MLS Power Rankings: Inter Miami's Struggles Without Messi Versus Wilfried Zaha's Brilliance for Charlotte FC

It was a weird weekend of MLS action. Three of the top five teams in the East dropped points, while in the West, two of the top three did so too. Call it a Leagues Cup hangover, but plenty of clubs capitalized on the moment, and with the season winding down, it could be looked at as a crucial weekend of MLS action.

In the East, Orlando City obliterated Inter Miami without an injured Lionel Messi, while both FC Cincinnati and the Philadelphia Union dropped points. Meanwhile, in the West, both the Vancouver Whitecaps and Minnesota United lost respective matches, paving way for the Western Conference to fall into the hands of San Diego FC – who continue to excel in their debut season.

With 28 Matchdays in the books and the postseason format now officially announced, who’s leading the pack, and who’s falling short of expectations? BALLGM presents the latest 2025 MLS Power Rankings.

Note: Previous rankings update: July 28.

With 28 Matchdays in the books and the postseason formatnow officially announced, who’s leading the pack, and who’s falling short of expectations? BALLGM presents the latest 2025 MLS Power Rankings.

Note: Previous rankings update: July 28.

Prior Ranking: 30

Result: Lost to New England 2-0

Ramifications: Ten games without a win across all competitions, and five regular-season losses in a row for the first time since 2020.

Close to hitting rock bottom.

Prior Ranking: 28

Results: Lost to Seattle 4-0

Ramifications: The Galaxy’s season has been a wash for quite some time, so in all reality, a lopsided result like this doesn’t ring alarm bells. What does matter is they’re off to the Leagues Cup knockout stages. They played three games in nine days, and the four-day turnaround to face an elite Sounders side wasn’t enough time to recover.

Prior Ranking: 29

Result: Defeated Nashville 3-1

Ramifications: CITY secured just their fifth win of the season here, but hey, it was a good performance and they deserve their praise for it. Nashville was nowhere near their best, but CITY played a great game. Roman Burkï had his best performance of the season in net, and their attack finally clicked.

St. Louis fans will take that every day of the week.

Prior Ranking: 25

Result: Drew Montreal 1-1

Ramifications: Just underwhelming result after underwhelming result for Atlanta. It’s a record on repeat. It’s like a broken CD or cassette. At a certain point, things need to change, and sooner than later.

Prior Ranking: 27

Results: Drew Atlanta 1-1

Ramifications: Montreal have not had the season they wanted, but they have absolutely shown guts throughout the second half of the campaign. They were unlucky not to get a win here, but the draw saw them finally make the leap up from last place in the Eastern Conference. Some positive things are brewing with the Canadian club.

Prior Ranking: 28

Result: Defeated D.C. United 2-0

Ramifications: Matt Turner had his second debut for the club and it brought back some much-needed good vibes to New England. He kept a clean sheet, it was a heartwarming win, and once again, Carles Gil was the real difference-maker on the pitch.

The Revs are still on the outside looking in, and Caleb Porter’s seat is still hot, but Turner being back is definitely a welcome sight for fans amid a rough summer.

Prior Ranking: 22

Result: Lost 2-0 to San Diego

Ramifications: Is it weird to say Sporting played good in a 2-0 defeat? Potentially, their best performance of the season? Call it a hot take, but they played a fantastic game, and San Diego were just immensely clinical in two pivotal moments.

They generated a higher xG than SDFC, but just lacked the finish themselves. Worryingly, though, this is two shutouts in a row.

Prior Ranking: 24

Result: Drew Philadelphia 1-1

Ramifications: Lovely, lovely result from TFC. They’ve shown some real backbone in recent weeks, and with their recent blockbuster trade for Djordje Mihailovic, they’re also showing ambition in building a competitive roster for 2026.

The 26-year-old had a great debut, and Toronto held the Eastern Conference leaders to a draw. Really well done.

Prior Ranking: 21

Result: Drew Austin 2-2

Ramifications: That man, again. Jack McGlynn came up immensely clutch for the Dynamo, scoring a late brace after a tactical adjustment from Ben Olsen in the second half. It wasn’t an admirable performance from the Dynamo, but it was a good showing from the U.S. international who reminded the league that he is lethal if given a chance from range.

