USL Championship Power Rankings: Week 9
Between the winless and the unbeaten, who took charge and who stumbled in Week 9?
The debut of USL Championship Power Rankings on Beyond The 90’ is here! With 9 match weeks already passing by, teams are starting to round out into the form we may expect to see for a remainder of the season, so it may take a bit more for clubs to rise and fall in these rankings. With that being said, though, this past weekend was wild enough to constitute multiple climbs and descents within the rankings.
#1) Charleston Battery
Previous Ranking: #1
Result: 1-0 Win Vs Hartford Athletic (H)
Charleston was not at their attacking best as they hosted Hartford, but a Nick Markanich screamer sealed all three points early on in the game. Charleston now sit 6 points clear of Eastern Conference title chasers Louisville City, although Louisville City have three games in hand thanks to a busy start to the year for the Battery. Charleston now moves on to U.S. Open Cup action mid-week against the South Georgia Tormenta, before an enticing away day to the Birmingham Legion
#2) Louisville City SC
Previous Ranking: #2
Result: No Game
Louisville had the pleasure of sitting back and watching the chaos of this past weekend unfold without having to indulge in it themselves, and they’ve impressed largely across their 7 games so far with the only blip being a 3-2 loss to current Eastern Conference leaders in the Charleston Battery. Louisville now has the tough task of taking on a difficult road trip in the U.S. Open Cup, before returning home to face cross country foes in Orange County SC.
#3) Sacramento Republic
Previous Ranking: #3
Result: 1-1 Vs Phoenix Rising (A)
I was tempted to slot in Orange County in this position, as Sacramento have made a habit of becoming complacent in games they have controlled, contributing to their league tied second most draws on the season so far in 4. What’s kept them above the rest of the western pack however is how handily they have finished off the rest of their games, though, coupling their 4 draws with 5 wins, leaving Sacramento as one of only two undefeated teams left. Sacramento will now play host to Monterey Bay in the Open Cup, before heading to New England to play Championship newcomers Rhode Island FC.
#4) Orange County SC
Previous Ranking: #4
Result: No Game
Orange County joined Louisville in the bye week column during Week 9, which could be a good omen as they had lost their first game of the year against Sacramento just three weeks prior before swiftly returning to form with a 2-0 win against fellow California rivals Monterey Bay. Orange County’s attention now turns to a home bout against Loudoun United in the Open Cup as a bit of an appetizer to their weekend showdown at Lynn Family Stadium against Louisville.
#5) Detroit City FC
Previous Ranking: #5
Result: 0-0 Vs. Loudoun (A)
Detroit mitigated their fears of dropping a third straight game with a rather composed, but fruitless 0-0 draw away against Loudoun United. The result still keeps them in the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference, but the fire that seemed to have taken hold of Le Rouge in their opening five games seems to have simmered down in their last three results. Detroit now has the task of a midweek Open Cup tie alongside a home stand against reigning champions Phoenix Rising this coming weekend.
Image Credit: Detroit City FC
#6) New Mexico United
Previous Ranking: #10
Result: 2-1 Win Vs Las Vegas (A)
Amidst the two tough losses they’ve taken on the season, New Mexico have been firing on all cylinders against Western Conference opposition, and that trend continued as they dispatched of the Las Vegas Lights thanks to a first-half Daniel Bruce brace. Eric Quill has done a fantastic job starting his first full season with the club, and by all means, they don’t seem to be slowing down. New Mexico now has a three-game home stand at The Lab, as they play host to RSL in the Open Cup, as well as Oakland and San Antonio in their next two league games.
#7) Monterey Bay FC
Previous Ranking: #6
Result: 1-0 Loss vs Indy Eleven (H)
Monterey Bay deployed a similar XI and style against Indy that we had seen across multiple points of the season, but Indy held firm defensively and snatched all three points with an 88th minute Elliot Collier goal. There are still some kinks to work out for Yallop and his Monterey Bay side, but the movement and attacking in the final third has been head and shoulders above their first two seasons, and bumps in the road happen, so my worries are few and far between for the Crisp and Kelp. Monterey Bay will now take on the Sacramento Republic midweek in the Open Cup before returning home to play an inspired Memphis 901 in league action.
