Miami, FL
MLS Power Rankings: LAFC No. 1 after win over Miami, Messi
It’s Tuesday, MLS action is back for 2026, and it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.
Who looks the strongest in the first days of 2026? Who’s in for a long year? Our writers studied the action from across Matchday 1 to come up with this week’s order. Let’s dive in.
– Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments in 2026 for Miami and Argentina
– Can Africa’s players make an impact in MLS the way they have in the NWSL?
– Messi struggles in MLS opener against LAFC, will it impact his World Cup hopes?
Already looking like a title favorite before the season began, LAFC dominated Inter Miami with a 3-0 victory. Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-Min certainly were involved, but getting goals from attackers David Martínez and Nathan Ordaz will only make fans more hopeful at this early stage.
That attack looks pretty good! Offseason addition Warren Madrigal had a goal and two assists in a 4-1 win over the Revolution, and the Costa Rica international wasn’t even the big-name signing. That was Cristian Espinoza, who also had a nice debut.
After the controversial decision to freeze designated player Hirving Lozano out of the squad, all SDFC did to start the year was get past Pumas in the Concacaf Champions Cup and thump Montréal 5-0 on Saturday. That game was more one-sided than expected because of a sending-off, but five goals from five different scorers is always impressive. Maybe they really are better without Chucky?
The Whitecaps earned a 1-0 home win over RSL thanks to a goal from AZ Jackson. Jackson arrived in the winter to help cover the Caps, moving two wide attackers on. It’s a great early showing and an important win ahead of the Concacaf Champions Cup second leg against Cartagines this week.
Losing Evander in the first 15 minutes of the match wasn’t ideal, but FCC still managed to overcome the loss and earn a 2-0 win over Atlanta United. Without the Brazilian star, the defense stepped up by totally outplaying the Five Stripes, and Gerardo Valenzuela did create three chances in his absence. Still, FCC will hope he’s back soon.
The Sounders overcame an early injury to Jordan Morris and a stop-start first half that saw a goal called off after video review for a 2-0 triumph over the Colorado Rapids to open their campaign. No one wants Morris hurt, but Paul Rothrock immediately stepped up in his absence, scoring the second goal of the night.
This wasn’t the start to the season the defending champions were looking for. The Herons fell 3-0 to LAFC at the Coliseum, and Lionel Messi’s frustration with the officials carried into the tunnel, capturing the headlines after. The real story might be how Miami’s defensive woes from last season continued, and the jelling time forward Germán Berterame could need. That said, this team still will rack up plenty of points.
Red Bulls manager Michael Bradley raised eyebrows before his first-team managerial debut, starting a 17-year-old forward, a 16-year-old midfielder (Adri Mehmeti) and a 17-year-old defender (Matthew Dos Santos) on the road at Orlando City.
That forward, Julian Hall, scored two goals in a 2-1 win that saw the Red Bulls dominate as they ran up an xG of 4.64 thanks to a rollicking first half. It’s very early, but why not choose to believe?
The Timbers opened the season with a 3-2 win at home over the Crew. There were some nervous moments — and some confusion at the back — but they earned the three points thanks to Ariel Lassiter’s late goal. Colombian Diego Chará made his 400th start for the Timbers in midfield and went the full 90.
It’s an auspicious MLS debut for Guilherme, who scored both Dynamo goals in a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire. Fellow offseason addition Mateusz Bogusz had three shots, but manager Ben Olsen will hope he’s more involved as the season progresses.
The defending Supporters’ Shield winners had a Concacaf Champions Cup trip to the Caribbean (which they won convincingly), but a 1-0 loss to D.C. United was not the start to 2026 they hoped for. Seeing former forward Tai Baribo score the winning goal only made it hurt more for the Union and their fans. Ezekiel Alladoh had a good CCC debut but then was sent off in this one for an obscene gesture and language.
