MLS Power Rankings: Lionel Messi's brilliance has Inter Miami right back in Supporters' Shield contention, San Diego FC cooking due to Anders Dreyer's brilliance

Prior Ranking: 28

Result: Lost to LA Galaxy 2-1

Ramifications: Following the sacking of manager Troy Lesesne, D.C. were hoping to use that as fuel to spark them to victory against LA, but their woes continued into the match until the final whistle. Winger Gabriel Pirani earned a goal back late, but nothing else came from his strike.

Winless in five, and are completely uninspired.

Prior Ranking: 29

Result: Defeated Portland Timbers 2-1

Ramifications: A surprising victory, by all accounts, but one that the CITY faithful will welcome with open arms. A brace from Marcel Hartel saw them secure their first victory since May 31, and just their fourth of the season overall. CITY are still on the outside looking in, but this was a promising result.

Prior Ranking: 27

Results: Drew Orlando City 1-1

Ramifications: A relatively decent result, all things considered. They've taken seven points from their last 15 possible, and that's the best stretch they've gone on yet this season. Still so far out of the Eastern Conference picture, though, there's not a lot to put that towards presently, aside from building for 2026.

Prior Ranking: 30

Results: Defeated D.C. United 2-1

Ramifications: A top showing from them against a fellow struggling team, while Marco Reus continues to show why he is the perfect man to be leading their line. Another goal from the German has them dreaming of a late-season surge.

Prior Ranking: 25

Result: Drew Toronto FC 1-1

Ramifications: At some point, there needs to be questions asked about what Ronny Deila is doing to get the most out of this team.

A stoppage time penalty from Latte Lath earned them a point, and he snapped his 13-match (!!) scoring streak, but goodness - Atlanta just continue to underperform.

Prior Ranking: 26

Result: Drew Atlanta United 1-1

Ramifications: Really disappointing not to take three points here. They gave up a stoppage time penalty, allowing Atlanta to escape with a point after what was a really solid team performance. At this stage of the season, this is a match where TFC needed to win if they have any hopes of sneaking into the postseason.

This one is two points dropped.

Prior Ranking: 24

Result: Lost to LAFC 2-0

Ramifications: FCD were never in this one. From the opening whistle onward, it was all LAFC. They registered just one shot on target and had just 36 percent possession on the day.

One win in their last 11, and manager Eric Quill looks absolutely out of his depth on the touchline.

Prior Ranking: 23

Result: Lost 3-2 to Seattle.

Ramifications: A valiant comeback attempt from Sporting, but a poor first half had them climbing uphill. The positive takeaway, though, is that Dejan Joveljic is absolutely cooking for them in front of net. The Serbia international is up to 13 goals on the season and has scored in each of the last eight matches he has started.

That, on its own, might be able to propel SKC into playoff contention this fall.

Prior Ranking: 17

Result: Drew New England 0-0

Ramifications: Austin just continues to sort of be there in the Western Conference. They're not scoring goals, they're not really conceding them either, though. It's not inspiring, it's uneventful, and it's rather bland.

With striker Brandon Vazquez ruled out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, things won't get much better, either.

Prior Ranking: 15

Result: Lost to Philadelphia Union 2-0

Ramifications: It is five matches without a win for the Red Bulls, raising concerns for the club. Sandro Schwarz's men were outclassed by a very composed Philly side, and they just never looked like they were in the contest.

A big transfer window awaits the club. If they want to replicate their 2024 MLS Playoff heroics, they'll likely need to make a play or two, especially in the attack.

Prior Ranking: 19

Result: Drew Austin 0-0

Ramifications: New England outshot Austin 8-4 on the day, but neither could break the deadlock by the end of the match. That's now six straight matches without a win for the Revolution, and just one win in their last 12.

Manager Caleb Porter's seat is absolutely beginning to heat up once more.

Prior Ranking: 18

Result: lost to RSL 1-0

Ramifications: Houston outshot RSL, and sported an xG of 1.9 on the night, but couldn't get over the line against sound RSL defense. Manager Ben Olsen will be frustrated to walk away without at least a point.

