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Major League Soccer

25 August 2026

Major League Soccer

25 August 2026

By J. Sam Jones

What a week it was in MLS.

Nashville SC looked every bit like Supporters’ Shield champions-elect, Atlanta United spent heavily on a Designated Player, and Evander delivered another match-winning moment for FC Cincinnati. All in all, it was a week that stood apart even by MLS standards.

As always: the Power Rankings are decided by roughly 15 people connected with MLSsoccer.com. The writer does not choose the rankings, although he does admit to enjoying the occasional chance to nudge your team down a few places.

Nashville went 2-1 down to Columbus in the second half. They were still behind in stoppage time. Even so, it somehow felt inevitable that they would have the final say.

That is exactly what happened, and then some, as stoppage-time strikes from full-backs Reed Baker-Whiting and Andy Nájar sealed a dramatic three-point haul.

There is a sense of inevitability about Nashville this season, and they are on course for a single-season points record of 79. For anyone tracking it closely, Inter Miami set the previous mark in 2024 with 74.

Previous: 3-2 win vs. CLB | Next: 8/29 vs. CIN

After a 1-0 defeat to Houston Dynamo in midweek, the Whitecaps responded by taking out their frustration on an overmatched FC Dallas, scoring four times before half-time on the way to a 5-0 victory and reclaiming top spot in the West.

On a related point: as impressive as Nashville have been this year, the underlying numbers favour Vancouver even more. In fact, they favour Vancouver by a wide margin over everyone else in the league.

Make of that what you will.

Previous: 5-0 win vs. DAL | Next: 8/29 at SKC

Chicago collected four points, though they will feel they should have come away with all six.

The Fire were ahead late against Red Bull New York before allowing an 86th-minute equaliser. Perhaps their attention had already begun to shift towards Tuesday night’s Leagues Cup quarter-final against Monterrey.

Previous: 1-1 draw at RBNY | Next: 8/29 at SEA

After a massive 1-0 win at Vancouver on Wednesday, Houston slipped up against St. Louis CITY. Saturday’s 2-1 defeat was their first since play resumed following the FIFA World Cup break.

Even so, Houston are only two points behind leaders Vancouver. And a three-point week against two of the West’s strongest teams is hardly something to be upset about. They remain one of the hottest sides in the league.

Previous: 2-1 loss at STL | Next: 8/29 vs. SJ

There is a very real possibility that the last two weeks have ended Inter Miami’s hopes of lifting a second Supporters’ Shield.

After their 4-1 loss at Nashville, they drew 2-2 with Philadelphia in a match that also boiled over into a fight. They then followed that with a 2-1 defeat to a Toronto side that had not been doing much winning of late.

Lionel Messi & Co. are now 10 points adrift of Nashville in the Shield race.

Previous: 2-1 loss vs. TOR | Next: 8/29 vs. MTL

One of the league’s form teams somehow only managed a draw with Sporting KC in midweek. But St. Louis got themselves back on course at the weekend, grabbing a 2-1 win over Houston thanks to a late goal from Dante Polvara.

They are in excellent touch, but reports suggest they are close to trading midfielder Eduard Löwen to the San Jose Earthquakes. He will not be easy to replace, especially after St. Louis already transferred DP midfielder Marcel Hartel to Hannover 96.

Previous: 2-1 win vs. HOU | Next: 8/30 vs. DAL

August has not been kind to LAFC.

The Black & Gold are still searching for their first MLS win of the month after a 1-0 loss at Colorado and a 1-1 draw with Portland.

Any hopes of finishing the year as the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed are disappearing quickly.

Previous: 1-1 draw vs. POR | Next: 8/29 at DC

An Alhassan Yusuf hat-trick powered the Revs to a 3-0 victory at D.C. United, and they then followed it with a 1-1 draw against New York City FC to complete a four-point week. That is simply more of what this team have been doing all season: finding ways to get results.

