It's Monday and another week of MLS action is in the books, which means it's time for ESPN's Power Rankings.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
Our Power Rankings are derived from a combination of key season statistics (points per game, goal difference, expected goal difference), recent performance, Opta computer ratings and the observations of our writers.
Who gets on the table? Who is in free fall? We have ranked all 29 clubs in the league after matchday 16. Let's dig deeper.
Previous ranking: 1
Much to the chagrin of enthusiastic visiting fans hoping to see the GOAT, Miami beat Vancouver 2-1 with Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez absent. That's a win in multiple ways for the Herons, who have had mixed results in games without Messi. Robert Taylor and Leonardo Campana scored the goals, the latter scoring his second goal in two consecutive games after scoring the winning goal against DC.
Previous ranking: 2
FCC achieved its seventh consecutive victory after a 4-3 scorer against Toronto. The Blues and Oranges are famous for their victories by one-goal margins, and this marks their ninth of the year, although Saturday's victory is unique because they needed four goals to achieve it (Luca Orellano scored a double and assisted a third to achieve it). . ). Cincinnati are consistent winners, but they will regret allowing three goals at home, especially since they account for more than a fifth (21%) of the goals they have allowed this season.
Previous ranking: 3
In the 59th minute, RSL trailed 3-0 at Toyota Stadium in Texas, but resilience was key as they managed to escape with a draw. Diego Luna was the first to get one back, starting a three-goal response with Anderson Julio coming off the bench for a goal and Nelson Palacio also coming off the bench to score the third goal. Despite the initial setback, Pablo Mastroeni's team showed courage and depth as they continue their 11-game unbeaten streak.
Previous ranking: 4
Diego Rossi scored a brace in Orlando to seal a 2-0 away win (his third consecutive away win) as the Crew concluded the league on a high note, before traveling to Mexico for their Champions Cup clash of Concacaf against Pachuca next weekend.
Previous ranking: 5
LAFC earned its third straight road win in Atlanta after a professional foul by Brad Guzan gave them a 1-0 lead from the penalty spot. It wasn't their cleanest game, but they're gaining momentum toward a potentially terrifying end to the season. Somewhere on the other side of the ocean, Olivier Giroud concluded his season with AC Milan as he prepares to become the latest international star to join the Black and Gold.
0:48
Mateusz Bogusz gets into the LAFC goal
Mateusz Bogusz gets into the LAFC goal
Previous ranking: 6
NYRB had a bye this weekend, giving them more time to heal their wounds after falling to NYCFC in Rivalry Week.
Previous ranking: 7
Minnesota dominated the game from the start, but allowed Colorado to come back. Loons goalie Dayne St. Clair made five saves and scored a big penalty to prevent Rafael Navarro from scoring a brace, but gave up a weak goal minutes later to end the game 3-3.
Previous ranking: 8
A 1-0 victory against the bottom team in the league is not the most convincing victory. Still, a win is a win. This comes as a complement to Keaton Parks' header in the 81st minute assisted by Tayvon Gray.
Previous ranking: 9
The Galaxy came from behind to defeat Houston 2-1, snapping a five-game winless streak with their first win since April 21. Riqui Puig and Gabriel Pec scored the goals to seal it.
Previous ranking: 10
Philadelphia snapped its six-game winless streak against the league's worst team the previous weekend and took a point on the road with a 0-0 draw at Charlotte on Saturday. The team is still looking to recover its maximum potential, although a summer of uncertainty looms (Julián Carranza's fate could change its season) and several international obligations.
Previous ranking: 14
Colorado came back to get a tie after trailing 3-1 in the first half. Brazilian forward Rafael Navarro scored his fifth goal in five games to bring his season tally to nine, highlighting his importance to Colorado as his loan is set to end in June, and many expect him to stay. Colorado.
Previous ranking: 13
Another draw for Dean Smith's formidable defensive team. His Philadelphia visitors have scored 25 goals in 14 games, so a 0-0 clean sheet is further proof of his solid foundation. Charlotte is tied with Columbus for fewest goals allowed (13) in the league and ranks first in fewest goals per game.
Previous ranking: eleven
The score was respectable for the Whitecaps, who fell 1-2 to the visitors from Miami. But losing to the Herons before a record crowd of 51,035 while Miami was missing Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets is a missed opportunity. On the plus side: The crowd seemed to have fun while feasting on half-price food, even as they shouted, “Where's Messi?” at the beginning of the game.
