2025 Major League Soccer Power Rankings
As the 2025 Major League Soccer season progresses, ESPN releases its Power Rankings, shedding light on the fate of all 30 teams following a weekend filled with exciting matches. Let’s explore who is on the rise and who is struggling to keep afloat in the competitive league.
Top Performers
Philadelphia Union has climbed to the top of the rankings after a solid performance against the Houston Dynamo, finishing with a 1-1 draw despite a busy schedule including a victory over CF Montréal earlier in the week. This matchup highlighted the Union’s tenacity, reminding everyone of their resilience.
In a dramatic turn, Inter Miami, previously in the first position after a remarkable victory over FC Cincinnati, faced a setback with a disappointing midweek loss. They found themselves trailing early against the New York Red Bulls, but star player Lionel Messi switched the momentum with a stunning assist and netted two goals to secure a 5-1 triumph.
Nashville SC made a comeback from its loss to Miami, capitalizing on a busy week with back-to-back wins against the Columbus Crew and Toronto FC, showcasing their strong form with just one defeat since April.
Struggles and Setbacks
Meanwhile, San Diego faced a challenging match against Vancouver Whitecaps, with two rookies starting for the team. Despite an own goal from Manu Duah putting them in a tough spot, Ian Pilcher managed to equalize, leading to a 1-1 draw.
Columbus Crew fans celebrated Dániel Gazdag’s first goal for the team in a 2-1 victory over D.C. United, marking a positive move forward after a tough stretch. Cincinnati, who just suffered a loss to Nashville, scraped by with a late goal securing a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake, keeping their spirits high.
The Seattle Sounders had cause for concern as they celebrated a 3-2 victory over San Jose Earthquakes only to lose Jordan Morris to another injury, which could impact their depth moving forward.
Despite losing Pedro Vite to Pumas, Vancouver managed to hold San Diego to a draw. The team showed resilience, promising improvements as they gear up for the transfer market.
Unfortunately, Minnesota United experienced a missed opportunity to secure all three points against Portland. After leading, they allowed a late equalizer, resulting in a frustrating 1-1 draw.
Rivalries and Highlights
In Los Angeles, the storied rivalry between LAFC and LA Galaxy ended in an explosive 3-3 draw, with both teams demonstrating their attacking prowess late in the match.
Orlando City finally found their stride with a 2-1 victory over New England, fueled by Martín Ojeda’s impressive performance. Charlotte, thriving in the wake of Patrick Agyemang’s transfer, also secured a solid win over Atlanta United with Idan Toklomati scoring in a 3-2 match.
Despite the Quakes’ increased urgency for a win, they suffered a defeat at the hands of Seattle. D.C. United had a challenging matchup as well, facing a crushing 5-1 loss against Miami, which might have lasting effects on team morale.
Looking Ahead
After a weekend off, the Colorado Rapids are eager to build on their recent goal-scoring display in their last couple of games as they prepare for their next challenge.
Sporting Kansas City managed a 1-1 draw with New York City, showing improvements in their defense. However, Toronto FC couldn’t build on their midweek hope and fell back down with a loss to Nashville.
Montréal’s season struggles continued as they were unable to score in a loss to Chicago Fire. The situation for St. Louis became even more challenging after another loss added to their troubling streak.
Finally, Atlanta United faced disappointment once more, surrendering a lead to lose 3-2 against Charlotte in front of their home crowd, leaving them at the bottom of the rankings, illustrating the difficulties faced this season.
As the league navigates through highs and lows, teams will need to adapt quickly to maintain their standings in the competitive landscape of MLS.
