It’s that time of year. We throw sanity out the window and make our MLS West preseason rankings.

We won’t bore you with our predictions last year, but let’s just say we had Austin FC easily making the playoffs in their inaugural season. It definitely didn’t go as planned.

It’s Austin’s sophomore year, and we’re much wiser in 2022.

Nah, not really. You better believe we have our Verde-tinted glasses on again this year.

Spoiler alert: Austin FC makes the playoffs! Austin FC makes the playoffs!

Cue the drumroll…our 2022 MLS Western Conference preseason rankings:

Austin FC lands just above the playoff cutoff line in 2022.

With the double Ds (Driussi and Djitte) to provide the danger up top, plus a fresh crop of MLS vets for depth, we feel good that this ATX squad can navigate a treacherous season.

Multiple ATXFC players cruelly suffered early season-ending injuries last year, but it’s Austin’s time to shine bright verde in 2022.

El Tree also claims the top preseason spot among the Copa Tejas triangle that includes Frisco and H-town.

We said it last year, and we’ll say it again — Houston we have a (player) problem.

Not sure if Dynamo has something up their sleeve, but a team with a new owner, a new GM, and a new coach in the offseason have done nearly nada to rebuild last season’s worst in the West ranking.

Meanwhile, the Pepi train has left the station for the Toros. And Paxton Pomykal’s health is still a lingering question mark.

Not enough blockbuster moves with the Pepi money to flip the switch and make FC Dallas a good team in 2022. The biggest signing was Paul Arriola, but the club still lacks a tried and true no. 9.

Tell us where you would rank Austin FC.

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