📈 MLS Power Rankings: Two new entries and domino effect at the top | OneFootball

Major League Soccer action is back with the Leagues Cup finally over.

After a goal-filled weekend of league drama, here is who makes the top 10 in our power rankings.

10. Portland (👎 last rank: 8)

Despite a brief bright spark in the middle of summer, Portland Timbers slip down again as we head into the fall.

It was pure dominance from Phil Neville’s side at home to St. Louis (32 total attempts) but Providence Park was far from a fortress.

The struggling visitors scored four times despite only six shots on target, and while the Timbers clawed back from 3-1 down for a 4-4 draw, Felipe Mora’s red card rounded out a night to forget.

9. FC Dallas (🆕)

Another goal-fest this time in the East sees FC Dallas crack into our standings. After bowing out early in the Leagues Cup group stage, interim head coach Peter Luccin saw his men bounce back with a determined comeback over bottom-side D.C. United.

Whatever team talk occurred throughout early August must have really stuck. The 4-3 win is the first away win of the season in MLS for Dallas – what a way to kickstart the return!

8. Seattle Sounders (🆕)

A second new entry also bounced back to MLS action with a win. Seattle registered back-to-back away victories after winning 3-2  over Minnesota.

It means their loss to LAFC remains Seattle’s only blip in their last nine MLS matches, going eight unbeaten and sitting fifth in the standings.

7. Real Salt Lake (👎 last rank: 6)

After benefitting from other clubs and results around them, an inconsistent RSL side slips further down the rankings.

Early showings suggested Pablo Mastroeni’s men had what it takes to challenge for the Supporters’ Shield.

But a shock upset at the hands of bottom-side visitors San Jose Earthquakes sees RSL slip away from silverware. It’s now four league games without a win and third place in the West.

6. Colorado Rapids (👍 last rank: 7)

A third-place finish in the Leagues Cup coupled with RSL’s slip-up sees the Rapids move one spot in our standings. A thrilling 2-2 draw and excellent spot-kicks were enough to finish on the podium and suggest the consistency from Chris Armas’ side is something here to stay.

First, a Rocky Mountain Cup victory and now this. Hats off to the youngest team in the West.

5. FC Cincinnati (No movement)

Unable to take advantage of a Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami, FC Cincinnati succumbed to a 2-0 loss in Florida despite 16 shots to five and 58% possession. Ever since that thumping 6-1 win over the Herons, it’s been all downhill for Pat Noonan’s side.

Now four losses in a row, Cincinnati are eight points behind the East leaders and could drop to third. Still, we know what they can do and they remain in the top half of our rankings by margins.

4. LA Galaxy (No movement)

A comfortable 2-0 win over Atlanta United helped a consistent LA Galaxy side move 13 regular season matches undefeated at home. And they showed off their new star power, too.

Summer signing Marco Reus proved to be right at home with one assist and one goal off the bench during his MLS debut. The Galaxy currently occupy first in the West and will love the view from the top as long as they can hold it.

3. LAFC (👎 last rank: 1)

Another superstar grabbed headlines for an LA-based team, but Olivier Giroud’s first goal in Black and Gold was not enough to lift the Leagues Cup title.

LAFC collapsed in the final minutes of stoppage time against Columbus and saw the trophy slip away alongside the top-spot in our standings. It’s now back-to-back losses against the Crew.

2. Columbus (👍 last rank: 3)

LAFC’s drop allows Columbus Crew to rightfully move up a spot after lifting the Leagues Cup. Wilfried Nancy’s men displayed a true never-say-die attitude with goals in the 90+2 and 90+4 minutes to secure the trophy.

Cucho Hernández again delivered when it mattered most for back-to-back wins over LAFC and they went perfect in the tournament, virtually erasing their MLS stumble from one month ago. The question is can they continue on this trend?

1. Inter Miami (👍 last rank: 2)

The ultimate winner of the domino effect at the top of our rankings is Inter Miami. No Messi, no problem, as Tata Martino’s men proved that hammering from FC Cincinnati earlier in the season was a huge blip.

Two goals from Luis Suárez in six minutes helped Miami beat their rivals 2-0 and take a huge step towards the Supporters’ Shield. The only downfall may be their temperament, with yet another red card this time to youngster Tomás Avilés but a playoff spot was secured.

Feature image credit: © Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports