It's Monday and another week of MLS action is in the books, which means it's time for ESPN's Power Rankings. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Our Power Rankings are derived from a combination of key season statistics (points per game, goal differential, expected goal differential), recent performance, the Opta computer ratings and the observations of our writers. Who's climbing the table? Who's in free fall? We've ranked all 29 clubs in the league after Matchday 12. Let's dive in.
2. FC CincinnatiPrevious ranking: 3 In FCC's biggest game of the young season, they had the best player and that made all the difference. Lucho Acosta was sensational against Columbus, setting up the first goal and scoring the second to paint Ohio blue and orange. 4. New York Red BullsPrevious ranking: 4 The Red Bulls really needed to bounce back after getting smacked by Miami last week, and they did just that with a 4-2 win over New England. 6. Columbus CrewPrevious ranking: 5 Nobody is going to question this Crew team that has rolled into the Concacaf Champions Cup final, but losing to Cincy at home is going to sting anyway. The Crew have been treading water while they focus on continental competition all season, but treading water is about to get a lot more difficult as they embark on a five-match road trip. 7. Minnesota UnitedPrevious ranking: 9 While every other team was working hard, and some even doubly so with U.S. Open Cup play midweek, the Loons were kicking it on a bye week. 9. Philadelphia UnionPrevious ranking: 8 The unthinkable happened when Dan Gazdag missed a penalty for the first time in his MLS career. And to make matters worse, it would have been an equalizer on a night in which the Union celebrated him becoming their all-time leading goal scorer. Instead, Philly lost to Orlando 3-2. 11. New York City FCPrevious ranking: 13 The Pigeons beat Toronto 3-2 for their first away win of 2024, then they got into a postgame skirmish with the Reds. It was a bizarre scene and one that might cost Sean Johnson a game or two. 14. Seattle SoundersPrevious ranking: 17 With the way Seattle's season has gone, it wouldn't have been shocking to see the team fold once it gave up an early goal to Portland. Brian Schmetzer teams don't make a habit of folding, though, and Seattle stormed back for a win. Don't look now, but the Sounders are starting to rack up points. 16. Toronto FCPrevious ranking: 15 TFC lost to NYCFC, but you can't say that these Reds team don't fight. They worked their socks off all the way down to the end, scored a late goal to keep their hopes alive and then got into a literal postgame fight with the Pigeons. 17. Houston DynamoPrevious ranking: 18 Héctor Herrera brings a lot to the Dynamo, but 20-yard blasts into the top corner? That's not usually on their captain's to-do list, but the Dynamo were happy to have it Saturday, and happy to have three points in Kansas City. 18. Orlando CityPrevious ranking: 20 Were you wondering when Luis Muriel would finally break out in Orlando? Well, he did Saturday night, scoring twice as the Lions picked up an impressive 3-2 win in Philadelphia. 19. St. Louis City SCPrevious ranking: 19 It has been a rocky start to the season for St. Louis, but City Park hasn't let the team down. St. Louis rolled past Chicago 3-1 to remain undefeated at home. 22. CF MontréalPrevious ranking: 24 Getting beat by Miami? It happens. But losing to Inter after going ahead by two goals and with Messi mostly taking a back seat hurts. 24. FC DallasPrevious ranking: 27 Dallas has been struggling to find any sort of workable formula this season, but it might have found it in a 2-1 win over Austin. Petar Musa and Jesús Ferreira each scored, with Musa feeding Ferreira for the second goal, and the two of them could very well provide the team that dangerous one-two punch up top to build around. Now, the two of them just need to stay healthy. 26. Portland TimbersPrevious ranking: 26 It's hard times in Portland when you lose to Seattle. It's even harder when that drops you into last place in the West. 27. Chicago FirePrevious ranking: 28 The Fire conceded after two minutes and things never got much better from there in a 3-1 loss to St. Louis. They are now winless in their past five and have still yet to win away from home in 2024. |