NFL stars, rappers and actors model the new kits MLS clubs will wear in the league's 25th season. (1:31)

We're back, baby! After a long winter's hibernation, our MLS Power Rankings are fully awake and ready to shake off the rust. Major League Soccer's 25th season is nigh (stream games live on ESPN+) and it promises to be one of the most fascinating seasons in the league's existence.

The first edition of the Rankings in 2020 are based on several critically important criteria: Results from 2019 (25 percent), off-season acquisitions (25 percent) and gut instinct (50 percent). The gut knows.

Let's get into it -- and remember, the Rankings are never, ever wrong.

Last season's ranking: 5

Next MLS match: March 1, vs. Chicago, 3 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)

The champions open the season in the top spot ... because they're the champions. With a somewhat quiet off-season and a team full of veterans led by Nicolas Lodeiro, Raul Ruidiaz and Jordan Morris, the MLS Cup holders are somehow entering 2020 under the radar. That probably means we're being set up for another Sounders title. See you in November!

Last season ranking: 1

Next MLS match: March 1, vs. Inter Miami, 5.30 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)

Bob Bradley's boys stumbled badly in Leon in the CONCACAF Champions League, but led by reigning MVP Carlos Vela, they'll be favorites to win plenty this season no matter what happens in the second leg. If we have questions, they mostly relate to the decision to trade centre-back Walker Zimmerman on the eve of the season. Seems like an odd choice.

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Last season ranking: 3

Next MLS match: Feb. 29, at Nashville SC, 8 p.m. ET

If you think you know how this season is going to go for the Five Stripes, you are either: clairvoyant (in which case you should be doing more important things) or delusional. After last year's wild ride and the off-season remaking of United, it seems equally likely that Atlanta will win a title and Frank de Boer will get axed by mid-season. Buckle up.

Last season ranking: 4

Next MLS match: Feb. 29, at San Jose, 5.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Heading into 2020, Toronto FC looks exceedingly fragile. Greg Vanney's club is already without Michael Bradley for the first few months, and injuries are a constant threat to the attacking area of the field. That said, they have the talent and savvy to return to the top of the East if luck is on their side.

Last season ranking: 2

Next MLS match: March 1, at Columbus, 12.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Same cast, different director. Ronny Deila inherits one of the best shows going in MLS. Can he improve upon the excellent reviews earned by his predecessor? What will the reviews read? "It's Death for Deila as NYCFC Misses Playoffs"? Or "Deila Delights in Delivering MLS Cup"? We'll keep working on these.

play 1:23 Herculez Gomez 'taken aback' by Inter Miami's roster build Herculez Gomez questions Inter Miami's strategy after signing Rodolfo Pizarro for their first MLS season.

Last season ranking: 14

Next MLS match: Feb. 29, at Houston, 3.30 p.m. ET

Is Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez equal to Zlatan Ibrahimovic? No, but that doesn't mean that the Galaxy's big move for the Mexican forward isn't exactly the right one for the club. Making splashy moves for famous players just feels right for L.A.'s original club, and even if Hernandez can't outdo Zlatan, there will be lots of attention on Carson.

Last season ranking: 9

Next MLS match: Feb. 29, at Montreal, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Bruce-a-lution of 2019 brought real optimism to Foxborough for the first time in years (for the soccer team, we mean), and expectations are high heading into 2020. Arena is excellent at getting his players to buy in and with Carles Gil, Gustavo Bou and newcomer Adam Buksa leading the attack, there's no reason to think the Revs won't be one of the toughest teams to play against this season.

Last season ranking: 16

Next MLS match: March 1, vs. NYCFC, 12.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

No one in the league, outside of the two expansion clubs, can claim that last year's results are less relevant to this year's than the Crew. The 2019 season was purgatorial for Caleb Porter's team. Now there's a multimillion-dollar playmaker, Darlington Nagbe, and big expectations for the Black & Gold in 2020.

Week 1 ranking: 6

Next MLS match: Feb. 29, at Dallas, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Union took a big step forward in 2019 -- they won a playoff game. Can Jim Curtin's team make the giant leap into the upper echelon of MLS this season? Philadelphia's proverbial ceiling will need raising if a budget-minded team is going to challenge for silverware.

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Last season ranking: 8

Next MLS match: Feb. 29, vs. Colorado, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN+

United pulled off a club-record transfer for Edison Flores, traded for Julian Gressel, locked up Bill Hamid and looked primed for a big season in 2020. Then Paul Arriola tore his ACL and now black clouds are rolling into the District. Ben Olsen has to pull his team out of that emotional nosedive and make sure they don't miss Wayne Rooney too much.

Last season ranking: 12

Next MLS match: Feb. 29, vs. Philadelphia, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+

There's really no good reason why we haven't started calling FC Dallas "Kids Inc." at this point. Outside of the individual players' fortunes, the story will be the same in Frisco this season: Can a young, talented group of academy graduates led by Paxton Pomykal, Reggie Cannon and Jesus Ferreira lead FC Dallas to the playoffs?

Last season ranking: 11

Next MLS match: March 1, vs. Minnesota, 7.30 p.m. ET

Diego Valeri's acrimonious contract saga is a distant memory and Merritt Paulson put down some cash to secure a few new additions, including new DP Yimmi Chara. The Timbers are more talented, but there are still questions about how it all comes together.