MLS Power Ratings: Week 12, 2021

We got a much more predictable week of action in MLS, so there aren’t wild swings in the ratings this week. Nonetheless, there were some shifts around the league. For an explainer, hit up the first edition of the 2021 ratings, and if you have additional queries, don’t hesitate to drop me a line on social media. Without further ado:

Going forward, not including the graphical representation, because it gets unwieldy. If you want the full deal, the read-only version of the table is now available here.

1. (↔︎) New York City FC (+1.05)
2. (↔︎) Sporting Kansas City (+1.03)
   • A lackluster loss against Montreal Impact moves NYCFC down, while SKC got a nice little boost from the out-of-town scoreboard to move to the cusp of making the pass.
3. (↑1) Seattle Sounders (+0.85)
4. (↓1) DC United (+0.75)
5. (↔︎) Nashville SC (+0.71)
   • A slight uptick in Nashville’s xG Power Rating, but the consistency of getting bad “luck” appears to be a thing at this point. In terms of actual goals for/against, rather than expected, this has been a below-average team.
6. (↑1) LAFC (+0.40)
7. (↓1) Minnesota United (+0.34)
8. (↑4) New York Red Bulls (+0.21)
   • Smacked Philly in the xG battle 2.34-0.69, and was ultimately unlucky to settle for a draw (particularly disappointing with the Union down to 10 men and without the keeper who started the game – already their backup – for the better part of the second half).
9. (↔︎) New England Revolution (+0.15)
10. (↑4) Orlando City SC (+0.02)
11. (↓3) Philadelphia Union (-0.05)
12. (↓2) Portland Timbers (-0.09)
13. (↑2) Colorado Rapids (-0.08)
14. (↑8) Real Salt Lake (-0.11)
    • A massive climb for RSL, going from one of the worst road teams in the league to bang-average by smashing Vancouver Whitecaps in the xG department – 3.30-0.89. Must be nice to play a road game in your home stadium.
15. (↑5) Toronto FC (-0.14)
    • TFC has been both bad and unlucky so far this year. You sometimes expect a team’s “luck” to change when the players have a bit more belief in the head coach, so if Toronto plays well and shakes the bad luck to date, there may be a way out of the Chris Armas hole.
16. (↓3) Chicago Fire (-0.15)
17. (↑2) CF Montreal (-0.16)
18. (↓7) Atlanta United (-0.28)
    • ATL gets the flipside of Nashville’s dominant game with an unjust result in comparison to xG. Big drop despite a road draw feels harsh, but 2.10-0.46 on the xG tally’ll do that to ya.
19. (↓3) Austin FC (-0.33)
20. (↓3) San Jose Earthquakes (-0.35)
21. (↔︎) Inter Miami CF (-0.37)
22. (↓4) Columbus Crew (-0.40)
23. (↑1) FC Dallas (-0.52)
24. (↑1) LA Galaxy (-0.67)
25. (↓2) Vancouver Whitecaps (-0.70)
26. (↔︎) FC Cincinnati (-0.75)
27. (↔︎) Houston Dynamo (-0.85)