MLS Power Rankings: Vancouver emerges as the top contender in the early season
It’s Monday, and MLS action returns, bringing with it ESPN’s Power Rankings.
Which teams are performing the best? Which ones might struggle this season? Our writers analyzed the events from Matchday 3 to establish this week’s rankings. Let’s take a look.
– Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments in 2026 for Miami and Argentina
– Messi’s salary estimated at $70M-$80M annually, according to Miami owner
– Source: Carlos Vela stepping into LAFC ownership void
1. Vancouver Whitecaps
Previous ranking: 2
Brian White is scoring braces. Sebastian Berhalter is finding the net, assisting teammates, and creating opportunities from set pieces. Tristan Blackmon scored a goal off a rebound, providing fans with a humorous highlight of the weekend (we hope his nose is okay). What could possibly go wrong for the Whitecaps? Not much, following their 4-1 victory over Portland.
2. LAFC
Previous ranking: 1
Dallas challenged Los Angeles for their third win and third clean sheet of the season on Saturday night in California. Hugo Lloris made five crucial saves, including a diving stop against Petar Musa in the 96th minute. After a hard-fought 1-0 victory, LAFC achieved their best start to a season in club history.
3. San Diego FC
Previous ranking: 3
2025’s Newcomer of the Year and MVP finalist, Anders Dreyer, is off to a fantastic start with San Diego. Dreyer netted the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Kansas City, marking his second regular season goal and fifth goal contribution of the MLS season. Debut MLS goalkeeper Duran Ferree, 19, helped secure their third consecutive clean sheet, placing them among four perfect 3-0-0 teams in the Western Conference.
4. Inter Miami CF
Previous ranking: 4
The Herons managed only eight shots against D.C. United but placed five on target, demonstrating that the quality of this team can inflict damage with minimal opportunities. Rodrigo De Paul scored his first of the season to kick things off. Lionel Messi followed soon after, marking his third goal of the year. This was sufficient for a 2-1 victory in the district.
play1:14DC United vs. Inter Miami CF – Game Highlights
DC United vs. Inter Miami CF – Game Highlights
5. Nashville SC
Previous ranking: 5
Sam Surridge concluded the 2025 regular season with 24 goals in 34 matches (only Messi scored more), and he has four goals in two matches to start the new year. Cristian Espinoza netted his first goal for Nashville in the 3-1 victory over Minnesota. So far, so good for the Boys in Gold. Next up? A midweek challenge against Inter Miami in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
6. San Jose Earthquakes
Previous ranking: 9
San Jose triumphed over the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners with a 1-0 victory in Philadelphia (Timo Werner’s assist on the match-winning goal is worth noting), where they are typically tough to face. This is a commendable result for Bruce Arena’s squad, who made club history with three wins (and three clean sheets) from three matches β the best start in Quakes history.
7. Seattle Sounders
Previous ranking: 7
Injury challenges hit Seattle early this season, but they managed to secure their second win of the year after defeating St. Louis City 1-0 in Missouri. JesΓΊs Ferreira recorded his first goal contribution of 2026 by capitalizing on a mistake from St. Louis and assisting Kalani Kossa-Rienzi for the goal.
8. Minnesota United
Previous ranking: 8
The Loons have had a mixed set of results (1-1-1 in three matches) under new head coach Cameron Knowles as they adapt to a new style. They have time to find their rhythm but were outperformed by a Nashville team whose offense penetrated them in a 3-1 loss.
9. New York City FC
Previous ranking: 11
Orlando’s red card in the 16th minute certainly aided NYCFC, but the Pigeons are displaying signs of a vibrant attack despite not investing in a striker during the offseason. With five goals from four different players, NYCFC remains undefeated after three matches.
10. Real Salt Lake
Previous ranking: 12
Three early goals and notable performances from RSL’s homegrown players propelled them to a 3-2 victory over Atlanta. Aiden Hezarkhani, 18, scored his second goal in as many games, while fellow 18-year-old Zavier Gozo netted a spectacular left-footed strike for his first of the season. With several injured players (including DeAndre Yedlin and 2025’s top scorer Diego Luna), the timing of their goals is fortuitous.
11. Red Bull New York
Previous ranking: 6
Heading into Sunday’s home match against last-place Montreal, RBNY was the only East Coast team with two wins from two matches. By halftime, they were down by two. Ethan Horvath’s unsuccessful attempt to play out from the back resulted in a 3-0 deficit. With two goals from former Red Bull player Wiki Carmona (who scored five goals in 102 appearances over five seasons for the Red Bulls), Michael Bradley’s team experienced the biggest disappointment of Week 3.
play0:54Wikelman Carmona gives Montreal 3-0 lead
Wikelman Carmona finds the back of the net and gives Montreal a 3-0 lead.
