MLS Power Rankings: LAFC holds a commanding position at the top of the standings
It’s Monday, and MLS action returns, making it time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.
Which team appears to be the most formidable? Which one might be in for a challenging season? Our writers analyzed the events from Matchday 6 to establish this week’s rankings. Let’s take a closer look.
1. LAFC
Previous ranking: 2
Son Heung-Min recorded four assists in the first half (nearly equaling Lionel Messi’s record for assists in a single half) during a 6-0 victory over Orlando. Three of those assists were for Denis Bouanga, who achieved his fifth MLS hat trick in a commanding win for the only team that has yet to allow a goal this season.
2. Nashville SC
Previous ranking: 1
Nashville faced a setback in a windy Chicago, losing 1-0 to the Fire. After conceding a goal in the opening minute, they struggled to penetrate a Chicago defense that was bolstered by four saves from Chris Brady. Nashville has a few days to regroup before their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal against Club AmΓ©rica on Tuesday.
3. Vancouver Whitecaps
Previous ranking: 3
Vancouver initially took the lead against Portland but fell behind after conceding twice, trailing until the 91st minute. However, resilient teams find a way; Thomas MΓΌller converted a late penalty just before Sebastian Berhalter assisted on his own match-winning goal in the 95th minute, clinching a 3-2 victory at home. After previous losses to San Jose and Seattle (in the Champions Cup) before the break, these three points are significant.
4. San Jose Earthquakes
Previous ranking: 6
The only thing that could hinder San Jose this season is a temporarily malfunctioning sprinkler on their field, and even that did not prevent the Earthquakes from achieving a 3-0 victory against San Diego. Niko Tsakiris scored twice (including a skillful left-footed shot from an unlikely angle to give an early lead) as San Jose outshot San Diego 10-1 on target while having a player advantage from the 32nd minute.
5. Inter Miami CF
Previous ranking: 4
Guilherme Biro’s header in the sixth minute denied Miami the opening goal at their new Nu Stadium, but Messi quickly equalized in the 10th minute. The visitors posed a challenge and regained the lead on a counterattack, but Luis SuΓ‘rez (who continues to impress) ensured a share of the points eight minutes after coming on. With a 2-2 draw, Miami has now tied four of its last five matches across all competitions.
play1:12Inter Miami CF vs. Austin FC – Game Highlights
Inter Miami CF vs. Austin FC – Game Highlights
6. Seattle Sounders
Previous ranking: 7
Seattle has not scored frequently (with a total of six goals, it has the second-fewest among playoff-position teams, including wild card), but it also does not concede often. Despite being outshot on target, Andy Thomas made three saves to secure the Sounders’ fifth clean sheet. On the offensive end, top scorer Paul Rothrock netted his third goal of the regular season, securing three points in a 1-0 win in Houston. Next up is Monterrey for the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals.
7. San Diego FC
Previous ranking: 5
San Diego was already behind the Quakes when a harsh decision resulted in Manu Duah being sent off in the 32nd minute. Following two more goals and a sprinkler malfunction, SDFC recorded its third loss of the season and faces tough challenges ahead. San Diego will need to recover against Minnesota and RSL.
8. FC Dallas
Previous ranking: 10
Don’t overlook Dallas. After defeating D.C. 4-0, only Vancouver has scored more goals this season. With his seventh goal in the 91st minute, Petar Musa is now tied with Nashville’s Sam Surridge at the top of the scoring chart.
9. Real Salt Lake
Previous ranking: 8
After a 3-1 victory over SKC, RSL has achieved four wins in a five-game unbeaten streak. Diego Luna (returning from a knee injury) made his first start in 2026 and scored within four minutes, but it was the emerging youth movement that made the difference: 19-year-old Zavier Gozo assisted on Sergi Solans’ goal in the 55th minute before scoring the decisive final goal.
10. New York City FC
Previous ranking: 9
Saturday’s 1-1 draw feels disappointing for the Pigeons, who were on track for a home victory while outshooting St. Louis 7-3 on target, but Roman BΓΌrki’s six saves and a 95th-minute equalizer from New Jersey native Brendan McSorley ensured the points were shared.
11. Minnesota United
Previous ranking: 11
James RodrΓguez returned from the international break unavailable due to health issues (listed as “illness”), but the Loons managed a 2-1 victory against the Galaxy without the Colombian international, featuring a winning goal from Kelvin Yeboah. Different coach, different season, familiar Minnesota: It does not require more possession or chances to defeat opponents.
play0:34Kelvin Yeboah seals the win for Minnesota United
Kelvin Yeboah gets on the scoresheet for Minnesota United FC
12. Red Bull New York
Previous ranking: 13
The Red Bulls secured their first win since February 28 (following two losses and a draw) by defeating Cincinnati 4-2 at home. Julian Hall, 18 and the team’s leading scorer, netted the first of four goals, marking his fifth of the season. Emil Forsberg scored a spectacular first goal of the season with a free kick in the 48th minute.