1:11
DC United vs. Philadelphia Union – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from DC United vs. Philadelphia Union, 02/21/2026
It took a bit of penalty luck for NYCFC to find the equalizer in a 1-1 draw with the Galaxy, but Nico Fernández did well to convert from the spot as the visitors overcame an early deficit. It was a deserved point with the Pigeons creating more chances after conceding in the second minute.
An unlikely double from center back Daniel Munie helped San Jose open the season with a 3-0 romp over Sporting KC. It’s a nice opener, but the Quakes will rise further in the rankings if they can do it against teams with more established rosters than an SKC very much in transition.
The Loons were able to earn a point on the road with a 2-2 draw at Austin FC, showing some hints they might adapt under new manager Cameron Knowles while keeping the identity built over the past few seasons. That might all change, of course, when winter addition James Rodríguez is up and running.
St. Louis opened the scoring thanks to a team move capped by Marcel Hartel but had to settle for a 1-1 draw after conceding 13 minutes later. Yoann Damet will take heart that many of the principles of play were on display, as St. Louis created scoring opportunities but couldn’t finish enough of them.
Charlotte had a sluggish start but got a goal from Pep Biel to head home with a point in a 1-1 draw. The real hero, however, was goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina. The Croat made 10 saves to help secure the point. Charlotte had only two draws all of last season but might be starting a new trend this time around.
As Petar Musa goes, so go FC Dallas, and on Saturday, he had a pair of goals in a 3-2 victory over Toronto. It was a back-and-forth game, and for FCD to keep earning victories, they will need to tighten up at the back. As long as the Croatian forward is in form, though, FC Dallas will earn points.
Offseason signing João Klauss got things off and running for the 2026 season with a second-minute goal, but the Galaxy couldn’t keep the lead. Carlos Garcés was sent off, conceding a penalty with the foul that earned his second yellow, and it was a 1-1 draw with NYCFC. The Galaxy need to turn the page quickly with the second leg of a Concacaf Champions Cup series with Sporting San Miguelito coming Tuesday.
1:09
LA Galaxy vs. New York City FC – Game Highlights
LA Galaxy vs. New York City FC – Game Highlights
The Crew got off to a good start in Portland with a goal from Wessam Abou Ali and also enjoyed a golazo from Diego Rossi, but they weren’t able to get anything from the match, losing 3-2 after Lassiter hustled onto a ball sitting in the box that no one could clear. It will take more effort to match the heights of past seasons.
It was a fantastic start to the season for D.C., with new signing Tai Baribo scoring a tidy goal in a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union. Last season was so rough, however, that it’s tough to put D.C. much higher than 20 until we see some consistency.
After controlling the first half, the Fire couldn’t handle Dynamo attacker Guilherme, who scored twice as the hosts beat the Fire by a 2-1 scoreline. The opening 45 minutes will give them something to build on.
Unlike last season, the goals were there for Austin in a 2-2 draw with Minnesota United, but conceding on a pair of headers when that certainly was part of the tactical talk heading into a contest with the Loons will leave Nico Estévez frustrated.
A trip to Vancouver is a tough assignment for the first match of the season, but RSL weren’t able to rise to the occasion. The Caps looked crisper in a 1-0 contest that saw the home team take all three points.
The Lions didn’t really answer the bell as the New York Red Bulls sent wave after wave of attack. It wasn’t until far too late that Orlando was able to score in a 2-1 home defeat to open the campaign.
At this point, it’s hard to know if Atlanta United want a new era or the old one with Tata Martino back on the bench. Whatever the case, the performance wasn’t good enough in a 2-0 loss to FC Cincinnati.
Things are still coming together for TFC with Josh Sargent soon to arrive to lead the line, but a 3-2 loss to FC Dallas showed just how far they have to go.
The Rapids closed out the MLS weekend by traveling to Seattle and falling 2-0. The first half of the game lacked momentum because of several video reviews, but the Rapids didn’t offer much to get excited about with three shots on goal in the defeat, none of them all that dangerous.
