{"id":202455,"date":"2026-03-03T17:30:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T17:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/202455\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T17:30:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T17:30:25","slug":"power-rankings-timo-werner-sparks-san-jose-red-bulls-rise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/202455\/","title":{"rendered":"Power Rankings: Timo Werner sparks San Jose, Red Bulls rise"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lionel Messi<\/a> scored a stunning free kick as Inter Miami<\/a> completed a comeback win, Jo\u00e3o Klauss<\/a> scored early in the match for the LA Galaxy<\/a>, Julian Hall<\/a> scored via an assist from his fellow teenagers on Red Bull New York<\/a>, and Seattle Sounders FC<\/a> failed to win at Real Salt Lake<\/a>. It was truly a week unlike any other.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As always: The Power Rankings are voted on by, give or take, 15 people associated with MLSsoccer.com. The author does not decide the rankings, but he does get a little rush out of moving your team in particular down a few spots when he can.<\/p>\n

Once Houston<\/a> went down a man at the end of the first half, things already felt like a wrap. But Mark Delgado<\/a> went ahead and hit the hell out of the ball anyway.<\/p>\n

Once Houston went down another man in the middle of the second half, things really felt like a wrap. But Stephen Eust\u00e1quio<\/a> went ahead and hit the hell out of the ball anyway.<\/p>\n

Inter Miami started, um, pretty poorly in their Florida Derby matchup with Orlando<\/a>. It seemed like there might be real questions to ask of this team after they went 2-0 down early.<\/p>\n

But after scoring four unanswered second-half goals, only one question needed to be answered:\u00a0Do you want Lionel Messi’s autograph now or later?<\/p>\n

In the lone goal of the RBNY\u2019s relatively comfortable win over New England<\/a>, 17-year-old Julian Hall finished off a chance created by 16-year-old Adri Mehmeti<\/a> and 17-year-old Matthew Dos Santos<\/a>. It was the first goal in MLS history that featured contributions from three players under 18. Just imagine how good this team will be when all their best players can legally vote!<\/p>\n

Right now, what Michael Bradley is doing with this collection of young talent is the best story in the league.<\/p>\n

Nashville<\/a> took care of business in Concacaf Champions Cup play midweek and then played to a 0-0 stalemate in Dallas<\/a> over the weekend.<\/p>\n

You could normally chalk their lackluster attacking performance up to CCC fatigue, but Nashville rotated heavily midweek. Without Sam Surridge<\/a> (illness) in what was otherwise a first-choice lineup on Saturday, they put just one shot on target.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a00-0 draw at DAL<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 vs. MIN<\/a><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Earthquakes<\/a> were all over Atlanta<\/a> from the jump in their 2-0 win.<\/p>\n

They didn\u2019t even really need\u00a0Timo Werner<\/a> in this one, but when the German star debuted in the second half\u2026<\/p>\n

Other than Werner, there\u2019s not a lot of highly-paid talent out there for San Jose. There\u2019s just one Designated Player on the team (Werner), one U22 Initiative player and three Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) guys. But less heralded contributors like Preston Judd<\/a> and Ousseni Bouda<\/a> are putting in work to start the year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Now, does beating Sporting KC<\/a> and Atlanta mean they should be seventh in the Power Rankings? I have some thoughts, personally. But Earthquakes fans should enjoy this ride while they can.<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a02-0 win vs. ATL<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 at PHI<\/a><\/p>\n

For a moment, it looked like\u00a0NYCFC<\/a> were going to take a disappointing point back home. After being in control for the majority of the match, they surrendered a late, equalizing penalty just before second-half stoppage time. Fortunately for them,\u00a0Tayvon Gray<\/a> came to the rescue.<\/p>\n

In the regular season, Seattle last won away at RSL in May 2011. You can\u2019t take too much away from a team just upholding tradition. As frustrating as their 2-1 defeat to RSL this weekend was, Seattle will be just fine.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a02-1 loss at RSL<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 at STL<\/a><\/p>\n

Cincy<\/a> ran into a Minnesota<\/a> side that can go toe-to-toe with them physically and came up short in a game that lacked consistent chances. The Loons got a lucky bounce and a set piece to go up 1-0 in the second half.<\/p>\n

