After an intense weekend of Major League Soccer (MLS) action, the 2025 season’s Power Rankings reveal the current hierarchy among the league’s 30 teams. With matchday 3 now in the rearview mirror, questions arise about which teams are ascending and which are spiraling downward in performance.
1. INTER MIAMI CF
Previous ranking: 1
Inter Miami continues to dominate the league, albeit in unconventional fashion. This past Sunday, despite playing with just ten players after a red card for goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, Miami managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Charlotte FC, thanks to a crucial goal from Tadeo Allende.
2. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Previous ranking: 2
The Union remain one of the only unbeaten teams in the league, showcasing their strength with a solid 2-0 win against New England. Tai Baribo’s impressive form, scoring his sixth goal of the season, ties him with a historic record for the most goals scored in MLS history within the first three games.
3. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
Previous ranking: 4
Coming in strong, the Whitecaps celebrated their third victory, defeating Montreal 2-0. This win extends their streak to five unbeaten matches across all competitions, maintaining their perfect start in the 2025 season.
4. FC CINCINNATI
Previous ranking: 8
FC Cincinnati showcased a resilient performance by outpacing Toronto 2-0 without needing to exert excessive effort. Star attacker Luca Orellano made his long-awaited debut earlier in the season, setting the stage for a crucial clash against Tigres in the upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup.
5. LAFC
Previous ranking: 3
While LAFC experienced difficulties in their road match against Seattle, resulting in a 5-2 loss, the team’s depth was tested. Manager Steve Cherundolo must adjust as they aim to rebound from this setback in their next matches.
6. COLUMBUS CREW
Previous ranking: 5
The Crew managed a respectable draw against Houston despite the absence of key player Cucho Hernández. While they faced defeat in their Concacaf Champions Cup matchup versus LAFC, they demonstrated resilience with a 0-0 draw last weekend.
7. MINNESOTA UNITED
Previous ranking: 9
Displaying tactical effectiveness, Minnesota secured a 1-0 win over San Jose. This strategy, focusing on a stronger defensive game, reflects the evolving dynamics within the squad.
8. CHARLOTTE FC
Previous ranking: 7
Despite high expectations with the addition of Wilfried Zaha, Charlotte struggled again to generate scoring opportunities during their loss to Miami. With only nine shots despite controlling possession, they need to find their offensive rhythm quickly.
9. SAN DIEGO FC
Previous ranking: 23
Late heroics led to a 3-1 victory for San Diego against Salt Lake. A pair of outstanding performances in second-half stoppage time propelled them up the ranks.
10. SEATTLE SOUNDERS
Previous ranking: 21
Seattle celebrated Jordan Morris becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer during their triumph over LAFC. Despite the excitement, injuries remain a concern for the Sounders as they balance talent and health.
11. COLORADO RAPIDS
Previous ranking: 17
With a solid performance, the Rapids secured a 1-0 win against Austin, paving the way for renewed confidence in their game plan.
12. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Previous ranking: 6
Even with promising sport moments, San Jose fell short against Minnesota, illustrating that improvements are still needed.
13. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Previous ranking: 10
The Red Bulls showed defensive grit in a goalless draw against Atlanta, but sharper attacking prowess is needed as they navigate through the season.
14. ST. LOUIS CITY SC
Previous ranking: 15
With a decisive 3-0 victory over LA Galaxy, St. Louis marked their third clean sheet of the season, showcasing potential as contenders.
15. ATLANTA UNITED
Previous ranking: 12
Struggling to convert strong performances into results, Atlanta settled for a draw against the Red Bulls. The return of injured players like Pedro Amador is critical moving forward.
16. NEW YORK CITY FC
Previous ranking: 16
Marking the 10-year anniversary of their inception, NYCFC pulled off a win against Orlando City, supported by the impressive display of young midfielder Jonny Shore.
17. D.C. UNITED
Previous ranking: 25
After a slow start to the offseason, D.C. United earned their first win with a 2-1 success over Kansas City, showcasing improved momentum.
18. CHICAGO FIRE
Previous ranking: 24
Chicago’s dramatic comeback from a goal down resulted in a 3-1 away win, with Brian Gutiérrez emerging as a key player as they begin to find form.
19. FC DALLAS
Previous ranking: 13
Despite taking an early lead, Dallas succumbed to a late collapse, losing 3-1 at home. The team’s current form raises questions about their defensive resilience.
20. ORLANDO CITY
Previous ranking: 11
Orlando’s efforts fell short with a 2-1 loss despite a rare goal from Luis Muriel, casting doubt on their ability to convert chances into victories.
21. REAL SALT LAKE
Previous ranking: 14
RSL’s defensive frailty was exposed again during a 3-1 defeat against San Diego, underscoring the urgent need for improvements in this area.
22. NASHVILLE SC
Previous ranking: 22
Through tenacity, Nashville managed to pull off a 2-0 victory over Portland, even with a rough start that included saved penalties.
23. AUSTIN FC
Previous ranking: 19
Austin was unable to recover after conceding early, leading them to a 1-0 defeat against Colorado. The pressure increases as the team seeks to find its footing.
24. HOUSTON DYNAMO
Previous ranking: 30
Despite a lackluster offensive showing, Houston managed to secure a point via a goalless draw, characterizing a struggle for offensive consistency.
25. LA GALAXY
Previous ranking: 20
Once champions, the LA Galaxy find themselves at the bottom of the table after a 3-0 loss to St. Louis. Their current phase presents significant challenges ahead.
26. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Previous ranking: 18
Yet another disappointing performance saw Portland concede multiple goals once again, emphasizing issues that need immediate attention.
27. CF MONTRÉAL
Previous ranking: 26
Montreal remains Winless this season, trailing behind with a 2-0 defeat to Vancouver. A homecoming cannot come soon enough to revitalize their chances.
28. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Previous ranking: 27
The Revolution faced a tough crowd and lost 2-0 while losing striker Leo Campana to injury early in the match, raising red flags for upcoming fixtures.
29. SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Previous ranking: 29
Still searching for their first point, Kansas City fell to D.C., making their prospects look dim for the remainder of the season.
30. TORONTO FC
Previous ranking: 28
Struggling offensively, Toronto managed minimal shots in a disappointing 2-0 loss against Cincinnati, signaling the need for immediate adjustments.
