MLS Power Rankings: Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Cincinnati surge, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami slip, LA Galaxy remain dreadful

Prior Ranking: 30

Result: Lost to Charlotte FC 1-0

Ramifications: In their home opener of 2025 - yes, they had seven-straight road games to begin the season - Montreal fell to Charlotte, but it wasn't without a fight. The Canadian side had 19 shots, but just two were on target - though they managed an xG of 1.6 in comparison to the away side's .8.

Still on the hunt for a permanent coach, Montreal are a ways out from being competitive - but it's evident they still have a fighting spirit.

Prior Ranking: 29

Result: Drew the Houston Dynamo 1-1

Ramifications: Another lifeless performance from the Galaxy. Mathias "Zanka" Jorgensen was sent off just 28 minutes in, with LA already down a goal. Luckily, a moment of magic from Diego Fagundez - a direct free kick goal - lifted them to a point. However, the season just continues to get worse for the reigning champions.

Prior Ranking: 27

Result: Lost to FC Cincinnati 1-0

Ramifications: Four-straight losses, five without a win. Troy Lesesne is officially on the hot seat. D.C. had more possession than Cincy, outshot them 15-12 and recorded 98 more completed passes. Yet, somehow, they finished goalless and departed without even a point.

Christian Benteke can only do so much. The Belgian forward already has five goals this season, but the other 10 people on the pitch, and his manager on the touchline, are letting him down.

Prior Ranking: 25

Result: Lost to Columbus Crew 2-1

Ramifications: Their fourth-straight loss, and first goal scored since Matchday 4. It's nowhere near good enough from the players or manager Olof Mellberg right now. The club are in desperate need of attacking help, and the transfer window is winding down.

Prior Ranking: 24

Result: Lost to Portland 4-2

Ramifications: Dejan Joveljic had two penalty kick attempts, with one saved - but it was a promising performance from SKC against a very in-form Timbers side. Shapi Suleymanov had likely his best game of the season, too.

Where Sporting fell short was in defense. Jansen Miller scored an own-goal and Joaquin Hernandez had an evening to forget.

Prior Ranking: 22

Result: Drew LA Galaxy 1-1

Ramifications: A weird one to judge. A point against the reigning champions should feel great - however, the Galaxy are in awful form and the Dynamo had every opportunity to take three points here. They had an early lead, plus a man-advantage for 60+ minutes and somehow they didn't take three points.

Ben Olsen will be irritated beyond belief with the result - especially after their big win over LAFC last weekend.

Prior Ranking: 18

Result: Lost to new England Revolution 1-0

Ramifications: Atlanta are really struggling. Their worst start through eight matches in club history with nine points - and a loss against a poor Revs side just sums up their start. For as much money as they spent this offseason on their attack, the pieces are not working as a unit.

In six matches at home, they've managed just two wins - and in both road matches played this season, they've come back without a victory. Ronny Deila has his work cut out for him.

Prior Ranking: 26

Result: Drew MNUFC 0-0

Ramifications: Toronto had no answers against the Loons, but it wasn't for the lack of trying. They recorded five shots on goal, but never found the back of the net. MNUFC, meanwhile, had just one shot on target - but a stupendous save from Sean Johnson allowed TFC to leave with a point.

That's three-straight draws for the Canadian side, with just one goal scored.

Prior Ranking: 28

Result: Defeated Atlanta United 1-0

Ramifications: A penalty kick from Carles Gil proved to be the difference as the Revs now have two wins in their last three matches. Although it wasn't a flashy performance, and their attack still has levels to clear before being competitive. But three points are three points. Caleb Porter will be thrilled.

Prior Ranking: 19

Result: Lost to Seattle 1-0

Ramifications: Manager Eric Quill revealed striker Petar Musa sprained his ankle during the match, which prompted his early removal. Without him on the pitch, FCD struggled to manage anything in the final-third over the final 45 minutes, which resulted in them leaving the affair scoreless.