#8) San Antonio FC
Previous Ranking: #8
Result: 2-2 Vs Oakland (H)
San Antonio have struggled defensively in stints this season, and that was prominent as they hosted the Oakland Roots this past weekend. Miche-Naider Chery got the opening goal off of some rather passive defending by San Antonio, whilst Johnny Rodriguez equalized late on from the spot after a lapse in concentration from the San Antonio backline. It’s not often we harp on the defensive complacency of such a renowned defensive minded side like San Antonio, but it’s something to work on. San Antonio now travels eastward to play the Indy Eleven in open cup action before returning home hoping to exact revenge on Las Vegas, who put San Antonio to the sword earlier this year.
#9) Phoenix Rising
Previous Ranking: #9
Result: 1-1 Vs Sacramento Republic (H)
Phoenix ultimately remains at number nine as they surely think of what could have been against Sacramento. Phoenix controlled large portions of the game, and will feel hard done by due to the circumstances surrounding Panos Armenakas’ penalty. Remi Cabral would ultimately equalize for Phoenix in the second half to hand Phoenix a solid point, but three points will surely be felt to have been ripped away. Phoenix now turns their attention to an Eastern Conference away day, as they first head to North Carolina in the Open Cup before traveling north to play Detroit City FC.
#10 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Previous Ranking: #11
Result: 1-0 Win Vs The Miami FC (H)
The turn around that Pittsburgh have begun has been absolutely remarkable, winning their last three games in ultimate Bob Lilley fashion. The defense has picked up the standard having only conceded once in the last five games, whilst Kazaiah Sterling has now tallied two goals in his past three to help Pittsburgh finally find lift-off on the year. Pittsburgh now has a home and away stand against FC Tulsa both in the Open Cup and in league play.
#11) Memphis 901 FC
Previous Ranking: #13
Result: 4-1 Win Vs Tampa Bay Rowdies (H)
What. A Result. Memphis was in control all afternoon as they tore apart the Tampa Bay Rowdies from all aspects of the game. Between the long distance goals, the eyebrow raising red card, and the determination that Memphis displayed all night, it’s a wonder how they were not able to get that fifth or sixth. Ultimately, it’s the sort of result Memphis were looking for to build confidence after a rather touch-and-go start to the season and puts them right in the fray of the Playoff hunt. Memphis has the opportunity to build off this result, albeit in the toughest of circumstances as they play there next three games away including a showdown against Monterey Bay at Cardinale Stadium.
#12) Tampa Bay Rowdies
Previous Ranking: #7
Result: 4-1 Loss Vs Memphis 901 (A)
Self-destruction can most aptly describe the performance they provided, as Forest Lasso embodied the early game tensions by being sent off in just the 11th minute. Pair that with some absolute howlers from goalkeepers Jordan Farr and overall disunity on the night from top to bottom and you get a result like this from a usually dominant team. They were able to get a consolation goal on the stroke of half time as Manuel Arteaga found himself completely unmarked to tuck home from close-range, but alas, the circumstances of their own demise were too much on the night. The Rowdies now have a chance to amend this loss as they face a double home stand against the Birmingham Legion both in the Open Cup and in league play.
#13) Birmingham Legion
Previous Ranking: #12
Result: 2-2 Vs FC Tulsa (H)
Birmingham was well on track for a second straight goalless home loss as they found themselves 2-0 down thanks to goals from Phillip Goodrum and Stefan Stojanovic, but within the last twenty minutes Enzo Martinez and Stefano Pinho stepped up to the plate to make sure that did not happen. It was a welcome scene compared to the unanimous dropping of heads against Memphis last time out, but the first half warrants a spot drop as Birmingham look for a consistent run of results in the league. Birmingham is on the reverse of the Tampa Bay series, having to play them away both times this week in Open Cup and league action.
#14) Indy Eleven
Previous Ranking: #15
Result: 1-0 Win Vs Monterey Bay (A)
Indy’s most recent results have been a testament to the fighting spirit not only from the players, but from the fans as well. You would not have blamed them for taking the recent news poorly, but they have taken it in stride and strung together two impressive wins against North Carolina FC and now Monterey Bay, a difficult place to play this year. Indy will now turn their attention to San Antonio at home in the Open Cup before taking on a revamped Miami FC in Miami.
