📈 MLS Power Rankings: Miami climb, a pair of surprises in the top-three
The MLS Power Rankings are truly beginning to take shape, and it is no secret that there are a number of surprises from the opening few weeks of the campaign.
From Atlanta's slow start to Philadelphia's rapid one, let's dig into the top-10 rankings after matchday 3.
📸 Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
It took until week three for the Quakes to suffer their first defeat under Bruce Arena, a marked improvement after finishing bottom of the league last season. Yet if San Jose are going to become a mainstay in the top-10 they will have to make PayPal Park a fortress this season.
📸 Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The Loons' start to the 2025 season may be low-key so far, but two wins from three will give Eric Ramsay's side absolutely no complaints.
With all three games to start to the season finishing 1-0, the Loons have shown a propensity for staying in matches, no matter the caliber of the opposition.
Kelvin with the seismic shift pic.twitter.com/85dM7PnaFF
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) March 9, 2025
📸 Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
San Diego may have been the majority's pick for Wooden Spoon contenders, but the expansion club have proven the doubters wrong in the early weeks of the season.
They proved their worth once again over the weekend with a comprehensive victory over Real Salt Lake. Mikey Varas' side remain unbeaten in their entire club history.
📸 Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
It felt like the Sounders had been waiting on their breakout game this season, but they certainly found it when they put five past LAFC in a comfortable thrashing at Lumen Field.
This Seattle side personifies the depth over star-power philosophy, but if this past weekend is anything to go by, their lack of a superstar is not going to be an issue.
Jordan Morris scores the 87th goal of his @SoundersFC career, making him the all-time leading scorer for the club. ☝️Seattle lead 3-1 at home! pic.twitter.com/KFxlVlMDQJ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 8, 2025
📸 Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
LAFC slide the most of any team in our top-10 this week after the aforementioned beatdown in the Pacific Northwest, but don't fret LAFC faithful, the Black and Gold will not remain outside of the top-five for long.
With the squad being stretched by Concacaf Champions Cup fixtures during the week, they should come back into the conversation when they can focus on home-front affairs.
📸 Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Crew may just be showing the first signs of teething in the wake of departures of some key stars in the offseason.
Including the first-leg of their Champions Cup clash with LAFC last week, Wilfried Nancy's side have not won, or scored, in two straight matches. There is plenty of confidence in the system in Columbus, but the thin squad will be tested in the coming weeks.
📸 Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images
Pat Noonan's side got back to winning ways in MLS over the weekend, comfortably easing past Toronto, but they remain focused on a highly competitive Champions Cup tie with Liga MX giants Tigres.
If they can remain in the win column in MLS while their attention is elsewhere, there is no reason they can't remain in the early Supporters Shield conversation.
From front to back in a flash. ⚡An incredible @fccincinnati team goal! pic.twitter.com/AVjMuOMQCU
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 9, 2025
📸 Simon Fearn-Imagn Images
The 'Caps are truly one of the wonderful surprises in MLS this season, starting their league campaign with three wins from three.
Few people held this Vancouver side in high esteem coming into the season with off-field issues plaguing the discourse in British Columbia, but they have been seemingly shot out of a cannon so far.
National team call-up for Brian 🇺🇸Striker Brian White has been called up to the @USMNT for their March international window#VWFC https://t.co/Nq0qW8VyU9
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) March 11, 2025
📸 Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
The Union are chief among the early shocks in 2025. With Tai Baribo leading from the front, Philadelphia have started life under Bradley Carnell with three wins from three matches, scoring 10 goals in that stretch.
The trademark of the club had been to overachieve with lesser resources in the last half-decade, but this start to the season is smashing expectations.
Tai Baribo (6 goals in 3 games) is on pace to tie or break the record for most goals through the first 4 games of a season. 👀7 - Edson Buddle (2010)6 - Raul Diaz Arce (1997)6 - Ante Razov (1999) 6 - Carlos Ruiz (2002)6 - Clint Dempsey (2014)6 - Erick Torres (2017)6 -… pic.twitter.com/iXos1PjMcC
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 11, 2025
📸 CHRIS ARJOON - AFP or licensors
With or without Lionel Messi, Inter Miami find a way to carve out results. The Herons played more than 50 minutes of their win against Charlotte on Sunday with 10-men, but it didn't seem to slow them down at all.
To make matters worse for Miami's rivals, the true strength of Javier Mascherano's team this season has come from their young core that surrounds the aging superstars.
4-straight games with a goal (across competitions) 🔥 Instant impact from @InterMiamiCF's newest midfielder Tadeo Allende. pic.twitter.com/05HGiFq4zk
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 9, 2025
📸 Rich Storry - 2025 Getty Images
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