Inter Miami climb MLS Power Rankings as LAFC retain top spot
Defending champions Inter Miami have surged back up the MLS Power Rankings following a dominant derby victory, while Los Angeles FC solidified their place at the summit.
The latest standings see significant movement following the second week of the 2026 Major League Soccer campaign.
Herons bounce back in Florida derby
After stumbling on the opening weekend, Javier Mascherano’s side responded emphatically.
The Herons secured a commanding 4-2 victory on the road against state rivals Orlando City.
While Mascherano continues to fine-tune his tactical setup, the sheer quality within the squad proved too much for the Lions.
The result lifts the South Florida club three places to fourth in the rankings, easing early concerns about their title defence.
LAFC set the early pace
Steve Cherundolo’s men remain the team to catch after backing up their opening day win with another three points.
The Black and Gold travelled to Houston Dynamo and returned with a professional 2-0 victory.
Long-range strikes from Mark Delgado and Stephen Eustaquio demonstrated the variety of threats posed by the Californians.
Their ability to control games away from home suggests they are well-equipped to challenge for the Supporters’ Shield again.
Muller shines for Vancouver
Vancouver Whitecaps have climbed to second place after asserting their dominance over Canadian rivals Toronto FC.
The 3-0 victory was orchestrated by Thomas Muller, who continues to defy his age.
The German legend scored a brace, ensuring the Caps look every bit the side that reached the MLS Cup final last year.
Vancouver’s performance effectively silenced any debate regarding which Canadian franchise currently holds the upper hand.
Dreyer chases Messi record
San Diego FC round out the top three following a comfortable 2-0 win over St Louis City.
Anders Dreyer was the standout performer at Snapdragon Stadium, opening the scoring for the hosts.
That contribution etched the Danish winger into the history books alongside an elite name.
Dreyer is now the second-fastest player in league history to record 20 goals and 20 assists, trailing only Lionel Messi.
Academy stars lift Red Bulls
elsewhere, New York Red Bulls climbed the table thanks to a 1-0 win over New England Revolution.
The decisive moment was crafted entirely by the club’s youth system.
Three teenagers combined for the winner, with Julian Hall applying the finishing touch.
However, it was a difficult weekend for Seattle Sounders, who dropped to seventh.
Despite facing a depleted Real Salt Lake side, the Rave Green fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat.
Micky van de Ven has turned down the opportunity to open contract talks with Tottenham Hotspur amid reported interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The north London club were keen to tie the Dutch international down to a new five-year deal.
However, the 24-year-old has reportedly declined to enter negotiations as he sees his long-term future away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
La Liga giants monitoring situation
Reports suggest the defender’s head has been turned by admiration from both Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The former Wolfsburg centre-back has established himself as one of the Premier League’s quickest and most reliable defenders since arriving in England.
Despite Spurs being willing to offer improved terms to secure his services until 2029, the player appears set on a summer exit.
Spurs facing relegation battle
The contract standoff comes at a precarious time for the club, who are currently embroiled in a fight for Premier League survival.
Igor Tudor’s side are yet to win a match in 2026 and sit just four points above the relegation zone.
While the squad has largely underperformed during a difficult second consecutive campaign near the bottom of the table, Van de Ven has remained a standout performer.
Valuation and transfer fee
Should the defender push for a move, Tottenham are expected to demand a fee in the region of £100m.
However, that valuation could be significantly compromised if the club fails to avoid the drop to the Championship.
Relegation would likely force Spurs to soften their financial demands, making it increasingly difficult to retain a player described as "world-class" by former midfielder Jamie O’Hara.
Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer faces a fight to retain his place in England’s World Cup squad as persistent fitness issues raise concerns for manager Thomas Tuchel.
The 23-year-old appears to be a pale shadow of the dynamic forward who starred during the European Championships.
Struggling for match sharpness and seemingly carrying a knock, the midfielder is now a significant worry for the national team hierarchy.
Burnout fears for Chelsea star
Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango has suggested that the demands of the modern calendar are taking their toll.
Molango indicated that Palmer and several Stamford Bridge teammates have been left “shattered” by non-stop competitive action.
This fatigue was evident during Sunday’s fixture against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The former Manchester City academy graduate looked vulnerable and lacked his usual creative spark against the Gunners.
Having played through significant pain barriers this season, participation in the World Cup would mark his third consecutive summer of tournament football.