With\u00a0Evander<\/a> out due to injury, Cincy struggled to find an answer. Sometimes, Cincy look more cohesive without their star No. 10. But his match-winning ability is sorely missed in tight battles like this.<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a01-0 loss at MIN<\/a> | Next: 3\/8 vs. TOR<\/a><\/p>\n

The Galaxy scored an early opener for the second straight week. This time, though, they didn\u2019t let their opponent back into the game. In fact, they suffocated the game entirely in just 13 minutes.<\/p>\n

Lucas Sanabria<\/a> opened with an eighth-minute goal, Jo\u00e3o Klauss<\/a> scored three minutes later, and then Klauss went ahead and scored again two minutes after that.<\/p>\n

Klauss has three goals in two games now for his new team. And the Galaxy have four points in their first two games. It took them\u00a014 games to get to four points last season. And it took them 17 games to earn a win.<\/p>\n

Chicago<\/a> were blessed with a visit from CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a>. Even after the Fire went down a man in the 56th minute, they were still able to pile up chances and goals. Chicago cruised to a 3-0 win in a get-right game.<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a03-0 win vs. MTL<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 at CLB<\/a><\/p>\n

The Loons looked more than comfortable mud wrestling with Cincinnati on Saturday. There weren\u2019t many chances for the majority of a physical match, but Minnesota found the one chance that mattered. A fruitful bounce off the post came right back to DP striker Kelvin Yeboah<\/a>, who headed it home for his second goal of the season and the only goal of the match. So far, so good in Cameron Knowles\u2019 first year in charge.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a01-0 win vs. CIN<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 at NSH<\/a><\/p>\n

There\u2019s little to report from a 0-0 draw with Nashville that featured a combined 1.5 xG between both teams. There were three shots on target the whole match.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a00-0 draw vs. NSH<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 at LAFC<\/a><\/p>\n

One of the few constants in MLS regular-season play is RSL beating Seattle in Utah. That trend continued with this week\u2019s 2-1 win over the Sounders. RSL haven\u2019t lost to Seattle in Sandy since May 2011 and have only drawn three times in that span.<\/p>\n

So, yeah, hard to know what to take away from a thing that happens every year. Maybe it\u2019s that Zavier Gozo<\/a> is a rising star who can create plays like this.<\/p>\n

It took a while, but new Austin FC<\/a> forward Christian Ram\u00edrez<\/a> put the Verde & Black ahead late against D.C. United<\/a>. Austin were the better side for nearly the entirety of the cross-conference matchup.<\/p>\n

Ram\u00edrez, who arrived after being waived by the Galaxy a day before the start of the season, probably isn\u2019t done scoring key goals off the bench this year.<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a01-0 win vs. DC<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 at CLT<\/a><\/p>\n

LAFC are tough enough to beat with 11 players. Playing with 10 players is probably a bad idea. Playing with nine players is probably a really, really bad idea. It predictably didn\u2019t end well for Houston in a 2-0 loss.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a02-0 loss vs. LAFC<\/a> | Next: 3\/14 vs. POR<\/a><\/p>\n

The good news: Columbus<\/a> have scored four goals in two games to start the Henrik Rydstr\u00f6m era, with two apiece from Wessam Abou Ali<\/a> and Diego Rossi<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The bad news: Columbus have allowed five goals in two games to start the Henrik Rydstr\u00f6m era.<\/p>\n

Figure out things at the back, and they’ll look more like the Crew we all expect them to be.<\/p>\n

Previous: 2-2 draw at SKC<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 vs. CHI<\/a><\/p>\n

Matt Wells and the Rapids<\/a> got their first win of the year in an impressive performance against Portland<\/a>.<\/p>\n

New midfield arrival\u00a0Hamzat Ojediran<\/a> got a generous bounce on a shot from distance to flip the game state in Colorado\u2019s favor early, and 18-year-old center back Lucas Herrington<\/a> sealed the result. They piled up 25 shots against the Timbers as they rolled to a 2-0 win.<\/p>\n

