MLS Power Rankings: Nashville overtakes LAFC, Whitecaps poised for top spot
It’s Monday, MLS action returns, and it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.
Which teams appear the strongest? Who might face a challenging season? Our writers analyzed the events from Matchday 5 to establish this week’s rankings. Let’s take a closer look.
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1. Nashville SC
Previous ranking: 3
Nashville SC had an outstanding week, following their elimination of Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the Concacaf Champions Cup with a commanding 5-0 victory over Orlando City over the weekend. Sam Surridge scored a hat trick, bringing his total to seven goals and giving him an early lead in the Golden Boot race.
2. LAFC
Previous ranking: 2
Although LAFC generated more opportunities than Austin FC in a 0-0 draw, they were unable to create a significant chance to score against goalkeeper Brad Stuver. After a long travel week following their Concacaf Champions Cup victory in Costa Rica, LAFC will welcome the upcoming international break.
3. Vancouver Whitecaps
Previous ranking: 1
In a span of four days, the Caps were knocked out of the Concacaf Champions Cup and then lost 1-0 to the San Jose Earthquakes at home. However, it is their first defeat of the season, and both Thomas Muller and Sebastian Berhalter entered the match as substitutes, indicating that the excitement from last week’s 6-0 win over Minnesota United has diminished.
4. Inter Miami CF
Previous ranking: 5
While it may not have been the most aesthetically pleasing free kick of Lionel Messi’s career, Inter Miami will not mind. The Argentine scored the equalizer, and Micael’s header in the 74th minute ultimately secured a 3-2 victory over NYCFC.
play1:27Lionel Messi scores as Inter Miami downs NYCFC
Inter Miami secures a 3-2 win as Lionel Messi finds the net in the second half.
5. San Diego FC
Previous ranking: 4
What began as an opportunity for three points turned into a struggle to maintain one, but San Diego managed to achieve a 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake. Despite conceding a late goal and receiving a red card before stoppage time, SDFC remained undefeated, bouncing back from a midweek loss to Toluca in Concacaf Champions Cup play.
6. San Jose Earthquakes
Previous ranking: 7
A stunning goal from Beau Leroux just before halftime was sufficient for the Quakes to secure a 1-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps. This marks the fourth clean sheet of the season for San Jose, who will be a contender if they can maintain their strong defensive performance.
7. Seattle Sounders
Previous ranking: 6
Following a CCC series win against the Vancouver Whitecaps, the Sounders traveled to Minnesota and secured a point in a 0-0 match. They had several decent chances but were unable to overcome Minnesota United goalkeeper Drake Callender.
8. Real Salt Lake
Previous ranking: 8
Victor Olatunji found the back post to finish a cross in the 85th minute, securing a 2-2 draw for Real Salt Lake against San Diego FC in the Sunday nightcap. Although it ends a streak of three consecutive wins, this result will reassure RSL fans that Pablo Mastroeni has a competitive team this season.
play0:56San Diego FC vs. Real Salt Lake – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from San Diego FC vs. Real Salt Lake, 03/22/2026
9. New York City FC
Previous ranking: 9
Nico Fernandez netted his fifth goal of the season, and Agustin Ojeda put NYCFC ahead against Inter Miami in the 59th minute. However, Messi responded shortly after, and NYCFC ultimately lost 3-2. This result ended a three-game winning streak and marked their first loss of the season.
10. FC Dallas
Previous ranking: 11
FC Dallas is developing a troubling pattern of falling behind and relying on Petar Musa to rescue them, which worked again in a 4-3 rivalry victory over the Houston Dynamo. A double from Logan Farrington had FCD leading 2-0 early, but three goals conceded in five minutes necessitated Musa’s halftime introduction, and he scored the decisive goal.
play1:08FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo, 03/21/2026
11. Minnesota United
Previous ranking: 12
James Rodriguez had a more favorable experience in his second MLS match compared to his first, but the Loons still could not secure three points, settling for a 0-0 draw against the visiting Seattle Sounders. A positive note: James created two chances in 13 minutes during his home debut.
12. LA Galaxy
Previous ranking: 13
Joao Klauss scored in the 30th minute, ten minutes after receiving a foul that resulted in a red card, but the LA Galaxy could not find a second goal and left Portland with a 1-1 draw against the Timbers. It’s a significant distance from Jamaica, where the Galaxy won in CCC play earlier in the week, but they will need to improve as they prepare for Toluca in the quarterfinals.
