MLS Power Rankings, Week 8: Chicago Fire make big jump after third consecutive win

Note: Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. The Power Rankings are voted on by the editorial staff at MLSsoccer.com, and remarks are written by Senior Editor Matt Doyle. All times Eastern.

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Last: 1

Far from perfect vs. LA, but it always felt like they were in control. And if you're the league's only unbeaten team, you probably deserve to be No. 1 in the Power Rankings.

• Last Week: Drew vs. LA, 1-1
• Last Five: W-W-D-W-D
• This Week: Wednesday vs. Colorado (7:30 pm; MLS LIVE); Saturday at New England (7:30 pm; MLS LIVE)

Last: 3

Best goal differential in the West, and they just posted a shutout without the league's reigning Defender of the Year. That's their fourth in seven games, which is more fuel for the "Brad Evans is a pretty damn good center back" fire.

• Last Week: Won vs. Portland, 1-0
• Last Five: D-W-L-W-W
• This Week: Sunday at NYCFC (7 pm; FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes/FOX Sports GO)

Last: 2

Still an elite team, but still susceptible to silly lapses in transition. This time it was less about goals conceded and more about picking up cards – two of which sent Matias Laba packing. The 'Caps have got to learn to be more compact.

• Last Week: Loss vs. D.C. United, 2-1
• Last Five: W-D-L-W-L
• This Week: Saturday at Portland (10:30 pm; TSN/MLS LIVE)

Last: 4

Didn't look great, but went cross-country without Robbie Keane and picked up a point against arguably the league's best team. All aboard the BJIV Hype Train!

• Last Week: Drew at New York, 1-1
• Last Five: L-L-W-W-D
• This Week: Saturday vs. Colorado (10:30 pm; MLS LIVE)

Last: 6

Absolutely shredded the Union on Saturday night, and now boast the best goal differential in the league. Saturday's trip to D.C. should be excellent viewing.

• Last Week: Won vs. Philadelphia, 4-1
• Last Five: L-D-D-W-W
• This Week: Saturady at D.C. United (7 pm; MLS LIVE)

Last:: 7

Punished a shorthanded RSL team from the first minute to the last and are starting to look like an attacking juggernaut. Be warned, though: their recent schedule has been very, very soft.

• Last Week: Won vs. Real Salt Lake, 4-0
• Last Five: W-W-D-W-W
• This Week: Saturday vs. New York (7:30 pm; MLS LIVE)

Last: 8

Any time you cross the country and get a result, it's worth celebrating. Doing it against a team as good as Vancouver? D.C.'s legit, and the new-look 4-1-3-2 formation will be hard for teams to counter as Perry Kitchen continues to evolve.

• Last Week: Won at Vancouver, 2-1
• Last Five: W-W-D-D-W
• This Week: Saturday vs. Columbus (7 pm; MLS LIVE)

Last: 5

This April slide doesn't feel quite as bad as what we've seen in the past, but Dallas are still finding new and inventive ways to shoot themselves in the foot. Friday's trip to Houston is a real litmus test.

• Last Week: Drew at Colorado, 1-1
• Last Five: D-L-L-W-D
• This Week: Friday at Houston (8 pm; UDN/UnivisionDeportes.com)

Last: 10

Another week, another lead blown. Sporting look to have one of the best attacks in the league, but their defense is getting pulled apart on the regular and Peter Vermes is open about his desire to add summer reinforcements. In the meantime, we'd all love to watch a few more 4-4 blinders.

• Last Week: Drew at Houston, 4-4
• Last Five: W-W-D-L-D
• This Week: Sunday vs. Chicago (5 pm; ESPN2/ESPN Deportes/WatchESPN)

Last: 9

They looked very much like a team playing without their starting central defense in New England. Most worrying for RSL fans, though, is that this group was never able to put its foot on the ball and change the rhythm of the game. That's been a staple in Utah for nearly a decade.

• Last Week: Loss at New England, 4-0
• Last Five: W-W-D-L-L
• This Week: Friday vs. San Jose (10 pm; UDN/UnivisionDeportes.com)

Last: 15

Chicago had three very winnable games over their last three outings, and to their credit took all nine points on offer. It will get tougher on Sunday, and instead of just creating chances they'll have to start scoring some goals.

• Last Week: Won vs. NYCFC, 1-0
• Last Five: L-L-W-W-W
• This Week: Sunday at Sporting KC (5 pm; ESPN2/ESPN Deportes/WatchESPN)

Last: 13

A very bad call helped cost them two points at home, but only "helped." The Dynamo themselves are complicit in a seven-week run that's seen them pick up just one win.

• Last Week: Drew vs. Sporting KC, 4-4
• Last Five: D-L-W-D-D
• This Week: Friday vs. Dallas (8 pm; UDN/UnivisionDeportes.com)

Last: 12

Another year, another slow start in Rose City. And more worries about defending set pieces (or throw-ins). At least Diego Valeri's back in the matchday 18, and Will Johnson is getting minutes with the reserves.

• Last Week: Loss at Seattle, 1-0
• Last Five: L-W-L-W-L
• This Week:Saturday vs. Vancouver (10:30 pm; TSN/MLS LIVE)

Last: 16

If they get a point at Philly this weekend they'll have taken seven points from a seven-game, season-opening road trip. That's not great, but we bet that if you'd offered it to the TFC braintrust in February, they'd have taken it.

• Last Week: Won at Orlando, 2-0
• Last Five: L-L-L-L-W
• This Week: Saturday at Philadelphia (4 pm; MLS LIVE)

Last: 11

They've now been shut out in three of their last four and got eaten alive in transition. Changes should be in store, and thanks to the bye week, they have time to figure some of them out.

• Last Week: Loss vs. Toronto, 2-0
• Last Five: D-L-W-L-L
• Next MLS Game: May 8 vs. New England (8 pm; UDN/UnivisionDeportes.com)

Last: 14

Another team with things to figure out. San Jose will be looking for some measure of midfield balance and cohesion at RSL on Friday night.

• Last Week: OFF
• Last Five: W-L-L-W-L
• This Week: Friday at Real Salt Lake (10 pm; UDN/UnivisionDeportes.com)

Last: 20

Got themselves a point on Friday, but now face a murderous cross-country trip this week. Expect a reserve-heavy group at New York, since the intra-conference matchup at LA on Saturday means significantly more in the long-term playoff picture.

• Last Week: Drew vs. Dallas, 1-1
• Last Five: D-L-W-L-D
• This Week: Wednesday at New York (7:30 pm; MLS LIVE); Saturday at LA (10:30 pm; MLS LIVE)

Last: 17

The Power Rankings Politburo is here to find the silver lining: Yes, things are bleak for NYCFC right now, but they've conceded more than one goal only once all season.

• Last Week: Loss at Chicago, 1-0
• Last Five: L-L-D-L-L
• This Week: Sunday vs. Seattle (7 pm; FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes/FOX Sports GO)

Last: 18

Bonne chance, nous comptons tous sur vous.

• Last Week: OFF
• Last Four: L-D-D-L
• Next MLS Game: May 9 vs. Portland (4 pm; TSN/MLS LIVE)

Last: 19

Turns it wasn't all Rais Mbolhi's fault. The Union have now won just once in their first nine games and weren't even competitive in Ohio last weekend.

• Last Week: Loss at Columbus, 4-1
• Last Five: L-W-D-L-L
• This Week: Saturday vs. Toronto (4 pm; MLS LIVE)