The Revs had no answer to Nashville SC’s dominant attack, falling 4-1 on the road in Marko Mitrovic’s managerial debut. Leonardo Campana did link with Carles Gil, but more of that will be required in addition to the obvious improvements in defense.
This is a team still coming together, and it showed in a 3-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes. Raphael Wicky has a lot of work to do, even as more bodies arrive.
Tomás Avilés’ red card in the 50th minute of Montreal’s match with San Diego FC certainly didn’t make things easier, but the Quebecois side already was down 2-0 at that point en route to a 5-0 thrashing. It could be a long season.
Miami, FL
Miami-Dade condo owners plead for help after weeks-long elevator outrage impacting residents’ health
Condominium owners near Doral are appealing for help after their buildings have been without elevator service for weeks. They are speaking exclusively with CBS News Miami, sharing stories of hardship amid the area’s suffocating heat. Several owners, who are elderly and have disabilities, say they are struggling to climb the stairs.
This is not the first time the issue has plagued Parkwood Condominiums. Last July, CBS News Miami reported that one building in the complex had been without elevator service for more than a week.
Currently, service has been out at 9240 Fontainebleau Boulevard since May 14. The elevator at 9270 Fontainebleau Boulevard has been out of service since May 15, and the elevator at 9180 Fontainebleau Boulevard is also non-functional, though the duration there is unknown.
Ronald Bedenis, who has lived on the fifth floor of 9240 Fontainebleau Boulevard for 31 years, expressed worry for his wife and others.
“It’s terrible. People are having a really difficult time,” Bedenis said. “My wife cannot go out. I have an 80-year-old woman who cannot go down the stairs. Another neighbor is 104 years old, and she is in a wheelchair. How is she supposed to get down and buy food?”
His neighbor, 68-year-old Sandra Hanson, shared her struggle. “It is horrible. It is very bad because my husband is 80 years old and he cannot walk. He is very sick. He is stressed out,” Hanson said.
At 9270 Fontainebleau Boulevard, 77-year-old heart patient Luis Jorge said the outage is impacting his health.
“They put two catheters in my heart before, and I have another operation coming up,” Jorge said. “To go down is not a problem. But to go up is a problem. We called, and there is no one to talk to. I feel like I am in prison”.
His neighbor, Iris Hernandez, called the situation “frustrating”.
“It’s a big hardship, and I am in disbelief,” Hernandez said. “I feel like I am in a nightmare. I would like to see the elevator fixed”.
CBS News Miami contacted Atlas Property Management Services in Doral and received a statement from Joaquin Alvarez, the property manager.
Alvarez reported some progress at 9270 Fontainebleau Boulevard, where a damaged property edge was repaired, but they are waiting for a control card. At 9240 Fontainebleau Boulevard, Alvarez said the elevator had a damaged valve, and he expected a new one to be installed by the end of the week. He confirmed the Condominium Association had authorized repairs.
For 9180 Fontainebleau Boulevard, Alvarez said the problem involves a defective control board, which the elevator company is working with the manufacturer to resolve. He noted the issue has been ongoing “for a while” but did not provide a repair completion date for that building.
South Florida developers knocked out a combined $115 million in construction loans for Miami condo towers that are nearly sold out, as the demand for hospitality-branded residences heats up in the region.
North Development paid off a $70 million loan to Forman Capital and Core Capital for Domus Brickell Park, while Rosso Development and Midtown Development paid off a $45 million mortgage to Arkansas-based Bank OZK for The Standard Residences, Midtown Miami.
The projects have hit major milestones.
North’s 172-unit Domus Brickell Park recently opened and has posted 120 closings, while Rosso and Midtown’s 228-unit Standard Residences is nearing completion with only five units left to sell.
North Development, a partnership between Ricardo Dunin’s Oak Capital and Juan Carlos Tassara’s Edifica, paid off its loan in April for the building at 1611 Southwest Second Avenue.
The project offers a mix of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units that are short-term rental friendly. Units were marketed from the $600,000s to $1.2 million.
