MLS Power Rankings Week 14: New York City FC on the rise

The MLS campaign is approaching the halfway point, as we edge towards a huge summer of soccer across the USA.

The contenders for this year’s MLS Cup seem to have emerged, with sides stepping up to rival current favorites Inter Miami.

1. Inter Miami

W10 D4 L2, 1st Eastern Conference

Even without their star signings, Inter Miami continue to lead the way in MLS. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets all missed the weekend visit to the Vancouver Whitecaps, with their ageing former Barcelona men missing a long cross-country flight.

Inter Miami needed to consider rotating with three games in eight days and they returned from Vancouver with a 2-1 victory, maintaining the best record across the league. 

2. FC Cincinnati

W9 D3 L2, 2nd Eastern Conference

Cincinnati is doing its best to stay within reach of Inter Miami, winning seven games on the bounce after losing ground in early April.

Cincinnati had the best record in the MLS regular season last year and with one of the best defensive records in the league this time around, they should push Messi and co. to the end of the campaign. 

3. Real Salt Lake

W8 D5 L2, 1st Western Conference

Real Salt Lake sit top of the Western Conference, but they could only manage a 3-3 draw at Dallas to lose ground on the East’s top two in the fight for the Supporters’ Shield.

However, their 11-game unbeaten run remains intact and they are a scary proposition for the rest of the West. 

4. Minnesota United

W7 D4 L2, 2nd Western Conference

Minnesota United are chasing down Real Salt Lake, but they need to ensure their recent defensive issues are a short-term problem. They’ve gone five games without a clean sheet, conceding almost half of their goals this season in the last few weeks. 

5. New York City FC

W8 D2 L5, 3rd Eastern Conference

The top of the Eastern Conference is looking strong right now, with New York City picking up a fourth consecutive win in Saturday’s visit to New England.

After a dismal start to the campaign, City have won seven of their last eight games to put themselves in the mix at the top of the East. 

6. Columbus Crew

W6 D6 L2, 4th Eastern Conference

A routine win at Orlando continued a great away run for the Crew, as they’ve won three straight games in MLS, each of which has come on the road. While they are some way behind the top two in the East, this form suggests they can be postseason contenders once again. 

7. Los Angeles FC

W7 D3 L4, 4th Western Conference

LAFC won 1-0 at Atlanta United to stretch their winning run in all competitions to five games. They’ve closed the gap on the top sides in the Western Conference with three consecutive MLS victories and they’ve really started to click in the last month or so. 

8. Charlotte FC

W6 D4 L5, 7th Eastern Conference

Charlotte are looking very strong right now, despite slipping to seventh over the weekend. With a five-game unbeaten run behind them - including five consecutive clean sheets - Charlotte are making an encouraging run towards a playoff spot. 

9. LA Galaxy

W6 D7 L2, 3rd Western Conference

A win over Houston Dynamo lifted the Galaxy into third in the West, but their high number of draws remains a concern. Unless those start becoming victories, LA Galaxy may lose touch with the top sides in the Conference. 

10. New York Red Bulls 

W6 D5 L3, 5th Eastern Conference

The Red Bulls haven’t featured since losing to their city rivals, which saw them slip to fifth. They remain a great side going forward, but hopefully, they’ve worked on their shaky defense during this break.

11. Austin FC

W6 D5 L4, 5th Western Conference

With the top sides in the Western Conference in fine form, Austin fell to fifth over the weekend. Dropping points to a struggling San Jose Earthquakes side isn’t ideal, but Austin remains an elite side at home.

12. Colorado Rapids

W6 D4 L5, 6th Western Conference

The Rapids showed a lot of spirit in their 3-3 draw with Minnesota United this weekend. Having fallen 3-1 down in the first half, the Rapids made a late push to level things up.

13. Toronto FC

W7 D1 L7, 6th Eastern Conference

Toronto is looking like an all-or-nothing side under John Herdman and unfortunately, there’s been a lot of nothing of late. A 4-3 loss to Cincinnati was their third loss in four in MLS action. They sit sixth, but they’re sliding.  

13. DC United

W4 D6 L5, 9th Eastern Conference

DC remain in the top nine after a 1-1 draw with Chicago Fire but some poor home form is letting them down. With just one win from their last five at Audi Field, the side from the capitol are leaving points on the table. 

15. Orlando City

W4 D4 L6, 10th Eastern Conference

A 2-0 home defeat to Columbus Crew left Orlando City on the outside of the playoff chase. They’re now two points shy of ninth, after a three-game unbeaten run came to an end. 

16. Nashville SC

17. St Louis City

18. Philadelphia Union

19. Seattle Sounders

20. Houston Dynamo

21. Vancouver Whitecaps

22. Atlanta United

23. FC Dallas

24. Portland Timbers

25. San Jose Earthquakes

26. CF Montreal

27. Chicago Fire

28. New England Revolution

29. Sporting Kansas City