FCD have just three wins on the season - and although they've impressed in each respectively, they've struggled to remain consistent. Big few weeks ahead if Musa is sidelined.

Prior Ranking: 17

Result: Lost to LAFC 2-1

Ramifications: Tough result against LAFC. They found momentum late, with Cristian Espinoza bagging in the 95th, but there just wasn't enough time to manage anything else at that point.

Winning on the road at BMO Stadium is never easy, but the opportunity was there for Bruce Arena's side - they just never took it. It was their fourth loss in their last six matches.

Prior Ranking: 23

Result: Defeated FC Dallas 1-0

Ramifications: Welcome back to the starting XI, Pedro De La Vega. What an important win for Seattle - both in the standings, and from a morale perspective. Winless in four prior, the Argentine returned to the XI after a substitute cameo last week and helped Seattle to a huge three points.

Danny Musovski scored the winner, but it was a team effort - just what Brian Schmetzer's squad needed.

Prior Ranking: 16

Result: Lost to Nashville SC 2-1

Ramifications: Oh boy. Real Salt Lake will feel incredibly hard done by this result. A 91st minute penalty kick from Sam Surridge sealed the victory for Nashville - but the match itself was as controversial as it could be.

The foul that led to Surridge's attempt was a soft tackle that has led to debate amongst fans, while earlier in the match, Nashville's Dan Lovitz - who scored their opening goal - the subject of a VAR review for a red card offense due to violent conduct.

However, he was not sent off despite what looked like a clear elbow to the face of RSL's Dominik Marczuk. RSL can definitely feel a bit hard done here.

Prior Ranking: 21

Result: Lost to Houston Dynamo 1-0

Ramifications: Denis Bouanga FINALLY scored, and it was a hugely important goal. The Gabon international scored the winner as LAFC claimed their first MLS victory since March 22 - and it came after a week where the Black and Gold crashed out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

His first of the season, Bouanga finally opened his accounts and - perhaps, this will be the match they look back on that finally got their season going.

Prior Ranking: 10

Result: Lost to Vancouver Whitecaps 5-1

Ramifications: Shield your eyes, Austin fans. That was simply embarrassing. Just forget it even happened, and prepare for next week.

Prior Ranking: 20

Result: Defeated Philadelphia Union 1-0

Ramifications: Huge result for the Pigeons. Keeping a striker tandem such as Tai Baribo and Bruno Damiani quiet is no easy task - and NYCFC's midfield and defense did exactly that.

Meanwhile, Alonso Martinez scored the winner again, as the Costa Rica international continues his brilliant start to 2025. He has five goals in seven appearances this season.

Prior Ranking: 15

Result: Defeated San Diego FC 3-2

Ramifications: Huge result for the Rapids, with three points at home. San Diego were in-form and had already secured two road victories this season, but Chris Armas' men were resilient and did what needed to be done to secure the win. That's now four victories in their last six matches.

Prior Ranking: 14

Result: Drew Inter Miami 0-0

Ramifications: Jonathan Bamba was electric all match, while the Fire defense kept both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez from scoring. Sure, it's a scoreless draw, but perhaps the best performance from Chicago yet this season.

Gregg Berhalter's men were terrific, and his front-three really caused issues. Somehow, they were kept out, despite boasting an xG of 1.7 with seven shots on goal on 16 attempts.

Prior Ranking: 13

Result: Defeated SKC 4-2

Ramifications: Huge result. Phil Neville's men were relentless all match, and continually caused problems for Sporting's defense. Don't look now, but that's five unbeaten for Portland and three wins in their last four.

Jonathan Rodriguez made his season debut Sunday, too, meaning their attack will only get better from here.

Prior Ranking: 12

Result: Defeated RSL 2-1

Ramifications: Lucky three points, but they'll absolutely take it. A 91st-minute penalty from Sam Surridge sealed the victory, while Dan Lovitz escaped a potential red card earlier in the match. However, B.J. Callaghan will not care - Nashville have four wins in their last six snapped a two-match losing streak.

