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. Vancouver Whitecaps
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Missing at least five starters for their trip down to Kansas City, including Tristan Blackmon who suffered an MCL sprain last week and won’t be back until the playoffs at the earliest, the Whitecaps still cruised past SKC in a 2-0 win.
With Thomas Muller sidelined due to an adductor injury, 22-year-old Peruvian attacking midfielder Kenji Cabrera started in his place on Saturday — and looked nice. Sure, it’s easy to look nice against SKC. But the summer signing’s aesthetics are off the charts. He’s small, shifty, can dance out of tight spots, puts the right weight on his passes, rolls them along the floor quickly, and showed off some lovely vision over the weekend from his left halfspace role. Toss in the low socks and the hair and I’m officially applying to be the conductor of the Kenji Cabrera Hype Train:
✅ First start for Vancouver
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 21, 2025
✅ First goal for Vancouver
Kenji Cabrera doubles the @WhitecapsFC lead! pic.twitter.com/QGlALphC7b
The guy is a full-on starter for the Peruvian national team and has a bright future. - Joe Lowery