Previous ranking: 12
DC went on a three-game winless streak this weekend, although this time it was a draw. DC still has a lot going for them (an MVP-worthy player in Christian Benteke, for example), but taking just one point away from one of the worst teams in the league (Chicago Fire) is a poor way to capitalize.
Previous ranking: 17
Seattle left St. Louis with a 2-1 victory Saturday night to mark its fourth victory of the season, moving just inside the playoff spots for the first time this year. With 15 games completed and plenty of season left, the old West Coast giants will hope to build on that position boost in the playoffs.
A perfect pass from Albert Rusnák is finished off by Jordan Morris. 👏 pic.twitter.com/hmzu7nXepQ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 26, 2024
Previous ranking: fifteen
Toronto lost to FC Cincinnati over the weekend, but can be proud of how they played. With Federico Bernardeschi absent due to an accumulation of yellow cards, John Herdman's team managed three goals against a team that has only been allowed 14 in 15 games this season. (That's the third-lowest figure in the league, with only Charlotte and Columbus allowing less.)
Previous ranking: 19
On Orlando's defense, Columbus has Patrick Schulte among the best goaltenders in the league. Despite registering four great chances, Schulte saved them all and kept a clean sheet for the formidable visitors who kept their away winning streak alive.
Previous ranking: 23
Portland is 19th in the Supporters Shield race, but third in goals scored (28) in the entire league. Only the highest ranked teams, Inter Miami and RSL, have outperformed their rivals more. The Timbers can score. But can they defend themselves? Surprisingly, they also rank third in the league in goals conceded (30). At least they play entertaining games, and this time the result was in their favor by defeating SKC 2-1. Evander set up the first and scored the second. (Felipe Mora finished the first and assisted the second).
Previous ranking: 18
Latif Blessing's first goal of the year wasn't enough to offset the Galaxy's offensive inevitability (Los Angeles' 27 goals are fourth-most in MLS), as Houston succumbed to a 2-1 loss in Los Angeles. Still, in search of reliable scorers, Houston falls at the opposite end of the Galaxy's goal spectrum, as they have scored just 13 in 14 games (second fewest in the league, behind only New England).
Previous ranking: sixteen
Brad Guzan's professional foul left Atlanta with ten men in the 60th minute. The resulting penalty gave LAFC a 1-0 lead which they maintained until the end. The defeat makes it 9 without winning. The next step? Miami.
Previous ranking: twenty-one
Austin is a team with heart, and they showed it on the way to coming back and earning a draw against the San Jose Earthquakes. However, his offensive production seemed a bit woeful, as they recorded just five shots and just one on goal against the team that has allowed more goals (34) than anyone else this season.
Previous ranking: twenty
St. Louis was a bit unlucky in their loss to Seattle, conceding an own goal before Jordan Morris came in to make it 2-0. They pulled one goal back, but not enough to tie, marking their second loss in as many games.
Previous ranking: 22
Nashville earned a 0-0 draw in its second game under new interim coach Rumba Munthali. It's not yet known what the post-Gary Smith era will look like this season. By the way, that's his seventh tie this year, putting them in a three-way tie for most in the league.
Previous ranking: 25
Dallas looked ready to do the unexpected on Saturday, as they led 3-0 at home against the West Coast's top-ranked team, Real Salt Lake. Tragically for him Bulls, Diego Luna's goal in the 61st minute started a comeback that ended 3-3 at the final whistle. Silver lining? If fans can forget how it all started, a point against RSL is still a result to be proud of.
Previous ranking: 24
They held Portland at bay for most of the game, but Evander scored twice (first with an assist and then with a goal) to secure Kansas City its fifth consecutive league loss. They host Vancouver at home next and their season is in free fall.
Previous ranking: 26
San Jose took the early lead and came within a whisker of three points, but the post stopped them in overtime for what could have been their fourth win of the year. Oh, what could have been! Still, a 1-1 draw with Austin is respectable for a team that has lost 10 of its 15 games.
Previous ranking: 27
1-1 away against DC United is pretty decent for the Fire. Kellyn Acosta completed a solid team goal built patiently from behind, leveling them from behind and showing signs of more quality that the Fire may be hiding.
Previous ranking: 28
Montreal snapped a four-game losing streak with a draw against Nashville. That's progress, especially since the last time they faced Nashville (May 4) they lost 4-1. That said, they still haven't won a game since April 13.
Previous ranking: 29
The Revs are as bad as you think. In reality, they could be worse. They took 16 shots against NYCFC in a 1-0 home loss, although none were real quality chances.
