22 of Major League Soccer’s 27 sides were in action this weekend. Our power rankings model breaks down their performances.
How the rankings work
These power rankings aren’t subjective, but use a stats-based model for each team to get a more in-depth look at where clubs actually stand. The model weighs points per game and strength of schedule heavily, and also factors in goal difference and expected goal difference to show not just how teams have done in the table, but how they’ve played on the field. If you’re interested in the methodology, the full model can be viewed here.
These power rankings aren’t an attempt to predict the final table, just to provide readers with a different angle from which to judge teams.
Week 13 Power Rankings
- Seattle Sounders (-)
- Sporting KC (-)
- Nashville SC (↑1)
- LA Galaxy (↓1)
- NYCFC (-)
- New England Revolution (↑3)
- Orlando City (↓1)
- Colorado Rapids (↓1)
- New York Red Bulls (↑1)
- LAFC (↑1)
- Philadelphia Union (↑1)
- Real Salt Lake (↓4)
- DC United (-)
- CF Montréal (-)
- Philadelphia Union (↑2)
- Columbus Crew (↓1)
- Portland Timbers (↑1)
- Atlanta United (↓2)
- Houston Dynamo (-)
- Austin FC (-)
- San Jose Earthquakes (↑2)
- FC Dallas (↓1)
- Vancouver Whitecaps (↑3)
- Chicago Fire (↓2)
- Toronto FC (-)
- FC Cincinnati (↓2)
- Inter Miami (-)
Seattle hold on to the top spot, but are undefeated no more. The Sounders lost their first match of the year on the road to Minnesota United, who dominated the visitors for the full 90 minutes. They’re still the top ranked side by the model, but they’ve cooled off in recent weeks while Sporting KC have caught fire. Their stranglehold on the top is significantly looser than it was a couple weeks ago.
Nashville SC push into the top three after a 5-1 win over Chicago Fire. They have the highest expected goals difference in MLS, the second highest xG total in the league, and their five goal explosion means that only Sporting KC, Seattle and New England have scored more goals. They’ll travel to Columbus midweek where they lost twice in 2021.
New England jump up three spots into sixth place after a 1-0 win over Atlanta United, who fired manager Gabriel Heinze after the result. After going winless in their last three, the result was much-needed for the Eastern Conference leaders.
Real Salt Lake drop four spots out of the top ten with their loss to LAFC. While it might seem harsh to be docked so heavily for a single goal loss to LAFC on the road, the advanced metrics tell a different story. Bob Bradley’s side put up 4.60 xG on RSL (the highest total by any team yet this season) and allowed just 0.54. The scoreline flattered the visitors.
FC Cincinnati drop into 26th. After a couple weeks of improved form, they managed to lost to CF Montréal despite scoring four goals. They blew a two goal lead on two separate occasions in 90 minutes, and have the second-worst xG against in the league. Any improvements they make in the attacking end are nullified by a defense that can’t help but concede.
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