The 2026 MLS season hasn’t kicked off yet, but the early hierarchy is already taking shape.
According to the Power Rankings published by MLSsoccer.com, five clubs sit at the top entering opening weekend: Inter Miami CF, Los Angeles FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, San Diego FC and Nashville SC.
It has been an eventful offseason across the league. MLS roster rules drew increased attention, a global star made a surprising move and several new head coaches publicly committed to aggressive, front-foot styles of play. With the season set to begin Feb. 21, the rankings offer a broad snapshot of how the league’s ecosystem looks before a ball is kicked.
Inter Miami comes at the top
Inter Miami enter the year as reigning MLS Cup champions and remain the standard despite notable departures. Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets are gone, but the club responded with a wave of reinforcements. Designated player forward Germán Berterame arrived from CF Monterrey, U22 midfielder David Ayala joined from the Portland Timbers, and forward Tadeo Allende returned from Celta de Vigo.
The back line gained depth with Micael, who impressed during his time in Houston before moving from Palmeiras, and left back Sergio Reguilón, most recently with Tottenham Hotspur. In goal, reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair strengthens an already deep squad. The biggest questions surround their ability to balance domestic ambitions with the Concacaf Champions Cup, but every major trophy remains within reach.
LAFC hold the No. 2 spot after a 60-point campaign last season that accelerated dramatically following the arrival of Son Heung-min. The club earned 2.00 points per game with the South Korean forward available, and his partnership with Denis Bouanga remains one of the most dangerous attacking duos in MLS. The roster did not undergo major changes, though Canadian internationals Jacob Shaffelburg and Stephen Eustáquio were added.
The rest of the top 5
Vancouver check in at No. 3 after falling just two wins short of a Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS Cup double in 2025. The question now is whether that run was a peak or the beginning of sustained contention. With a full season of Thomas Müller integrated into the squad, the Whitecaps‘ ceiling remains significant even if regression would not be surprising after last year’s near-perfect campaign.
San Diego FC, entering their second season, have already signaled their ambitions. Despite losing Mexican star Hirving "Chucky" Lozano and facing the likelihood he will not feature again, the club delivered a statement in the Concacaf Champions Cup by defeating Pumas 4-2 on aggregate. Anders Dreyer continues to anchor an elite possession-based system that should generate points consistently.
Nashville round out the top five after tying their club record for points last year. The headline move of the offseason was the signing of winger Cristian Espinoza, who recorded 83 assists across seven seasons with San Jose. He joins Designated Players Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, who combined for 40 goals and 17 assists last season, to form one of the league’s most potent attacking trios.
