Lionel Messi and Son Heung-min sit at the top of the Power Rankings before the MLS kicks off

The 2026 MLS season hasn’t kicked off but, however the early hierarchy is already taking form.

Based on the Energy Rankings revealed by MLSsoccer.com, 5 golf equipment sit on the prime getting into opening weekend: Inter Miami CF, Los Angeles FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, San Diego FC and Nashville SC.

It has been an eventful offseason throughout the league. MLS roster guidelines drew elevated consideration, a world star made a stunning transfer and a number of other new head coaches publicly dedicated to aggressive, front-foot kinds of play. With the season set to start Feb. 21, the rankings supply a broad snapshot of how the league’s ecosystem seems earlier than a ball is kicked.

Inter Miami comes on the prime

Inter Miami enter the 12 months as reigning MLS Cup champions and stay the usual regardless of notable departures. Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets are gone, however the membership responded with a wave of reinforcements. Designated participant ahead Germán Berterame arrived from CF Monterrey, U22 midfielder David Ayala joined from the Portland Timbers, and ahead Tadeo Allende returned from Celta de Vigo.

The again line gained depth with Micael, who impressed throughout his time in Houston earlier than transferring from Palmeiras, and left again Sergio Reguilón, most lately with Tottenham Hotspur. In aim, reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Yr Dayne St. Clair strengthens an already deep squad. The largest questions encompass their means to steadiness home ambitions with the Concacaf Champions Cup, however each main trophy stays inside attain.

LAFC maintain the No. 2 spot after a 60-point marketing campaign final season that accelerated dramatically following the arrival of Son Heung-min. The membership earned 2.00 factors per sport with the South Korean ahead out there, and his partnership with Denis Bouanga stays probably the most harmful attacking duos in MLS. The roster didn’t bear main adjustments, although Canadian internationals Jacob Shaffelburg and Stephen Eustáquio have been added.

The remainder of the highest 5

Vancouver examine in at No. 3 after falling simply two wins wanting a Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS Cup double in 2025. The query now could be whether or not that run was a peak or the start of sustained rivalry. With a full season of Thomas Müller built-in into the squad, the Whitecaps’ ceiling stays vital even when regression wouldn’t be stunning after final 12 months’s near-perfect marketing campaign.

San Diego FC, getting into their second season, have already signaled their ambitions. Regardless of dropping Mexican star Hirving “Chucky” Lozano and going through the probability he is not going to function once more, the membership delivered an announcement within the Concacaf Champions Cup by defeating Pumas 4-2 on mixture. Anders Dreyer continues to anchor an elite possession-based system that ought to generate factors persistently.

Nashville spherical out the highest 5 after tying their membership document for factors final 12 months. The headline transfer of the offseason was the signing of winger Cristian Espinoza, who recorded 83 assists throughout seven seasons with San Jose. He joins Designated Gamers Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, who mixed for 40 objectives and 17 assists final season, to type one of many league’s most potent attacking trios.