San Jose Earthquakes Surge Up MLS Elo Rankings

Sporting Kansas City remains stuck at the bottom as LAFC retakes the top spot.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:04am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a chaotic soccer match, with overlapping planes of bright colors representing the teams in motion.The Hybrid xG-Elo model captures the dynamic shifts in MLS team performance, with San Jose surging and Sporting KC sinking.San Diego Today

The latest MLS Hybrid xG-Elo model update shows major movement in the league standings, with the San Jose Earthquakes jumping up two spots to 11th overall after an impressive +18.4 Elo gain. Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City remains firmly cemented at the bottom of the league rankings, shedding another 8.4 Elo points following their latest loss. LAFC has reclaimed the top spot, while San Diego and the Philadelphia Union have both suffered significant drops.

Why it matters

The Hybrid xG-Elo model provides a comprehensive look at team performance, factoring in both results and underlying metrics like expected goals. These rankings give a clear picture of which teams are truly excelling or struggling, beyond just their win-loss records. The movement of teams like San Jose and Sporting KC highlights how quickly fortunes can change in MLS, with implications for playoff races, coaching decisions, and fan sentiment.

The details

San Jose's surge up the rankings is fueled by an impressive WWLWW form line, indicating they are not just winning matches, but dominating the underlying xG battle against tough opponents. This 18.4 Elo point swing in a single update is a testament to their recent excellence. In contrast, Sporting Kansas City remains trapped at the bottom with a 1370.4 rating, shedding another 8.4 Elo points after their latest loss. Their recent form of DLWLL shows a team unable to find any consistency. San Diego and Philadelphia have also suffered significant drops, with San Diego bleeding 18.4 Elo points and the Union's freefall continuing with a sixth straight loss.

  • The latest Hybrid xG-Elo model update was released on April 9, 2026.

The players

LAFC

The top-ranked team in the Hybrid xG-Elo model, having reclaimed the #1 spot.

San Jose Earthquakes

The team that made the biggest jump in the rankings, surging up two spots to 11th overall with an impressive +18.4 Elo gain.

Sporting Kansas City

The team firmly cemented at the bottom of the league rankings, with a 1370.4 rating and another 8.4 Elo point drop following their latest loss.

San Diego

The team that suffered the biggest statistical loss of the week, bleeding a massive 18.4 Elo points despite holding onto the #5 overall spot.

Philadelphia Union

The team in freefall, having lost six straight matches and dropping to 15th overall as their historical safety net in the rankings continues to erode.

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What’s next

The Hybrid xG-Elo model will continue to be updated weekly, providing a clear picture of which teams are rising and falling in the MLS landscape. Fans and analysts will be closely watching to see if Sporting Kansas City can turn things around and climb out of the cellar, while the Earthquakes look to sustain their recent surge up the rankings.

The takeaway

The Hybrid xG-Elo model offers a nuanced, data-driven look at MLS team performance that goes beyond just wins and losses. The dramatic shifts seen in this update, with San Jose soaring and Sporting KC sinking further, highlight how quickly fortunes can change in the league and the importance of consistent, dominant performances to climb the standings.