Zyscovich Architects is the architect, and Urban Robot Associates is the interior design firm. Amenities include the Peacock Room, which Dunin previously described as an activated lobby with food and beverage concepts, a market, and co-working spaces for guests and the public that were inspired by the ACE hotel in New York.
The payoff comes as North pushes ahead with Domus Brickell Center, another short-term-rental-friendly condo tower nearby. The developer said that 35-story, 579-unit project at 1034 Southwest Second Avenue is more than 50 percent sold and ahead of schedule. Less than a year ago, the project secured $220 million in financing, consisting of $180 million in C-PACE funding from Coral Gables-based Bayview PACE and a $40 million mortgage from Core Capital.
A few miles north, Rosso Development and Midtown Development paid off a $45 million construction loan for The Standard Residences, Midtown Miami, the first standalone residential project from the lifestyle hospitality brand. Another Standard-branded residential tower is under development in Brickell by Newgard Development Group and Two Roads Development.
Designed by Arquitectonica, the 12-story Midtown project includes 228 residences and more than 34,000 square feet of amenities, featuring a rooftop pool, pickleball court, coworking spaces and several food-and-beverage offerings, including a Juvia Group restaurant on the rooftop.
Units range from 432 square feet to 965 square feet, and include studios to two-bedroom condos. Owners will be able to rent their units out for terms as short as one month. In October 2023, fewer than 35 units remained, priced between $500,000 to $1 million.
A JLL Capital Markets debt advisory team led by Brian Gaswirth and Jimmy Calvo arranged the financing in 2023. According to JLL, the loan was paid off ahead of schedule.
Bank OZK is one of South Florida’s most active condo construction lenders. The bank also provided PMG’s state record-setting $668 million construction loan for Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami, which is expected to become the tallest residential tower south of New York City.
Even as interest rates have gradually come down in recent years, the environment is still relatively high, and construction costs continue to climb.
Read more
Juvia to open rooftop restaurant at Standard Residences in Midtown
Development
South Florida
Standard Residences in Midtown Miami scores $45M construction loan
Residential
South Florida
Ricardo Dunin, Juan Carlos Tassara land $220M financing for Domus Brickell Center
Development
South Florida
Ricardo Dunin, Peruvian partner score $70M loan for Domus Brickell
Miami, FL
Family displaced after car crashes into southwest Miami-Dade home, leaving structure unlivable
A car crashed into a southwest Miami-Dade home Sunday evening, leaving the structure unlivable and displacing a family of five, authorities said.
The crash happened near the intersection of Monroe Street and Douglass Drive and involved two vehicles, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. Doorbell camera video captured the moment of impact and the chaotic aftermath as neighbors rushed to help.
Five family members were inside the home at the time of the crash, including an 84-year-old woman. No one inside the house was injured, but the damage to the home was extensive.
“I was frantic. I was scared,” said Ken Charles, a relative who rushed to the scene to check on his grandmother. “I had to jump up and head straight over here and see what’s really going on.”
A woman who lives in the home, who asked not to be identified by her full name, said she initially thought something far worse had happened.
“I didn’t know if it was a gunshot, if it was a bomb, if it was a police chase,” she said. “So I looked outside and saw the car smoking.”
Emergency crews transported three people involved in the crash to a hospital with injuries ranging from stable to critical, officials said. Doorbell video shows neighbors and occupants of the vehicles attempting to help the injured moments after the collision.
Residents in the neighborhood said speeding and drivers running stop signs are ongoing concerns in the area, though they said crashes this severe are uncommon.
“There is no reason for him to be going so fast,” the resident said.
The American Red Cross responded late Sunday evening to assist the displaced family with temporary housing. Charles said the family does not have insurance and is now facing major financial challenges.
“We really do need the help,” he said. “It’s very difficult, and it’s not easy. We don’t know how we are going to get by.”
Authorities have not released an update on the conditions of those injured or said whether any charges will be filed. The investigation remains ongoing.
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