It’s Monday, of MLS The action is back, and it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.
Which team looks the strongest? Which one is for a long year? Our writers studied the action from Match Day 8 to prepare this week’s order. Let’s dive in.
Previous ranking: 1
The Caps weren’t tested much in a 3-0 win over 29th-ranked Sporting Kansas City. But with three goals in the first 28 minutes and their fifth clean sheet of the season, the Whitecaps maintained the biggest goal difference in the league and moved into first place in the Supporters’ Shield race.
Previous ranking: 3
Nashville continues to level up in 2026. They made history in midweek as the first MLS team to win a competitive match at the prestigious Estadio Azteca with a game-winning goal. honey mukhtar against Club America in their second Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinal tie. Mukhtar did not score in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Atlanta, but the former league MVP scored both goals in the club’s sixth win of the season.
Previous ranking: 4
A united Earthquakes team performed brilliantly at the Bruce Arena, winning 4-1 LAFC On Sunday, the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinalists suffered their second consecutive defeat of the regular season. culminating in another comprehensive team performance, Auseni Bouda made a brace and timo werner Scored his first goal in MLS.
Previous ranking: 2
LA secure place in Concacaf Champions League semi-finals with disappointing result against Mexico cruz azul Mid week. But they faltered in a bruising 4-1 defeat to the Quakes on Sunday (which included four goals conceded in 27 minutes), making it two consecutive defeats and six goals conceded in two MLS weekends.
Previous ranking: 5
Guillermo Hoyos wins in his debut as Herons’ new manager, but he needs moments Lionel Messi Magic to do this. Messi’s early penalty and late strike proved his second brace of the season and secured a 3–2 win in Colorado.
1:06
Colorado Rapids vs. Inter Miami CF – Game Highlights
Watch game highlights from Colorado Rapids vs. Inter Miami CF, 04/18/2026
Previous ranking: 7
The two worked together after the 4-2 win against San Diego sergi solans and fourth minute diego luna goals (hats off to San Diego’s poor goalkeeping for the assist), RSL have not lost a game since February 21. Looking forward to midweek for a test against Miami to see if they can extend their run.
Previous ranking: 6
MLS returns to focus on regular season after Seattle loss Tiger On away goals in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. With a 4–1 win against St. Louis City SC, helped by two goals from two corners cristian roldanso far so good.
Previous ranking: 8
Chris BradySeven saves in the 3-3 draw helped limit Cincinnati’s 23 shots that broke through an otherwise solid defense this season. Saturday’s three goals brought Chicago to eight goals conceded in 2026, which is still good for second-fewest goals in the Eastern Conference. aggressively, hugo cuppers Scored twice in his return from a head injury, keeping his streak alive with a goal in every MLS appearance this season.
Previous ranking: 11
Kelvin YeboahThe fifth goal of the season sealed a 2–0 win in St. Paul’s, as the Loons remained undefeated in four regular season games and extended their three-game winning streak. Colombia star james rodriguez He was introduced in the 90th minute to make his third appearance for the club (and first since 22 March) as he returned to full fitness following the international break.
Previous ranking: 9
San Diego’s match against Salt Lake City started with a fourth-minute goal from Luna, who pounced on a poor play-from-behind attempt, and it didn’t get much better from there. After conceding four goals at halftime, San Diego lost 4–2 and has not won in the regular season since March 7. Ray of hope? For the first time in five matches, no one got a red card.
Previous ranking: 12
With two goals in a 2-2 draw against the Galaxy, peter moses He leads the race for the Golden Boot with nine goals in eight games. Dallas blew their 2-0 lead by scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes of the half, but they are still undefeated in five games as they prepare to play in Minnesota next weekend.
Previous ranking: 10
Before the weekend, only three teams had more shots on target than the Red Bulls. But against a struggling Montreal team that had fired its coach, he managed only one shot in a 4–1 loss. At the other end, they conceded four goals, and remain the team with the most goals conceded in the playoff places (including wildcards).
Previous ranking: 14
During the 3-2 loss against Miami, the Rapids were the better team. But that’s only if Messi cuts an otherwise quiet game to score a spectacular goal in the 79th minute.
Previous ranking: 15
In a 2-2 draw with FC Dallas, the good news for Galaxy fans is that this team has enough talent to score elite goals and steal points on the road, as Joseph Paintsil Assisted and scored in his first start since March 7. The bad news is that the team’s top scorer joao claus Left the field crying due to injury.
