MLS: Messi, Miami have one hand on Supporters' Shield

It’s Monday, and another week of MLS action is in the books, which means it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.

Our Power Rankings are derived from a combination of key season statistics (points per game, goal differential, expected goal differential), recent performance, the Opta computer ratings and the observations of our writers.

Who’s climbing the table? Who’s in a free fall? We’ve ranked all 29 clubs in the league. Let’s dive in.

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Previous ranking: 1

They lost another center-back to an injury, but that didn’t stop Inter Miami from winning Lionel Messi‘s first game back since the Copa América. The Argentina legend snagged a brace and an assist on Saturday against Philadelphia and, in the process, showed that the Supporters’ Shield will belong to Miami — it’s only a matter of time.

Previous ranking: 2

While they created better chances than their in-state rivals, the Crew left Cincinnati with just a point. Wilfried Nancy will regret that his attack couldn’t punish a Cincy defense that featured two outside backs deputizing at center-back, but a draw on the road isn’t a bad result.

Previous ranking: 3

When Pat Noonan stood on the sidelines coaching his first game of the season, you can be sure he didn’t imagine having to use DeAndre Yedlin and Alvas Powell at center-back in a huge rivalry game. Life comes at you fast, doesn’t it? Credit to Cincinnati for holding strong against the high-octane Crew.

Previous ranking: 5

The Galaxy are a paradox: every game they play is almost entirely predictable, and yet they’re still must-see TV. To no one’s surprise, Jalen Neal was exposed by Dénis Bouanga on LAFC‘s first two goals during Saturday’s El Tráfico. Then Greg Vanney’s team scored four unanswered. With their wildly talented attack, that was always on the table, too.

Previous ranking: 4

LAFC have developed a reputation as a stodgy defensive team, and for good reason. Steve Cherundolo’s squad tends to be well drilled while playing against the ball. In Carson this weekend, though, they crumbled under pressure. Poor decision-making on the Galaxy’s go-ahead goal will haunt them.

Previous ranking: 10

The Dynamo are crushing life. Since the regular season resumed, they’ve beaten LAFC, then drew LAFC, and they just topped RSL 4-1 on Saturday. Few teams in MLS history have moved the ball as effortlessly — or used it to control games as well — as the Houston Dynamo.

Previous ranking: 7

After losing twice to the Timbers earlier this year, the Rapids finally came out on the winning side. Sharp play through the middle and a clever set-piece goal propelled Colorado to three points.

Previous ranking: 8

Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Gauld have a connection, folks. The two Scotland internationals have reunited in Vancouver and look borderline telepathic. Armstrong, the Whitecaps’ newest DP, scored his first goal in MLS off a feed from his countryman in an easy-breezy win over the Earthquakes.

Previous ranking: 15

At their best, Orlando City is a lockdown defensive unit. That’s exactly what we saw in the first half of their 3-0 win over the New England Revolution, where they allowed just three shots to the tune of 0.1 xG. That’s three clean sheets in four games for Oscar Pareja’s team.

Previous ranking: 16

There’s something satisfying about watching a team take care of business. That’s exactly what the Sounders did against SKC on Sunday. They’re knocking on the door of the West’s fourth seed.

Previous ranking: 6

RSL haven’t been themselves lately. If only we could figure out why — oh wait, they’re clearly struggling because Best XI-caliber winger Andres Gomez moved to Ligue 1 during the summer transfer window. Without Gomez, there’s too much pressure on Chicho Arango to pull all the strings. He couldn’t in Salt Lake’s 4-1 loss to Houston.

Previous ranking: 12

It wasn’t pretty, but a road point in the nation’s capital helps push NYCFC toward their goal of staying firmly above the playoff line. Still, they should be fighting tooth-and-nail to climb above Orlando City into the East’s fifth seed to avoid any of Columbus, Cincinnati and Miami in the first round.

Previous ranking: 9

It sure would’ve been nice to see what the Portland Timbers could’ve concocted with a third true Designated Player in the squad for the rest of this year. Alas, their inactive summer window left them vulnerable to road losses like the one they suffered in Colorado this weekend.

Previous ranking: 18

Joaquín Pereyra, the 25-year-old Designated Player Minnesota signed in the summer, made his debut for the Loons on Saturday. Minnesota United also picked up a crucial three points to give themselves a five-point cushion in ninth over the chasing pack out West. It was a really, really good weekend.

Previous ranking: 11

The Red Bulls haven’t won a game in nearly two months and dropped all three points in Chicago on Saturday. The harsh reality right now for RBNY is this: with Emil Forsberg injured, they simply don’t have enough talent to reliably win games.

Previous ranking: 13

Just when Atlanta United were building some momentum thanks to a win over Charlotte last time out, they tripped right out of the gates against Nashville. The attack didn’t click, and Aleksei Miranchuk wasn’t involved enough. Problems abound.

Previous ranking: 14

Charlotte FC have won just one of their past 10 games. Just one. A couple of months ago, Dean Smith’s squad looked like one that no one would want to face in the first round of the playoffs. Now? They just got outplayed by Montréal. Talk about a fall from grace.

Previous ranking: 17

While there’s no shame in failing to keep up with Inter Miami, that still doesn’t change the fact that the Union failed to keep up with Inter Miami. Holding onto their early lead at home would’ve been massive for Philly, who have a downright brutal remaining schedule.

Previous ranking: 23

Every now and then, Toronto FC show signs of life. John Herdman’s team ripped Austin FC’s 4-4-2 block to shreds on Saturday and didn’t need to rely on their Italian stars. Maybe they should play Austin every week?

Previous ranking: 22

They’re hanging around! Despite the incredible number of chaotic games played by D.C. United in 2024, they keep picking up points. A draw against NYCFC gives D.C. seven points in their past three matches.

Previous ranking: 24

Alert! Alert! Nashville SC just won their first game since June 22! B.J. Callaghan’s team showed some real quality in possession against Atlanta United, cruising to a relatively straightforward three points.

Previous ranking: 20

Dallas would have benefited from St. Louis beating Minnesota this weekend, but it wasn’t to be. They have a lot of ground to make up between now and Decision Day.

Previous ranking: 19

“We’ll fight hard for next season,” Cedric Teuchert said after his team’s 3-1 home loss to Minnesota United. That about sums it up for St. Louis right now. They’re not technically eliminated from postseason contention, but that 11-point gap is looking really, well, gappy.

Previous ranking: 25

Former New York Red Bulls striker Tom Barlow scoring the opening goal of an eventual 2-1 win for the Chicago Fire against his old team? Who doesn’t like a reunion?

Previous ranking: 21

It was too little, too late for Austin FC on the road against Toronto FC. Disastrous work in defensive transition and overly ponderous possession play saw Austin ship two goals inside the first 30 minutes. At that point, the game was over.

Previous ranking: 28

Just when I’m out, CF Montréal reel me back in. Their 2-1 win over Charlotte FC was one of the more unexpected results in a weekend that was filled with unexpected results.

Previous ranking: 27

The Revs are mostly a lost cause this year, so let’s spend this section talking about something more fun than a 3-0 loss to Orlando City. Sixteen-year-old American left-back Peyton Miller is absolutely a player to watch. The dynamic left-footer has become a starter after New England traded DeJuan Jones and looks like the real deal.

Previous ranking: 26

It’s just … not there for SKC. They look broken, devoid of attacking ideas and light on the defensive end. Wrap it up, folks.

Previous ranking: 29

The Quakes looked like they had one foot in Cancún during their 2-0 loss to the Whitecaps.