Two big road victories mean the two teams that remain with perfect records to start the new season, Louisville City FC and Real Monarchs SLC, are also the two teams that sit atop the USLSoccer.com Power Rankings, but neither FC Cincinnati nor Phoenix Rising FC fell too far after putting in sterling efforts themselves in the past weekend’s action.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies did get a boost back up the standings after their emphatic victory, though, and then there’s a cluster of clubs sitting below includes the undefeated Sacramento Republic FC, which will head to face fellow undefeated side Las Vegas Lights FC in one of Week 5’s more interesting matchups.
The four-person USLSoccer.com voting panel tabulates 16 points for first-place team votes, 15 points to the second-place team and so forth to one point for 16th place. The accrued points among the group determines the final ranking.
Rank |
Team/Record |
Change |
Summary |
|
1 | Louisville City FC 64 pts | (3-0-0) Week 4: W, 1-0 @CIN Week 5: RIC |
Last Week: 1 |
Back-to-back shutout victories against two of the leading contenders to Louisville’s crown have only bolstered the early-season credentials of the defending champions. | |
2 | Real Monarchs SLC 57 pts | (3-0-0) Week 4: W, 1-0 @PHX Week 5: @SEA |
2 Last Week: T-4 |
The Monarchs came through a big test on the road against Phoenix, and now will look to avoid a letdown in a midweek trip to face Seattle Sounders FC 2. | |
3 | Tampa Bay Rowdies 56 pts | (3-1-0) Week 4: W, 5-0 OTT Week 5: @NY |
1 Last Week: T-4 |
Leo Fernandes’ stellar start to the season continued in Tampa Bay’s romp past Ottawa Fury FC, a very good sign for the Rowdies after last season’s injury-hit season. | |
4 | Sacramento Republic FC 44 pts | (3-0-1) Week 4: W, 1-0 SEA Week 5: @LV |
3 Last Week: 7 |
Still undefeated after their 1-0 win against Seattle on Saturday, Head Coach Simon Elliott has Republic FC out to its best start in club history. | |
5 | Swope Park Rangers 42 pts | (3-1-1) Week 4: W, 1-0 COS, T, 1-1 @SA Week 5: -- |
8 Last Week: 13 |
The Rangers picked up four points in two games to maintain a good early-season pace, bouncing back nicely from their first loss of the season. | |
6 | FC Cincinnati 40 pts | (2-1-0) Week 4: L, 0-1 LOU Week 5: @BST |
4 Last Week: 2 |
The chances were there for FCC in a strong second half which despite the defeat should have offered plenty of optimism for the packed house at Nippert Stadium. | |
7 | Orange County SC 39 pts | (3-1-1) Week 4: W, 3-0 LA Week 5: @SA |
7 Last Week: 14 |
Three wins on the bounce has shifted Orange County to the top of the Western Conference ahead of this weekend’s visit to face San Antonio. | |
8 | Phoenix Rising FC 38 pts | (2-1-1) Week 4: L, 0-1 SLC Week 5: @LA |
5 Last Week: 3 |
Rising FC did almost everything but find the net in its first loss of the season but there was still plenty to like about its performance, especially from Solomon Asante. | |
T-9 | Charlotte Independence 26 pts | (2-1-1) Week 4: L, 0-2 @NSH Week 5: NC |
3 Last Week: 6 |
A first loss of the season despite a solid road display knocked the Independence down a peg, and they’ll be keen to add to North Carolina’s struggles back on home turf this Saturday. | |
T-9 | Las Vegas Lights FC 26 pts | (2-0-1) Week 4: -- Week 5: SAC |
1 Last Week: 8 |
A week off to consolidate after a three-game undefeated streak to start, Lights FC will be champing at the bit to get back to action this Saturday against fellow undefeated Sacramento. | |
11 | Indy Eleven 23 pts | (2-1-0) Week 4: W, 1-0 @NC Week 5: NSH |
Last Week: 11 |
Indy had to fight hard for its second road win of the season that was sealed by Owain Fon Williams’ stoppage-time penalty kick save against NCFC. | |
12 | New York Red Bulls II 24 pts | (2-1-1) Week 4: T, 1-1 @RIC Week 5: TBR |
3 Last Week: T-9 |
New York picked up its first road point of the season against the Richmond Kickers, but could certainly have taken victory in a solid display in rainy conditions. | |
T-13 | Atlanta United 2 17 pts | (1-0-2) Week 4: T, 1-1 PEN Week 5: -- |
1 Last Week: 12 |
Atlanta remains undefeated after a second consecutive draw, and now will get to set a plan of action for Louisville’s visit to Coolray Field on April 21. | |
T-13 | Fresno FC 17 pts | (2-1-2) Week 4: T, 1-1 @STL Week 5: -- |
2 Last Week: 15 |
Fresno is undefeated in four consecutive games after Saturday’s 1-1 draw in Saint Louis, a solid result especially after going behind in the first half on the road. | |
15 | San Antonio FC 16 pts | (1-1-2) Week 4: T, 1-1 SPR Week 5: OC |
6 Last Week: T-9 |
A draw at home to the Swope Park Rangers isn’t a poor result, but one wins out of four games to start the season isn’t what SAFC was looking for. | |
16 | Nashville SC 10 pts | (2-1-1) Week 4: W, 2-0 CLT Week 5: @IND |
Last Week: NR |
Consecutive victories have sprung Nashville up the Eastern Conference standings as the club’s attacking identity appears to have found some traction. |
Also receiving votes: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 4, Saint Louis FC 4, Portland Timbers 2 (1)
Dropped from rankings: Saint Louis FC
Tag(s): News Nashville SC Power Rankings San Antonio FC Orange County SC Phoenix Rising FC Portland Timbers 2 Real Monarchs SLC Sacramento Republic FC Swope Park Rangers Charlotte Independence FC Cincinnati Louisville City FC New York Red Bulls II Pittsburgh Riverhounds Saint Louis FC Tampa Bay Rowdies Fresno FC Las Vegas Lights FC Atlanta United 2 Indy Eleven