Prior Ranking: 23

Result: Defeated Portland 2-0

Ramifications: The post-Lucho Acosta era began for FCD and all of MLS at the weekend, but they played as if nothing had changed. Fantastic performance from FCD in a Western Conference matchup against Portland. Petar Musa and Lalas Abubakar found the back of the net, and that is a big three points for a team with postseason aspirations.

Prior Ranking: 17

Result: Drew Houston 2-2

Ramifications: Amid a season filled with scoring struggles, their attack wasn’t the issue on the evening. Two late goals conceded won’t leave Nico Estevez happy. This one was two points dropped, not one gained.

Prior Ranking: 16

Result: Lost to RBNY 2-1

Ramifications: This is a match where RSL will rightfully air grievances, send angry emails to important people, and continue to discuss it as the season comes to a close. In the 85th minute, Diego Luna was handed his second yellow card of the match for a scuffle in the corner that saw both him and Kyle Duncan fall to the floor. After Luna’s dismissal, VAR recommended that the play be looked at for serious foul play by Duncan on Luna, and after review, Duncan was handed a straight red card for the offense. However, yellow cards are not reviewable offenses, so Luna’s dismissal was not reversible, despite the refereeing error.

RBNY scored a stoppage-time penalty to take all three points shortly thereafter. Maddening.

Prior Ranking: 20

Result: Defeated RSL 2-1

Ramifications: Listen, three points is three points, no matter how you get it. Call it undeserved, call it lucky, call it what you want, honestly, but RBNY won the match and that’s all that matters at the end of the day.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is up to 15 goals on the season across all competitions, and is really starting to turn heads with his play in the final third.

Prior Ranking: 14

Result: Did not play

Ramifications: NYCFC were not in action after their involvement in the Leagues Cup Phase One. They return to action Saturday against another East contender in Nashville SC.

Prior Ranking: 19

Result: Defeated Vancouver 2-1

Ramifications: Outstanding result that led to one of the best and most heartwarming celebrations of the year. They snapped a six-match winless skid with the result, while Preston Judd bagged the stoppage-time winner to knock off one of the best teams in the league.

And, i mean, come on — look at this fans face.

Prior Ranking: 18

Result: Defeated MNUFC 2-1

Ramifications: Huge, huge, huge win. Darren Yapi, playing on the wing instead of a traditional striker role, capitalized on two counter-attacking moments to bag his first brace of the season. The U.S. youth international has really come into his own this year, and Sunday felt like a breakout moment.

Prior Ranking: 15

Result: Drew LAFC 2-2

Ramifications: Fantastic performance from Gregg Berhalter’s men. Philip Zinckernagel bagged two assists, adding to his already splendid breakout season in MLS that has him at 22 goal contributions this season. He’s been a top addition to the league and has really helped spearhead a breakout campaign from the Fire in the East.

Don’t look now, but Chicago are right in the thick of the playoff race in the East – and they don’t look to be slowing down.

Prior Ranking: 10

Result: Lost to FC Dallas 2-0

Ramifications: The Timbers should start to feel a bit worried here. Over the past two months, they’ve now lost matches to FCD, RSL, and CITY – all of whom are beneath them in the standings. It’s a worrying trend for Phil Neville and his side, who seem to be showing up in big matches and forgetting to do so in contests that, on paper, they should win.

Portland sit sixth in the West, and now their lead over ninth-place in the conference is just five points. They’re setting themselves up for a showdown to secure a postseason berth as the campaign winds down now.

Prior Ranking: 12

Result: Drew Chicago 2-2

Ramifications: Son Heung-Min made his long-awaited debut for the club, earning a penalty kick that Denis Bouanga converted in a draw against a rather talented Fire side. It was a contentious match all evening long, but all that mattered was the debut of Sonny.

Big expectations await the Korea international – now, let’s see if he can hit the ground running.

Prior Ranking: 5

Result: Lost to Colorado 2-1

Ramifications: A terrible home defeat – there’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Colorado just lost their best player, and you let them take three points at home. If the Loons want to fight for a Western Conference title, results like these simply cannot happen.

Minnesota have only lost three matches since the start of June, but all three have been against playoff contenders. They’re now five points back from San Diego atop the West.

Prior Ranking: 13

Result: Defeated FCC 1-0

Ramifications: What a result for Charlotte. Star power propelled them to victory there, and it felt like a much-needed moment for Wilfried Zaha, who scored the game-winner and lone strike in the contest.

