MLS Power Rankings: Lionel Messi's Inter Miami obliterated by MNUFC, New York Red Bulls embarass LA Galaxy in MLS Cup rematch

Prior Ranking: 29

Result: Lost 7-0 to RBNY

Ramifications: What do you even say? It's astonishing how bad things are right now. This was - for a lack of better words - pathetic. What next? The clock is ticking on embattled manager Greg Vanney.

Prior Ranking: 30

Result: Lost 2-1 to Philadelphia Union

Ramifications: Sound the klaxon, Montreal won a game! They're first three points of the season, CF MTL blanked the Pigeons 1-0 on the road at Yankee Stadium with Prince Owusu scoring the lone goal.

Prior Ranking: 28

Result: Lost to Chicago 2-1

Ramifications: It's just tragic soccer right now. You can only beat the drum so many times. There was $40 million spent for a return that's pennies at the moment. Ronny Deila sounded off on his players postgame.

“I’m tired of hearing about all the talent we have. That’s been said over a long time - before my time also," he said. "Talent is not enough. We need unity and a hardworking mentality… and it can’t be in periods, it must be consistent.”

Prior Ranking: 26

Result: Lost to San Diego FC 2-1

Ramifications: Earned a late goal back in stoppage time, but they were on the wrong end of the ball all game long. Their attack is just so stagnant at the moment - manager Olof Mellberg has tried a few different things, but there is just a severe lack of creativity in the final third from CITY.

CITY have gone eight league games without a win.

Prior Ranking: 25

Result: Lost to Seattle 3-1

Ramifications: Obafemi Awodesu hit incredible highs and lows in this one. He scored his first MLS goal, and then six minutes later, received his first MLS red card. After going into the halftime break at 1-1, the Dynamo - at a man disadvantage - couldn't contain the Sounders' attack, and fell apart. Albert Rusnak scored a 13-minute brace and put the game to bed.

Individual errors have haunted Houston all season long, and this was just another to fall into that category.

Prior Ranking: 27

Result: Defeated D.C. 2-0

Ramifications: Great win for Toronto, and a big confidence booster for maligned star Lorenzo Insigne. The Italian maestro scored his first goal of the season - a surprising diving header - to help lead them to a much-needed three points. TFC are now up to 10 points on the season after earning their second victory of the campaign.

Prior Ranking: 21

Result: Lost to TFC 2-0

Ramifications: This was bad, by all accounts. Losing 2-0 on the road is one thing, but losing by allowing the shortest player on the pitch to score a header? That's tragic defending.

D.C.'s last three losses have all been shutouts. When it doesn't click, the club just falls apart.

Prior Ranking: 22

Result: Lost to Portland 1-0

Ramifications: They fought until the end, but couldn’t get anything going against the Timbers. Sporting managed three shots on goal and recorded an xG of 1.0, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Sometimes, that’s just how it goes.

Sporting still look like a team capable of figuring things out, so some grace is warranted for now. But this marks a second loss to the Timbers in less than a month, and all three of their wins this season have come against teams that were below them in the standings at the time. If they want any shot this season, they’ll need to start proving they can compete with the league’s best.

Prior Ranking: 18

Result: Lost to San Jose 2-0

Ramifications: Another loss for the Rapids and just another uninspiring performance. Two straight losses and four without a win, the Rapids are slowly falling out of contention in the West. These are the matches you need to win, especially at home in front of your own fans.

Prior Ranking: 20

Result: Drew RSL 1-1

Ramifications: A point at home is a decent result in normal circumstances, but FCD were up a man for the final 32 minutes of the match and somehow did not score a winner. They managed just seven total shots all game, with just two going on target.

Petar Musa not being available is definitely an issue, but it's no excuse. Just not good enough from FCD.

Prior Ranking: 19

Result: Drew FC Dallas 1-1

Ramifications: Diego Luna has goals in three-straight games, even though RSL might not be playing at the highest of levels themselves. The U.S. international is keeping them afloat at the moment. Thirteen points from 12 games isn't good enough for the club, though, and new marquee striker Willy Agada was sent off for two yellow cards in his first start against FCD.

Prior Ranking: 23

Result: Defeated Atlanta 2-1

Ramifications: What a performance. Completely dominated Atlanta for their first MLS win since March. Hugo Cuypers bagged from the penalty spot for his eighth goal of the year - tied atop the league standings in the race for the Golden Boot. An 86th-minute effort from Rominigue Kouame gave them all three points.

A big win for Berhalter's men.

Prior Ranking: 17

Result: Lost to CF Montreal 1-0

Ramifications: The highs and lows of MLS. The Pigeons defeated FC Cincinnati last weekend and lost to CF Montreal, the worst team in the Eastern Conference, this weekend. Nowhere near good enough from any NYCFC player - and they'll know that.

Prior Ranking: 24

Result: Defeated Colorado 2-0

Ramifications: Bruce Arena is starting to figure things out with San Jose. That's two wins in a row against teams above it in the Western Conference, and two straight games where he changed his system from previous weeks to secure the victory. Chicho Arango is up to eight goals on the year now and is starting to come alive for the club.

Prior Ranking: 15

Result: Lost to FC Cincinnati 2-1

Ramifications: Brandon Vazquez sunk home from the spot, but it wasn't enough otherwise. They were outclassed throughout most of the match and didn't take advantage of moments presented to them. Specifically in the final third, they managed. An xG of 1.9, but only managed one goal on the night. Of their 11 shots, only two arrived on target as well.

