MLS power rankings keep Vancouver first as Lewandowski's Fire sit eighth
ESPN’s post-World Cup-break order has Vancouver top, Miami second and Chicago eighth after Robert Lewandowski’s second MLS outing.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
The latest MLS power rankings Lewandowski watchers were waiting for did not send Chicago rocketing up the board. ESPN placed the Fire eighth after Matchday 18, even after Robert Lewandowski made his second league appearance off the bench in a 3-1 loss to New York City FC.
ESPN said its writers resumed the rankings after a two-month pause for the FIFA World Cup. The new order keeps the Vancouver Whitecaps at No. 1, with Inter Miami CF rising to second and LAFC climbing to third.
Who is No. 1 in the MLS power rankings?
Vancouver stayed top of ESPN’s list despite a 0-0 draw with Minnesota United. ESPN pointed to a quiet attacking display and concern over center back Ranko Veselinovic, who went down with another injury, while also noting Sebastian Berhalter’s reported move to Middlesbrough could test the Whitecaps’ depth.
Inter Miami moved from third to second after beating CF Montréal 1-0. ESPN reported that Miami did it without Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, while Casemiro made his MLS debut. The win was tempered by Germán Berterame’s late exit following what ESPN described as a serious head injury.
LAFC jumped to third after a 4-0 win over Sporting Kansas City. ESPN highlighted Son Heung-Min’s scoring run since the World Cup break: three goals in three games after he had not scored in league play before the pause.
Where did Chicago Fire rank after Lewandowski played?
Chicago landed at No. 8, up one spot from ESPN’s previous ranking. Lewandowski came on against NYCFC, but the Fire still lost 3-1, leaving ESPN to frame the Poland star’s adjustment period in MLS as underway.
NYCFC made one of the sharper climbs in the top half, moving from 16th to 10th after that win over Chicago. ESPN credited Nicolás Fernández’s performance in a No. 10 role and noted that new Designated Player Bénie Traoré made his second appearance for the club.
Nashville SC slipped from second to fourth after a 1-0 defeat to Orlando City, with ESPN noting that both teams were missing important starters. San Jose rounded out the top five after a 1-1 Cali Clasico draw with the LA Galaxy, a match in which ESPN said Timo Werner missed a penalty.
What changed across the rest of the league?
Minnesota rose to seventh after holding Vancouver scoreless. ESPN said the Loons allowed only four shots from inside Drake Callender’s box in the draw.
FC Dallas fell to ninth following a 1-0 loss to San Diego FC, with ESPN reporting Dallas had just two first-half shots and 26% possession. Goalkeeper Daniel also left injured in the first half.
- New England moved to 13th after a 4-1 win over Atlanta United.
- Seattle dropped to 14th after a fifth straight MLS defeat, a 1-0 loss to Philadelphia.
- Orlando climbed to 23rd after back-to-back wins, with ESPN linking the improved form to Antoine Griezmann’s arrival.
- Atlanta remained last at No. 30 after extending its winless run to seven games.
ESPN’s rankings also placed Real Salt Lake sixth, Charlotte FC 15th, San Diego 16th, Houston Dynamo 17th and St. Louis City SC 18th. At the bottom, Austin FC, Toronto FC, Sporting Kansas City and Atlanta filled spots 27 through 30.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.