Palmer went to ground in the 34th minute of the London derby with no opposition player nearby, further highlighting his fragility.
Tuchel faces selection dilemma
New England boss Thomas Tuchel faces a difficult balancing act regarding his attacking midfield options.
The German coach can only select a limited number of creative playmakers, leaving the Chelsea talisman at risk of the cut.
While Palmer struggled, his club captain Reece James offered a contrasting performance.
James impressed with a tenacious defensive display combined with attacking threat, boosting his own selection hopes.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has emerged as a potential alternative for the Three Lions.
Scott displayed fearlessness and an ability to drive forward with the ball during the weekend’s action.
Competition for places remains fierce, with Jordan Pickford also reminding Tuchel of his quality with a breathtaking save to deny Sandro Tonali.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe will undergo further assessments on a knee injury in Paris but is not currently scheduled for surgery.
The 27-year-old France international has been managing an issue with the external ligament of his left knee since late 2025.
Having missed the Champions League play-off second leg against Benfica, the striker has travelled to the French capital for specialist consultation.
Champions League doubts loom
The former Paris St-Germain attacker is confirmed to miss Real’s La Liga fixture against Getafe on Monday.
However, significant doubt remains regarding his availability for the Champions League last-16 first leg against Manchester City next week.
Representatives for the World Cup winner confirmed he is currently with members of the Real Madrid medical staff to determine the next steps in his rehabilitation.
“In agreement with the club, he is undergoing further tests on his knee with the aim of optimising his follow-up care and preparing for his comeback,” a statement read.
“No surgical intervention is being planned at the moment.”
Arbeloa prioritises long-term fitness
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa insisted the decision to rest the prolific scorer, who has netted 38 times in 33 appearances this campaign, was reached mutually.
The Spanish giants are keen to ensure their talisman returns only when fully recovered to avoid aggravating the persistent issue.
“It was a bit of a consensus between everyone and we think the best thing is that he stops, that he recovers and comes back at 100%,” Arbeloa stated.
“It’s not going to be a question of days, it will be a bit longer, but I can’t say how long. Hopefully not too long.”
The Football Association is aiming to trial a ‘coach’s challenge’ system in a bid to reduce the frequency and length of delays caused by Video Assistant Referees.
Mark Bullingham, the governing body’s chief executive, has suggested adopting a model similar to those successfully used in cricket and tennis.
This potential shift comes amid a scheduled two-year review of officiating technology by the International Football Association Board (Ifab).
Shifting the onus to managers
Video technology has been a permanent fixture in the Premier League since the 2019-20 campaign but continues to divide opinion regarding the speed of decision-making.
Under the proposed changes, managers would likely be granted a set number of appeals per match regarding subjective on-field decisions.
Factual rulings, such as offside calls, would remain under the automatic jurisdiction of current technology protocols.
“The other interesting area is looking at what can we learn from other trials being done?”
Mark Bullingham, FA Chief Executive
Bullingham believes this approach could fundamentally alter the flow of matches by reducing constant interference from the VAR hub.
“That changes the dynamic, that reduces the amount of times when there is a VAR intervention and effectively puts the onus on the coach.”
Conflicting views on implementation
While the English hierarchy appears keen on the concept, there is resistance regarding its necessity at the elite level of the sport.
David Elleray, Ifab’s technical director, has previously argued that a challenge system is redundant in competitions equipped with comprehensive camera coverage.
“There is no reason to have challenges with VAR because the video match officials check every single incident.”
David Elleray, Ifab Technical Director
The former referee suggests such systems are better suited for competitions that operate with limited camera angles.
Despite this opposition, the FA intends to push for a trial scheme as part of the ongoing wider review into officiating standards.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is facing increasing pressure to overhaul his starting line-up following a damaging 3-2 home defeat by Everton.
The Magpies succumbed to a late loss at St James’ Park, a result that leaves them languishing in 13th place in the Premier League table.
Everton snatched victory moments after Jacob Murphy had equalised, capitalizing on a defensive error to secure the points.
Defensive frailties expose Magpies
Anthony Gordon surrendered possession in a critical area before Thierno Barry bundled home the winner for the visitors.
It was a pivotal moment that highlighted the team’s fragility during a campaign that has fallen well below expectations.
That defeat saw Howe’s side drop below fierce North East rivals Sunderland and drift 15 points adrift of the Champions League places.
While the club has progressed in Europe, their domestic form has raised serious questions about the manager’s selection loyalty.