Prior Ranking: 12

Result: Lost to Nashville 2-1

Ramifications: A chaotic six minutes saw all five goals scored in the match, with Liel Abada giving CLT a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute before Nashville scored in the 49th and 54th minutes of the match. Dean Smith's men lost focus briefly, and they dropped a result because of it. That's now three-straight losses for them, and it's becoming concerning how their stars aren't showing up. Patrick Agyemang is goalless during that stretch, and against Nashville, was once again absent - while Wilfried Zaha lacked influence as well.

Prior Ranking: 16

Result: Battered LA Galaxy 7-0

Ramifications: There's a small part to this that's a tad funny, right? What a revenge performance from MLS Cup 2024. They just didn't step off the gas pedal - this was a result fueled by confidence, but anger as well. So, so impressive from Sandro Schwarz's men - even if the Galaxy are clearly at one of the worst points of their franchise's history.

Seven goals off an xG of just 4.3 is something to be proud of, too. They were clinical.

Prior Ranking: 14

Result: Defeated CLT 2-1

Ramifications: A Hany Mukhtar worldie separated them from a point and three on the day, with their star DP coming up clutch to open the scoring before Canada international Jacob Shaffelburg scored the winner.

It's been a bit up and down in recent weeks for Nashville, but this was a really good win at home against an Eastern Conference foe. Manager B.J. Callaghan should be thrilled.

Prior Ranking: 13

Result: Tied Orlando 3-3

Ramifications: Huge attacking performance, but a lot left to be desired defensively. However, a point on the road against a really good Orlando side is nothing to be ashamed of. The stats line up with the result, and Caleb Porter's men are unbeaten in their last five MLS matches. Really impressive.

Prior Ranking: 11

Result: Defeated CITY 2-1

Ramifications: A relatively dominant road performance from them once again. They conceded in stoppage time, but by then, they had the game locked up courtesy of two late goals themselves.

A 79th-minute opener from Milan Iloski and a late winner from Anders Dreyer secured them all three points - while Dreyer himself continues to be a clutch performer, and a frontrunner for 2025 MLS Newcomer of the Year. He's now up to five goals and five assists this season.

Prior Ranking: 9

Result: Defeated Houston 3-1

Ramifications: Winger Ryan Kent became the fastest player in Sounders history to record his first three assists in the win, doing so in just 116 minutes. With Jordan Morris injured, he's stepped up since signing as a free agent and helped elevate Seattle.

Sounders are now five unbeaten, with four wins during the stretch. Manager Brian Schmetzer has them back on track.

Prior Ranking: 10

Result: Drew Vancouver 2-2

Ramifications: Big, big performance. An early Marco Delgado goal and a Denis Bouanga penalty led them to a point on the road against the league-leaders. No arguments, a hard-earned point.

Every day of the week, you take that result as a player or coach. Job well done.

Prior Ranking: 3

Result: Lost to MNUFC 4-1

Ramifications: The Herons had their wings clipped in Minnesota. The Loons ran riot over Miami without Luis Suarez available, and Javier Mascherano had no answers for them. Messi scored, but the South Beach club were exploited in wide areas, the center of the pitch, and on set pieces. Just complete capitulation. Four losses in their last five across all competitions now.

Prior Ranking: 7

Result: Drew New England 3-3

Ramifications: Orlando - at this point - is becoming a bit of a unicorn team. The club can't escape draws at the moment. Five of its last six in MLS play all ended in a stalemate - but that's now nine-straight matches without a defeat for the boys in purple. Meanwhile, Martin Ojeda had an explosive weekend, scoring his first MLS hat-trick to move his season total to seven goals and three assists.

Prior Ranking: 8

Result: Defeated SKC 1-0

Ramifications: A goal of the year contender, Santiago Moreno hopped on his bicycle for an emphatic effort to lead the Timbers to a narrow victory in a contentious match. Come the end of the season, moments often define a campaign - and this feels like one that could be looked back on.

Prior Ranking: 5

Result: Defeated Austin FC 2-1

Ramifications: Good reset game for FCC after a disappointing loss last weekend. Evander found the back of the net to open the scoring, before 20-year-old Homegrown midfielder Gerardo Valenzuela rescued them off the bench with the winner. They dominated in most stat categories, leading in possession, shots, and overall xG. A good result against a relatively in-form Austin side.

Prior Ranking: 6

Result: Defeated Austin FC 3-0

Ramifications: What a performance. Rattled Miami early and never let it recover. Their transition game off the ball was fantastic, and they capitalized on nearly every attacking opportunity presented to them. Canada international Tani Oluwaseyi put on a clinic, while midfielder Joaquin Pereyra excelled. Eric Ramsay's men continue to impress.

Notably, they scored four goals off of just .9 xG. Precision.

Prior Ranking: 4

Result: Drew Columbus Crew 2-2

Ramifications: Philly should be happy with a point here, but frustrated it couldn't close out the match. The club conceded a stoppage-time equalizer when three points were for the taking against a top Eastern Conference foe.

Tai Baribo scored his eighth goal of the season, while Homegrown defender Francis Westfield scored his first professional goal - a belter of an effort.

Prior Ranking: 2

Result: Drew the Philadelphia Union 2-2

Ramifications: What a match this was, and Columbus's resiliency paid off. A 93rd-minute equalizer from Sean Zawadzki rescued them a point on the road - with both of their goals coming from defenders as Max Arfsten found the back of the net as well. Two of the league's best played out for a fantastic match, and the Crew showed that they'll fight until the final whistle. Brilliant.

Prior Ranking: 1

Result: Drew LAFC 2-2

Ramifications: Brian White's brace rescued them in a difficult match against a good LAFC team. Coming from behind twice, the Whitecaps left with a point - but should feel disappointed to drop points at home. Still, though, they remain atop the league - they are the gold standard at the moment. A draw against a talented Western Conference foe will not change that.