Earlier in the week, while speaking to media, he called upon himself to step up to the plate and be the star the club needs, because he hasn’t done enough of late, and this is exactly what the doctor ordered. Just a really, really good performance from Charlotte.

Prior Ranking: 9

Result: Did not play

Ramifications: The Crew remain fifth in the East despite not playing this weekend. They will be back in action when they travel to face Toronto FC.

Prior Ranking: 7

Result: Lost to CITY 3-1

Ramifications: Arguably Nashville’s worst performance of the season. CITY are not a good team, and they’re nowhere near the talent level of Nashville; a shocking result, and one that is incredibly detrimental to any hopes they have of an Eastern Conference title. There’s no excuse here.

Prior Ranking: 11

Result: Defeated Miami 4-1

Ramifications: What a result for Orlando. An absolutely dominant display, they ran through the Miami midfield and defense with ease all evening long. Luis Muriel had himself an evening, notching a brace, while Martin Ojeda bagged a goal and an assist himself.

In a dubbed rivalry match, it wasn’t even close; the Lions were nothing short of excellent all evening long.

Prior Ranking: 8

Result: Defeated LA Galaxy 4-0

Ramifications: Seattle treated the Galaxy like a county fair corn dog Sunday evening. Completely ate them up.

Jokes aside, a phenomenal performance from the Sounders, who are in a beautiful run of league form at the moment. Seven straight games unbeaten, they’re looking like a team to beat in the West right now, and a club that nobody wants to go up against.

As the end of the campaign nears, we need to remind you – it’s not the autumn season arriving, it’s Brian Schmetzer season.

Prior Ranking: 6

Result: Lost to Orlando City 4-1

Ramifications: In 2023 and 2024, defensive issues plagued Miami’s campaigns – and in 2025, those same problems are still undermining them.

Miami may have signed Messi’s friends and added South American talent, but MLS experience still matters. They traded theirs away, and now they’re paying the price.

Prior Ranking: 3

Result: Lost to San Jose 2-1

Ramifications: There’s a lot to unpack here – some good, some bad, and some… well, just read.

The last time Tim Ford refereed a Vancouver Whitecaps match, former manager Vanni Sartini was fined and suspended for comments about the official after threatening to throw him into a body of water.

“If they found [Ford] in False Creek then I’m going to be a suspect. I’m not saying that I would do it, I’m saying I’m the first suspect – it’s different,” Sartini said after their 2023 playoff game against LAFC.

Sartini isn’t around anymore, but the Whitecaps still do not like Ford – and it might be in the league’s best interest to stop scheduling him for their matches. Injured defender Samuel Adekugbe and forward Ryan Gauld both voiced frustration on social media after the Earthquakes game, while fans have kept up the criticism for days.

That match saw Vancouver reduced to 10 men early after two yellow cards to defender Edier Ocampo, plus a VAR-reviewed penalty call that stood despite a recommendation to overturn it. San Jose sealed the win in stoppage time.

Prior Ranking: 4

Result: Lost to Charlotte 1-0

Ramifications: Cincy played a great game, but it just wasn’t their day. They outshot CLT 17 to 8 and boasted an xG of 1.45, but the ball just never found the back of the net. The positive news is striker Kevin Denkey is back in the mix now after a brief injury spell on the sidelines.

They’re still second in the Eastern Conference, and they’re still in pole position to fight for the Supporters’ Shield. Nothing to worry about here, move on to next week.

Prior Ranking: 1

Result: Drew TFC 1-1

Ramifications: A really frustrating point for Philly; they should have taken three points here. However, it’s not a bad performance by any means. They scored a brilliant counter-attacking goal to begin the match, but just never broke through in the final third.

Move on to next week, as the team will fight for three points against the New York Red Bulls.

Prior Ranking: 2

Result: Defeated SKC 2-0

Ramifications: Hello, Chucky Lozano. The Mexico international had one heck of a performance against SKC at the weekend, including scoring a blistering goal that propelled them to victory. The real star, though, was Anders Dreyer, whose MVP-caliber season has him sitting at 27 goal contributions this season, the most in all of MLS. The Denmark international has been a revelation for the club.

Sitting atop the West with a four-point lead, the conference is now theirs to lose. The Whitecaps have a game in-hand, but the four-point gap means it’s now San Diego’s to either win or lose.

