MLS Power Rankings: Inter Miami rise in Lionel Messi's return, San Diego FC remain resilient, Charlotte FC and LAFC make push

Who's hot, who's not? GOAL ranks all 30 teams across Major League Soccer

Lionel Messi returned for Inter Miami after missing two games, and some late magic helped them secure a huge three points – causing a shakeup in the Eastern Conference.

The Philadelphia Union fell on the road to RBNY, Columbus drew Toronto FC, and Nashville fell to NYCFC at Yankee Stadium. Now, with three games in hand, the trail FC Cincinnati by seven points, lining up a Supporters' Shield and Eastern Conference race that will go down to the wire.

In the West, Minnesota United FC pulled off a double over the Seattle Sounders for the first time in club history, while the Vancouver Whitecaps dropped points and San Diego FC found a late winner, meaning not much has shifted. The conference title is the expansion side's to lose at the moment.

With 29 Matchdays in the books and the postseason format now officially announced, who's leading the pack, and who's falling short of expectations? GOAL presents the latest 2025 MLS Power Rankings.

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August 12

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  30D.C. United

  Prior Ranking: 30

  Result: Drew CF MTL 1-1

  Ramifications: Eleven games without a win, and bottom of the East. There's nothing else to say, really. It continues to be mediocre at best in the nation's capital. 

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• 29Los Angeles Galaxy

  Prior Ranking: 29

  Results: Lost to Inter Miami 3-1

  Ramifications: They played a relatively good game, to be honest. Then Messi showed up, and well, yeah. All focus should be on the Leagues Cup quarterfinals this week, anyways. That's all they have left to fight for. 

• 28St. Louis CITY SC

  Prior Ranking: 28

  Result: Lost to Chicago 3-2

  Ramifications: Conceded two unanswered to end the match, which is a fair summary of how things have gone lately. Nowhere near good enough, and their postseason hopes all went up in smoke with the result. 

• 27Atlanta United

  Prior Ranking: 27

  Result: Lost to Colorado 3-1

  Ramifications: ManagerRonny Deila has to be in hot water here. Sitting in 13th place in the East, and just two points clear of the bottom of the table in the conference. For the sheer amount of money spent by the club, 2025, by all accounts, has been disastrous.