12. LA Galaxy
Previous ranking: 13
Gabriel Pec’s second yellow card altered the dynamics of this match for the Galaxy, who had otherwise started the year well. After conceding first, they equalized in Colorado through JoΓ£o Klauss, but went down to ten men in the 59th minute and ultimately lost 4-1.
13. FC Cincinnati
Previous ranking: 10
Head coach Pat Noonan’s frustration was apparent early, and the home side did little to alleviate his concerns in a 1-0 defeat to Toronto. Pavel Bucha forced an outstanding save from Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gavran, but there was little else to show for their efforts.
14. FC Dallas
Previous ranking: 15
Dallas put forth a commendable effort in Los Angeles, forcing five saves from Lloris (who denied a stoppage-time attempt from Musa) and restricting one of the most formidable offenses in MLS to a single goal. A loss is still a loss, but FCD can take pride in their performance. Another tough challenge awaits next weekend as they return home to face the West’s top team, San Diego.
15. Chicago Fire
Previous ranking: 14
For a moment, it appeared that the young South African defender with a significant following, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, might score a stoppage-time winner as he traversed the entire field before taking a shot in the 96th minute that was saved by Patrick Schulte. Consequently, Chicago settled for a second consecutive clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against Columbus. Next up, D.C. at home.
16. Columbus Crew
Previous ranking: 16
After drawing Chicago 0-0 at home this Saturday, the Crew have recorded two draws and a loss to begin a lackluster year. The post-Wilfried Nancy era (led by Swedish manager Henrikβ―RydstrΓΆm) is taking some time to fully develop.
17. Houston Dynamo
Previous ranking: 17
Houston’s match against New England was postponed due to the Revs’ field being unprepared. They will continue their season at home against Portland next weekend.
18. St. Louis City SC
Previous ranking: 19
St. Louis City has faced some misfortune in its early season schedule. After a 1-0 loss to Seattle at home, they have two consecutive defeats and no wins to start the year. However, both losses were against teams ranked in the top 10 of the league, and STL will face fourth-place LAFC (third in the West) next weekend.
19. Charlotte FC
Previous ranking: 22
Charlotte allowed more shots on target (26) than any other team in the league after two matchdays, but while facing a 10-man Austin from the 25th minute onward in North Carolina, they conceded none β only an own goal prevented them from a clean sheet in a 3-1 home victory.
20. Philadelphia Union
Previous ranking: 18
It’s nearing panic time for Philadelphia after suffering a 1-0 defeat to San Jose at home. With three consecutive losses, Bradley Carnell’s second-season slump appears to be re-emerging at his second MLS club.
21. Colorado Rapids
Previous ranking: 24
Pec’s second yellow card in the 59th minute allowed the Rapids to secure all three points at home, with last year’s top scorer Rafael Navarro netting a late brace to seal a 4-1 victory. With two consecutive wins, the Rapids will head to New York next.
play0:34Rafael Navarro with a Spectacular Goal vs. LA Galaxy
Rafael Navarro (Colorado Rapids) with a Spectacular Goal vs. LA Galaxy, 03/07/2026
22. Toronto FC
Previous ranking: 26
There has been no sign of Josh Sargent yet, but Sunday’s well-earned 1-0 victory in Cincinnati marks Toronto’s first win at TQL Stadium, providing a significant boost to their season. Hungarian Daniel Salloi β acquired from Kansas City in mid-February β scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute.
23. Portland Timbers
Previous ranking: 20
While being overwhelmed by Vancouver in Portland, 18-year-old Eric Izoita scored a stunning goal in his MLS debut, offering a brief moment of optimism against their Cascadian rivals. Unfortunately, they still lost 4-1.
24. D.C. United
Previous ranking: 23
Tai Baribo’s second-half goal marks his second of the year (and the club’s second overall), but it was insufficient to counter Miami’s early dominance in a 2-1 loss. They took 15 shots but only managed three on target, with Baribo’s lone shot being the team’s only goal. With two consecutive defeats, they are heading to Chicago next.
25. Austin FC
Previous ranking: 21
After two strong performances to begin the year, a red card to Guilherme Biro in the 25th minute dashed their hopes in Charlotte. While failing to register any shots on target, Brad Stuver faced 11 attempts. Eight saves from Stuver (and an own goal from Charlotte’s defense) were not enough to secure a result in a 3-1 defeat.
