Power Rankings never cease to spark outrage. But here at Backheeled? We’re not here to cause anger. No, we’re here to dissect the latest performances, trends, tactics, and news for each of MLS’s 30 clubs. Every week during the MLS season, Ben Wright will guide you through the Eastern Conference teams and Joe Lowery will do the same for the West.
Okay, fine. We’re also here to spark some outrage, because we’re ranking all 30 teams, too. Power Rankings are based on each club’s average position across Ben and Joe’s individual rankings. Onwards.
1. Inter Miami
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Last week, Miami went to Cincinnati and lost 3-0 in a match that wasn’t quite as one-sided as the final score suggested. Of course, Miami being Miami, they made up for it on Saturday, coming from a goal behind in New Jersey to paste the Red Bulls 5-1. They’re arriving late to the Supporters’ Shield race, but boy are they ever in it.
Latest MLS table projections, based on home/away points per game averaged over the remaining schedule. The Supporters' Shield race is going to be 𝑡𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡! 1. Cincinnati (68) 2. Philadelphia (67) 3. Miami (66) 4. Nashville (66) 5. Vancouver (63) 6. San Diego (61) 7. Columbus (61)
— Ben Wright (@benwright.bsky.social) 2025-07-21T14:49:48.395Z
I want to talk about Lionel Messi for a second. I know, original, right? Color me shocked that the best player of all time makes some of the best plays of all time. And it’s probably a wild thing to say about this guy, but I still think he’s underrated as a passer. Maybe it’s a bad take, but when I think of prime Messi, I think of Maradona-like runs from midfield, dribbling past five defenders at full speed while the ball never moves more than a foot from his boots, and then curling a perfectly-placed shot into the corner.
