MLS Powers Rankings: Can Anyone Stop Thomas Müller's Vancouver Whitecaps?

Written by Patrick Echatah

What a wild week in MLS! Denis Bouanga scored, Toronto FC secured a draw, and FC Cincinnati snatched a one-goal victory.

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On top of that, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC claimed the Canadian Championship. But the biggest shocker? The Chicago Fire FC actually clinched an Audi MLS Cup Playoff spot! It truly was an unprecedented week in the league.

Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union have clinched their second Supporters’ Shield this decade, a major surprise to many who expected their performance to dip this year. Despite those low expectations and a smaller budget compared to rivals, the Union dominated, earning an impressive 66 points and 20 wins to secure the trophy.

While the win is a shock, it’s not entirely out of the blue, as Philly actually boasts the highest total point count of any club this decade, demonstrating consistent excellence. Congratulations to the Union!

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Things are looking excellent for the Vancouver Whitecaps. They’ve just secured the Canadian Championship for the fourth consecutive year, and key player Ryan Gauld has returned. Furthermore, Sebastian Berhalter’s performance is noteworthy.

Despite a few injuries, the Whitecaps are in a prime position to claim the top spot in the Western Conference, holding a game in hand over their closest rivals, San Diego.

Los Angeles FC

LAFC secured a tight 86th-minute victory against Atlanta United thanks to a breakthrough goal from Denis Bouanga. LAFC’s defense was stout, limiting Atlanta to only three shots from outside the box.

This goal highlights Bouanga’s remarkable scoring streak—he (or Son Heung-Min) has scored the last 18 consecutive LAFC goals—and puts him into a tie for the Golden Boot with 24 goals. With this win, LAFC extended their winning streak to five games, taking 20 points from their last nine matches since Leagues Cup. While their recent opponents haven’t been the toughest, the team is clearly dominating as the postseason approaches.

Inter Miami

Inter Miami’s week-to-week results are incredibly volatile, with the team capable of both devastating losses and dominant wins. This is highlighted by their recent stretch where they were routed by Chicago, conceding five goals, only to then turn around and blow out New England.

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The common thread in their matches is a high number of goals, meaning they are rarely involved in a dull contest. This inconsistency has been a major factor, preventing them from securing a second consecutive Supporters’ Shield and potentially jeopardizing their hopes of winning their first-ever MLS Cup.

This inconsistency has been a major factor, preventing them from securing a second consecutive Supporters’ Shield and potentially jeopardizing their hopes of winning their first-ever MLS Cup.

Currently, the team’s immediate goal is to try and catch FC Cincinnati for the second seed in the Eastern Conference, a feat that will require them to earn at least four more points and get some help from other results around the league.

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