The MLS Power Rankings experienced quite the shakeup this week after some surprise results over the weekend.
While the Eastern Conference had dominated the top-five in the early weeks of the season, the balance is starting to shift in the top-10.
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Let’s dig in.
This week we will introduce a new section into the Power Rankings ā’On the Bubble’.
The teams in this section are just knocking on the door of the top-10 and barely failed to make the cut this week, but do deserve mention for recent form.
On the Bubble: Nashville SC, Portland Timbers, Orlando City, New York Red Bulls.
10. Seattle Sounders (š)
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Look out people, Seattle Sounders are on the march. The addition of Ryan Kent has sparked new life in a Seattle side struggling for goals earlier in the season, but now they have won four of their last five, scoring 14 goals in the process.
9. LAFC (š)
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While a draw away to Vancouver is a solid result for any team in MLS at the current moment, a slower start earlier in the campaign means LAFC are still a ways behind their typically lofty standards. Performances are trending up, but they need to start picking up more wins.
8. Charlotte FC (š)
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After starting the season in legitimate Supporters Shield caliber form, Charlotte have seemingly hit a wall with three straight defeats in MLS.
Wilfried Zaha has just three goals in 10 games so far this season. If Charlotte are to rediscover their early spring form, he will have to be a catalyst.
7. San Diego FC (š)
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San Diego just continue to fly under the radar as one of the top teams in the Western Conference. The ‘Daygo Boys’ have won two straight in MLS after a short losing streak, jumping up into the top-four in the conference once again.
Anders Dreyer and Chucky Lozano remain one of the top wing pairings in all of MLS.
6. Philadelphia Union (š)
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The Union have been in the Eastern Conference picture all season, but they remain a team without a signature win up to this point. Against Columbus Crew over the weekend, Philadelphia were seconds away from picking it up, but a stoppage-time dagger left honors even.
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But vibes remain positive in the City of Brotherly Love after a record start to an MLS campaign.
5. Inter Miami (š)
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It’s a new low for Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. The Herons have picked up wins in just two of their last six games, and serious questions are being asked about rookie head coach Javier Mascherano.
4. Columbus Crew (š)
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The Crew are perhaps unlucky to have slipped a few places in the standings, but is largely due to the fact that they picked up just a point over the weekend, while a couple of teams around them in the top-10 secured big victories.
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Don’t forget though, the Crew are in the hunt for an Eastern Conference title and potentially a Supporters Shield even without a recognizable star attacker.
3. Minnesota United (š)
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After a small dip, the Loons have come flying back into the top-three off the back of a comprehensive victory over Inter Miami on Saturday. The showdown in Saint Paul was the epitome of a well-drilled cohesive unit outplaying a team of individuals. Major props must go to Eric Ramsay for his game-plan.
2. FC Cincinnati (š)
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FC Cincinnati seem to just get better with every passing week. And with winter signing Evander putting up MVP-caliber numbers, few teams look prepared to go toe-to-toe with Pat Noonan’s side.
Cincy have now won seven of their last eight in MLS and regularly look impenetrable.
1. Vancouver Whitecaps (no movement)
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They may have slightly cooled off in the league as of late, but the Whitecaps are still the team to beat in MLS. Brian White continues to bag goals left and right, but for the Whitecaps, attention will soon turn to the upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup final.
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