MLS Power Rankings: Lionel Messi & Inter Miami stall, Minnesota United surge, NYCFC clinch spot

It's just not good. There's nothing else to say. A 3-0 loss to CF MTL has them begging for the Wooden Spoon.

Drew TFC 1-1 in another bland and uninspiring showing. Their goal is to not finish below the Earthquakes now.

A win over Nashville has them feeling positive, but it's likely too little, too late. The Revs are now one point ahead of BJ Callaghan's side, meaning they're no longer bottom of the East.

Already out of playoff contention, Sporting fell in the Open Cup final to LAFC and then were handed a cup full of disappointment in a 3-1 loss to rivals St. Louis CITY SC Saturday. A poor end to the campaign, and perhaps, Peter Vermes' time in KC?

A quality win over Sporting at the weekend had them in high spirits at full-time, but they've been mathematically eliminated from postseason contention now due to other results around the league. A really poor sophomore campaign will have them thinking towards 2025.

CJ Callaghan may have hit Nashville's Fifth and Broadway after NSC's 2-2 draw with reigning Supporters' Shield winners FC Cincinnati Saturday. It came after a midweek victory over the Chicago Fire, making it three-straight results for them.

Nashville are now just three points out of contending for a playoff spot in the East. A remarkable shift from anything pre-Leagues Cup.

In a decent result against RSL, they came back from a 2-0 deficit, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes of the match to secure a 2-2 draw. However, they've been mathematically eliminated from the postseason as a result of other matches from around the weekend, meaning their campaign is all but over.

Josh Wolff's time in Texas may be coming to an end, too.

Beaten rather handily by Orlando City 3-1 at the weekend, FCD watched their playoff dream fade away. Mathematically, they still have a chance, but they would need outside help. With just three matches left in the season, they're eight points out of contention.

A quality draw against a very talented Crew side should have them feeling well. They're three points out of a playoff spot, but are competing with four other teams for the two final spots in the East. An important few weeks lay ahead.

The Five Stripes continue to unimpress, fall flat and show little to no progress or ambition on the pitch. They drew the Union 1-1 at the weekend, meaning they're still three points out of a playoff spot in the East, occupying 11th place in the conference.

For all the talent and money invested in the team, missing the postseason would be a disaster.

When fighting for your playoff lives, a 1-1 draw with a rather poor Chicago Fire side is a less-than ideal result.

John Herdman is playing with fire of late with just four out of a possible 15 points in their last five regular season matches. As things stand, TFC are into the postseason, but only based on criteria points.

Unbeaten in their last four, CF MTL have found new life as the campaign nears a close. They thumped San Jose 3-0 Saturday, which by all standards is a good victory, but that's also become a norm of the Earthquakes' opponents this campaign.

As things stand, they sit in 10th, but are level on points with TFC and the Union at 37 for the final two playoff spots in the conference.

They drew Atlanta 1-1, which by no means is a great result, but the Union's excellent form of late has them in higher spirits than most of the Eastern Conference playoff sides fighting for a spot in the postseason.

Holding Messi to one goal is always impressive, but keeping the rest of Inter Miami at bay is a skill.

Charlotte held the Herons to a 1-1 draw at the weekend, earning an important point in their chase for a postseason spot. Not a bad result by any means, and some much-needed confidence for Dean Smith's side.

They clinched the playoffs, but that might be really all RBNY wants to focus on.

Absolutely rattled, they were beaten into the ground by rivals NYCFC at the weekend, they fell 5-1 in front of their home fans.

Things aren't great at the moment, and RBNY are looking like the opponent teams want to play in the first round.

They drew the Whitecaps 1-1 in a back-and-forth Western Conference match. A decent result, but they're still fighting for the highest seed possible in the West come the playoffs, and in the grand scheme of things, MD35 will result in two points dropped.

They clashed with Portland on Saturday, drawing 1-1 in front of their home fans. By all accounts, not an ideal performance, but the positive spin is they're unbeaten in five of their last six in the regular season and are looking like a potential dark horse for the playoffs.

The Loons are Looning at the moment, and DP striker Kelvin Yeboah is on fire. Winger Bongi Hlongwane is in fine form, too, with the attacking duo combining for 11 goals in their last six matches - four of which have been victories.

At the weekend, they stunned the Colorado Rapids 3-0, and they're now up to eighth in the West.

NYCFC claimed their first regular season victory since July 3 and it came at the perfect time. A brilliant 5-1 victory on the road against RBNY saw them clinch a spot in the playoffs while earning a triumphant three points. Nick Cushing has to be thrilled.

It's never easy to go on the road to Lumen Field and pick up three points, but it felt as if there were moments where Houston could have at least snagged a point. Not an ideal performance, but they still have three games to go and are in pole-position for the playoffs.

Two bad results in recent weeks to Sporting KC and most recently, MNUFC, have many questioning if the Rapids defense can hold firm come the postseason. A 3-0 thrashing on the road saw them give up some poor goals, but in good news, they've already clinched the playoffs, so they can move onto Wednesday with confidence.

The Sounders defeated an in-form Dynamo side 1-0 in front of their home fans Saturday in what felt like a playoff match. Paul Rothrock scored the winner and Seattle played with an intensity we have not seen in recent weeks. Really impressive performance as they clinched a playoff spot.

They had a 2-0 lead with 10 minutes to spare vs Austin FC and managed to collapse and end FT at 2-2. It feels like a theme for RSL of late to not complete matches or follow through to the final whistle, and that's something that could be costly as they look to secure a home playoff match by finishing top-four in the West.

Orlando have emerged out of nowhere in recent weeks to fourth place in the East. After an impressive 3-1 win over FCD at the weekend, they're now in pole position to host a playoff game, which they have to be thrilled about.

FCC were stunned by LAFC at the weekend, 2-1, with a late Denis Bouanga winner cancelling out a Luca Orellano equalizer. The Shield holders remain third in the East, but in a match against a potential MLS Cup opponent, they fell short, and now need to look in the mirror hard as they enter the final stretch of the campaign.

Big, big result. First, a 2024 Open Cup title, and then days later, a win over the Supporters' Shield holders - it's been a good week for Steve Cherundolo. The goal now has to be earning a home playoff game and closing out the season on a high note.

Did not play.

Unfortunately, could not rebound from their Campeones Cup defeat to Club America Wednesday, and ended up with a 2-2 draw to DC United. As a result, their Supporters' Shield dreams are all but a glimmer of hope. However, the Crew have nothing to worry about. They're still widely viewed as MLS Cup favorites.

The Herons are in a funk. Three-straight draws, with the latest a 1-1 contest against CLT FC. The good news for them, though, is that everyone around them in the East also decided to draw or lose on MD35.

With three games to spare, they are in pole-position for the Supporters' Shield. However, a marquee matchup against the Crew awaits them Wednesday.