It’s Monday, another week of MLS action is in the books, which means it’s time for the power rankings on ESPN.
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Our power rankings are derived from a combination of key season statistics (points per game, goal difference, expected goal difference (xG)), recent performance, Opta computer ratings, and our writers’ feedback.
So, who’s climbing the table? Who is in free fall? We have ranked all 29 clubs in the league after the third round. Let’s dig deeper.
Previous ranking: 1
Still unbeaten in 2024, the Columbus Crew Crew struck a perfect balance in CONCACAF Champions Cup action with regular season matches last week, earning victories in both competitions. Wilfried Nancy’s side are truly difficult to stop, as the Fire discovered on Saturday.
Previous ranking: 2
Losing with a heavily rotated squad to CF Montreal while managing CCC’s minutes is not a huge mistake for Inter Miami to lose their spot. They’ll have to pick up the points without it Lionel Messi And Luis Suarez this year, but let’s let the new players impress Federico Redondo Settle before we judge.
Previous ranking: 4
Speaking of new signings… Pat Noonan is trying to integrate five new players into his squad while balancing multiple competitions. Cincy edged DC United by a mile, a good sign, but couldn’t earn more than a point at home. The points will come.
Previous ranking: 18
This Atlanta United team has juice. Coming into its bye week, Atlanta scored four goals past the Revs, who seemingly didn’t know what hit them. Don’t worry, New England. Thiago Almada And Giorgos Giakoumakis It has this effect on almost everyone.
Previous ranking: 3
They were sharp in transition, calm in possession, and overall were the better team at home to FC Dallas in a 2-1 win on Saturday. This RBNY team is legit, people. More importantly (for neutrals, at least), it’s fun.
Previous ranking: 6
LAFC had better chances in their 0-0 draw with SKC, but like Cincinnati, couldn’t get over the line. 18-year-old Venezuelan striker David Martinez He was bright on the bench – that’s a promising sign.
Previous ranking: 5
Thanks to Mother Nature, the Union couldn’t get through more than a few minutes of its home game against Seattle. It’s a good thing Jim Curtin cares more about the CCC now, anyway. Pachuca is waiting.
Previous ranking: 17
The Galaxy passed their first road test against a tough opponent (sorry, San Jose fans, you didn’t ask to catch the stray, but here we are) to tie the score at 2-2 on Sunday. Good luck keeping Riqui Puig and company. Quiet for any 90-minute stretch this season.
Previous ranking: 7
After the loss Pablo Ruiz For the season due to a knee injury during training, RSL lost three points at home to Rapids. It wasn’t a great week, but this team still has four elite forwards.
Previous ranking: 19
*shakes fist at clouds*
Brian Schmetzer’s boys played just a few minutes before their game against Philly was canceled due to weather. Maybe that’s not the worst thing for a team missing four key players due to injuries. DB’s new winger Pedro de la Vega could be out for up to two months with a hamstring problem.
Previous ranking: 9
Three games and three draws for SKC so far in 2024. LAFC didn’t play them off the field on Saturday, but this team needs to find higher quality shots. Only the Red Bulls shoot from distance, on average, according to FBref.
Previous ranking: 8
Laurent Courtois is doing wonders in Montreal right now. Or rather, he works with them out of Montreal because that team has yet to play at home. They picked up three more points against a rotating Miami team this weekend.
2:22
Montreal beats Inter Miami without Messi in a match by five goals
CF Montreal scored three times in a 3-2 win over Inter Miami.
Previous ranking: 16
Stuck in a bye week, the Dynamo need reinforcements to help them in their battle against injuries.
Previous ranking: 20
D.C. United have taken four points from their first few matches thanks to a total of five goals and a high standard (8.22, the highest in the league). Having proven so far their ability to score goals and create chances, a more reliable defense could enhance their chances in a difficult confrontation in the Eastern Province.
Previous ranking: 10
Allowing a goal 14 seconds into the game Duncan McGuireImpressively, the Loons did not sink on Saturday. Their attack looks legitimate and it was great to see Bongokuhle Hlongwane back on the field scoring goals in crucial moments.
1:08
Orlando City scores 14 seconds in the fifth fastest goal in MLS history
Duncan McGuire slotted home just 14 seconds into the game to give Orlando City the early lead over Minnesota United.
Previous ranking: 13
It’s hard to get a read on Nashville, even now that we’re just a few games away from the new season. A 2-2 home draw with the Galaxy isn’t a great result, but we have yet to see any of their attacking players start playing in MLS.
Previous ranking: 11
Lorenzo Insigne It got hot and Charlotte couldn’t create enough on her own. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to lose a game in this league.
Previous ranking: 12
It’s early days for Nico Estevez’s new frontline, but it didn’t hold together in the 2-1 loss to the Red Bulls. It is fair to hope for what a Petar Musa, Jesús FerreiraAnd Bernard Kamongo The attack can do it, though.
Previous ranking: 15
With CCC’s matchup against Tigres on Tuesday, Orlando City had bigger things to worry about than playing Minnesota at home. If there was a point it would be nice.
Previous ranking: 21
I give NYCFC more blame for their collapse than I do Portland for their 2-1 win. However, it’s scary to imagine what this team could do with at least one more DP alongside them Evander.
0:45
Evander scored the stunning winning goal in the 97th minute for the Timbers
Watch this amazing goal scored by Portland Timbers’ Evander in the final seconds of his team’s match against New York City.
Previous ranking: 22
Here’s the best moment of the weekend in MLS:
worldwide.
That’s world class right there. pic.twitter.com/SrajkJBvVV
– Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) March 9, 2024
The goal is nice, but the celebration is the real star of the show. Seeing Insigne running into the arms of John Herdman should warm every Toronto fan’s heart after locker room woes ruined their 2023 campaign.
Previous ranking: 14
St. Louis City came from behind to pick up a point in two of their three MLS matches this year. Chasing the game isn’t perfect, but being able to do it well is a nice card to have up their sleeve.
Previous ranking: 23
Vancouver didn’t look any more resilient in the 2-0 win over San Jose than it did in the season opener against Charlotte, but points are points.
Previous ranking: 24
The big concerns about New England may be coming true this season. Carles Gil He needs help up front and the defense looks vulnerable after scoring four goals against Atalanta this weekend.
Previous ranking: 28
A win over rivals Real Salt Lake should be great, but there’s still a long way to go in Colorado. More urgent please.
Previous ranking: 25
Xherdan Shaqiri He was absent. Hugo Kuipers Doesn’t get service. And Chicago can’t finish games. This is a devastating set of conditions for the season for fire.
Previous ranking: 26
NYCFC created legitimate chances in the first half against Portland but gave up possession and field position in the second half. A collapse ensued.
Previous ranking: 29
A low-scoring home draw does little to ease concerns in Austin. Diego Rubio It had some nice shimmers playing underneath it Gyasi Zardes. So at least there is that?
Previous ranking: 27
The ball is moving very slowly in San Jose. The same goes for the front office’s pursuit of a third DP.
