We’ve had another couple rounds of MLS play as we start to turn the corner into the business end of the 2026 season. And in the Howler Top-10 Power Rankings, we’ve had plenty of movement.

Every other week, we rank the top-10 teams in MLS based on a healthy mix of current form, squad talent, team expectation, and most recent results. Teams will rise and fall with each passing ranking depending on those recent results, and we will deliver those standings to you here in a quick, digestible manner. So without further ado, let’s get into it.

Nashville seem simply invincible at the moment. They are now winners of four straight in MLS after thrashing FC Cincinnati over the weekend. With that win, B.J. Callaghan’s side became the fastest team to reach 50 points in league history. 

What’s more, Nashville are on pace to potentially shatter the MLS points record set by Inter Miami in 2024. There does not seem to be a foe great enough for this Nashville team in MLS at the moment.

Cream will eventually rise to the top, and that is perhaps what we are seeing with Vancouver. After a sticky spell post World Cup, they have now won two straight in MLS by a combined score of 8-0. 

It appeared for a moment like the departure of midfield stalwart Sebastian Berhalter would derail them, but it has turned out to be merely a bump in the road.

Miami are a funny bunch. After four game winless streak, the Herons have reverted to type with a ridiculous 7-1 smashing of CF Montréal in the days after announcing Kily Gonzalez as the club’s new head coach. 

Lionel Messi’s short-lived slump ended with a four-goal performance against the Canadian side, and when he gets hot, Inter Miami get hot too. Questions will remain regarding their defensive solidity, but if they start racking up the goals once again it may not matter. 

Chicago’s winning run came to a screeching halt in the last couple of weeks, but they remain unbeaten since back in late-July. In draws with Red Bull New York and Seattle respectively, Chicago dominated the run of play but simply couldn’t put either team to the sword. 

The transfer window is slowly beginning to close, but if Chicago can sneak in a truly lethal creative force before it slams shut, it could totally change how we view this Fire team. 

Houston remain a contender in the Western Conference, but since rising to the summit a couple of weeks back, they have dropped two straight matches and looked quite limp in the process. 

Where Guilherme goes, the Dynamo go, but the Brazilian was kept quiet over the weekend in a goalless draw with San Jose. If he can catch fire once more in the back of this season, Houston will remain near the summit of the conference.

City should perhaps be higher up in this list, but they somehow allowed FC Dallas fight back from two goals down late in the Sunday Night Soccer showdown and grab a point in St. Louis.

Despite that disappointing result, they remain unbeaten in MLS play in a staggering 12 straight games. And look out Western Conference foes, they may only be getting better. At the time of writing this, they are closing in on an intra-league MLS-record transfer for Colorado Rapids striker Rafael Navarro. Plus, they are reportedly set to sign Southampton center-forward Damion Downs as well.

It may just be starting to come together for Charlotte this season. Dean Smith’s side are unbeaten in their last four, winning three of those. New signing Allan Saint-Maximin is beginning to make an impact on the scoresheet as well. 

It’s quite simple for Charlotte. If they can somehow find some consistency long-term, they are one of the better teams in this league. But that lack of consistency remains an issue. 

Are LAFC nearing a crisis? They may be. Marc Dos Santos’ side are winless in five straight MLS games, have slipped entirely out of the Supporters Shield picture, and maybe even the race for first in the west considering Vancouver’s games in hand.

We know LAFC have bags of talent, but the expectation of being an MLS superb club may just be wearing on rookie head coach Dos Santos. They are probably the mist intriguing team to watch in the coming weeks given their expectations.

Last year’s surpise package have failed to impress this season. But a recent run of four wins in six MLS games including victories over both of their Southern California rivals has thrust Mikey Varas’ side back in the conversation.

The summer addition of Tunisian Elias Achouri has majorly helped to fill the Chucky Lozano-sized hole in the attack. If San Diego can rediscover their late-season form of 2025, they should comfortable cruise into a playoff spot in the wide-open Western Conference.

Welcome to the big-time, Colorado! The Rapids secured Rocky Mountain Cup with a huge win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday, and that means Matt Wells’ side have quietly won four of their last five MLS games to climb up into the top-seven in the West.

The next few weeks will be crucial, however. With the all-but certain departure of star forward Rafael Navarro, they will need to find a new spearhead for the attack down the stretch.