May 11, 2026, 12:29 PM ET

Monday brings fresh MLS excitement, and ESPN's Power Rankings are here once again.

Which squad appears most dominant? Which might face a tough road ahead? Our experts analyzed Matchday 12 performances nationwide to craft this week's lineup. Time to break it down.

- Messi update: Goals, assists, standout plays in 2026
- Meet Chicago Fire and Bafana's Mbekezeli 'TLB' Mbokazi

- Miami dominates yet eyes Toronto's warning signs

1. Vancouver Whitecaps

Previous ranking: 1

Without Thomas Müller, Vancouver secured a gritty 1-1 draw away at San Jose. The team's creativity dips in the attacking third sans its German star, yet Jesper Sørensen's side dictated play, underscoring its ongoing threat level.

2. San Jose Earthquakes

Previous ranking: 2

Missing injured duo Timo Werner and Niko Tsakiris, San Jose battled to a 1-1 stalemate against Vancouver. In a clash between Shield frontrunners, the Quakes proved they fit right in at the top.

3. Nashville SC

Previous ranking: 3

Nashville endured a taxing week, exiting the Concacaf Champions Cup semis Tuesday before clawing to a 2-2 draw versus D.C. United Saturday. Snagging a point on minimal rest highlights their resilience and class.

Warren Madrigal nets dramatic late leveler for Nashville

4. Inter Miami CF

Previous ranking: 5

Rebounding from an Orlando debacle, Inter Miami crushed Toronto 4-2 Saturday. Their post-intermission flair showcased slick interplay and a unified front line - clear steps forward for the Herons.

5. LAFC

Previous ranking: 4

A punishing Concacaf Champions Cup defeat to Toluca preceded a 4-1 league thrashing by Houston Dynamo Sunday, marking a dismal stretch for LAFC. Son Heung-min remains goalless in MLS action this year.

6. Seattle Sounders

Previous ranking: 7

Seattle displayed grit in a 1-1 tie with San Diego. Trailing early, the Sounders bombarded the penalty area after halftime, nearly snatching victory but settling for a share of the spoils.

7. Real Salt Lake

Previous ranking: 6

Salt Lake's 2026 has brimmed with positives, but a 3-1 road loss to FC Dallas Saturday was not among them. RSL faltered against Dallas' counters, leaking three goals despite limiting foes to 27% possession. Pablo Mastroeni craves his full top defensive trio.

8. FC Dallas

Previous ranking: 11

Led by swift breaks via Petar Musa and Santiago Moreno, Dallas dismantled Salt Lake 3-1. Eric Quill's tactical evolution in 2026 shone, with disciplined deep blocks proving key at home.

9. LA Galaxy

Previous ranking: 9

Marco Reus' second-half entry and Gabriel Pec's resurgence fueled LA Galaxy's 2-1 away triumph over Atlanta United. Riding a solid three-match unbeaten run, optimism grows in Carson.

Gabriel Pec clinches victory for Galaxy on the road

10. Minnesota United

Previous ranking: 8

Down versus Austin, Minnesota introduced James Rodríguez for the closing half-hour - possibly among his last MLS outings - and the Colombian delivered two assists in a 2-2 comeback draw.

11. Chicago Fire

Previous ranking: 10

Chicago's blunt attack sank them in a 3-1 home reversal to Red Bull New York. Ball-dominant yet toothless upfront, the Fire leaned on Hugo Cuypers' ongoing scoring run for a late reply.

12. New England Revolution

Previous ranking: 14

The Revs sit second in the East and fourth in the Shield chase post opening third of the campaign. Their 2-1 defeat of the Union extends a hot streak for the league's youth-infused side.

13. FC Cincinnati

Previous ranking: 13

FC Cincy stretched its unbeaten run to six, but a 2-2 stalemate with Charlotte stung after leading 2-0 at the break. Pat Noonan's crew leaked twice swiftly post-restart.

14. New York City FC

Previous ranking: 19

Hannes Wolf's treble powered NYCFC to a 3-0 blanking of Columbus Sunday. The linkup with false nine Nicolás Fernández sparkled, hinting at Pascal Jansen's squad rediscovering form.

15. Red Bull New York

Previous ranking: 18

Michael Bradley's smart adjustment - shifting Dylan Nealis to right back - fortified the Red Bulls for a 3-1 Chicago win. It marked their first sub-two-goal concession since March.

16. San Diego FC

Previous ranking: 15

San Diego's winless skid since March persists post 1-1 Seattle draw. Marcus Ingvartsen's early strike faded amid a shaky close for the expansion side.

17. Charlotte FC

Previous ranking: 16

Charlotte drew 2-2 at Cincinnati, aided by USMNT defender Tim Ream's return and set-piece assist header that reignited their fightback.

18. Houston Dynamo

Previous ranking: 24

Jack McGlynn, back starting under Ben Olsen post-injury, dazzled with a brace in Houston's 4-1 LAFC rout. A fine day with Mauricio Pochettino's deputy watching.

19. Portland Timbers

Previous ranking: 20

Portland unleashed fury in a 6-0 demolition of Kansas City Saturday. Goal difference lags negative, but three wins in five signal momentum.

20. D.C. United

Previous ranking: 22

Louis Munteanu's fourth goal in three - a club-record signee's hot streak - lit D.C.'s 2-2 Nashville draw. Blowing a 2-0 lead to a fatigued foe? Less ideal.

21. Colorado Rapids

Previous ranking: 12

Rob Holding's ejection worsened Colorado's slow start in a 1-0 St. Louis home loss Saturday. Late chances proved futile.

22. Austin FC

Previous ranking: 21

Austin slipped to a 2-2 Minnesota draw Sunday, yet bench sparks from Brandon Vázquez, Owen Wolff, and Dani Pereira offer hope.

Minnesota United and Austin FC share points in 2-2 thriller

23. St. Louis City SC

Previous ranking: 26

Yoann Damet tweaks his front three, but Jeong Sang-bin's debut regular-season strike in his third start clinched a 1-0 Colorado win Saturday.

24. Columbus Crew

Previous ranking: 23

Two early concessions in New York derailed Columbus in a 3-0 defeat. Without Wessam Abou Ali, their attack lacked punch.

25. Toronto FC

Previous ranking: 17

Early Canadian Championship exit plus a 4-2 Miami loss soured Toronto's week. Injuries cripple their recovery.

26. CF Montréal

Previous ranking: 29

Montréal's third win in four came via 2-0 Orlando shutout. Nine points from four homes games reveal their formula.

27. Orlando City

Previous ranking: 25

Orlando's volatility persists: Miami heroics one week, 2-0 Montréal stoppage-time collapse the next. Help needed defensively.

28. Atlanta United

Previous ranking: 27

Atlanta held firm initially versus Galaxy but buckled late to Reus and Pec in a 2-1 loss. Midfield shines; elsewhere, concerns linger.

29. Philadelphia Union

Previous ranking: 30

A 2-1 New England loss leaves Philadelphia with six points from 12 games. From Shield winners to basement dwellers in a year.

30. Sporting Kansas City

Previous ranking: 28

MLS-worst goal difference worsened via Portland's 6-0 rout, cementing Kansas City's dismal 2026.