Mar 16, 2026, 11:55 AM ET
It’s Monday, MLS action is back, and it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings. Our writers reviewed Matchday 4 to form this week’s order.
1. Vancouver Whitecaps (Previous: 1)
A dominant 6-0 win over Minnesota — with goals from open play and set pieces — showed the Whitecaps’ balance. Even with rotation, Vancouver looked like the most complete team in MLS.
2. LAFC (Previous: 2)
A 2-0 win over St. Louis made LAFC the first MLS team to open a season with four straight shutouts. Mathieu Choinière’s second-half brace sealed it despite few big chances.
3. Nashville SC (Previous: 5)
Cristian Espinoza’s classy assist for Hany Mukhtar delivered a 1-0 win at Columbus. Espinoza’s arrival is already paying dividends for Nashville’s attack.
4. San Diego FC (Previous: 3)
San Diego surrendered a lead in a 3-3 draw at FC Dallas but earned a valuable road point while rotating its lineup ahead of Concacaf Champions Cup duties.
5. Inter Miami CF (Previous: 4)
A 0-0 draw with Charlotte without Lionel Messi highlighted Miami’s reliance on him. The result is understandable with an eye on upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup action.
6. Seattle Sounders (Previous: 7)
Paul Rothrock’s 20th-minute goal earned a 1-0 win in San Jose. Seattle managed the match well, holding on with some regulars rested.
7. San Jose Earthquakes (Previous: 6)
San Jose’s three-game winning streak ended 1-0 to Seattle, but Timo Werner’s first start looked promising as he posed a threat up front.
8. Real Salt Lake (Previous: 10)
RSL have won three straight after a 2-1 victory over Austin. Pablo Mastroeni’s side is recovering fitness and becoming a tough matchup.
9. New York City FC (Previous: 9)
Nicolás Fernández, used as an emergency No. 9, scored twice in a 3-1 win over Colorado. NYCFC remain unbeaten and efficient without a traditional striker.
10. Red Bull New York (Previous: 11)
A nervy 1-1 draw with Toronto was salvaged by a 97th-minute equalizer from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting after solid buildup play.
11. FC Dallas (Previous: 14)
Petar Musa’s hat trick rescued a 3-3 draw after Dallas trailed by two. Musa continues to be one of the league’s most potent attackers.
12. Minnesota United (Previous: 8)
Minnesota were humbled 6-0 by Vancouver. James Rodríguez’s MLS debut came too late to change the outcome in a heavy defeat.
13. LA Galaxy (Previous: 12)
A 2-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City left LA missing key designated-player wingers — Gabriel Pec suspended and Joseph Paintsil injured — as they struggled to break down SKC.
14. FC Cincinnati (Previous: 13)
Cincy suffered whiplash after a Concacaf win, losing 6-1 at New England. Defensive issues and a second-half red card compounded a nightmare outing.
15. Chicago Fire (Previous: 15)
Chicago led late but fell 2-1 to D.C. United after a deflected goal and a late penalty. The Fire are still searching for consistent rhythm.
16. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 17)
Mateusz Bogusz scored in the 15th minute of second-half stoppage time to win 3-2 at Portland. The DP’s dramatic strike provided a welcome boost.
17. Charlotte FC (Previous: 19)
Holding Inter Miami to 0-0 is notable, though Messi and other starters were absent for Miami ahead of Champions Cup. Still, the point is valuable.
18. St. Louis City SC (Previous: 18)
St. Louis lost 2-0 to LAFC amid an emotional week for the club after the passing of midfielder Eduard Löwen’s wife. Soccer takes a back seat to bigger matters.
19. Toronto FC (Previous: 22)
Josh Sargent nearly scored soon after coming on in a 1-1 draw with RBNY. Toronto couldn’t hold a lead but showed positive signs from their new striker.
20. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 21)
A 3-1 loss at NYCFC exposed Colorado, though Darren Yapi’s transition to the wing is a genuine positive for Matt Wells’ side.
21. Columbus Crew (Previous: 16)
André Gomes impressed on his debut, but Columbus still looked off the pace in a 1-0 home loss to Nashville. Henrik Rydström has work to do.
22. D.C. United (Previous: 24)
D.C. won 2-1 at Chicago with a late, deflected equalizer and a penalty finish from Tai Baribo. United can grind out ugly but important victories.
23. Orlando City (Previous: 28)
In their first match without long-time manager Oscar Pareja, Orlando beat CF Montréal 2-1. It’s an early, morale-boosting result amid transition.
24. Austin FC (Previous: 25)
Austin led early against RSL but failed to create chances and lost 2-1. Chance creation issues from last season persist.
25. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 20)
Alarm bells for the Union after a 3-1 loss to Atlanta left them winless through four MLS games. Failures in creation and defending are concerning for Bradley Carnell.
26. New England Revolution (Previous: 30)
Marko Mitrović’s first win was emphatic: a 6-1 rout of FC Cincinnati. Whether this marks a turning point remains to be seen.
27. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 27)
New signing Lasse Berg Johnsen scored in a 2-1 win over LA Galaxy. SKC look to be slowly finding structure and identity.
28. Atlanta United (Previous: 29)
Atlanta notched a much-needed 3-1 home win over Philadelphia. The side appears to be starting to gel under Tata Martino.
29. Portland Timbers (Previous: 23)
David Da Costa’s return had limited effect as Portland squandered a lead and a man advantage, losing 3-2 to Houston in stoppage time.
30. CF Montréal (Previous: 26)
Montreal fell 2-1 at Orlando and offered little besides Prince Owusu’s first-half goal. Last weekend’s win over RBNY may prove to be a blip.