Previous ranking: 16
kristijan kahalina Entered the weekend with the most saves in MLS (35 in seven games) and made six more saves in a 2–1 win against NYCFC. Additionally, Charlotte’s last three matches have ended 2-1, two of which were in their favor.
Previous ranking: 13
It took 93 minutes for the Pigeons to penetrate Kahalina’s goalkeeping on a particularly frustrating night at Citi Field, as the home team defeated Charlotte 2–1 by seven on 22, keeping them winless in four regular season games.
Previous ranking: 17
kobe franklinAn 88th-minute goal (his first in MLS) salvaged a point for Toronto and prevented their first home defeat since May 31, but 10 minutes of stoppage time was not enough to secure a fourth goal or three points in a 3–3 draw with Austin. Josh Sargent Took four of Toronto’s 18 shots – including three on target – but did not register a goal contribution in his fourth start.
Previous ranking: 17
St. Louis suffered its fourth loss of the season in a 4–1 loss to Seattle. It’s not three points, but Eduard LoewenThe goal in the 92nd minute was only the third goal scored against the Sounders this season. Lovren’s superb strike is also his first goal in his first appearance of the year.
Previous ranking: 21
evander Had a busy night with seven shots, one goal and three big chances as he helped his team claw back a 3-3 draw after being 3-1 down by the 48th minute. Saturday’s draw with Chicago is a good result against a strong team, but they are still below the playoff line and have conceded too many goals.
Previous ranking: 23
After defeating Columbus 2–1, the Revs made it three consecutive wins in three regular season games at home and finished the weekend in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Next, they hit the road, starting with struggling Atlanta United, but with Inter Miami waiting in the wings.
Previous ranking: 19
After defeating LAFC last weekend, the Timbers suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss to Minnesota amid a tough stretch of games. After three consecutive tests against teams in the top ten of the Shield race, they’ve got a stuttering but dangerous San Diego ahead of an ascendant RSL next week.
Previous ranking: 20
He scored three goals, Brad Stuever Made eight saves, and had an impressive impact from the bench. robert taylor inserted and installed Facundo Torres For his first goal of the season, while a fellow substitute. Christian Ramirez Scored a go-ahead goal four minutes later. However, they lost the lead twice and were held to a 3–3 draw in Toronto.
Previous ranking: 22
Saturday’s 1-0 win against Orlando gave Dynamo fans a first: the first regular season win since March 14, the first time hector herrera Goal of the season, and first clean sheet of the year.
Previous ranking: 25
After starting the year with three goals in four games, tai baribo Even after playing his first match after returning from injury, he is goalless in three matches. In a 0–0 draw against Philadelphia, DC failed to register a single shot on goal against Baribo’s former team. It is now their fourth defeat in MLS.
Previous ranking: 24
max arfston Finished 2025 with nine goal contributions (four goals, five assists) in 29 appearances, but has got four of his last four games for struggling Columbus. with top scorer Wessam Abu AliWith the season cut short due to injury, things went from bad to worse as the Crew suffered a 2–1 loss against New England.
Previous ranking: 26
After picking up their first win of the year on the road in Montreal, Philly played out a 0–0 draw against DC United. With 17 shots and nothing to show for it, Union are in desperate need of attacking form. Their six goals this season are the second fewest in MLS behind DC United.
Previous ranking: 27
Orlando is winless in four regular season games thanks to Hector Herrera’s late goal in a 1-0 loss to Houston. Fans looking for a positive side have this: After conceding four or more goals in four of five straight games, they have conceded just one goal in their last two.
Previous ranking: 28
Per FBrefteam’s top scorer alexei miranchuk Entered the weekend with the highest goals per shot rate (.67) in the league, but brian schwakeFour saves kept Miranchuk – or anyone else for that matter – from advancing in Nashville. at the other extreme, lucas hoyos Made a season-best six saves, but still extended his MLS winless streak to four games in a 2–0 loss.
Previous ranking: 30
In their first match since firing their former manager, Montreal defeated the Red Bulls 4–1, earning their first win at home since August 2025. It’s too early to call it a turnaround, but it’s an ideal outcome after firing the coach.
Previous ranking: 29
By the 28th minute, SKC was down by three goals and trailed the first-place Vancouver Whitecaps by 25 to three. They are now winless in five (all comps) and look set to face two top ten teams – Chicago and Seattle – in the next round.