New England look certain to reach the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, especially with new DP Jack Harrison making an immediate impact. He supplied three assists against D.C. and another against NYCFC. Excellent signing.

Previous: 1-1 draw vs. NYC | Next: 8/29 at CLB

On Wednesday, Cincinnati edged past NYCFC with, of course, an Evander winner in second-half stoppage time. He scored again at the weekend before the Seattle Sounders fought back for a 1-1 draw.

Evander now has 13 goals and 11 assists this season. Since arriving in MLS in 2023, he has scored 55 goals and provided 50 assists. That is 105 goal contributions in 107 matches. Elite.

Previous: 1-1 draw vs. SEA | Next: 8/29 at NSH

Charlotte picked up four points after a 3-3 draw at Toronto and an impressive 3-1 win over D.C. United.

They will be disappointed not to have taken all six after going a man up and two goals ahead against Toronto. Still, four points and the first start for new DP Allan Saint-Maximin leave plenty of positives.

Previous: 3-1 win vs. DC | Next: 8/29 at ATL

Dallas conceded three times at Real Salt Lake in midweek, but made up for it by scoring four themselves. They were unable to keep that going against Vancouver, though, with the Whitecaps 4-0 up by half-time.

Fortunately for Dallas, a three-point week kept them close to everyone in the West apart from Vancouver. They are only five points off second place, and the club’s nine-match road trip is nearly finished.

Previous: 5-0 loss at VAN | Next: 8/30 at STL

Maybe the defeat to Atlanta gave them the jolt they needed?

Minnesota tore through San Jose, recovering from conceding an early penalty to score five unanswered goals in a 5-1 hammering. It was a remarkable attacking display from a side that has struggled for goals all year.

Also, Joaquín Pereyra’s rabona goal was outrageous.

Previous: 5-1 win at SJ | Next: 8/29 vs. ORL

It was only a two-point week for the Union, who drew with Inter Miami and Austin FC to extend their league unbeaten run to six matches.

Philadelphia are only three points below the playoff line and probably ought to be nearer. A big reason for that is Cavan Sullivan, who has 1g/3a in his last three MLS appearances.

Previous: 1-1 draw at ATX | Next: 8/29 at RBNY

San Diego bounced back with an important 3-0 win over Colorado at the weekend, a result that included the first goal from new DP winger Elias Achouri. That leaves them just one point below the playoff line.

Are we beginning to see signs again of last year’s historic expansion side?

Previous: 3-0 win vs. COL | Next: 8/29 vs. LA

NYCFC are beginning to lose ground on the rest of the Eastern Conference pack.

They are now winless in four matches, including last week’s defeat to Cincinnati and draw with New England.

Perhaps this Matt Freese double-save can provide the spark they need.

Previous: 1-1 draw at NE | Next: 8/29 at TOR

Portland cruised past San Diego and came close to taking all three points against LAFC. So far, the Martí Cifuentes era appears to be going smoothly enough.

There is still work to be done, however. They are above the playoff line in the West, but the Timbers are actually closer to 13th place than they are to sixth.

Previous: 1-1 draw at LAFC | Next: 8/29 vs. ATX

No side had a more up-and-down week than Colorado.

They beat LAFC 1-0 in midweek and then followed it with a 3-0 loss at San Diego. That is far from ideal. Still, they have won four of their six matches since returning to action.

They sit seventh in the West, above the playoff line. Better still, they are technically one place ahead of rivals RSL.

Previous: 3-0 loss at SD | Next: 8/29 vs. RSL

After Orlando City were unfortunate in a 2-1 defeat to Chicago, Antoine Griezmann scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake. He now has three goals and two assists from his first six matches.

The Griezmann Effect is very real, and it has lifted Orlando back above the playoff line into ninth in the East. We are watching quite a turnaround unfold.

Previous: 2-1 win vs. RSL | Next: 8/29 at MIN

With Zavier Gozo now in the Premier League, concern over RSL’s playoff chances is understandable. They are eighth in the West, but 11th-placed San Diego are only one point behind them.