Prior Ranking: 6

Result: Lost to NYCFC 1-0

Ramifications: They could have used a striker such as Daniel Gazdag to try and rescue a result at the weekend, but alas, they traded their star player for $4.5M cash to the Columbus Crew.

Now, only time will tell if that pays off. Cavan Sullivan, meanwhile, did not appear in the match as the U.S. prodigy awaits opportunity with the senior team.

Prior Ranking: 9

Result: Drew Philadelphia 0-0

Ramifications: Lucky to get a point after Rodrigo Schlegel was sent off for a second yellow card in the 56th minute. With that in mind, a point is a good result, though they did out-shoot RBNY 14-10 with an xG of 1.4.

Their second-straight scoreless draw, Oscar Pareja won't be thrilled, but that's five straight unbeaten.

Prior Ranking: 11

Result: Drew Orlando City 0-0

Ramifications: RBNY played up a man for the majority of the second half, but failed to find a result on the road. Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting, meanwhile, was called out for his work ethic during the match as the ex-Bayern Munich and PSG striker struggled to land impact.

Their DP forward had opportunity to help them leave with three points, but the final goal just never came. However, RBNY have managed a point in at least six of their last seven - they're on the rise.

Prior Ranking: 8

Result: Defeated CF Montreal 1-0

Ramifications: Huge result on the road for Charlotte. They were outplayed for most of the match, but defensive resilience and yet another goal from Pep Biel sent them home with three points.

The Spaniard is having an outstanding start to 2025, with three goals and five assists through eight games.

Prior Ranking: 5

Result: Drew Toronto 0-0

Ramifications: The Loons attack had no answers for a stout toronto defense. Neither Tani Oluwaseyi nor Kelvin Yeboah could get things going in the final-third as Minnesota were held scoreless for just the second time this season.

Seven matches unbeaten is still a remarkable feat, though, as Eric Ramsay's unorthodox tactical methods continue to work in MLS.

Prior Ranking: 4

Result: Lost to Colorado 3-2

Ramifications: Tough result on the road for the expansion side. They were outshot 21-9, despite leading the match in possession and nearly doubled the amount of passes completed with 613 to Colorado's 355. Chucky Lozano was kept quiet, but Luca De La Torre impressed once again, with another goal.

Prior Ranking: 7

Result: Defeated D.C. United 1-0

Ramifications: No Evander, no problem. Gerardo Valenzuela scored the lone goal, the 20-year-old's first of the season. Some divine footwork, paired with fantastic pressing earned them three points.

However, it was apparent they were missing their star midfielder - who missed out due to a minor knock. Cincy are up to third in the East, as they continue to quietly impress.

Prior Ranking: 1

Result: Drew Chicago 0-0

Ramifications: Neither Lionel Messi or Luis Suarez could figure out the Fire defense, and they were kept scoreless. The Argentine did, however, hit the woodwork twice on free-kicks. That's two straight draws for Miami, who have fallen slightly behind in the East with their early-season lead fading.

Prior Ranking: 3

Result: Defeated St. Louis CITY SC 2-1

Ramifications: Great performance from the Crew to come back from 1-0 down to win 2-1. A fantastic goal from reigning defensive player of the year Steven Moreira lifted them in first half stoppage-time, while Diego Rossi scored the winner 10 minutes into the final 45.

The Uruguayan is up to five goals this season, and the Crew remain unbeaten.

Prior Ranking: 2

Result: Defeated Austin FC 5-1

Ramifications: Brian White, the New Jersey Mario Gomez - as he's come to be known by MLS fans - lit up BC Place Saturday. A career-best four-goal showing saw the U.S. international absolutely batter the Austin defense. He's now up to six goals in seven appearances this season, and is playing some of the best soccer of his career.

Vancouver, meanwhile, are atop the Western Conference and the Supporters' Shield standings with 19 points. The Whitecaps are proving to be a mountain of a program in 2025.