Throughout the MLS season, various soccer websites and publications will list power rankings. Unlike the MLS league standings, which ranks teams according to how many points they have earned, power rankings list teams according to their recent form.
As a result, they can be useful for identifying which teams near the bottom of the standings are in the process of improving their results, and which teams near the top have undergone a slump in form. This is important as while a team may be at or near the top of their conference and therefore considered favorites for their upcoming matches, their position in the standings could be largely due to results earned in the earlier stages of the season.
The MLS website also provides useful team rankings for various stats, including which teams have won the most games, scored or conceded the most goals, and got the most yellow and red cards. While referring to the MLS standings is important for betting on the league, it is just as necessary to be aware of the underlying metrics that have led a team to their current position.