13. Chicago Fire
Previous ranking: 15
Chicago handed Nashville its first defeat of the season with a solid 1-0 victory at home. With a first-minute goal from Philip Zinckernagel (the fastest goal in club history at 17 seconds), the Fire successfully defended against Nashville’s attempts to respond, aided by four saves from Chris Brady, who made at least one highlight-reel-worthy stop.
14. Charlotte FC
Previous ranking: 16
Charlotte triumphed over a struggling Philadelphia team with a 2-1 home win, extending its unbeaten streak to four games (three wins, one draw). A goal in the 78th minute denied Charlotte a second clean sheet, but Wilfried Zaha responded shortly after to secure three points with his second goal of the season.
15. Toronto FC
Previous ranking: 18
After defeating Colorado 3-2 in a match that featured three red cards (two for Colorado), Toronto remains unbeaten in four games (three wins, one draw). For a team that only won six in 2025, this is promising form. Additionally, in his third appearance, second start, and first full 90 minutes, Josh Sargent scored the winning goal and assisted on Richie Laryea’s goal.
16. LA Galaxy
Previous ranking: 12
Drake Callender’s seven saves helped limit the damage, but the Galaxy displayed moments of quality as they outshot and outpossessed Minnesota in a 2-1 home defeat. They are still progressing in the Concacaf Champions Cup, but LA has not won a regular-season match since February 28 (with three losses and one draw since then).
17. FC Cincinnati
Previous ranking: 14
Remarkably, Saturday’s 4-2 defeat to the Red Bulls marks Cincinnati’s third consecutive game with a red card. The dismissal occurred in the 95th minute, but if the 2023 Supporters’ Shield winners are not leading the league in points, they are at the top of the total red cards list alongside Houston. Another notable statistic: After allowing two goals in their first three matches, Cincinnati has conceded 13 in their last three.
18. St. Louis City SC
Previous ranking: 187
After experiencing a three-game losing streak, St. Louis has gained some momentum with one win and a draw in its last two matches, both of which they initially trailed. On Saturday against NYCFC, St. Louis salvaged a point at the last moment with Brendan McSorley’s equalizer in the 95th minute. Roman BΓΌrki contributed with six saves to help secure the result.
19. Austin FC
Previous ranking: 22
Austin has accumulated six points from its first six matches of the season after drawing 2-2 with Miami at the grand opening of Nu Stadium. Los Verdes were assertive in the spotlight, taking the lead twice before conceding goals from Lionel Messi and Luis SuΓ‘rez. Brad Stuver’s six saves were as crucial as their offensive pressure.
20. Houston Dynamo
Previous ranking: 19
Few teams have managed to score against Seattle this season — in fact, only RSL has in the MLS regular season — but the Dynamo were thwarted in a 1-0 home loss to the Sounders while outshooting their opponents (both on and off target) before conceding a late goal that left them without any points.
21. Portland Timbers
Previous ranking: 23
In his first match of the season after recovering from an ankle injury, Juan Mosquera demonstrated his importance. Playing 45 minutes, he scored a golazo to equalize for his team and assisted on the go-ahead goal. Two stoppage-time goals (including one from a handball penalty) resulted in the Timbers leaving empty-handed with a 3-2 defeat, but there are encouraging signs for Portland.
play0:44Sebastian Berhalter scores stunning stoppage-time winner for Whitecaps
Sebastian Berhalter scores goal for Vancouver Whitecaps
22. Colorado Rapids
Previous ranking: 20
The Rapids enjoy high-scoring matches. Whether they end in their favor is uncertain. In March, they defeated the Galaxy 4-1, lost to NYCFC 3-1, and then beat SKC 4-1. On Saturday in Toronto, two red cards left Colorado finishing the match with nine players (Toronto with 10) as they squandered a 2-0 lead, resulting in a 3-2 loss. During the match, Zack Steffen made several mistakes, including a viral own-goal that leveled the score for Toronto in the 77th minute.
23. Columbus Crew
Previous ranking: 25
Finally, the Crew have secured their first victory of the season. Wessam Abou Ali scored a brace within five minutes, and Max Arfsten (returning to the site of the U.S. men’s national team’s back-to-back friendly defeats) contributed the third goal after assisting on Ali’s first in a 3-1 win against Atlanta.
24. D.C. United
Previous ranking: 21
Sean Johnson concluded the international break with his second clean sheet of the season. However, against Dallas, he conceded four goals, doubling United’s total goals allowed this season in just one match.
25. New England Revolution
Previous ranking: 24