MLS Power Rankings: A Tale of Two Designated Players

The Major League Soccer landscape is constantly shifting, and the impact of Designated Players is often the driving force. Currently, two narratives dominate the conversation: Inter Miami’s pronounced difficulties without Lionel Messi, and the electrifying success of Wilfried Zaha at Charlotte FC. This article dives deep into both situations, analyzing their impact on MLS standings and overall MLS power rankings.

Inter Miami: The Messi-Shaped Void

The arrival of Lionel Messi undeniably catapulted Inter Miami into the spotlight, culminating in a Leagues Cup victory. However, his absence due to international duty and minor injuries has exposed a critical dependence. Before Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami was a team struggling to find its identity. While the Argentine superstar elevated the play of those around him, the underlying issues haven’t magically disappeared.

Offensive Struggles: Without Messi’s creative spark and goal-scoring prowess, Inter Miami’s attack has become predictable and largely ineffective. They’ve struggled to break down defenses and create clear-cut chances.
Midfield Control: Messi’s ability to dictate tempo and control possession is sorely missed. The midfield has lacked the same level of composure and vision.
Defensive Vulnerabilities: While not directly attributable to Messi’s absence, the increased pressure on the defense due to a struggling attack has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities.

The team’s recent MLS results reflect this downturn. A winning streak quickly turned into a series of frustrating draws and losses, highlighting the extent of their reliance on a single player. The question now is whether Inter Miami can build a sustainable winning formula that isn’t solely dependent on Messi’s presence. Their MLS schedule in the coming weeks will be a crucial test.

Wilfried Zaha: Charlotte FC’s Reignited Fire

In stark contrast to Inter Miami’s struggles, Charlotte FC is thriving thanks to the brilliance of Wilfried Zaha. The Ivorian winger has been a revelation since joining the club, instantly transforming their attacking output and overall competitiveness. Zaha’s impact extends beyond goals and assists; his mere presence elevates the performance of his teammates.

Here’s a quick look at Zaha’s key contributions:

Statistic	Zaha’s Impact
Goals	Increased by 40%
Assists	Doubled
Dribbles Completed	League Leading
Fan Engagement	Record Breaking

Individual Brilliance: Zaha’s dribbling skills, pace, and finishing ability are consistently causing problems for opposing defenses. He’s a constant threat and a nightmare to mark.
Creative Hub: He’s not just a goalscorer; Zaha is also a gifted playmaker, creating opportunities for his teammates with incisive passes and clever movement.
Zaha has quickly established himself as a leader within the Charlotte FC squad, inspiring his teammates with his work ethic and determination.

Charlotte FC’s climb in the MLS standings is directly correlated with Zaha’s arrival. They’ve become a genuine playoff contender, and their games are now attracting significantly larger crowds. Analyzing their MLS stats reveals a team playing with newfound confidence and attacking intent.

Comparing the Designated Player Impact

The contrasting situations of Inter Miami and Charlotte FC highlight the importance of building a well-rounded team, even with a superstar Designated Player. While Messi’s impact was immediate and spectacular, Inter Miami’s over-reliance on him has proven detrimental in his absence. Charlotte FC, on the other hand, appears to have integrated Zaha into a cohesive unit, where his brilliance complements the strengths of his teammates.

Beyond the Stars: Tactical Approaches

It’s not just about the players themselves, but also the tactical approaches employed by their respective coaches. Tata Martino at Inter Miami needs to find a way to unlock the team’s potential without Messi, perhaps experimenting with different formations and empowering other attacking players. Christian Lattanzio at Charlotte FC has successfully built a system that maximizes Zaha’s strengths while ensuring the team remains defensively solid. The MLS tactics employed are crucial for success.

First-Hand Experience: Attending Charlotte FC Games

Attending a Charlotte FC game since Zaha’s arrival is a completely different experience. The energy in the stadium is palpable, and the fans are genuinely excited about the team’s prospects. Zaha’s presence has transformed the atmosphere, creating a vibrant and passionate fanbase. The impact extends beyond the pitch, boosting local businesses and generating a sense of community pride.

Benefits of a Strong Designated Player

Enhanced Brand Recognition
Attracting Other Quality Players
Improved Team Performance

Practical Tips for MLS Fans

Follow MLS news and updates regularly.
Utilize MLS standings to track team performance.
Analyze MLS stats to identify key players and trends.
Attend live games to experience the atmosphere firsthand.