Previous: 2-1 loss at ORL | Next: 8/29 at COL

The Quakes are struggling.

They have just one win in their last 11 matches, and it has been months since they looked like one of the best teams in the West.

They may yet still reach the playoffs because of their historically strong start, but even that is beginning to look uncertain.

Maybe they can get moving again if Eduard Löwen completes his reported switch from St. Louis?

Previous: 5-1 loss vs. MIN | Next: 8/29 at HOU

RBNY’s week started by conceding a 92nd-minute winner to Nashville. They found some measure of redemption later in the week when Cameron Harper equalised in the 86th minute against Chicago.

A one-point week is not ideal, but facing Nashville and Chicago in back-to-back matches is about as difficult as it gets this season. They are still hanging on to a playoff place, at least for the moment.

Previous: 1-1 draw vs. CHI | Next: 8/29 vs. PHI

Toronto may just have come to life.

They recovered from being 3-1 down against Charlotte to salvage a draw despite going down to 10 men in the 56th minute. A few days later, they built on that comeback by shocking Inter Miami with a 2-1 win.

Toronto have taken eight points from their last four matches. They are level on points with ninth-placed Orlando City.

Previous: 2-1 win at MIA | Next: 8/29 vs. NYC

Despite being reduced to 10 men in both of their matches last week, the LA Galaxy still came away with four points. That included a 1-0 Cali Clásico victory over San Jose.

Adding to a solid week, Chucky Lozano made his first start of the season for his new club.

Previous: 2-2 draw at MTL | Next: 8/29 at SD

No points. Six goals conceded. Below the playoff line. A bad week.

Previous: 3-1 loss at CLT | Next: 8/29 vs. LAFC

For the first time since September 2021, Atlanta United have won three matches in a row.

They may not have fully turned the corner yet, but finishing bottom no longer looks likely, and their expensive new signing should soon be available on the pitch.

The reported $18 million transfer for DP striker Breel Embolo has been completed and gives Atlanta a much-needed lift in attack.

Previous: 2-1 win vs. SKC | Next: 8/29 vs. CLT

The week could certainly have gone better.

After conceding a late winner to CF Montréal in midweek, they then gave up a late equaliser and a late winner to Nashville on Saturday. Both of Nashville’s goals came in stoppage time.

It was not all negative, though. The Athletic’s Tom Bogert reports that the Crew are close to signing former NYCFC attacker Santi Rodríguez before next week’s transfer window deadline. He was electric in MLS before moving to Botafogo in Brazil.

Previous: 3-2 loss at NSH | Next: 8/29 vs. NE

Across four matches, CF Montréal are enjoying an unbeaten August. They beat Columbus and drew with the Galaxy on their way to a four-point week.

They have quietly been collecting points since the World Cup break and are now only three points below the playoff line.

Previous: 2-2 draw vs. LA | Next: 8/29 at MIA

That made it a four-point week for Austin, giving them a bit of momentum just in time for their Leagues Cup quarter-final against Toluca.

At the same time, they made a significant move with the future in mind. Khaled El-Ahmad left his position as Minnesota United sporting director to take charge in Austin.

Previous: 1-1 draw vs. PHI | Next: 8/29 at POR

A 1-1 draw at Cincinnati brought an end to their eight-match losing streak, and a deal for Sporting KC striker Dejan Joveljić appears close. He has scored goals everywhere he has played, and the reported $6 million fee looks like a bargain. He should help steady things.

Previous: 1-1 draw at CIN | Next: 8/29 vs. CHI

Dejan Joveljić is on his way to Seattle and Manu García’s contract has been “mutually terminated”. That leaves newcomer André Luiz as the only DP still on the roster.

The optimistic reading is that the departures of Joveljić and García are a case of taking a step back in order to move forward.

Previous: 2-1 loss at ATL | Next: 8/29 vs. VAN