📈 MLS Power Rankings: LAFC on the rise, Whitecaps slip

MLS continues to ebb and flow this season as we have five weeks under our belt.

We’ve had plenty of surprises in our Power Rankings this season, and the shocks did not subside this time around.

Let’s dig in.

10. Nashville SC (🆕)

📸 Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Nashville are on the rise, winning three straight games after a sluggish start to the campaign.

With a dominant win over a listless Montréal over the weekend, B.J. Callaghan’s side climbed into the top-four in the Eastern Conference, and made club history at the same time.

9. Chicago Fire (🆕)

📸 Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images

Don’t look now MLS fans, everybody’s favorite villain Gregg Berhalter has Chicago purring.

The Fire’s impressive victory in Vancouver to end the Whitecaps’ perfect start to the season was the side’s third straight — the first time they have won three consecutive matches in 16 years!

8. St. Louis City (👎)

📸 Luther Schlaifer-Imagn Images

St. Louis’ reunion with former boss Bradley Carnell did not go to plan. The midwest club left Philadelphia with a defeat, and a bloody nose to boot after tensions boiled over between the two benches.

City have bags of talent, and will certainly be in the picture throughout most of the season, but they will want to forget their trip to the city of brotherly love.

7. San Diego FC (👎)

📸  Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

San Diego’s fairytale start to life in MLS had to come to an end eventually, and it did in Austin on Sunday.

The Western Conference newcomers had hit surprise heights in the opening month of the campaign, but their lack of competitive depth would always come back to bite them.

6. Vancouver Whitecaps (👎)

📸 Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images

Like San Diego before them, Vancouver’s shockingly smooth start to the season has finally hit a speed-bump.

For teams whose MO is being more than the sum of their parts, setbacks can be tough to overcome. Their response to the first defeat of the season will be crucial.

5. Columbus Crew (no movement)

📸 Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

The Crew are clearly missing their recently departed star attackers after a second consecutive 0-0 draw at home.

The good news for Columbus is that their tactical discipline is high quality enough to see them dominate most games. If they can add a ruthless edge at the top of the team, they should quickly climb back into the conversation.

4. Philadelphia Union (👍)

📸 Luther Schlaifer-Imagn Images

The Union have climbed back into the top-five after getting themselves back into the win column over the weekend, doing so without the services of star striker Tai Baribo.

They will have the chance to show if they are truly the real deal this upcoming weekend in a monumental showdown with Inter Miami.

3. LAFC (👍)

📸 Kylie Graham-Imagn Images

After a small blip, LAFC are looking back to their best. The inspired play of teenage sensation David Martínez has helped to revitalize Steve Cherundolo’s side, and his talent was on full display in Kansas City on Saturday.

2. Charlotte FC (👍)

📸 Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Dean Smith’s Charlotte side have been transformed into one of the toughest nuts to crack in MLS. And with the goals now flowing, they have been nearly unplayable for a few consecutive weeks now.

Consistency will be the name of the game for Charlotte, but if they do remain consistent, they will easily be one of the best teams in the league.

1. Inter Miami (no movement)

📸 Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

While they did not play over the weekend, Miami will be hoping to get Leo Messi back on the pitch sooner rather than later.

The Herons will turn their attention to a massive clash with Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia this weekend.

📸 Featured image: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images