Matchday 2 in MLS is now within the rearview mirror, and there have been loads of movers and shakers in our weekly top-10 energy rankings.
Let’s get straight into it.
10. Atlanta United (👎)
📸 Jim Dedmon-Imagn Pictures
Atlanta United began fairly excessive in our early season energy rankings after spending massive within the offseason and kicking the marketing campaign off with a win.
Nevertheless, after falling 2-0 away from dwelling towards burgeoning rivals Charlotte over the weekend, the 5 Stripes confirmed that their spiffy new group will doubtless expertise extra teething issues than beforehand anticipated.
9. San Diego FC (no motion)
📸 Abe Arredondo-Imagn Pictures
After a victory towards reigning champions LA Galaxy to begin life in MLS final week, San Diego made their official dwelling debut towards St. Louis Metropolis in entrance of 34,000 individuals on Saturday.
And whereas they struggled to search out the breakthrough objective, Mikey Varas’ facet held their guests to simply 28% possession and .09 xG — St. Louis had been basically not concerned within the recreation.
8. Charlotte FC (🆕)
📸 Jim Dedmon-Imagn Pictures
Dean Smith’s facet crack our rankings for the primary time this season after the aforementioned victory over Atlanta on Saturday.
Wilfried Zaha solely wanted one MLS recreation to get his first style of Charlotte FC’s post-match custom 🥶👑
The North Carolina based mostly facet’s slogan is ‘For the Crown’ and subsequently, their Participant of the Match from every dwelling recreation is sat down on a throne and gifted the membership’s…
Regardless of being arguably essentially the most thrilling shock package deal in 2024, it was clear that Charlotte lacked a sprinkling of stardust — up stepped Wilfried Zaha to seemingly take the facet to a brand new degree.
7. FC Cincinnati (👎)
📸 Caean Couto-Imagn Pictures
Cincinnati have actually seemed like world-beaters via the opening few weeks of their MLS and Concacaf Champions Cup marketing campaign, however after getting thumped by Philadelphia over the weekend they got here crashing again all the way down to earth.
Taking part in each 72 hours as they proceed within the Champions Cup is sufficient to hamstring any MLS facet. Anticipate them to climb again up these rankings because the season goes on.
6. Philadelphia Union (👍)
📸 Caean Couto-Imagn Pictures
As simply talked about, Philadelphia have seemed like a shock contender to date via two video games. After placing 4 previous Orlando Metropolis final week, they did the identical towards Cincinnati this time round.
Entrance-man Tai Baribo has been on fireplace to begin the season, scoring 5 targets within the opening two video games, and the Union look nearly unplayable when he’s on prime of his recreation.
5. Vancouver Whitecaps (👍)
📸 Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Pictures
The Whitecaps are one other welcome shock within the early days of the season. Underneath new boss Jesper Sørense, the Canadian membership have began with two wins from two, together with a deserved win over the Galaxy on Sunday.
This improbable begin is all within the context of the off-field turmoil for the membership, who had been put up on the market by possession in the course of the offseason.
4. San Jose Earthquakes (no motion)
📸 Ivan David Smith-Imagn Pictures
Bruce Area’s facet are the most important shakers from final season after main winter strikes, completely refreshing the membership on and off the pitch.
After a slender win over Sporting KC over the weekend, the Quakes have began the season with two wins from two and seem like early contenders within the Western Convention.
3. Inter Miami (👍)
📸 Tim Warner – 2025 Getty Pictures
Miami could have found opening day towards NYCFC, however after touring to Houston in Sunday’s primetime recreation with out Lionel Messi and comfortably dispatching the Dynamo, the Herons have returned to dialog.
Luis Suarez had a hand in all 4 targets for Javier Mascherano’s facet in Texas, but it surely’s the supporting solid of Telasco Segovia, Tadeo Allende, and others which can be masking the laborious yards within the early weeks of the season.
2. Columbus Crew (👍)
📸 Eric Canha-Imagn Pictures
With Wilfried Nancy on the helm the Crew had been all the time going to be within the higher echelon of the standings this season, even with shedding some massive stars throughout the previous couple of weeks of the offseason.
With a semi-rotated lineup towards New England forward of a mouthwatering Champions Cup showdown with LAFC in the course of the week, the Crew proved they will win excessive and low-scoring video games. They are going to be main contenders as soon as once more.
1. LAFC (👍)
📸 Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Pictures
Lastly, LAFC take the highest spot this week after discovering a well beyond NYCFC on Saturday. It hasn’t been fairly in both of their two victories to begin the season, however a star-studded group that may win even once they aren’t taking part in their finest is a hazard to all people within the league.
Featured picture: Troy Taormina-Imagn Pictures
