MLS Power Rankings: Nashville Clinches Playoffs, St. Louis Rises to Third

The latest MLSsoccer.com panel rankings put Nashville SC first after they became the league's first playoff qualifier, with St. Louis CITY SC climbing to third on a long unbeaten run.

Nashville SC sit atop the latest MLS power rankings, voted on by roughly 15 contributors to MLSsoccer.com. Nashville became the first team to clinch an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs berth this season with a 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire.

St. Louis CITY SC moved up one spot to third after a 3-1 win over Toronto FC, extending an unbeaten run that dates to May 3. The club also advanced past the Colorado Rapids in the US Open Cup semifinals midweek, leaving them one win from a trophy. New England jumped two places to fourth following a 4-2 win over Orlando City, with Carles Gil and 18-year-old Peyton Miller each scoring twice.

The Philadelphia Union held fifth after a 4-3 comeback win at Sporting KC, erasing a 3-0 deficit with four second-half goals. Since the World Cup break, Philadelphia has nine wins, two draws and no losses.

Inter Miami slipped three spots to sixth after a 2-2 home draw with San Diego, while FC Dallas sat seventh following a scoreless draw with Austin. Charlotte FC, Houston Dynamo FC and Chicago Fire rounded out the top ten.

Elsewhere, San Jose Earthquakes and LAFC played a 2-2 draw decided by an eighth-minute stoppage-time equalizer from young center back Reid Roberts, who salvaged a point after LAFC led 2-0 despite playing with ten men. Colorado Rapids dropped points late in a 3-3 draw with Seattle but saw new signing Morgan Whittaker score twice on his first start.