MLS Power Rankings: Charlotte FC, Inter Miami CF Rise After Matchday 15 | OneFootball

The busiest portion of the MLS regular season continued through Matchday 15, and several teams turned their fortunes with some standout performances.

On Saturday, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF overturned a late 3–1 deficit to grab a 3–3 draw against the Philadelphia Union, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC showed similar fight back as they clawed back from 2–0 to beat Real Salt Lake 3–2.

Then on Sunday, Atlanta United pushed aside their poor start to the season to upset FC Cincinnati 4–2.

All of that plays into some notable shifts in this week’s MLS Power Rankings. If you missed last week’s, check that out here too.

MLS Power Rankings after Matchday 15: Clubs 30-16

30. D.C. United (Previous: 29)29. LA Galaxy (Previous: 28)28. CF Montréal (Previous: 30)27. Real Salt Lake (Previous: 27)26. St. Louis CITY SC (Previous: 22)25. FC Dallas (Previous: 23)24. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 26)23. Atlanta United (Previous: 24)22. New York Red Bulls (Previous: 25)21. Toronto FC (Previous: 20)20. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 21)19. New England Revolution (Previous: 18)18. Chicago Fire FC (Previous: 15)17. Portland Timbers (Previous: 17)16. Austin FC (Previous: 16)

15. Charlotte FC (Previous: 19)

Wilfried Zaha put up his first two MLS assists with Charlotte FC on Matchday 15. / Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Charlotte FC snapped a five-game losing skid with a 3–2 win over Columbus Crew SC, and they looked good doing it.

While The Crown didn’t hold much possession, they made the most of their counter-attacking opportunities, highlighted by a two-assist night from Wilfried Zaha. The former Premier League star stood out on several occasions, but none more so than his assist to U.S. men’s national team striker Patrick Agyemang, who scored the 2–1 goal.

It wasn’t a great few weeks for Charlotte, but beating a strong Columbus team to return to the win column should lift some spirits in North Carolina.

14. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 14)

The Colorado Rapids did what they were supposed to do this weekend, grabbing three points off a dismal St. Louis CITY SC side.

Darren Yapi did well to turn in the box and fire home the game’s only goal, in what was an otherwise forgettable match that ended the way many expected it would.

For Colorado, it was their second-straight 1–0 win after also beating Real Salt Lake by the same score in last week’s Rocky Mountain Cup matchup, and they will look to carry that stingy form into their next two winnable games against the Portland Timbers and Austin FC.

13. San Jose Earthquakes (Previous: 11)

The San Jose Earthquakes are a bit like Inter Miami, just without the world-class generational superstars. They can certainly score, but their defense hasn’t been as prominent in recent play.

This week, it was a 3–3 draw with the Houston Dynamo, with neither team seeming to have much of a plan other than attacking. It was also the third time in the last five games that San Jose has conceded three goals, and highlighted the continued struggles of Earl Edwards Jr., who has made just four saves on 14 shots this season, between the sticks.

Is it fun to watch as a neutral? Sure, but head coach Bruce Arena won’t be happy with how things are going in San Jose.

12. Seattle Sounders (Previous: 13)

Albert Rusnák scored a late penalty to lead Seattle Sounders FC past FC Dallas on Saturday. / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

It was a largely forgettable Saturday afternoon for the Seattle Sounders, but they can thank a late penalty and the recent form of Albert Rusnák for the 1–0 win over FC Dallas.

Playing as the No. 9, Jesus Ferriera struggled to get into scoring positions, and the game shifted into Seattle’s favor late when MLS Next Pro standout Osaze De Rosario came into the match.

Seattle have a big next few weeks with the FIFA Club World Cup approaching, and still don’t have a surefire goalscoring option, with Jordan Morris and Danny Musovski sidelined with injuries.

11. New York City FC (Previous: 12)

New York City FC flexed their muscles at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, putting up a 3–1 win and taking advantage of a shorthanded Chicago Fire FC side that picked up two red cards by the end of the match.

Alonso Martínez scored his eighth goal of the season to start the comeback after Chicago opened the scoring, before Monsef Bakrar and Hannes Wolf added the winning goal and insurance marker.

With four wins, a loss and a draw in their last six games, could New York City FC be turning the corner from an O.K. team to a good one? They are probably still missing one more attacking piece, but the baseline is certainly there.

10. LAFC (Previous: 8)

LAFC won’t be happy after a 2–2 draw against a CF Montréal side that lost to Toronto FC 6–1 the week prior, but they will be happy with the offensive injection Cengiz Ünder and Olivier Giroud offered from the bench.

Giroud scored, much to the delight of the many French supporters in Montréal; however, the breakdowns defensively to allow goals from Giacomo Vrioni and Prince Owusu will be worrying, especially considering the attacking test they will face next Saturday in the FIFA Club World Cup Playoff against Liga MX’s Club América.

9. Nashville SC (Previous: 10)

Sam Surridge scored twice as Nashville SC downed Toronto FC 2–1 at BMO Field. / Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Sam Surridge continued to play well for Nashville SC, bagging a brace in a 2–1 win over Toronto FC to bring his season total to eight goals.

It was an overall dominant performance from Nashville, who had 17 shots and 2.02 xG, despite only winning by a single goal. Outside of Surridge’s performance, Hany Mukhtar created five chances and continued his resurgence.

