MLS Power Rankings Week 13: Inter Miami maintains top spot

The MLS season is nearing the halfway point after Rivalry Week and as both conferences continue to take shape, the movers and shakers have started to show themselves.

Take a look at the season’s current power rankings after the weekend’s games.

1. Inter Miami

W9 D4 L2, 1st Eastern Conference

Inter Miami needed a 94th minute Leonardo Campano winner to get past DC United this weekend but the best teams can eke out results when they need to and the Herons are continually improving.

The addition of Matias Rojas, who has three goals and an assist in five games, has been key and with another designated player spot likely to open up with league-wide roster rule changes in the summer, it’s not hard to see Gerardo Martino’s team improving again.

With their star-studded lineup and mix of youth and experience, everyone is looking up at Inter.

2. FC Cincinnati

W9 D3 L2, 2nd Eastern Conference

Six wins in a row has let the rest of the Eastern Conference know that FC Cincinnati are not to be underestimated.

Last year’s Supporters Shield winners have the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 11 times in 14 games, and will overtake Inter Miami if they win their game in hand. Luciano Acosta has maintained his MVP-caliber form from last season, and new additions Miles Robinson, DeAndre Yedlin, Pavel Bucha and Luca Orellano have hit the ground running.

They may be the likeliest team to stop the Herons dominating the East.

3. Real Salt Lake

W8 D4 L2, 1st Western Conference

After a tough start to the season that brought just one win from four games, Real Salt Lake have been lights out, going unbeaten in their last 10 matches.

Cristian Arango’s 13 goals have helped RSL become the top scorers in the Western Conference and they flexed their attacking muscles again this weekend, beating the Colorado Rapids 5-3.

The rest of the West should be concerned by the form of the Claret and Cobalt.  

4. Minnesota United

W7 D3 L2, 2nd Western Conference

Narrow wins are a good habit to get into for a team looking to grind their way through a season and Minnesota United have won three of their last four games by a scoreline of 2-1.

The latest over the Portland Timbers has given them seven wins from their first 12 matches and while they are playing catch up on the fixture list, the fact they have 10 different players with at least one goal already this season makes them a real danger in the West.

5. Columbus Crew

W5 D6 L2, 7th Eastern Conference

Six ties have harmed the Columbus Crew’s position in the Eastern Conference but the fact that they have lost only twice has to be commended.

The Crew face Pachuca in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final after easily seeing off Monterrey and they remain one of the best teams in the MLS. Columbus has six players with multiple goals in MLS already this season.

The MLS Cup champions from last year have what it takes in big games to back up their strong 2023.

6. Los Angeles FC

W6 D3 L4, 5th Western Conference

Four losses from six road games has been LAFC’s main issue this season but they have been rock-solid at home and if they can improve their efforts on their travels, they are a major contender.

World Cup winner Olivier Giroud is set to bolster their attack too. Denis Bouanga has been a star as usual with eight goals and five assists in 13 games.

7. New York Red Bulls 

 W6 D5 L3, 4th Eastern Conference

A loss to rivals New York City FC was a major blow but the New York Red Bulls have still been impressive going forward, they are the second top scorers in the East.

Lewis Morgan leads the team with nine goals, followed by new designated player Emil Forsberg with four goals and four assists.

8. LA Galaxy

W5 D7 L2, 4th Western Conference

Too many ties has been LA Galaxy’s issue this season, suffering four stalemates in a row, but they have tightened up in defense in recent weeks after a leaky start to the year.

The signings of wingers Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec have done wonders for the attack, opening plenty of space for striker Dejan Joveljic and playmaking midfielder Riqui Puig.

9. New York City FC

W7 D2 L5, 3rd Eastern Conference

A big derby victory over New York Red Bulls at the weekend has been part of a run of six wins from New York City’s last seven games.

Now, they need to prove that they are the team they have been over the last month or so rather than the team that had a dismal start to the campaign.

10. Charlotte FC

W6 D3 L5, 6th Eastern Conference

Charlotte have been one of the best defensive teams in the league this year, but their tally of just 14 goals from 14 games leaves a bit to be desired. Manager Dean Smith will want to get more from attackers Kerwin Vargas, Liel Abada and Brecht Dejaegere.

11. Austin FC

W6 D4 L4, 3rd Western Conference

Austin FC have been impressive on home soil this year but need to improve their record of five points from a possible 18 on the road if they are to have a say in the West.

13. DC United

W4 D5 L5, 9th Eastern Conference

Christian Benteke is arguably the most important single player to any team in the MLS and his 11 goals are among the best in the league. DC can take plenty of heart from pushing Inter Miami all the way at the weekend, where they lost on a second-half stoppage time winner by Miami.

14. Toronto FC

W7 D1 L6, 5th Eastern Conference

It’s been hit and miss from Toronto this season, who have just one tie from 14 outings.

A bounce-back 5-1 win against Montreal this weekend was appreciated, though. Under coach John Herdman, TFC has seen a massive turnaround after it finished bottom of the league last year.

15. Colorado Rapids

W6 D4 L5, 6th Western Conference

Forty seven goals from their 14 games makes Colorado one of the most exciting teams in the league to watch, but they need to tighten up at the back.

Former United States Men's National Team goalkeeper and offseason signing Zack Steffen has statistically been the worst shot-stopper in MLS with 5.9 goals allowed above expected goals faced.

16. Vancouver Whitecaps

17. St Louis City

18. Philadelphia Union

19. Houston Dynamo

20. Atlanta United

21. Nashville SC

22. Seattle Sounders

23. FC Dallas

24. Portland Timbers

25. Sporting Kansas City

26. CF Montreal

27. Chicago Fire

28. San Jose Earthquakes

29. New England Revolution