 for the Philadelphia Union after winning eMLS League Series One, Two and Cup, Doolsta didn't win any trophies in 2020 — something he'll be looking to rectify this year. The Ireland native won all three eMLS events while representing the Philadelphia Union in 2019, and finished that season as the No. 19 ranked FIFA player in the world
12. xbLeU
An active FIFA player since 2009, and signed on to be part of the LA Galaxy’s eMLS team in 2019, xbLeU has already put together an impressive gaming resume, with wins in the FIFA 17 Man City eSports Cup, the Galaxy’s FIFA 18 tournament, LAFC's 2019 Gaming Scouting Tournament and the ESL FIFA 20 PS4 Pro For a Day tournament. He now joins expansion side Austin FC, where he'll look to transfer those skills over.
13. RCTID_Thiago
A veteran going into his fourth season representing the Timbers, Thiago will be looking to win some hardware for the Rose City. Reached the finals of the 2019 eMLS League Series One in Dallas, and was also a Western Conference playoff semifinalist at the 2019 eMLS Cup and a third place finisher after regular season play. Also one of only five players to be selected to the 2019 eMLS Team of the Year
14. STL CITY SC HASIB
This is St. Louis City SC's first year in eMLS, so Hasib will look to make it a grand entrance. He's well known in the FIFA community and will no doubt be plenty motivated getting to represent his hometown club.
15. cisseSZN
Represented Sporting KC in past eMLS seasons, but will now set his sights on earning some silverware for the Union, who are looking to bounce back after a bottom of the table finish last season.
16. Maloney
After competing with FIFA Abe in 2018-2020, Orlando City will be looking to make an impact with their rookie new signing, who has been performing well in the NA Global Series.
17. BENR
A Sunnyvale, Calif. resident and native of Israel, BENR (real name Ben Remez) and his family are season-ticket holders for the Quakes, and he now has a chance to represent his hometown team on the eMLS circuit. Remez began playing competitively in 2017 and has placed in the top-20 of three international FIFA Ultimate Team Champions Cup tournaments, including Brazil America (3rd), PGL Singapore (16th) and Atlanta (17th).
18. IMCF_Pabs
Pabs earned the opportunity to sign as the club's first esports athlete after a surprise tryout held at Inter Miami CF Stadium, where he defeated first-team players Rodolfo Pizarro, Christian Makoun and George Acosta in a FIFA showdown. He was the top competitor in Miami this year measured by PlayStation4 points and was ranked 11th in North America in PlayStation4 FIFA 20.
19. JordyReyes
Houston competed with Kid M3mito in 2018-2020, who won them the inaugural eMLS Cup in 2018, and is now replaced by a homegrown rookie in JordyReyes, who has been an avid fan of the team his whole life. The youngster has big shoes to fill, so it will be fun to see if he's up to the task.
20. Skill Shack
Skill Shack will represent the Whitecaps this season after winning a face-off against their 2020 player, Exraa
21. mehdibob
mehdibob3 is the Impact's second pro eSports player. Mehdi qualified for the FIFA eWorld Cup Americas Regional Finals in 2017 and won many local tournaments, establishing himself as a promising young player.
22. tokyorift
Minnesota United competed with Jay Adams in 2020 who didn't make knockout stages of any tournament and is now replaced by this hungry rookie.
23. JKO
A finalist in numerous FIFA 17 events, including a top-eight finish in the 2017 FIWC. Signed with the New England Revolution and has continued to represent his hometown club since.
24. Crew96Skamzz
Has played FIFA professionally since 2008 and has played for Yo-Yo Tech, Team Dignitas and Team Infused in the United Kingdom. Ranked as an Elite 1 Player and has been among the Top 100 players for FIFA Ultimate Team Champions and is ranked among the best in the Americas region and the world.
25. Gonzo
A Colorado native, currently living in Littleton. Made his professional gaming debut last season, when he started FIFA 20 ranked just outside the Top 100 on Xbox
26. Enzo
This will be Enzo's rookie year representing ATL while Paulo Neto represents the Five Stripes in South America from his home in Brazil. Enzo won a FIFA 19 Launch event in Atlanta in 2018 and will be looking to prove himself in eMLS.
27. Adrian
Rookie year for Adrian representing Seattle Sounders, who competed with Nick Mars in 2020 and failed to make the knockout stages of any tournament. Seattle will hope to turn things around with Adrian, who is somewhat unknown in the competitive scene and will attract plenty of interest to see how he performs through 2021.
