MLS Power Rankings Matchday 22

Another Matchday is in the books, which means it’s time for our latest Lemon City Live MLS Power Rankings!

These rankings are based on the teams’ overall performance, recent form, impact of key players, and the insights and opinions of our staff here at Lemon City Live. With 22 Matchdays complete, let’s dive into our top 10!

1. Inter Miami CF

Prior Ranking: 1. Inter Miami continues to dominate on the field even without their two MVPs in attack. Coming off a bye this week, the Messi and Suarez-less Herons have won their last two games, showing an impressive continuity that many, including myself, did not see coming. A big win against a red-hot Crew squad last week sees Miami continuing to hang on to the top spot.

2. LAFC

Prior Ranking: 2. LAFC is so hot right now. Their dominant win over San Jose this weekend was so decisive it led to the Quakes firing their coach. The six-goal onslaught was made sweeter by Kei Kamara’s 146th career goal, passing Landon Donovan for the second-most career goals in MLS history. The Black and Gold are unbeaten in their last 10 games, with 9 wins during that span, it’s only a matter of time until they take the crown from Miami.

The goal that started it all 💥

Mateusz Bogusz with a diving header off Sergi Palencia's cross 🎯

Thrill of the Match | @Yaamava pic.twitter.com/pHlaNUCRIH

— LAFC (@LAFC) June 23, 2024

3. LA Galaxy

Prior Ranking: 5. What was expected to be the game of the week on paper actually lived up to the hype on the pitch. The Galaxy traveled to Salt Lake and handed RSL a rare home loss. Now, RSL, LAFC, and the Galaxy are all tied at the top of the Western Conference table with 37 points each.

4. Real Salt Lake

Prior Ranking: 3.RSL take an “L” this week and drop a spot to number 4. They also took a beating on the pitch as star striker Chicho Arango suffered a nasty blow to the head and had to be subbed out.

The pictures of incident that opened the gash on Chicho Arango’s head & the look this morning after he was all stitched up…🤕😜✌🏼 #RSL pic.twitter.com/DyPiQoCcH0

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) Utah Hockey Club Aficionado (@JacobCHatch) June 23, 2024

5. Columbus Crew

Prior Ranking: 6. They lost to a depleted Miami squad midweek but bounced back with a dominant 4-0 win over Sporting KC. Cucho came through with a hat trick, helping the Crew climb a spot in our rankings.

Cucho Hernandez: Hat trick hero! 🎩

Re-live all the best moments from Matchday 22 on MLS Wrap-Up on #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/N4nlKSrdEz pic.twitter.com/EYblfXGQIY

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 23, 2024

6. FC Cincinnati

Prior Ranking: 4. What’s going on in Cincy? They lost at home 2-1 in what should have been an easy win against a struggling New England Revolution team. Cincy is still 2nd in the Supporters Shield race, but a couple of key injuries and the departure of Miles Robinson to the USMNT see them slip a couple of spots in our rankings.

7. New York Red Bulls

Prior Ranking: 7. The Red Bulls took care of business at home with an easy 3-0 win over Toronto FC. With only one loss in their last six games, they are now sitting in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference standings.

8. Charlotte FC

Prior Ranking: 9. Charlotte climbs a spot this week thanks to a 2-0 road win versus a free-falling Philadelphia Union squad. The Union have just one win in their last 13 matches overall. Yikes!

9. Colorado Rapids

Prior Ranking: 10. Three wins in a row for the Rapids have them climbing up this week in the rankings. Djordje Mihailovic has been on a nice tear lately with a hat-trick and six total goal contributions during that span. Will we finally see this team put it together consistently?

Rafael Navarro adds a fourth for the @ColoradoRapids. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/sO2AiwGKhK

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 23, 2024

10. Portland Timbers

Prior Ranking: unranked.  Stand up Timbers Army! Local favorite Phil Neville has Portland undefeated in their last six with 4 wins during that span. Neville and his Timbers reenter our rankings after a lengthy hiatus but the question remains for how long?

We say goodbye …

NYCFC what happened? Were we too harsh? is three losses in a row enough to get you bounced from our rankings? We think so.