2026 MLS Matchday 1 Power Rankings

With Matchday 1 of the MLS season in the books, and there were plenty of twists and turns.

Out in Los Angeles, Son Heung-Min got the better of Lionel Messi.

Over in Washington, the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners went down at the hands of last year’s Wooden Spoon recipients.

And down in Central Florida, Michael Bradley started his managerial career with a victory.

It’s only one match. But it was enough to shake things up for our weekly 2026 MLS Regular Season Power Rankings.

1

Los Angeles FC

Previously: 2 (+1)

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• Last time out: 3-0 win vs. Inter Miami
• Up next: Saturday, Feb. 28 at Houston Dynamo (8:30 pm ET)

It doesn’t get much better for a new manager than the +8 goal differential that Los Angeles FC have posted in Marc Dos Santos’ first two games between MLS and Concacaf play, including a statement win against the reigning MLS Cup champions.

2

San Diego FC

Previously: 4 (+2)

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• Last time out: 5-0 win vs. CF Montreal
• Up next: Sunday, March 1 vs. St. Louis City (9:15 pm ET)

Marcus Ingvartsen scored a second-half brace after the match was already decided, but if he can stay healthy in 2026, it’s easy to imagine how San Diego FC might improve on their excellent 2025 expansion season.

3

Inter Miami

Previously: 1 (-2)

• Last time out: 3-0 loss at LAFC
• Up next: Sunday, March 1 at Orlando City (7 pm ET)

Germán Berterame will need some time to create attacking chemistry with Lionel Messi. But Dayne St. Clair’s uneven debut for Inter Miami CF could give manager Javier Mascerano some pause.

4

Nashville SC

Previously: 6 (+2)

• Last time out: 4-1 win vs. New England Revolution
• Up next: Saturday, Feb. 28 at FC Dallas (8:30 ET)

Sam Surridge looked like someone who could challenge for the MLS Golden Boot again after he bagged a brace for Nashville SC in the first 16 minutes of their league opener.

5

Vancouver Whitecaps

Previously: 3 (-2)

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• Last time out: 1-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake
• Up next: Saturday, Feb. 28 vs. Toronto FC (9:30 pm ET)

The Vancouver Whitecaps didn’t earn style points, but Aziel Jackson’s second-half strike was still enough to earn their first 3 points in the league while they also balance Concacaf competition.

6

FC Cincinnati

Previously: 9 (+3)

• Last time out: 2-0 win vs. Atlanta United
• Up next: Saturday, Feb. 28 at Minnesota United (4:30 pm ET)

Late goals from Kevin Denkey and Nick Hagglund sent the fans home happy, but FC Cincinnati’s hopes for the season could hinge on the severity of the injury Evander picked up early on.

7

Seattle Sounders

Previously: 10 (+3)

Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

• Last time out: 2-0 win vs. Colorado Rapids
• Up next: Saturday, Feb. 28 at Real Salt Lake (7:30 pm ET)

The Seattle Sounders won comfortably through goals from Albert Rusnak and Paul Rothrock, but injuries to Jordan Morris and Hasani Dotson may temper the celebrations a bit.

8

Philadelphia Union

Previously: 5 (-3)

• Last time out: 1-0 loss at DC United
• Up next: Sunday, March 1 vs. New York City FC (4:30 pm ET)

The Philadelphia Union generated few clear chances in their season-opening defeat, but Ezekiel Alladoh’s red card just before the hour mark makes the overall performance a hard one to judge.

9

Minnesota United

Previously: 7 (-2)

• Last time out: 2-2 draw at Austin FC
• Up next: Saturday, Feb. 28 vs. FC Cincinnati (4:30 pm ET)

Kelvin Yeboah’s late tally rescued a point that felt like three for Minnesota United in manager Cameron Knowles’ first match as the full-time boss.

10

Houston Dynamo

Previously: 15 (+5)

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• Last time out: 2-1 win vs. Chicago Fire
• Up next: Saturday, Feb. 28 vs. LAFC (8:30 pm ET)

Guilherme’s brace in his MLS debut lifted the Houston Dynamo to a dramatic victory in the kind of match they spent much of last season finding ways to draw or lose.