13. Red Bull New York
Previous ranking: 10
The shine has worn off for the young Red Bulls, who suffered a 6-1 defeat to Charlotte FC on Saturday and are now winless in their last three matches. Four of those goals were scored after Gustav Berggren was sent off for a second yellow card received for pulling down Idan Toklomati, marking a night to forget.
14. FC Cincinnati
Previous ranking: 14
Just when it seemed FC Cincinnati was on the verge of a fourth consecutive MLS defeat, Tom Barlow and KΓ©vin Denkey stepped up with late goals to secure a 4-3 victory over CF Montreal. This may somewhat alleviate the sting of the 5-1 loss they experienced against Tigres earlier in the week, which resulted in their elimination from CCC play.
15. Chicago Fire
Previous ranking: 15
Hugo Cuypers and Jonathan Bamba found the net for the Fire in a 2-1 away victory over the Philadelphia Union, and the team continued to create opportunities even after Philip Zinckernagel exited with a head injury shortly after the half-hour mark. All positive indicators for Gregg Berhalter’s squad.
16. Charlotte FC
Previous ranking: 17
Charlotte experienced a scoring surge, overwhelming the New York Red Bulls 6-1 to extend their unbeaten streak to three matches. Pep Biel provided an early assist and scored from a low free kick after the Red Bulls were reduced to ten men in the 53rd minute.
17. St. Louis City SC
Previous ranking: 18
An early goal by the visitors seemed to awaken St. Louis City, as Yoann Damet’s team scored three unanswered goals in a 3-1 victory over the New England Revolution. The win, highlighted by Marcel Hartel’s impressive half-volley from distance, ended a three-match losing streak for St. Louis.
18. Toronto FC
Previous ranking: 19
A late surge was rewarded with an 83rd-minute goal from Walker Zimmerman, who headed in a corner from Djordje Mihailovic to secure a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Crew. This brings their total to seven points from five matches this season: a modest tally, but it took them nine weeks to reach the same figure in 2025.
play0:44Walker Zimmerman’s fine header wins it for Toronto
Walker Zimmerman rises to the moment to score the winner for Toronto over Columbus.
19. Houston Dynamo
Previous ranking: 16
The Dynamo faced a disappointing 4-3 defeat in a Texas Derby match, taking a 3-2 lead into halftime after a chaotic first half, but ultimately could not return down I-45 with even a point. Erik Sviatchenko’s second yellow card in the 68th minute, coming just after substitutions, made it even more challenging to salvage anything from the match.
20. Colorado Rapids
Previous ranking: 20
This season’s Rapids matches promise plenty of goals, and this weekend, it was the Rapids themselves who delivered in a 4-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City. Paxton Aaronson scored twice and also provided a hockey assist, showcasing the potential of an attacking unit led by him, Darren Yapi, and Rafael Navarro.
21. D.C. United
Previous ranking: 22
D.C. United settled for a lackluster draw with Atlanta United, returning home after a 0-0 result that saw D.C. attempt only four shots, with just two inside the box. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson will be satisfied with his second clean sheet of the season.
22. Austin FC
Previous ranking: 24
The positive aspect for Austin FC? They managed to prevent LAFC’s potent attack from scoring. The downside? The creativity issues that have plagued them for the past two years persist, as they were unable to find the net in a 0-0 draw.
23. Portland Timbers
Previous ranking: 29
Despite conceding after receiving a red card for Kamal Miller, the Timbers managed to limit the damage and secure a 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy. James Pantemis made six saves to help Portland maintain their position.
24. New England Revolution
Previous ranking: 26
After a 6-1 victory in their last match, the Revs took an early lead with a 14th-minute goal from Ilay Feingold. However, they could not hold on, ultimately losing 3-1 to St. Louis City SC.
25. Columbus Crew
Previous ranking: 21
An early goal from Wessam Abou Ali gave Columbus hope for their first win of the season, and Diego Rossi nearly doubled the lead with a shot that hit the post in the 52nd minute. However, the Crew conceded twice in the second half and lost 2-1 to Toronto FC. Although the coach just arrived in the winter, it may not be too early to question whether Henrik Rydstrom is already under pressure.
26. Atlanta United
Previous ranking: 28
One step forward, two steps … sideways? Following their first win of the season, Tata Martino’s Atlanta United struggled in a scoreless home draw with D.C. United, managing only three shots on target.
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