MLS Power Rankings: Analyzing the Top 29 Teams in the League

 

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With the new tournament forcing the whole league into a month off in the middle of the season, it presents a real mile marker in the MLS campaign. By the time the Leagues Cup is over, teams will be in a sprint to the playoffs, so racking up points in the weeks leading up to the break and setting yourself up for the fall is paramount.

Table of Contents

  1. FC Cincinnati
  2. Philadelphia Union
  3. Nashville SC
  4. Columbus Crew
  5. New England Revolution
  6. LAFC
  7. St. Louis City SC
  8. Seattle Sounders
  9. Atlanta United FC
  10. Vancouver Whitecaps
  11. FC Dallas
  12. Houston Dynamo
  13. Orlando City
  14. Minnesota United
  15. Sporting Kansas City
  16. San Jose Earthquakes
  17. D.C. United
  18. Portland Timbers
  19. Real Salt Lake
  20. New York Red Bulls
  21. Toronto FC
  22. CF Montréal
  23. Colorado Rapids
  24. New York City FC
  25. Chicago Fire
  26. Austin FC
  27. LA Galaxy
  28. Charlotte FC
  29. Inter Miami CF

1. FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati had a strong start to the season, maintaining an impressive winning streak at their home ground. Although they recently drew a match against the New England Revolution, their overall performance has been noteworthy.

2. Philadelphia Union

Despite a loss against Atlanta United FC, the Philadelphia Union secured a major victory by extending the contract of their coach, Jim Curtin. This move ensures stability within the team and allows them to focus on their performance.

3. Nashville SC

Nashville SC demonstrated their strength with an easy win over D.C. United, showcasing their quality as a team. Additionally, Walker Zimmerman's red card provided him with a well-deserved break during the Fourth of July week.

4. Columbus Crew

The Columbus Crew faced an injustice when another team was allowed to wear yellow in their home stadium. However, they managed to secure a win against the New York Red Bulls, thanks to a spectacular goal by Cucho Hernández.

5. New England Revolution

The New England Revolution showed their resilience by earning a valuable point against FC Cincinnati. With players like Gustavo Bou and Carles Gil, they have achieved impressive results throughout the season.

6. LAFC

LAFC faced an unfortunate situation when they struggled to score in the first half against Dallas, ultimately resulting in a loss. They need to bounce back and regain their winning form to stay competitive in the league.

7. St. Louis City SC

St. Louis City SC has already accumulated a considerable number of points this season. Their focus should now be on securing easy wins in the second half of the season to strengthen their position in the league.

8. Seattle Sounders

The Seattle Sounders managed to secure a victory against Houston Dynamo, displaying their strong defensive capabilities. Their ability to score at home will play a crucial role in their success.

9. Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United FC experienced a mix of good and bad fortune in their recent match against the Philadelphia Union. Despite injuries affecting their performance, they managed to secure a deserved win.

10. Vancouver Whitecaps

Although the Vancouver Whitecaps faced a defeat against Sporting Kansas City, Yohei Takaoka has been a standout player for the team since joining in the winter. They need to bounce back from their recent loss and regain their winning form.

11. FC Dallas

FC Dallas had a challenging first half against LAFC but showcased improvement in the second half, leading to a crucial victory. Bernard Kamungo's impressive performances have been instrumental in the team's success.

12. Houston Dynamo

Houston Dynamo faced a loss due to a red card shown to Micael, which affected their performance. Despite the setback, they have the potential to perform well and secure victories in future matches.

13. Orlando City

Orlando City displayed their attacking prowess with a win over the Chicago Fire, thanks to match winners like Facundo Torres and Ramiro Enrique. Their dangerous form makes them a team to watch out for.

14. Minnesota United

With an impressive win against the Portland Timbers, including a brace by Emanuel Reynoso, Minnesota United is gearing up for a strong second half of the season.

