MLS Power Rankings Matchday 29

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 29 Matchdays complete, let’s dive into our top 10!

1. Inter Miami CF

Prior Ranking: 1

The Herons’ elimination from the Leagues Cup might have been a blessing in disguise. The added rest paid off this weekend as a rejuvenated Luis Suárez delivered a vintage performance against FC Cincinnati. Scoring twice in the opening minutes, Suárez led Miami to victory and secured the first MLS Cup Playoff spot. All this while Messi continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained at Copa America.

“El Pistolero” scores a brace to help #InterMiamiCF become the first team to clinch a playoff spot in #MLS…The Herons continue to lead in the race for the Supporter’s Shield 🛡️ with a big win against Cincy…

Vintage performance from an all-time great player… pic.twitter.com/E4FMHzDwSw

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 25, 2024

2. Columbus Crew

Prior Ranking: 3

The Leagues Cup saw the Columbus Crew crowned champions this past weekend. The Crew took down LAFC with a couple of dramatic stoppage-time goals, in route to a 3-1 win. Wilfried Nancy’s squad has been dominant throughout the season, aiming to repeat as MLS Cup Champions. With two games this week, the big question now is: will the extra games impact their performance as the MLS season winds down?

nobody will remember:
-your salary
-how "busy" you were
-how many hours you worked

people will remember:
-the Crew's 90+2' & 90+4' goals to win Leagues Cup pic.twitter.com/bio3SmI0YG

— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) August 26, 2024

3. LAFC

Prior Ranking: 2

It’s been a while since LAFC has tasted victory in a final. The Black and Gold suffered a heartbreaking defeat this weekend in the Leagues Cup final at the hands of the Columbus Crew. Despite the loss, I still believe they’re the best in the West from top to bottom. The addition of Olivier Giroud will only make an already powerful machine even stronger.

4. LA Galaxy

Prior Ranking: 4

LAFC raises with Olivier Giroud, but LA Galaxy goes all in with Marco Reus! The German legend made his Galaxy debut this weekend, and it couldn’t have been scripted any better. Coming off the bench, the former Dortmund star delivered both an assist and a goal in the Galaxy’s 2-0 victory over Atlanta. Welcome to Hollywood!

Welcome to @MLS, legend 💫 pic.twitter.com/Ti8v3W6DyV

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) August 25, 2024

5. New York Red Bulls

Prior Ranking: 7

The Red Bulls keep quietly churning along. They’ve been a consistent presence in our rankings but haven’t made a significant impact. This week, they climb to number 5 after a 1-1 draw in Charlotte, primarily due to the poor performances of Real Salt Lake and Cincinnati.

6. FC Cincinnati

Prior Ranking: 6

FC Cincinnati is hanging on by a thread. Following another disappointing Leagues Cup run, the Supporters’ Shield winners from last year fell 2-0 to a Messi-less Inter Miami, with Luis Suarez delivering a standout performance. That’s four consecutive losses in regular season play for Cincinnati since their 6-1 victory over Miami on July 6th. Things won’t get any easier as they face Montreal and a red-hot Columbus Crew in their upcoming games.

Luis Suárez opens the scoring just 30 seconds in! 😱

📺 Free on @AppleTV: https://t.co/zyIRa1faIy pic.twitter.com/7XvoSpfIjh

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 24, 2024

7. Real Salt Lake

Prior Ranking: 5

Here’s another team trending in the wrong direction. Real Salt Lake may sit in third in the West, but a closer look reveals a team in trouble. Before the Leagues Cup, RSL had two losses and a draw. They were quickly eliminated from the tournament and then lost 2-0 at home this weekend to a struggling San Jose Earthquakes squad. With little time left to turn things around, RSL needs to act fast.

8. Colorado Rapids

Prior Ranking: 8

Who had the Rapids finishing in third in the Leagues Cup? Not I. Colorado delivered an impressive performance throughout their cup run. Now the key question is whether they can maintain that momentum as they return to MLS play. With RSL slipping, the Rapids are just 3 points away from claiming that 3rd spot in the West.

9. Portland Timbers

Prior Ranking: 9

The Timbers entered the Leagues Cup break on a hot streak, winning 5 of their previous 7 matches. This weekend, they hosted St. Louis in what might have been the game of the weekend. Down 3-1 in the second half, Portland staged an incredible comeback to secure a 4-4 draw. That makes it 8 straight home games without a loss for the Timbers. This Saturday, they host the Sounders in the Cascadia Cup. What better way for Phil Neville and company to make a charge in our rankings than with another home win for the Timbers?

🚨 World-class Evander equalizer in stoppage! 😱 pic.twitter.com/AFJyKkNCiN

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 25, 2024

10. NYCFC

Prior Ranking: 10

Number 10 in our power rankings has been a revolving door all season long. This week, NYCFC holds onto it for another week after a 2-2 draw against Chicago. That’s four straight draws in MLS play for New York.

We say goodbye …

To no one this week but I expect to see that change next week.