MLS Power Rankings: Messi's Miami has a hand on the Shield

It's Monday and another week of MLS action is behind us, which means it's time for ESPN's Power Rankings.

Our Power Rankings are based on a combination of key season statistics (points per game, goal difference, expected goal difference), recent performance, Opta's computer ratings and the observations of our writers.

Who is climbing up the table? Who is in free fall? We've ranked all 29 clubs in the league. Let's dive in.

Previous placement: 1

They lost another center back to injury, but that didn't stop Inter Miami from winning Lionel Messi's first game since the Copa América. The Argentine legend scored a brace and an assist against Philadelphia on Saturday to show that the Supporters' Shield will belong to Miami – it's only a matter of time.

Previous placement: 2

Despite having better chances than their in-state rivals, the Crew left Cincinnati with just one point. Wilfried Nancy will regret that his attack could not punish Cincinnati's defense, which consisted of two fullbacks as center backs, but a draw away from home is not a bad result.

Previous placement: 3

When Pat Noonan stood on the sidelines for his first game of the season as coach, he certainly didn't imagine he would have to play DeAndre Yedlin and Alvas Powell at center back in a big rivalry game. Life is fast, isn't it? To Cincinnati's credit, they did well against the quality crew.

Previous placement: 5

The Galaxy are a paradox: Every game they play is almost completely predictable, and yet they are must-watch TV. It's no surprise that Jalen Neal was exposed by Dénis Bouanga on LAFC's first two goals during Saturday's finale. The trafficThen Greg Vanney's team scored four unanswered goals. With their incredibly talented attack, that was always possible.

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Dejan Joveljic scores in the 67th minute

Dejan Joveljic scores in the 67th minute

Previous placement: 4

LAFC has earned a reputation as a sluggish defensive team, and for good reason. Steve Cherundolo's team is usually well-drilled when playing off the ball, but they crumbled under pressure in Carson this weekend. The poor decisions on the Galaxy's opening goal will prove to be their undoing.

Previous placement: 10

The Dynamo are a true all-rounder. Since the regular season resumed, they have beaten LAFC, then drawn and beat RSL 4-1 on Saturday. Few teams in MLS history have moved the ball as effortlessly – or used it as well to control games – as the Houston Dynamo.

Previous placement: 7

After losing twice to the Timbers earlier this year, the Rapids finally came out on top. Sharp play through the middle and a clever goal from a set piece helped Colorado to three points.

Previous placement: 8

Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Gauld have a connection, folks. The two Scottish internationals reunited in Vancouver and seem almost telepathic. Armstrong, the Whitecaps' newest DP, scored his first MLS goal off a pass from his compatriot in an easy win over the Earthquakes.

Previous placement: 15

At their best, Orlando City are a stout defensive unit. That's exactly what we saw in the first half of their 3-0 win over New England Revolution, where they allowed just three shots on goal and posted an xG of 0.1. That's three clean sheets for Oscar Pareja's team in four games.

Previous placement: 16

It's satisfying to watch a team get the job done, and that's exactly what the Sounders did on Sunday against SKC. They're knocking on the door of fourth place in the West.

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Jackson Ragen scores a goal for Seattle Sounders

Jackson Ragen grabs the loose ball and opens the Sounders' game against Sporting Kansas City.

Previous placement: 6

RSL hasn't been in top form recently. If only we knew why – oh wait, they're obviously struggling because Best XI winger Andres Gomez moved to Ligue 1 during the summer transfer window. Without Gomez, there's too much pressure on Chicho Arango to pull all the strings, something he failed to do in Salt Lake's 4-1 loss to Houston.

Previous placement: 12

It wasn't pretty, but an away game in the nation's capital helps NYCFC move closer to its goal of staying firmly above the playoff line. Still, they will fight tooth and nail to overtake Orlando City and move into fifth place in the East, avoiding Columbus, Cincinnati and Miami in the first round.

Previous placement: 9

It certainly would have been nice to see what the Portland Timbers could have cooked up with a third true Designated Player on the roster for the rest of the year, but unfortunately their inactive summer window left them vulnerable to road losses like the one they suffered in Colorado this weekend.

Previous placement: 18

Joaquín Pereyra, the 25-year-old Designated Player Minnesota signed over the summer, made his debut for the Loons on Saturday. Minnesota United also picked up three crucial points to secure a five-point lead in ninth place over their Western rivals. It was a really, really good weekend.

Previous placement: 11

The Red Bulls haven't won a game in nearly two months and lost all three points in Chicago on Saturday. The harsh reality for RBNY right now is that with Emil Forsberg injured, they simply don't have enough talent to reliably win games.

Previous placement: 13

Just as Atlanta United had gained some momentum thanks to a win over Charlotte in their last game, they stumbled from the start against Nashville. The attack didn't work and Aleksei Miranchuk wasn't involved enough. There were plenty of problems.

Previous placement: 14

Charlotte FC has won only one of its last ten games. Only one. A few months ago, Dean Smith's team looked like nobody would want to face them in the first round of the playoffs. And now? They just got outplayed by Montreal. That's a real downfall.

Previous placement: 17

While there is no shame in not being able to keep up with Inter Miami, that doesn't change the fact that the Union couldn't keep up with Inter Miami. Protecting an early lead at home would have been hugely important for Philly, who have a brutal remaining schedule.

Previous placement: 23

Toronto FC shows signs of life every now and then. John Herdman's team tore Austin FC's 4-4-2 block to pieces on Saturday and didn't need to rely on its Italian stars. Maybe they should play Austin every week?

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Goal! Deandre Kerr scores and puts Toronto 2-0 ahead

Richie Laryea finds Deandre Kerr, who scores and gives Toronto FC a 2-0 lead over Austin FC.

Previous placement: 22

They're hanging in there! Despite the incredible number of chaotic games DC United plays in 2024, they continue to collect points. A draw against NYCFC gives DC seven points in their last three games.

Previous placement: 24

Attention! Attention! Nashville SC just won its first game since June 22nd! BJ Callaghan's team showed real quality in possession against Atlanta United and took three points with relative ease.

Previous placement: 20

Dallas would have benefited from a St. Louis win over Minnesota this weekend, but it was not to be. They have a lot of catching up to do before decision day.

Previous placement: 19

“We're going to fight hard for next season,” Cedric Teuchert said after his team's 3-1 home loss to Minnesota United. That about sums it up for St. Louis right now. Technically, they're not out of the postseason race yet, but the 11-point gap looks really, well, sketchy.

Previous placement: 25

Former New York Red Bulls striker Tom Barlow scored the opening goal in Chicago Fire's 2-1 win over his old team. Who doesn't love a reunion?

Previous placement: 21

It was too little, too late for Austin FC in their away match against Toronto FC. Disastrous defensive transition work and sluggish possession play resulted in Austin conceding two goals in the first 30 minutes. At that point, the game was over.

Previous placement: 28

Just as I'm out, CF Montréal brings me back in. Their 2-1 win over Charlotte FC was one of the more unexpected results in a weekend full of unexpected results.

Previous placement: 27

The Revs are largely a lost cause this year, so let's spend this segment talking about something more fun than a 3-0 loss to Orlando City. 16-year-old American left-back Peyton Miller is definitely a player to keep an eye on. The dynamic left-footer has become a regular following New England's transfer of DeJuan Jones and seems to be the real deal.

Previous placement: 26

It's just…not there for SKC. They look broken, have no attacking ideas and are weak on defense. Break it up, people.

Previous placement: 29

In their 2-0 loss to the Whitecaps, it seemed as if the Quakes already had one foot in Cancún.