15. Sporting Kansas City

Sporting Kansas City turned their season around with a convincing win against the Vancouver Whitecaps. They need to maintain their momentum and secure victories at home to climb up the rankings.

16. San Jose Earthquakes

The San Jose Earthquakes have experienced a winless streak in their recent matches, extending to four games. However, they managed to salvage a point in their latest match against the Galaxy thanks to a decision by VAR.

17. D.C. United

D.C. United faced difficulties in their match against Nashville SC, unable to generate much attacking prowess even after their opponents were reduced to 10 men. This match highlighted the gap between D.C. United and the top teams in the league.

18. Portland Timbers

The Portland Timbers have struggled with inconsistency in their performances. Although their defense has held up reasonably well, their lackluster attack has prevented them from achieving better results.

19. Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake continues to impress with their strong away form, extending their unbeaten streak on the road to 10 games. With a well-organized team and solid performances, they have emerged as potential contenders for the MLS Cup.

20. New York Red Bulls

Despite playing well in their match against the Columbus Crew, the New York Red Bulls did not have luck on their side. When things are not going well, it seems that luck tends to evade them.

21. Toronto FC

Toronto FC struggled in their first match under Terry Dunfield, suffering a convincing loss to Real Salt Lake. They will need to regroup and find their form under the new coaching setup.

22. CF Montréal

CF Montréal faced a disappointing defeat against NYCFC, failing to create significant scoring opportunities against a team that had been winless in their previous 11 matches. Their lackluster attack needs improvement.

23. Colorado Rapids

The Colorado Rapids had a forgettable performance against St. Louis City SC, displaying poor set-piece defending and struggling to create meaningful chances in their attack.

24. New York City FC

After ending their 11-game winless streak with a victory over CF Montréal, New York City FC is currently enjoying a six-match unbeaten streak. Their form has seen a notable improvement in recent matches.

25. Chicago Fire

The Chicago Fire endured a challenging match against Orlando City, where Arnaud Souquet's red card resulted in a loss. It was a hot and humid encounter that ended with frustration for the Fire.

26. Austin FC

Following their impressive back-to-back 3-0 wins against Texas rivals, Austin FC faced a setback with a draw against Inter Miami CF. While it wasn't a loss, they will be looking to regain their winning momentum.

27. LA Galaxy

The LA Galaxy had an opportunity to secure a late victory in the California Clásico, but a penalty decision was overturned after VAR intervention. It seems that luck has not been on their side this season.

28. Charlotte FC

Charlotte FC has been unable to secure a victory since May, making their week off a welcome break. They will be hoping to turn their fortunes around and secure positive results in upcoming matches.

29. Inter Miami CF

Inter Miami CF has struggled to find consistent form despite the presence of Josef Martínez, who has shown signs of improvement. Their draw against Austin FC was a missed opportunity to secure a victory.

These power rankings provide insight into the teams that have shown promise and performed well in recent matches. As the MLS season resumes after the Leagues Cup break, these teams will be looking to solidify their positions and make a strong push towards the playoffs.

Conclusion

The Leagues Cup break in the middle of the MLS season presents an important milestone for teams to assess their performance and strategize for the upcoming matches. With a sprint to the playoffs, accumulating points and setting a strong foundation is crucial for success. The power rankings highlight the teams that have been performing well and making significant strides in the league. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these teams continue to compete and shape the outcome of the MLS campaign.

FAQs

  1. Which team is currently ranked first in the MLS power rankings? FC Cincinnati holds the top spot in the current MLS power rankings.

  2. Who is the coach of the Philadelphia Union? Jim Curtin is the coach of the Philadelphia Union.

  3. Which team recently secured a win over D.C. United? Nashville SC achieved a comfortable victory over D.C. United.

  4. Who scored a spectacular goal for the Columbus Crew? Cucho Hernández scored a remarkable goal for the Columbus Crew.

  5. Who is a standout player for the Vancouver Whitecaps? Yohei Takaoka has been performing exceptionally well for the Vancouver Whitecaps.

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