Yet, the most important note from the night came from the bench as U.S. men’s national team center back Walker Zimmerman returned after missing the last six weeks due to a concussion.

8. Inter Miami (Previous: 9)

Sometimes a draw can feel like a win, and that’s what Inter Miami CF had in their comeback 3–3 effort against the Philadelphia Union.

After weeks of disappointing and uninspiring play, the Herons linked 16 passes in the lead-up to Tadeo Allende’s opening goal, with Tómas Áviles making a deft dribble into space to open up the attacking opportunity.

Lionel Messi’s free-kick and the eventual tying goal from Telasco Segovia certainly made the night more exciting, but the effort and fight from Miami will be something supporters hope for in their upcoming run of games as well.

“I talked to them that we are in a situation that is s---. It is s---. We are in the s---...The only way to see the sun is to give everything,” Mascherano told reporters post-match about his speech to the players. “We showed character and personality; they showed they want to fight their way out of this situation.”

7. Columbus Crew SC (Previous: 6)

Charlotte FC’s resurgence on Saturday picked Columbus Crew SC apart, and much of that came down to a performance that played to Charlotte’s strengths.

While The Crown had recently become more pragmatic in possession, Columbus controlled 62 percent possession on Saturday, allowing Charlotte to return to their low-possession, high-octane counter-attack.

Without much time on the ball, Charlotte quickly sent through balls to attackers mere moments after regaining possession, which allowed Wilfried Zaha to put up his first two assists in MLS.

Columbus, under head coach Wilfried Nancy, will always want to be a team that controls possession and pace of play, but they face a tough challenge when taking on quick transitions, like Charlotte on their day.

6. Orlando City SC (Previous: 7)

Orlando City SC had an off night, but a 39th-minute strike from Duncan McGuire proved enough for them to grab all three points, extending their unbeaten streak to 12 games against a Portland Timbers side that played flat and without much threat.

Eduard Atuesta had a standout performance in his return after missing four games due to an undisclosed injury, providing the assist on McGuire’s goal and creating three chances.

With McGuire off the mark with his first goal of the season and Atuesta already back thriving, Orlando find themselves as a real threat as the season nears its midmark.

5. FC Cincinnati (Previous 4)

Kévin Denkey wasn't able to score for FC Cincinnati in their 4–2 loss to Atlanta United. / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

FC Cincinnati became just the third team this season to lose to Atlanta United on Sunday night. Their 4–2 loss actually flattered them too, considering the number of chances they gave up in the first half.

Despite holding 63 percent of the ball, Cincinnati wasn’t able to get much involvement from Evander or Pavel Bucha and struggled to find spaces for Kévin Denkey to attack. Once it was clear they were being overwhelmed by Atlanta’s counter-attack, they also struggled to adapt, all while completing just 30 percent of their crosses.

It was an off-night for Cincinnati. They’ve shown this season how good they can be, and they will hope to return to the win column when they take on their former superstar Luciano Acosta and FC Dallas on Wednesday.

4. Minnesota United (Previous: 3)

Minnesota United met their match in Austin FC on the weekend, not in terms of a better team, but a clashing style that held them back.

While head coach Eric Ramsay’s team has thrived on little possession, sometimes less than 30 percent, Austin let them have 53 percent possession in their eventual 1–1 draw. Minnesota was unable to rely as much on quick breaks and counterattacks and instead had to rely on a set-piece goal from center back Michael Boxall to help them to a point.

Minnesota is the best transition team in MLS, but their attacking crew of Joaquin Pereyra, Will Trapp, Tani Oluwaseyi, Robin Lod and Kelvin Yeboah struggles when they’re given more time on the ball.

3. San Diego FC (Previous: 5)

Every week on these MLS Power Rankings, we ask if things can get any better for San Diego FC, and each week, they prove that they can.

Hirving “Chucky” Lozano scored the late winning goal after a cross from Anders Dreyer on Saturday, with his goal and Luca de la Torre’s helping San Diego to a 2–1 win over the struggling LA Galaxy, who had a point ripped from their hands in the final moments.

San Diego has proven every week that they can compete with any team in the Western Conference, and the partnership of Lozano and Dreyer has no limits after 14 matches.

2. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 1)

Tai Baribo (left) and Quinn Sullivan scored Philadelphia Union's goals against Inter Miami CF. / Philadelphia Union

The Philadelphia Union looked like they had Inter Miami all sealed up. Leading 2–0 and 3–1 with another brace from MLS Golden Boot leader Tai Baribo, the Union were firing on all cylinders until late.

The collapse and allowing a Lionel Messi free-kick will sting, but head coach Bradley Carnell’s team continued to prove that they are among the best in MLS. Outside of Baribo’s brace,  it was a strong night for midfielders Danley Jean-Jacques and Quinn Sullivan, who continued to showcase their top form in 2025.

1. Vancouver Whitecaps (Previous: 2)

Vancouver Whitecaps FC didn’t plan on going down 2–0 within the first four minutes, but they stormed back against Real Salt Lake with a brace from Brian White and a winner from Pedro Vite to return to the win column after back-to-back draws.

Head coach Jesper Sørensen played all his first-choice players outside of the suspended Andres Cubas, so getting a win a week out from its first-ever Concacaf Champions Cup Final was critical, and they did so in inspiring fashion.

White’s brace also brought him to 70 goals in MLS play, and kept him in the MLS Golden Boot conversation.