With the loss, they've fallen out of the playoff picture in the West, but trail ninth-place Austin by just one point.

Prior Ranking: 22

Result: Defeated Houston 1-0

Ramifications: Big, big win for RSL. Willy Agada bagged the winner in the 42nd minute, and a crucial three points were secured.

Don't look now, but that's four unbeaten and 10 points out of a possible 12 during the stretch. With Diego Luna back from USMNT duty now as well, things are only going to look uphill for the club as both the transfer window and the second half of the season approach.

Prior Ranking: 20

Result: Defeated Vancouver 3-0

Ramifications: What an incredible result for the Rapids. Any doubt over Chris Armas as manager on the touchline was thrown out the door - for at least another week - as they whalloped the Western Conference title contenders. A gentleman's hat-trick from Djordje Mihailovic, recording three assists, saw them dominate the Whitecaps at home, securing a much-needed three points.

However, that's still just their second win in their last eight matches - Colorado need to replicate this performance week in and week out to make a play in the West.

Prior Ranking: 16

Result: Lost to San Diego FC 2-1

Ramifications: Chicago picked up their third-straight loss against San Diego on Saturday. Things for Gregg Berhalter's team have looked incredibly bright this season, but there's also been moments where it's increasingly clear this roster isn't at the level needed to compete with the league's best - and Saturday was the latest example of that.

The positive spin is that Hugo Cuypers bagged his 12th goal of the season for the club in the match, and he's been a reliable goalscoring outlet for them this campaign.

Prior Ranking: 17

Result: Defeated NYCFC 2-0

Ramifications: Huge result for Dean Smith's squad. Without Patrick Agyemang available due to the U.S. international inching closer to a transfer to Derby County, striker Idan Toklomati and winger Kerwin Vargas stepped up to score the goals to lead CLT to a much-needed victory.

Charlotte's first win since May 31, a five-match winless streak was snapped, and things are suddenly looking up again for the Eastern Conference side.

Now, a big transfer window approaches with Agyemang's future looking like it will result in a transfer abroad.

Prior Ranking: 12

Result: Lost 2-0 to Charlotte

Ramifications: NYCFC can accept a 2-0 defeat here because they will look to a big move off the pitch as a potential boost. The club finally added an attacking piece to their roster, bringing in a new Designated Player in Argentine forward Nicolás Fernández Mercau.

"I think I’ll give my best. Expectations are high. If they trust me, I’ll return that trust on the field," Mercau told GOAL in an exclusive interview upon his arrival.

Now, with the Argentine joining their ranks, expectations will rise.

Prior Ranking: 14

Result: Lost to MNUFC 4-1

Ramifications: Manager Bruce Arena likely lost his mind after this one. San Jose had 64 percent of the ball throughout the match, but couldn't counter the pressing nature of the Loons throughout the game.

After a good run earlier in the season, the Earthquakes have just one win in their last six matches and no clean sheets during that span.

Prior Ranking: 13

Result: Lost to CITY 2-1

Ramifications: Arguably the Timbers' worst performance of the season so far. CITY have been increasingly poor of late, and Phil Neville's side conceded two rather easy goals and couldn't work themselves out of the hole they fell into on the road in Missouri.

They still sit fifth in the West, but hiccups like that can't happen as the campaign comes to a close.

Prior Ranking: 11

Result: Drew CF MTL 1-1

Ramifications: Winless in three, Orlando's attack is leaving food on the plate here. Luis Muriel has not scored in MLS action since May 18, and with Duncan McGuire sidelined due to injury, they're just not getting enough attacking output from their star striker.

In a heavily competitive Eastern Conference, Orlando can't afford a draw against a struggling team like Montreal, and manager Oscar Pareja knows it. This is two points lost.

Prior Ranking: 10

Result: Defeated FCD 2-0

Ramifications: LAFC appear to be finding their footing post-Club World Cup. They have three wins in their last four MLS matches and are up to sixth in the Western Conference. Striker Nathan Ordaz bagged his fifth of the campaign, while star winger Denis Bouanga added another to secure them all three points on the day.

With rumors swirling that the club might make a big DP signing this summer, it's an exciting time to watch them climb into form - knowing they could get better as the weeks go on.

