📈 MLS Power Rankings: A giant returns as Bronx boys enter the picture
After another fascinating matchday in MLS, it’s time to update our ranking of the league’s top 10 most in-form sides.
Here goes nothing.
10. Seattle Sounders (🆕)
Seattle have cracked the top-10 once again after an impressive victory over a red-hot Houston Dynamo side. Despite a historically bad start to the campaign, the Sounders have somehow managed to clinch a playoff spot with a few weeks to spare.
Three matches, three goals 😮💨
Paulie Primetime loves a match versus Houston. pic.twitter.com/AnwYY0OYCb
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) September 30, 2024
9. NYCFC (🆕)
There aren’t many better ways to spend a weekend than thumping your local rivals 5-1 away from home, and that’s exactly what NYCFC did at Red Bull Arena on Saturday. The Pigeons have had trouble putting games to bed this season, but if they can find the winning formula in the dying weeks of the season, they are more than talented enough to make a run in the playoffs.
A huge shoutout to Alonso, Maxi, Tayvon, and Nick for being named in the @MLS Team of the Matchday 👏 https://t.co/wwGU6dYd1U pic.twitter.com/STszt2yWR0
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) September 30, 2024
8. Minnesota United (👍 last rank: 9)
The Loons are taking flight and have rediscovered their early season form which, at one point, made them appear to be Western Conference contenders. With four wins in their last five, and now a marquee win over Colorado, United are on track for a scorching finish to the campaign.
Icing on the cake pic.twitter.com/noXC1cLDp4
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) September 30, 2024
7. Houston Dynamo (👎 last rank: 4)
The Dynamo rose as high as four in rankings in recent weeks as they have accelerated their ascent towards the upper echelon of the Western Conference, but a disappointing loss in Seattle could have derailed them slightly.
It's official! The playoff drop coming soon 🤘
Be the first to know when: https://t.co/jrVZ4tso8Z#Hustlin4More pic.twitter.com/DSicD4RMT6
— Houston Dynamo FC – x (@HoustonDynamo) September 29, 2024
6. FC Cincinnati (👎 last rank: 5)
Cincinnati just can’t seem to find consistency in the dying weeks of the season, yet once playoff time hits they will be certainly be a tough out. With a loss to an ice-cold LAFC side over the weekend, they’ve slid out of the top-five.
Keep moving 🧡💙 pic.twitter.com/Ag2vNiN7np
— Chidozie .C. Awaziem (@AwaziemC) September 30, 2024
5. LAFC (🆕)
This is just what LAFC do. This time last week they had plummeted out of our top-10 after failing to win in five straight games, the Black and Gold reminded us all why they are still major contenders to win it all this winter with a huge win in Cincinnati.
Waking up with 3️⃣ points 🫵 pic.twitter.com/eetS8wuo2g
— LAFC (@LAFC) September 29, 2024
4. Orlando City (👍 last rank: 7)
Orlando have made a home for themselves as ‘the best of the rest’ in the Eastern Conference after another impressive victory over the weekend, this time dispatching FC Dallas away from home. With potential home-field advantage in the playoffs, Óscar Pareja’s men are certainly a dark-horse for the conference.
I can’t get over the @OrlandoCitySC offensive turnaround.
First 17 MLS games – 17 goals
Last 14 – 36(!) goalsThey’re two away from the single-season club record after having no attack whatsoever for half the year. Amazing stuff from the players and staff. pic.twitter.com/pvt42wYFK2
— Evan Weston (@EvanLWeston) September 29, 2024
3. LA Galaxy (no movement)
The Galaxy had the weekend off, and luckily for them the Western Conference was a bit of a draw-fest on matchday 35, so they remain in pole position to finish off the campaign top of the conference.
2. Columbus Crew (no movement)
The Crew may have dropped two points in Washington D.C. over the weekend, but they remain the biggest threat to Inter Miami on all fronts. With a head-to-head matchup with Lionel Messi and his mates just 24 hours away, watch this space for a potential swap in the top-two in the coming days.
Incredible Goal. Stunning Assist 🎯
Cucho is included on the bench of the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 35. pic.twitter.com/Maoj8icayW
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) September 30, 2024
1. Inter Miami (no movement)
Miami are still on track to win the Supporters Shield and can still set a new MLS record for points accumulated in the regular season. However, after three successive draws and showdown with Columbus looming, they will need to rediscover the fluidity and form they experienced before Lionel Messi returned to the lineup.