Early reviews of Wells\u2019 game model have been very positive.<\/p>\n

Cross-country road trips are never easy. So you probably don\u2019t want to start by giving up three goals inside the first 13 minutes. You definitely don\u2019t want one of those three goals to look like this.<\/p>\n

Charlotte<\/a> have been below expectations in their opening two matches at St. Louis and LA. Fortunately, a five-game homestand is up next.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a03-0 loss at LA<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 vs. ATX<\/a><\/p>\n

You could be a bummer and focus on the performance in Portland’s 2-0 loss to Colorado. Or you could be cool and recognize that we saw history on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Diego Chara<\/a> picked up a yellow card \u2013 the 123rd of his career \u2013 and tied Kyle Beckerman\u2019s MLS record. He\u2019ll almost definitely have the record to himself by the end of the month. A true legend.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a02-0 loss at COL<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 vs. VAN<\/a><\/p>\n

D.C. United held on for as long as they could, but Austin FC finally broke through in the 82nd minute of a 1-0 road defeat.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Black-and-Red never looked in control during their first loss of the year. Still, for a team that conceded 66 goals last season, allowing just one goal in their first two games is a step in the right direction.<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a01-0 loss at ATX<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 vs. MIA<\/a><\/p>\n

Orlando forgot to make sure the monster couldn\u2019t come back to life.<\/p>\n

After going up 2-0 early on Inter Miami, the Lions surrendered four goals in the second half. It\u2019s horror movie rules with Inter Miami. You\u2019ve got to be absolutely certain they\u2019re gone for good.<\/p>\n

Orlando didn\u2019t, and now they\u2019re pointless through two games.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a04-2 loss vs. MIA<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 at NYC<\/a><\/p>\n

So, hey, it\u2019s pretty difficult to replace a bunch of critical players all at once and pick up where you left off.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After falling at D.C. United to open the season, the Philadelphia Union<\/a> put in a second-straight frustrating performance in their 2-1 loss to NYCFC. For a moment, it seemed like they might get away with a point after Indiana Vassilev<\/a>‘s late penalty evened things up at 1-1. But they couldn\u2019t keep control through the final whistle. A 99th-minute NYCFC goal handed Philly their second loss in as many games.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s perhaps most concerning is that the start of the season is typically the time of year when high-pressing, high-intensity teams have an advantage over teams still getting comfortable in possession.<\/p>\n

Case in point: The Union lost three games through their first 19 matches last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a02-1 loss vs. NYC<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 vs. SJ<\/a><\/p>\n

St. Louis aren\u2019t the first or last team to travel to San Diego this year and give up a handful of big chances. Unfortunately, there isn\u2019t much time to lick their wounds and regroup. They\u2019ll face Seattle and LAFC in their next two matches.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a02-0 loss at SD<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 vs. SEA<\/a><\/p>\n

Sporting KC were up for the challenge in a 2-2 draw with Columbus. Regardless of whatever depth issues might plague them this year, striker Dejan Jovelji\u0107<\/a> will make good things happen.<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a02-2 draw vs. CLB<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 vs. SD<\/a><\/p>\n

Toronto gave away a first-half penalty, Thomas M\u00fcller converted it, and that just about wrapped things up in a 3-0 loss at Vancouver. The Reds have now given up three goals in each of their first two matches.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not what\u2019s really important from this week, though. Toronto finally completed a reported $22 million move<\/a> for Norwich City and USMNT<\/a> striker\u00a0Josh Sargent<\/a>. At the very least, the roster continues to trend in the right direction.<\/p>\n

The Revs<\/a> visited Michael Bradley\u2019s Baby Bulls and came up short.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RBNY stayed in control for the majority of the game, and the Revs created just 0.5 xG worth of chances while keeping just 38.6% possession. They had just one shot in the first half and seven shots in the game. They\u2019ve attempted 11 shots through their first two matches. There\u2019s work to do.\u00a0<\/p>\n

(Side note: This only counted<\/a> as one shot even though two Revs players kicked the ball at the same time.)<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a01-0 loss at RBNY<\/a> | Next: 3\/15 vs. CIN<\/a><\/p>\n