Prior Ranking: 7

Result: Defeated SKC 3-2

Ramifications: A huge first half from the Sounders saw them hold off a late comeback from Sporting. Goals from Jordan Morris, Albert Rusnak, and Jesus Ferreira put them in pole position to secure all three points, but a late red card from Nouhou Tolo in stoppage time put that into jeopardy. Luckily, their stellar first half allowed them for the late hiccup, and Seattle claimed three points on the day.

They're up to fourth in the West and still have a game in hand.

Prior Ranking: 5

Result: Lost to Inter Miami 2-1

Ramifications: What a tough result. A goalkeeping blunder from Joe Willis proved to ultimately be the difference between a draw on the road and walking away with nothing, but the real takeaway here is that this Nashville team kept up with Miami for most of the match. They were competitive throughout all 90 minutes, and in one of their biggest tests yet this season, they showed up and performed.

Prior Ranking: 4

Result: Lost to Columbus 4-2

Ramifications: A really, really disappointing result for FCC and Pat Noonan. After taking a 2-0 lead in the Hell is Real derby, they conceded four goals from Columbus and offered little to no response in the final third.

Evander returned to the scoresheet for the club, as his MVP-caliber season continues, but the FCC defense really let the team down on the day.

Prior Ranking: 1

Result: Lost to Colorado 3-0

Ramifications: A fall from grace in recent weeks, Vancouver are struggling. Four losses in their last five, the Whitecaps were decimated by international call-ups and injuries in June, but it's no real excuse for how things have played out of late.

U.S. internationals Brian White and Sebastian Berhalter returned to the lineup, and goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka even made a penalty kick save during the match, but it was not enough to get things going in the final third.

A big few weeks await Vancouver.

Prior Ranking: 8

Result: Defeated FCC 4-2

Ramifications: The performance of the weekend, the Crew put on a clinic in resiliency and attacking output against FCC in Hell is Real. They scored four unanswered to secure all three points and earn bragging rights in Ohio for the first time since the 2023 MLS Playoffs.

Notably, U.S. international Max Arfsten - who has been linked with a move to France - returned to the scoresheet in the match. After a promising Gold Cup, the wingback could be the next American to move to Europe.

Prior Ranking: 9

Result: Defeated Nashville 2-1

Ramifications:When Messi is on the pitch, Miami are more than likely going to come out on top. It's a simple reality. The Argentine has scored 10 goals in five matches, securing five-straight braces during the span.

He is on an incredible run, setting MLS history, and putting every single defense on watch.

Miami are back and coming for the Supporters' Shield - and Messi is spearheading that run.

Prior Ranking: 6

Result: Defeated San Jose 4-2

Ramifications: Manager Eric Ramsay is either a madman or a genius, or, perhaps, somewhere in between. He managed to see Minnesota score four goals off of 12 attempts with just 36 percent of the ball. Oh, and set pieces factored into three of the goals scored, too.

It's stunning how they've managed to come together to play in a pressing style under the Welsh manager, and it might not always be the sexiest style of play, but they're getting results.

Minnesota are up to second in the West.

Prior Ranking: 3

Result: Defeated RBNY 2-0

Ramifications: What a result for the Union. Two early goals from Bruno Damiani and Indiana Vassilev set the tone for the match, and they rode it out to secure all three points. A much-needed result, it snapped a two-game losing streak for the club and handed them some confidence heading into a double gameweek against teams beneath them in the standings.

Still first in the East, Philly have both Tai Baribo and Quinn Sullivan back in the mix, which only adds to their confidence going forward.

Prior Ranking: 2

Result: Defeated Chicago 2-1

Ramifications: Anders Dreyer, 2025 MLS MVP candidate and 2025 MLS Newcomer of the Year candidate.

The Denmark international, alongside Mexico star Chucky Lozano, did it once again as SDFC secured another major win. Dreyer scored twice for the club as they defeated the Fire, bagging two first-half goals, while Lozano assisted both of them as they cruised to another victory.

Sitting atop the Western Conference standings, San Diego look like the team to beat right now.