MLS Power Rankings: Messi's Miami has a hand in the Shield

September 16, 2024, 09:28 AM US Eastern Time

It's Monday and another week of MLS action has wrapped up, which means it's time for the ESPN Power Rankings.

Our power rankings are derived from a combination of key season stats (points per game, goal difference, expected goal difference), recent performance, the Opta computer ratings and our writers' observations.

Who's on the rise? Who's in free fall? We've ranked all 29 clubs in the league. Let's break them down.

Previous classification: 1

They lost another center back to injury, but that didn't stop Inter Miami from winning Lionel Messi's first game since the Copa America. The Argentine legend scored a brace and provided an assist on Saturday against Philadelphia and, in the process, proved that the Supporters' Shield will belong to Miami; it's just a matter of time.

Previous classification: 2

While they created better chances than their local rivals, the Crew left Cincinnati with just one point. Wilfried Nancy will rue that his offense couldn't punish a Cincinnati defense that featured two fullbacks replacing the center backs, but a draw on the road isn't a bad result.

Previous classification: 3

When Pat Noonan sat on the sidelines coaching his first game of the season, we can be sure he didn't imagine having to use DeAndre Yedlin and Alvas Powell as center backs in a big rivalry game. Life happens fast, doesn't it? Give Cincinnati credit for holding its own against the high-octane Crew.

Previous classification: 5

The Galaxy are a paradox: Every game they play is almost entirely predictable, and yet they remain must-see TV. To no one's surprise, Dénis Bouanga set up Jalen Neal for LAFC's first two goals during Saturday's game. TheTraffic. Then Greg Vanney's team scored four unanswered goals. With their incredibly talented attack, that was always on the table as well.

Dejan Joveljic scores in the 67th minute

Previous classification: 4

LAFC has earned a reputation as a weak defensive team, and rightly so. Steve Cherundolo's team is typically well-prepared when playing on the ball. However, in Carson this weekend, they crumbled under pressure. The poor decision-making on the Galaxy's go-ahead goal will haunt them.

Previous classification: 10

The Dynamo are on a roll. Since the regular season resumed, they've beaten LAFC, then tied LAFC, and just beat RSL 4-1 on Saturday. Few teams in MLS history have moved the ball as easily (or used it to control games as well) as the Houston Dynamo.

Previous classification: 7

After losing twice to the Timbers earlier this year, the Rapids finally emerged victorious. Precise midfield play and a smart goal off a set piece catapulted Colorado to all three points.

Previous classification: 8

Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Gauld have a connection, folks. The two Scottish internationals have reunited in Vancouver and seem almost telepathic. Armstrong, the Whitecaps' new DP, scored his first MLS goal off a pass from his compatriot in an easy win over the Earthquakes.

Previous classification: 15

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

Previous classification: 16

There's something satisfying about watching a team do its job well. That's exactly what the Sounders did against SKC on Sunday. They're knocking on the door of fourth place in the West.

Jackson Ragen takes home the home field for the Seattle Sounders

Jackson Ragen capitalizes on a loose ball to open the scoring for the Sounders against Sporting Kansas City.

Previous classification: 6

RSL haven't been the same lately. If only we could figure out why… Oh wait, they're clearly struggling because Best XI-calibre winger Andres Gomez left for 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 do so in Salt Lake's 4-1 loss to Houston.

Previous classification: 12

It wasn't a pretty game, but a point on the road in the nation's capital helps NYCFC move toward its goal of staying firmly above the playoff line. Still, they'll have to fight tooth and nail to get past Orlando City and become the fifth seed in the East to avoid Columbus, Cincinnati and Miami in the first round.

Previous classification: 9

It would have been great to see what the Portland Timbers could have cooked up with a third Designated Player on the team for the rest of this year. Unfortunately, their inactive summer window left them vulnerable to road losses like the one they suffered in Colorado this weekend.

Previous classification: 18

Joaquin 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 three crucial points to take a five-point lead in ninth place over the West's chasing pack. It was a very good weekend indeed.

Previous classification: 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 classification: 13

Just as Atlanta United was gaining momentum thanks to a win over Charlotte last time out, it stumbled early on against Nashville. The offense didn't click and Aleksei Miranchuk didn't get involved enough. Problems abound.

Previous classification: 14

Charlotte FC have won just one of their last 10 matches. Only oneA couple of months ago, Dean Smith's team looked like one no one would want to face in the first round of the playoffs. Now? Montreal has outplayed them. What a fall from grace.

Previous classification: 17

While there's nothing wrong with not being able to keep up with Inter Miami, that doesn't change the fact that the Union couldn't keep up with Inter Miami. Maintaining their early home advantage would have been critical for Philadelphia, which has a truly brutal remaining schedule.

Previous classification: 23

Toronto FC occasionally shows signs of life. John Herdman's team tore apart Austin FC's 4-4-2 formation on Saturday and didn't need to rely on their Italian stars. Maybe they should play Austin every week?

Goal! Deandre Kerr scores to put Toronto up 2-0

Richie Laryea finds Deandre Kerr, who scores to give Toronto FC a 2-0 lead over Austin FC.

Previous classification: 22

They're in the fight! Despite the incredibly chaotic number of games DC United have played in 2024, they're still racking up points. A draw against NYCFC gives DC seven points in their last three games.

Previous classification: 24

Alert! Alert! Nashville SC just won its first game since June 22! BJ Callaghan's team showed great quality in possession against Atlanta United and took three points with relative ease.

Previous classification: 20

Dallas would have benefited if St. Louis had beaten Minnesota this weekend, but that didn't happen. They have a lot of ground to make up between now and Decision Day.

Previous classification: 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 up St. Louis' current situation. They're not technically eliminated from playoff contention, but that 11-point gap seems very, very large.

Previous classification: 25

Former New York Red Bulls striker Tom Barlow scored the opening goal in a 2-1 win for the Chicago Fire against his former team? Who doesn't love a reunion?

Previous classification: 21

It was too little, too late for Austin FC on their visit to Toronto FC. Disastrous defensive transition work and excessively slow possession play saw Austin concede two goals in the first 30 minutes. At that point, the game was decided.

Previous classification: 28

Just as I was out, CF Montréal got me back. Their 2-1 win over Charlotte FC was one of the more unexpected results in a weekend that was full of unexpected results.

Previous classification: 27

This year, the Revs are mostly a lost cause, 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 certainly a player to watch. The dynamic left-hander has become a starter after New England traded for DeJuan Jones and looks like he's a real player.