After another week of MLS action, our Power Rankings model has broken down every team's performance and pulled all the data to show how your club has performed.
The OPI model
Our power rankings are solely created by a data-based model we've pretentiously labeled "the Overall Performance Index" (OPI). This new model includes the same factors as the prior edition (points per game, strength of schedule, goal difference, and expected goal difference), while adding several other factors to provide a more rounded picture.
Ben Wright
We've built a really cool Power Rankings app that updates in real time and lets you explore the data. It also includes an in-depth explainer of the methodology we use. We're continuing to build out some of the coolest interactive data apps in independent soccer media, and we hope you'll follow along with us!
Matchday 29 Power Rankings
It finally happened! Nashville SC have taken the top spot in the Power Rankings after locking down the top spot in the Supporters' Shield for 152 days, and with 12 points between them and the single-season points record.
We've gotten a lot of (justified) questions about why Nashville have been behind Vancouver Whitecaps for the bulk of the season, despite having a 10+ point lead on them in the table. The simple answer is underlying numbers. Nashville are massively overperforming their underlying numbers, with their +37 goal differential drastically ahead of their +7 expected goal differential.
It's mystifying how heavily Nashville have overperformed the data, especially given how dominant they've been by the eye test. And with our model perhaps overrating the underlying numbers, Vancouver's historic underlying numbers have kept them in the top spot for too long. Per American Soccer Analysis, they have the second-best expected goal differential per game in their database.
SixOneFive Soccer Staff
Elsewhere, St. Louis City continue their dominant run, unbeaten in 20 matches in all competitions and climbing into the top three. Their 6-2 demolition of LA Galaxy on Sunday night soccer was one of the most one-sided results in the league this season, Philadelphia Union are on a similar run, pushing into sixth place in the East with an electric run of post-World Cup form.
Weekly winners
Inter Miami's 4-0 win over a disastrous DC United increased their score by nearly four points, while FC Cincinnati move up seven spots after a 3-1 road win at Atlanta United.
Weekly losers
LA Galaxy's disaster in St. Louis saw their score drop by 3.32 points, and they fall five spots in the table. DC United also dropped five spots after being thoroughly embarassed by Miami.