It is difficult to find positives from Atlanta’s first two matches this season. But at least they looked improved in the second half of Saturday’s 2-0 loss to San Jose when they made a few needed changes \u2013 i.e., Miguel Almir\u00f3n<\/a> on the left, Pedro Amador<\/a> in midfield, things like that. Maybe there\u2019s a way forward there?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a02-0 loss at SJ<\/a> | Next: 3\/7 vs. RSL<\/a><\/p>\n

CF Montr\u00e9al went up a man at Chicago early in the second half. In that same second half, they were outscored 2-0 and allowed 1.76 xG worth of chances while creating 0.09 xG worth of chances, per FotMob.<\/p>\n

Previous:\u00a03-0 loss at CHI<\/a> | Next: 3\/8 at RBNY<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Lionel Messi scored a stunning free kick as Inter Miami completed a comeback win, Jo\u00e3o Klauss scored early…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":202456,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[92617,93965,93959,8064,93950,12815,70309,93951,93975,93967,93966,43956,12817,93968,93952,93949,93953,93964,12818,11444,55777,92612,12820,86446,93969,92532,35910,32885,93954,66135,43948,44003,93970,93963,43949,93961,43951,93960,93971,6533,93972,75511,93976,93955,11445,78833,93956,1254,88,1084,90,89,93962,12816,6532,91800,93957,93973,85701,43959,93974,12819,40873,93958,93948],"class_list":{"0":"post-202455","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-san-jose","8":"tag-atlanta-united","9":"tag-atlvsrsl-03-07-2026","10":"tag-atxvsdc-03-01-2026","11":"tag-austin-fc","12":"tag-cf-montreal","13":"tag-charlotte-fc","14":"tag-chicago-fire-fc","15":"tag-chivsmtl-02-28-2026","16":"tag-cinvstor-03-08-2026","17":"tag-clbvschi-03-07-2026","18":"tag-cltvsatx-03-07-2026","19":"tag-colorado-rapids","20":"tag-columbus-crew","21":"tag-colvsla-03-07-2026","22":"tag-colvspor-02-28-2026","23":"tag-d-c-united","24":"tag-dalvsnsh-02-28-2026","25":"tag-dcvsmia-03-07-2026","26":"tag-fc-cincinnati","27":"tag-fc-dallas","28":"tag-houston-dynamo-fc","29":"tag-houvslafc-02-28-2026","30":"tag-inter-miami-cf","31":"tag-la-galaxy","32":"tag-lafcvsdal-03-07-2026","33":"tag-lavsclt-02-28-2026","34":"tag-los-angeles-football-club","35":"tag-minnesota-united-fc","36":"tag-minvscin-02-28-2026","37":"tag-nashville-sc","38":"tag-new-england-revolution","39":"tag-new-york-city-football-club","40":"tag-nshvsmin-03-07-2026","41":"tag-nycvsorl-03-07-2026","42":"tag-orlando-city-sc","43":"tag-orlvsmia-03-01-2026","44":"tag-philadelphia-union","45":"tag-phivsnyc-03-01-2026","46":"tag-phivssj-03-07-2026","47":"tag-portland-timbers","48":"tag-porvsvan-03-07-2026","49":"tag-power-rankings","50":"tag-rbnyvsmtl-03-08-2026","51":"tag-rbnyvsne-02-28-2026","52":"tag-real-salt-lake","53":"tag-red-bull-new-york","54":"tag-rslvssea-02-28-2026","55":"tag-san-diego-fc","56":"tag-san-jose","57":"tag-san-jose-earthquakes","58":"tag-san-jose-headlines","59":"tag-san-jose-news","60":"tag-sdvsstl-03-01-2026","61":"tag-seattle-sounders-fc","62":"tag-sendtonews","63":"tag-sjvsatl-02-28-2026","64":"tag-skcvsclb-02-28-2026","65":"tag-skcvssd-03-07-2026","66":"tag-sporting-kansas-city","67":"tag-st-louis-city-sc","68":"tag-stlvssea-03-07-2026","69":"tag-toronto-fc","70":"tag-vancouver-whitecaps-fc","71":"tag-vanvstor-02-28-2026","72":"tag-voices-sam-jones"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/202455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=202455"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/202455\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/202456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=202455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=202455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=202455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}