📈 MLS Power Rankings: The top-10 takes shape after matchday one | OneFootball

We're back with our MLS top-10 power rankings after the opening weekend of action around the league.

While a handful of expected contenders have cracked the list, we also have a number of surprise entrants after matchday one.

For readers unfamiliar with our selection criteria, teams will be selected based on a balance of current form and the level of talent in their squad.

Lets's dig in!

10. Philadelphia Union

📸 Mike Watters-Imagn Images

The Union certainly enter our top-10 as one of the aforementioned surprise entrants, but Bradley Carnell's side are good value for their selection after putting four past Orlando City away from home in an opening day rout.

Lead by goals from Tai Baribo and a stunning debut showing from full-back Frankie Westfield, the Union raced into the conversation as one of the best surprise packages from matchday one.

9. San Diego FC

📸 Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

It was a night to remember for San Diego, as they picked up a famous 2-0 win away to the reigning MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy in the club's first ever competitive match.

The upstarts from down south may not have put on a performance that would blow the socks off the neutral viewers, but it was an early sign that this San Diego side may be much greater than the sum of its parts.

8. Seattle Sounders

📸 Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

The Sounders should perhaps be higher in the list but they were undone by a stoppage-time own-goal against Charlotte to see the points slip away from in a game they were much the better side.

Jordan Morris reminded us all that he is more than capable of filling the void left by club legend Raúl Ruidíaz, bagging a brace and in the process becoming the joint top-scorer in club history.

7. Inter Miami

📸 Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Miami, like Seattle before them, are a team that will surely creep up these rankings as they season goes on, but you can't ignore a their slightly shaky start to the campaign.

While some Messi magic and deft Telasco Segovia finish rescued the Herons in the 10th minute of added-time, a 2-2 home draw to kick off the season after crashing out of the playoffs for a team boasting that kind of star-power is a tough place to start. They will be back though.

The frustration was on full display from Miami's biggest stars.

6. Vancouver Whitecaps

📸 Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Our next surprise entrant into the top-10 is the Vancouver Whitecaps, who stormed into Portland and thumped the 10-man Timbers to kick off their season. That result comes fresh off the back of a 5-0 win in Portland in the wildcard match at the tail-end of last season.

Ryan Gauld and new signing Jayden Nelson ran the show for the Caps, putting the Timbers defenders to sword on a regular basis.

5. Atlanta United

📸 Brett Davis-Imagn Images

As we break into the top-half of the standings, we'll start to see some of the real big boys show up – we'll start with Atlanta United.

Expectations were high on the Five Stripes after bringing in Miguel Almirón, Mateusz Klich, and MLS-record signing Emmanuel Latte Lath in the offseason, and they kicked things off with a narrow win over CF Montréal.

While the attackers put on a show, the defensive unit looked shaky. When new coach Ronny Deila finds that balance, Atlanta will be one tough nut to crack.

4. San Jose Earthquakes

📸 John Hefti-Imagn Images

After a massive offseason revolution headlined by the hiring of MLS legend Bruce Arena, the Earthquakes could not have written a more special opening-night showing than their 4-0 thrashing of Real Salt Lake.

PayPal Park was rocking, the new signings looked to fit in seamlessly, and most of all there was an air of joy and freedom around the team. Look out Western Conference rivals, the Quakes looked poised to cause some tremors this season.

3. Columbus Crew

📸 Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Not many teams but survive losing two of their most important attacking pieces, particularly when one is Cucho Hernandéz, in the offseason, but after 90 minutes this season the Crew look to have done just that.

They may have been helped by some Gregg Berhalter-lead teething issues from the Chicago Fire, but Wilfried Nancy's side looked as slick and motivated as ever.

2. LAFC

LAFC are just always in the picture, aren't they? While it took some time to find the opener, winter signing Jeremy Ebobisse's rocket from outside of the box sealed the points for the Black and Gold, and they did it without much contribution from some of their big name stars.

With Cengiz Ünder still to join the picture, expect LAFC to only get better.

1. FC Cincinnati

📸 Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

We round out week one's top-10 with a truly serious bunch — FC Cincinnati.

Pat Noonan's men already look like one of the most balanced sides in the league after a couple of matches in all competitions this season, and the signings of Evander and Kévin Denkey have only elevated their status as one of the best squads in North America.

It may only be one week, but Cincinnati are looking like a scary prospect for the rest of the league.

What do you make of the top-10? Let us know down below.