Who's hot, who's not? GOAL ranks all 30 teams across Major League Soccer
Matchday 9 was explosive, especially in the Eastern Conference.
All of it was highlighted by Inter Miami's massive victory over the Columbus Crew. The defeated Wilfried Nancy's men 1-0 in front of over 60,000 fans in a clash between the last two undefeated teams in the league.
FC Cincinnati and Charlotte FC, meanwhile, both earned huge victories to see them climb to the top of the conference in first and second place, respectively, tied on 19 points. Miami and Columbus now both sit on 18, in third and fourth.
In the Western Conference, the Seattle Sounders found themselves on a scoring frenzy, defeating Nashville SC for a much-needed victory. League-leaders Vancouver Whitecaps, meanwhile, were stalled by St. Louis CITY SC for a scoreless draw, handing them a brief setback after their terrific beginning to the campaign.
Sporting Kansas City put five goals past the San Jose Earthquakes in an eight-goal thriller, while LAFC and Portland Timbers shared a point after an exciting 3-3 draw.
Who's leading the pack, and who's falling short of expectations? GOAL presents the latest 2025 MLS Power Rankings.
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Imagn30CF Montreal
Prior Ranking: 30
Result: Drew Orlando City 0-0
Ramifications: Apoint is a point, right? In the grand scheme of things, though, it's just their third this campaign. They're still winless, still permanent head coach-less, and still without any sort of direction or identity. It's troubling to see.
Advertisement29Los Angeles Galaxy
Prior Ranking: 29
Result: Lost to Austin FC 1-0
Ramifications: It just keeps getting worse. They have both Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil back in the mix, but LA couldn't get anything over the line against an in-form Austin side. Even with an xG of 1.0, their attack couldn't figure things out, and it's now nine weeks without a win for the reigning champions.
28Atlanta United
Prior Ranking: 24
Result: Lost to Philadelphia Union 3-0
Ramifications: Where do you even start? Over $30 million spent in the offseason to revamp their attack, but just one goal in their last three matches – all three of which they're winless in.
Individual errors plagued them on Saturday against Philly, but there is a bigger picture issue with Atlanta here: how can they have such a star-studded roster, on paper, but not click on the pitch? There's a lack of chemistry amongst the squad, while their midfield doesn't know how to break the game down off the ball. It's just puzzling.
A deserved loss.
27D.C. United
Prior Ranking: 28
Result: Defeated RBNY 2-1
Ramifications: Their losing streak is finally over. What an important result, and what a performance from Joao Peglow. The Brazilian winger scored a goal of the season candidate with a brilliant overhead kick, and bagged their other on the evening as well, handing them their first win in six matches. These are the moments that can turn a season around.