MLS power rankings have felt the kick of Zlatan and the consistency of New York City FC. Here are the updated rankings to reflect the latest action.

One could forgive any browsing sports fan for confusing this as the week MLS began. No, not the season, but the day God Zlatan recognized the presence of MLS, which truly marked the beginning.

Week 5 of this 2018 MLS season was full of defining moments which in any other week or season would have deserved monthly or yearly MLS awards. However, Zlatan is a lion who will deservedly eat up all the attention.

In week 5 of this MLS season, many a turning point was reached for several teams. There are only so many Zlatan’s in the world, so the 22 other teams need to find some identity of their own. Coming off of a slow international fixture week, Week 5 in MLS saw all but one team in action. We start counting down the week 5 MLS Power Rankings with the most mortal looking of teams.

23 DC United 0-3-2 Last week: 0-1 L @ SKC

Last rank: 23 Another lackluster display from Ben Olsen’s squad. Only 3 shots on goal, all from poor angles. Five shots came from 25 yards out or more. DC United had 84 completed passes in the final third, while Sporting KC had 192. DC United players have openly stated that the team is not instructed to go forward. LINK. DC United cannot afford to continue forward with Olsen much longer to have any hope for the playoffs when Audi Field opens in a couple of months. Throwing 2 forwards on in the last 8 minutes doesn’t inspire confidence in a coach’s ideas or game management. DC United is not even displaying a willingness to get tough and dirty as they only committed 6 fouls. If a team is not willing to get stuck in, and the players openly criticize the coaching, that team usually hits a bottom. United find themselves bottom again this week, and likely for as long as Olsen remains in charge.

22 Seattle Sounders 0-3 Last week: 0-1 L vs MTL

Last rank: 15 Another undisciplined game. More lethargic defending. A nonsensical lashing out leading to a red card in the first half. Seattle has lost the plot. Every game a loss ending a man down. At full strength this team seems like a decent MLS side. However, Seattle drew 2x, 3x, and almost 4x more fans than some MLS teams got through the gates. When will those fans notice that unfilled DP slot? For the third year in a row the Sounders have started exceptionally slow. With suspensions and injuries continuing to pile up, Brian Schmetzer is facing is most difficult coaching challenge to date. He once excelled, stepping in to save a season. Can he rescue this season from being lost?

21 Real Salt Lake 1-2-1 Last week: 1-3 L @ TFC

Last rank: 14 Corey Baird continues to impress in limited substitute minutes. Coach Mike Petke seemed near livid in the post-game interviews, saying he identified a problem that will be corrected. Some fans may point to a toothless attack but midfielder Damir Kreilach may bear the brunt of Petke’s wrath after giving up a handball and Corey Baird continues to impress in limited substitute minutes. Coach Mike Petke seemed near livid in the post-game interviews, saying he identified a problem that will be corrected. Some fans may point to a toothless attack but midfielder Damir Kreilach may bear the brunt of Petke’s wrath after giving up a handball and quitting on some plays . GK Nick Rimando can only do so much to keep this team in contention. Real Salt Lake has given up 8 goals in 2 games to top 10 teams. They have scored in every game, but the 1-0 result at home against the NYRB B team is their only win.

20 Portland Timbers 0-2-2 Last week: 2-2 T @ CHI

Last rank: 22 Another draw from the away fixture heavy opening schedule put some points in the Timber’s pocket. Twice losing the lead leaves fans gloomy though, as it was road points lost. Gio Savarese is slowly bringing his squad along, but too slowly to fight for a playoff spot. Sebastian Blanco and 2017 MLS MVP Diego Valeri have a chemistry, with Blanco assisting on Valeri’s goal. Organizing the defense to prevent these sloppy equalizers is paramount. Captain and defensive anchor Liam Ridgewell again did not even dress for the game. He either needs to come back into the team, or the Timbers will have to chop him from the salary books this summer.

19 Chicago Fire 0-2-1 Last week: 2-2 T vs POR

Last rank: 18 Twice this Fire side needed Basti brilliance to equalize. Having Schweinsteiger organize the team from deep and then need to leg out runs just to get ties against bottom table teams does not seem the best use of the roster. Dax McCarthy is starting caliber for any MLS playoff team. Nemanja Nikolic is a Golden Boot winner. Tony Tchani is in his prime. Basti still has class for days. Veljko Paunovic could be the worst foreign coach in MLS. How long until Hauptman notices from the owner’s box?

18 Orlando City SC 1-2-1 Last week: 4-3 W vs NYRB

Last rank: 20 Jason Kries has not lost the locker room, though maybe the players finally got through to Kries. Married to a 4-4-2 diamond since his RSL days, OCSC switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation at halftime that paid dividends on the scoreboard. Josue Colman bagged his first MLS goal and Dom Dywer seems over his back injury. A mostly full strength OCSC was finally on display. Can’t move up much in the rankings though, because the game was against a mostly reserve NYRB playing 4th choice centerbacks. Next week at home against Portland will be a national televised game. OCSC fans always show up. Will OCSC? Jason Kries has not lost the locker room, though maybe the players finally got through to Kries. Married to a 4-4-2 diamond since his RSL days, OCSC switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation at halftime that paid dividends on the scoreboard. Josue Colman bagged his first MLS goal and Dom Dywer seems over his back injury. A mostly full strength OCSC was finally on display. Can’t move up much in the rankings though, because the game was against a mostly reserve NYRB playing 4th choice centerbacks. Next week at home against Portland will be a national televised game. OCSC fans always show up. Will OCSC? Will Kries’ diamond? This season was teetering towards the brink before this result. More than one inspired showing is needed to convert the disbelievers.