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. Philadelphia Union
Trending: +1
Mikael Uhre, cult hero?
As much as 2025’s first 50-point team can need anything, the Union have needed some scoring behind Tai Baribo. Heading into Saturday’s match against Colorado, only Bruno Damiani (4) had scored more than two goals this season. Enter Mikael Uhre, who came off the bench and bagged a brace in a 3-1 win over Colorado, scoring in the 89th and 95th minutes to finally beat Zack Steffen, who was awesome throughout the match.
MIKAEL UHRE!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 27, 2025
Uhre scores his second goal of the night to secure the win for @PhilaUnion! pic.twitter.com/xIdfKLQhx3
This is such a classic Union goal, and harkens back to where Uhre is at his best - running in behind. As soon as the Union win back possession, Uhre takes off. It’s fantastic awareness from Alejandro Bedoya to recognize the space and play the ball forward almost before Uhre even takes off.
The Union don’t have the most elite pieces in the league. They don’t spend a ton of money on their roster. But they have a clear identity, an identity they doubled down on this winter, and they’re back on top of the Supporters’ Shield race. Their underlying numbers are *chef’s kiss* elite, and they’re going to be a bear to play against in the playoffs. Watch out for the Union! - Ben Wright
2. San Diego FC
Trending: +3
It’s obviously absurd that San Diego FC and Nashville SC were forced to play each other on Friday, just two days after both teams had players feature in the MLS All-Star Game. It’s also obviously absurd that there were five other games scheduled that day. It shouldn’t take Lionel Messi turning his nose up at the All-Star Game for MLS to evaluate its schedule and fixture congestion, but, hey, when you have a chance to smoosh Leagues Cup into your calendar, you just have to do it.
Anyway, San Diego’s 1-0 win over a very, very good Nashville team was a statement one. Playing with two rookie center backs and two teenage fullbacks, it’s blindingly clear that the club is as eager to identify and give opportunities to young talents as any club in MLS. Toss in Pedro Soma, a U.S. U-20 international central midfielder who’s spent a chunk of his youth career in the FC Barcelona setup, and David Vazquez, loaned in with a permanent option from the Union, to the list of talented youngsters flocking to San Diego.
