MLS might not be the world's best league, but it's certainly one of the most exciting. Since the last Sports Illustrated Power Rankings after Matchday 12—just seven days ago—MLS has seen major coachingchanges and dramatic moments.
Coaching Carousel: Two Managers Fired
Columbus Crew fired newly hired manager Henrik Rydström after 14 games, the third team to fire a coach this season.
Austin FC fired manager Nico Estévez and sporting director Rodo Borell after just three wins in 14 games.
Matchday 13 Highlight Reel
The previously Supporters' Shield-leading San Jose Earthquakes lost twice in devastating fashion, allowing final goals after the 87th minuteboth times.
Matchday 13 saw 58 goals scored across 14 games—the most on a single night in MLS history.
Lionel Messi scored four goals in two games, as Inter Miami dealt with a massive fan protest.
Thomas Müller returned from illness.
To say it's been a wild week would be an understatement. Now, there is just one game remaining for each team before the 2026 World Cup break.
MLS Power Rankings: Matchday 14
Clubs 30–11:
- Philadelphia Union (Previous: 29)
- Atlanta United (Previous: 27)
- St. Louis City SC (Previous: 28)
- Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 30)
- Colorado Rapids (Previous: 26)
- CF Montréal (Previous: 24)
- Austin FC (Previous: 20)
- D.C. United (Previous: 23)
- Toronto FC (Previous: 22)
- Orlando City (Previous: 25)
- Portland Timbers (Previous: 21)
- Columbus Crew (Previous: 19)
- Red Bull New York (Previous: 19)
- San Diego FC (Previous: 16)
- Houston Dynamo (Previous: 17)
- LA Galaxy (Previous: 14)
- Minnesota United (Previous: 12)
- Charlotte FC (Previous: 13)
- FC Dallas (Previous: 15)
- FC Cincinnati (Previous: 7)
10. New York City FC (Up from 11)
NYCFC moved up in this week's power rankings after defeating Charlotte FC midweek and playing to a 1–1 draw against Hudson River Derby foes, Red Bull New York, on the weekend.
However, it's anything but good vibes for the blue side of New York right now. The draw featured a heartbreaking moment for NYCFC fans after Maxi Moralez went down in midfield right before halftime with a non-contact injury. He was stretchered off the pitch, potentially sidelined for an extended period of time—and at 39 years old, potentially ending his career, after scoring a goal and adding six assists this season.
If NYCFC have to move forward without Moralez, things get very challenging. They have already missed Costa Rican striker Alonso Martínez this season, and without the veteran Argentine, there is simply too much reliance on Nicolás Fernández to achieve significant success.
9. New England Revolution (Up from 10)
The New England Revolution are a very good team this season. Wednesday's performance against Nashville SC, however, was anything but. That 3–0 loss highlighted the massive gap that remains between the Revs and a bona fide MLS Cup contender.
Yet, they are still at the top of the tier just below that, proving their worth in a 2–1 win over Minnesota United on Saturday, headlined by five saves from USMNT World Cup hopeful Matt Turner, and the offensive cast of usual leading characters, Carles Gil and Luca Langoni—both of whom hit the back of the net.
Gil, in particular, has been in tremendous form. There's an argument that he has been the best player in MLS outside of Messi through this entire campaign.