MLS Power Rankings: Gregg Berhalter's Chicago Fire surge up the table, Charlotte FC knock on the door of league's elite

Matchday 5 bye.

Absolutely pummeled by Nashville SC, 3-0. Not only was it a battering, it wasn't even a close contest - and it's resulted in Laurent Courtois' job.

The 46-year-old was sacked Monday morning, and now they'll be on the hunt for a new manager - again.

Stomped into the pitch in front of their home fans by LAFC. If the front-office does not allocate funds to bolster their defense, particularly centerback - then this season is a wash, no matter what changes Peter Vermes makes to the XI.

Another week, another loss. A 10-man RBNY defeated them 2-1, but at least they showed fight late, earning a late consolation goal. Underwhelming doesn't even begin to describe it.

Drew Seattle 0-0 for their second point of the year. There's not much to add - Houston have yet to impress once this season, but they've shown they're capable of keeping a clean sheet. Call that what you want.

Pummeled by Orlando City, 4-1. Three of the goals were conceded within a 12-minute span, highlighting the defensive issues D.C. still have.

There's immense room for improvement.

Things are really going downhill for SJ after two hot weeks to begin the campaign. Handed their third-straight loss, the Earthquakes were smoked by Charlotte FC 4-1. The Eastern Conference side worked them head to toe, and Bruce Arena had zero answers for their attack.

The MLS veteran has his work cut out on the touchline.

Things are just not going well. They earned a point in a 2-2 draw against Minnesota United - and can call themselves lucky for it with the lever coming in the final minute of regulation.

The Galaxy look like a shell of themselves without Riqui Puig and Joseph Paintsil.

Without Diego Luna available due to international duty, their attack really struggled, and they fell to FC Dallas 1-0. An early red card to Ariath Piol for Serious Foul Play doomed them from the start, and the winner eventually came from Lucho Acosta.

Pablo Mastroeni and the front-office need to address their striker situation before things start trending downhill even more than they already are.

What a bounce-back performance from Phil Neville and the Timbers after a rather not-so-good start to the season.

They thumped Colorado 3-0 with goals from Kevin Kelsy and Antony, paired with a Rapids own-goal from Josh Atencio. The Timbers finally put forth a showing that should instill belief in the club.

Replicate that week after week and heads might finally turn.

Scraped by 10-man RSL courtesy of a header from Lucho Acosta (yes, the shortest player on the field scored a header).

The former league MVP also missed from the penalty spot, but three points is three points. They can't be too upset.

Blanked by the Dynamo 0-0, the Sounders attack is struggling to click down three starters - Jordan Morris and Pedro De La Vega are out 4-6 weeks with injuries, while Paul Arriola is done due to a torn ACL. Unlucky.

They're scoreless in their last two matches without all three forwards.

Emmanuel Latte Lath scored again, but Atlanta's defense struggled once more as they drew FC Cincinnati 2-2. They were gifted a point due to a late own-goal from Cincy, but their squad has not yet clicked in the manner that Ronny Deila would have hoped.

Drew Atlanta 2-2, with a late own-goal taking away what would have been a brilliant home victory for the club. Evander scored twice, with the Brazilian absolutely stunning in the attack once again.

Pat Noonan won't be thrilled as Cincy sit on seven points through five games.

Martin Ojeda and Ivan Angulo each bagged two assists as Orlando battered D.C. United 4-1. DP forward Luis Muriel has recorded a goal-contribution in four straight matches, and new DP attacker Marco Pasalic looks to be the real deal as he bagged his second goal in as many weeks.

Oscar Pareja's side are really starting to come together.

Oof. The Timbers ran Colorado into the ground 3-0 - at home in front of their own fans, at that.

A weekend to forget for Chris Armas and his squad.

Drew Columbus 0-0 on the road, and frankly, that's a point that Pascal Jansen will gladly take. NYCFC are undefeated in their last three matches now, as they are quietly coming together as a squad.

Another frustrating result for Minnesota. For the second straight week, their defense crumbled late and conceded to land them with just a point.

The Loons drew the Galaxy 2-2, but the positive spin is Kelvin Yeboah scored a brace - their DP striker is on fire to begin 2025 with four goals in five games.

Defeated TFC 2-1 with Emil Forsberg bagging a brace. Their star midfielder put on a clinic when they needed him most - but Sandro Schwarz won't be thrilled around the return from the rest of his attack.

RBNY needs more from Wikelman Carmona and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.

Their undefeated season finally came to an end after Austin managed a 2-1 victory against SDFC. It was a good performance from the expansion side, and Luca De La torre even scored his first goal for the club - but they came up short on the road.

There's not a lot to read into here - San Diego should bounce back fine.

CITY finally lost, with the Union snapping their stellar shutout run to begin the season. Philly defeated them 1-0 at home. St. Louis just had zero answers in the attack.

Through five weeks, they're still trying to find themselves in all areas on the pitch - but early return from Olof Mellberg has been more positive than not.

Columbus now have three draws in a row after beginning the campaign with two straight wins. They remain undefeated, but it's become increasingly clear that they need a Cucho Hernandez replacement - and fast.

Big, big, result. Brandon Vazquez bagged his first for Verde in a 2-1 win over San Diego FC as Austin secured their third win of the season.

The U.S. international needed that, and so did the club. Don't look now, but Austin are up to second in the Western Conference.

B.J. Callaghan and Nashville are flying. Three straight wins, a Matchday 5 thumping over CF Montreal, a 3-0 win, was the cherry on top of their spectacular run of form.

Really, really impressive stuff from the former USMNT assistant on the touchline, and his squad on the pitch.

Big win for LAFC. They bested Sporting KC 2-0, with goals from 19-year-old David Martinez and defender Aaron Long.

The Black and Gold Homegrown product, Martinez has impressed through the start of 2025 and looks to be a key part of Steve Cherundolo's plans for 2025.

Three straight victories for Gregg Berhalter and the Fire. It's become increasingly impressive from the former U.S. manager, and even more so knowing that they defeated the Whitecaps - MLS' lone team to begin the campaign with four wins - 3-1 on Matchday 5.

Striker Hugo Cuypers has five goals and one assist to begin the season, with the Belgian putting up sensational numbers to begin the campaign.

Their first hiccup of 2025, Vancouver were down five key players due to the international break, and were beaten 3-1 by the Fire. It was a tough result, but they'll be fine, and Jesper Sorensen - based on early showings - looks to be the right man to steer their ship forward.

Something is in the water in Charlotte.

Dean Smith's side walloped the San Jose Earthquakes 4-1, despite being without U.S. internationals Tim Ream and Patrick Agyemang, as well as Israeli winger Liel Abada - all three due to the international break.

It was incredibly impressive, and they are clearly out to prove they belong among the status of MLS' elite in 2025.

Had a Matchday 5 bye.

Back to the top they go.

Huge result for Philly. Defeated a defensively sound side in CITY 1-0, behind an early goal from Ian Glavinovich - while U.S. youth international Quinn Sullivan really impressed in a wide midfield role. More impressively, they did it without leading scorer Tai Baribo, who was missing while on international duty.