Gordon and Elanga under scrutiny
The England international has started 20 league games this term but has registered just one non-penalty goal.
Despite Howe’s patience, the former Everton winger’s output has failed to justify his continued selection.
Nick Woltemade is another figure struggling for form, having failed to impress in either a forward role or when deployed in midfield.
Anthony Elanga, a high-profile arrival from Nottingham Forest, has also yet to deliver value for the significant fee paid in the summer.
Changes required for United test
Newcastle face Manchester United next, a fixture that could prove decisive for the manager’s long-term future.
Howe has viable options on the bench, with Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock pushing for inclusion in the starting XI.
Jacob Murphy, Yoane Wissa, and William Osula also featured as substitutes against the Toffees and could offer fresh energy.
With the pressure mounting, a comprehensive reshuffle may be the only way to arrest the club’s alarming slide.
Lionel Messi has declined an invitation to the White House to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, citing a scheduling conflict for his absence.
Scheduling conflict prevents attendance
The Inter Miami captain released a statement explaining why he could not accept the United States’ highest civilian honour in person.
President Joe Biden had included the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner on a list of 19 distinguished leaders to be recognised before the end of his term.
However, the former Barcelona forward was unable to join fellow honourees, including Denzel Washington and Magic Johnson, in Washington D.C. on 5 January.
In a statement regarding his absence, the Argentine World Cup winner expressed his gratitude despite being unable to travel.
It’s a great honour to receive this recognition. I’m truly grateful for it.
Unfortunately, I have a prior commitment and won’t be able to attend the ceremony at the White House on January 4. But I deeply appreciate this gesture.
Impact in the United States
It is understood that no representative was sent in the player’s place, meaning his name was not read out during the ceremony.
The White House had intended to recognise the veteran forward not only for his sporting prowess but for his humanitarian work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
Since moving to Major League Soccer in 2023, the attacker has transformed the profile of the sport in North America.
His on-field contributions helped secure the Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield for the Florida-based franchise.
A further statement clarified that FIFA had originally informed Inter Miami of the award in late December.
Leo, through the club, sent a letter to the White House saying that he feels deeply honoured and that it is a great privilege to receive this recognition.
But that due to scheduling conflicts and prior commitments, he will not be able to attend. He thanked the gesture and noted that he hopes to have the opportunity to meet with him in the near future.
Liverpool have overhauled their set-piece strategy under Arne Slot to spark a dramatic turnaround in proficiency, highlighted by three corner goals against West Ham.
The Reds secured a comprehensive 5-2 victory over the Hammers at the weekend, with dead-ball situations proving decisive in the first half.
"Our setup is slightly different, but the biggest reason is that things have gone back to normal," Slot explained following the result.
This sudden effectiveness marks a significant shift for the Merseyside club.
Seven of Liverpool’s last nine Premier League goals have come from set-pieces, with five of those resulting specifically from corners.
It represents a stark contrast to the first half of the campaign, where the Anfield side briefly held the statistically worst set-play record across Europe’s top five leagues.
Coaching reshuffle at Anfield
The transformation coincides with a change in the backroom staff dynamic.
Following the departure of set-piece coach Aaron Briggs at the end of December, the club has opted against appointing an external replacement.
Instead, Slot has taken personal responsibility for the routines alongside his assistants Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Lewis Mahoney, the club’s set-piece analyst, has also been afforded a more prominent voice in the tactical planning.
This collective approach has yielded immediate dividends, moving the team from the bottom of the rankings to one of the division’s elite in a matter of weeks.
Embracing the aerial bombardment
The tactical adjustment has seen the Dutch head coach embrace a league-wide trend toward inswinging deliveries.
While Slot admitted relying on such methods might hurt his "football heart", the pragmatic shift has been undeniable.
The Reds are now targeting the six-yard box to create chaos, a strategy notably mastered by title rivals Arsenal.
Premier League data indicates that 81% of corners are now inswingers, a sharp rise from previous seasonal averages of around 59%.
"If you can’t beat them, join them," appears to be the mantra, with offensive teams now placing an average of 3.25 players in the six-yard box.
This crowding tactic restricts goalkeepers and reduces the likelihood of them making clean contact with the ball.
Liverpool were considered late adopters of this heavy-traffic approach but have now fully integrated the method into their attacking armoury.
The recent uptick suggests that accepting the Premier League’s physical reality is the most sustainable path forward for Slot’s tenure.