📈 MLS Power Rankings: Cincinnati fall, Miami rise, and more!
Matchday 2 in MLS is now in the rearview mirror, and there were plenty of movers and shakers in our weekly top-10 power rankings.
Let's get straight into it.
📸 Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Atlanta United started quite high in our early season power rankings after spending big in the offseason and kicking the campaign off with a win.
However, after falling 2-0 away from home against burgeoning rivals Charlotte over the weekend, the Five Stripes showed that their spiffy new team will likely experience more teething problems than previously expected.
📸 Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images
After a victory against reigning champions LA Galaxy to start life in MLS last week, San Diego made their official home debut against St. Louis City in front of 34,000 people on Saturday.
Snapdragon Stadium hosted its very first @SanDiegoFC match in MLS 🏟️#PICSoftheWeekend 📸 pic.twitter.com/BPJxTGbFRX
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) March 3, 2025
And while they struggled to find the breakthrough goal, Mikey Varas' side held their visitors to just 28% possession and .09 xG — St. Louis were essentially not involved in the game.
📸 Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Dean Smith's side crack our rankings for the first time this season after the aforementioned victory over Atlanta on Saturday.
Wilfried Zaha only needed one MLS game to get his first taste of Charlotte FC's post-match tradition 🥶👑The North Carolina based side's slogan is 'For the Crown' and subsequently, their Player of the Match from each home game is sat down on a throne and gifted the club's… pic.twitter.com/iwlZg3Nkyh
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) March 4, 2025
Despite being arguably the most exciting surprise package in 2024, it was clear that Charlotte lacked a sprinkling of stardust — up stepped Wilfried Zaha to seemingly take the side to a new level.
📸 Caean Couto-Imagn Images
Cincinnati have certainly looked like world-beaters through the opening few weeks of their MLS and Concacaf Champions Cup campaign, but after getting thumped by Philadelphia over the weekend they came crashing back down to earth.
Playing every 72 hours as they continue in the Champions Cup is enough to hamstring any MLS side. Expect them to climb back up these rankings as the season goes on.
📸 Caean Couto-Imagn Images
As just mentioned, Philadelphia have looked like a shock contender so far through two games. After putting four past Orlando City last week, they did the same against Cincinnati this time around.
Five things to watch for across @MLS this week:⚽️The @PhilaUnion are off to a sensational start in 2025, with Tai Baribo accounting for a league-high five goals - more than 23 of 30 teams through Matchday 2. He'll look to keep his record pace against the Revolution on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/qOCWa2Xyc6
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) March 4, 2025
Front-man Tai Baribo has been on fire to start the season, scoring five goals in the opening two games, and the Union look just about unplayable when he is on top of his game.
📸 Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images
The Whitecaps are another welcome surprise in the early days of the season. Under new boss Jesper Sørense, the Canadian club have started with two wins from two, including a deserved win over the Galaxy on Sunday.
This fantastic start is all in the context of the off-field turmoil for the club, who were put up for sale by ownership during the offseason.
📸 Ivan David Smith-Imagn Images
Bruce Arena's side are the biggest shakers from last season after major winter moves, totally refreshing the club on and off the pitch.
After a narrow win over Sporting KC over the weekend, the Quakes have started the season with two wins from two and look like early contenders in the Western Conference.
📸 Tim Warner - 2025 Getty Images
Miami may have stumbled on opening day against NYCFC, but after traveling to Houston in Sunday's primetime game without Lionel Messi and comfortably dispatching the Dynamo, the Herons have returned to conversation.
One of the best strikers ever! 💥Luis Suarez cuts up the defense for his first goal of the season. pic.twitter.com/0Z7XnnnxZm
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 3, 2025
Luis Suarez had a hand in all four goals for Javier Mascherano's side in Texas, but it's the supporting cast of Telasco Segovia, Tadeo Allende, and others that are covering the hard yards in the early weeks of the season.
📸 Eric Canha-Imagn Images
With Wilfried Nancy at the helm the Crew were always going to be in the upper echelon of the standings this season, even with losing some big stars during the last few weeks of the offseason.
Diego Rossi completed 150 games with the Columbus Crew shirt in MLS regular season, after his game tonight against the NE Revolution.#Crew96 #MLS pic.twitter.com/Qcgp3OWJzW
— Pitchside US (@pitchside_us) March 2, 2025
With a semi-rotated lineup against New England ahead of a mouthwatering Champions Cup showdown with LAFC during the week, the Crew proved they can win high and low-scoring games. They will be major contenders once again.
📸 Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images
Finally, LAFC take the top spot this week after finding a way past NYCFC on Saturday. It hasn't been pretty in either of their two victories to start the season, but a star-studded team that can win even when they aren't playing their best is a danger to everybody in the league.
Featured image: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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