If there’s one great thing happening right now between the early-season schedule and interconference play, it’s that we’re getting games with major storylines and potential repercussions across the USL Championship every week.
The past few weeks have brought together clubs we believed would be among the contenders this season – see San Antonio FC’s clashes with Sacramento Republic FC and Louisville City FC.
This weekend is no different, with the clash for first place in the Eastern Conference between the Charleston Battery and Louisville City FC – who sit No. 2 and No. 3 in this week’s Power Rankings – another massive contest in the bigger picture of the season.
There will be little surprise LouCity is right there given its perennial title contender status. As for Charleston? Well, we were expecting the Battery to be improved, but the speed at which President Lee Cohen and Head Coach Ben Pirmann have formulated this turnaround has been remarkable to say the least.
If the Battery can keep their undefeated start going, however, it’s another mark in their favor as a serious title contender this season.
Here’s how this week’s rankings look.
Rank |
Team |
Change |
Summary |
|
1 | Sacramento Republic FC (4-0-2) Week 7: v. DET |
Last Week: 1 |
Sacramento’s renewed attacking prowess is eye-catching, but it has now only conceded one goal in six league games and has four shutouts in a row. | |
2 | Charleston Battery (4-0-2) Week 7: v. LOU |
2
Last Week: 4 |
A six-point week on the road? That’s impressive work by the Eastern Conference’s early leader | |
3 | Louisville City FC (4-2-0) Week 7: @ CHS |
2 Last Week: 5 |
LouCity earned an impressive victory against San Antonio on Saturday, now it heads to Charleston with a return to top spot within reach | |
4 | San Antonio FC (3-1-2) Week 7: v. PHX |
2
Last Week: 2 |
San Antonio has been held scoreless in consecutive games. Justin Dhillon’s return should help, but the defending title holders need more creativity overall. | |
5 | San Diego Loyal SC (3-1-2) Week 7: v. TBR |
2
Last Week: 3 |
SD Loyal produced a good response after being put back on their heels early in New Mexico but didn’t really look like they were going to grab a winner in the second half. | |
6 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (2-1-3) Week 7: @ ELP |
4
Last Week: 10 |
A first home win of the season for the Hounds and an all-around solid display. Good work given the absence of key players Robbie Mertz and Arturo Ordoñez. | |
7 | Monterey Bay F.C. (2-2-2) Week 7: @ IND |
2
Last Week: 9 |
Alex Dixon is more than halfway to setting an individual single-season best for goals with his sixth tally of the season, and we’re only six games in. | |
8 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (3-2-1) Week 7: v. NM |
2
Last Week: 6 |
The Switchbacks were the latest side to be thwarted by Sacramento’s stingy defense. Lots of decent chances, but not enough to break through. | |
9 | Loudoun United FC (2-2-1) Week 7: v. OAK |
8
Last Week: 17 |
Loudoun’s victory against Birmingham – and in particular a dominant first half – provided a rousing statement to the rest of the league | |
10 | Tampa Bay Rowdies (1-3-2) Week 7: @ SD |
2
Last Week: 8 |
The Rowdies were all-in on victory against Charleston to the point where it resulted in defeat. Heading to San Diego next isn’t going to be easy either. | |
11 | Birmingham Legion FC (3-2-1) Week 7: @ OC |
4 Last Week: 7 |
Legion FC tried to pull off a comeback in the second half against Loudoun, but by then the damage had already been done. | |
12 | El Paso Locomotive FC (2-3-1) Week 7: v. PIT |
Last Week: 12 |
After a weekend off, Locomotive FC will try to build on a three-game undefeated streak against Pittsburgh at home this weekend. Could be a good one. | |
13 | Phoenix Rising FC (1-1-3) Week 7: @ SA |
2
Last Week: 15 |
You could probably make an argument that Phoenix could have come away with victory against Monterey Bay, but one shot on target isn’t going to get it done. | |
14 | Orange County SC (1-2-3) Week 7: v. BHM |
5
Last Week: 19 |
A first win of the season is going to feel good for Orange County to build on and Bryce Jamieson is looking like a live wire on the right side of midfield. | |
15 | Las Vegas Lights FC (0-0-4) Week 7: @ MIA |
3
Last Week: 18 |
Las Vegas is still a bit of a conundrum. Undefeated through four games, but also having drawn all four. It feels like there are positive things happening, though. | |
16 | Hartford Athletic (1-3-2) Week 7: -- |
6
Last Week: 22 |
Hartford is finally in the win column after holding off Oakland on the road. It’s something to build on going into next week’s Open Cup clash with the New England Revolution. | |
17 | Oakland Roots SC (2-2-1) Week 7: @ LDN |
6
Last Week: 11 |
Roots SC had enough chances to take something from its contest with Hartford but just wasn’t clinical enough. They’re still well positioned, though. | |
18 | New Mexico United (1-2-1) Week 7: @ COS |
2
Last Week: 20 |
Getting back in front of the home fans resulted in a much livelier performance for United. Next week’s trip to Colorado Springs should be an interesting one. | |
19 | Indy Eleven (1-2-2) Week 7: v. MB |
6
Last Week: 13 |
Three consecutive games without a goal in the league. That’s not good for a team with this much attacking potential | |
20 | Rio Grande Valley FC (1-1-3) Week 7: v. MEM |
6
Last Week: 14 |
The Toros just didn’t offer enough in the attacking third, and against a team like Pittsburgh that’s generally going to cost you | |
21 | FC Tulsa (1-3-3) Week 7: -- |
5
Last Week: 16 |
Four games without a win for Tulsa after Saturday’s loss to Charleston, and consecutive defeats as well. | |
22 | Memphis 901 FC (0-2-2) Week 7: @ RGV |
2
Last Week: 24 |
Memphis is starting to show signs of life, but it’s going to need to start making more positive starts to games. | |
23 | Miami FC (0-2-4) Week 7: v. LV |
2
Last Week: 21 |
Miami’s lack of goals is starting to become a real concern. Still winless through six games of the regular season. | |
24 | Detroit City FC (1-4-1) Week 7: @ SAC |
1 Last Week: 23 |
Le Rouge are also struggling in the final third. Five games out of six without a goal now. |
Tag(s): Power Rankings San Antonio FC CO Spring Switchbacks Orange County SC Phoenix Rising FC Rio Grande Valley FC Sacramento Republic FC FC Tulsa Charleston Battery Louisville City FC Pittsburgh Riverhounds Tampa Bay Rowdies Las Vegas Lights FC Birmingham Legion FC Indy Eleven Memphis 901 FC El Paso Locomotive FC New Mexico United Loudoun United FC Hartford Athletic San Diego Loyal SC Miami FC Oakland Roots SC Detroit City FC Monterey Bay F.C.