Image Credit: Monterey Bay FC
#15) Loudoun United
Previous Ranking: #14
Result: 0-0 Vs Detroit City FC (H)
Loudoun is unfortunately a victim of surrounding circumstances, only falling a position due to Indy’s win in California. Otherwise, it was a delightful fight back as Loudoun responded to their 3-1 loss away to Sacramento with a unified draw at home against the high-flying Detroit City FC. The work that Ryan Martin and the front office have done in such a short amount of time to get this Loudoun team competing has been impressive, and the results this year continue to show that. Loudoun’s next task is an Open Cup test at Championship Soccer Stadium against Orange County SC before they return home to take on USL Championship basement dwellers El Paso Locomotive.
#16) Colorado Springs Switchbacks
Previous Ranking: #19
Result: 2-0 Win Vs El Paso Locomotive (H)
Ronaldo Damus and the Switchbacks were composed all night against El Paso, with Damus slotting home both goals to make it three unbeaten now for the Switchbacks. A lot of tactical adjustment has been needed to get to this point, but it’s a testament to James Chambers and the team that they moved forward with it and implemented it well, as they now bear the justified rewards of their changes. The task does not ease up however, as they take on a difficult New England road trip against NYCFCII in the Open Cup before reuniting with former head coach Brendan Burke in league action away to Hartford Athletic.
#17) FC Tulsa
Previous Ranking: #17
Result: 2-2 Vs Birmingham Legion
The first half was, dare I say it, perfect. Phillip Goodrum was able to tuck home before Stefan Stojanovic got in on the action relatively early on in the second half. With a bit more defensive conviction this would have been a marquee result for FC Tulsa to build on, but they left the door open for Birmingham who did not need a second invitation. In the end, FC Tulsa ultimately draws on the day, but continued improvements and more soccer like their first half from this game could see them moving up the table and the Power Rankings in due time. FC Tulsa will now head into a two-game series, both home and away, against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in Open Cup and league play.
#18) Hartford Athletic
Previous Ranking: #18
Result: 1-0 Loss Vs Charleston Battery (A)
You could certainly make a valid claim that Hartford should move down following another loss, but they looked substantially better taking on Charleson than they did just last week taking on Louisville. The offensive side was still lacking, but Hartford defended much better as the only thing that could break them down on the day was a bit of individual brilliance from Nick Markanich. The knock on the offensive side also comes down to the stakes of this game, as Hartford could easily have opted for a less defensive-minded approach to take it to Charleston, but that would have likely led to a similar result that we saw against Louisville, so fair play to Brendan Burke for realizing the weight of the scenario he was in. Hartford has the week off after being knocked out of the Open Cup and can take some time off before hosting the Colorado Springs Switchbacks next.
#19) The Miami FC
Previous Ranking: #16
Result: 1-0 Loss Vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds (A)
Miami have truly been one of the biggest unknowns this season, on one hand they have had some good performances, such as their 2-1 win over San Antonio. On the other hand, they more often than not look pretty flat, and that continued as they lost 1-0 to Pittsburgh this past weekend. Antonio Nocerino seems to have adjusted well and it’s clear the players are bought in, it’s just going to take some time before everything clicks together for them to put consistent results together. The Miami FC will be looking for their third win on the year as they play host to the Indy Eleven at home next.
#20) Oakland Roots
Previous Ranking: #21
Result: 2-2 Vs San Antonio (A)
The offensive side of this game looked much better, as Miche-Naider Chery was able to tuck home aerially whilst Trayvonne Reid and Etsgar Cruz were lively on the night. Defensively it’s a different story, as Oakland were caught out to be flat footed and to have rotated poorly on countless occasions, putting them in a 2-1 deficit before Johnny Rodriguez was able to seal the point from the spot late on. I would still attribute their best performance of the year to be their storming 3-2 away win against El Paso, but this comes in as a close second. The debut of Dom Dywer still awaits the Oakland faithful as they turn their attention to New Mexico United away after a midweek Open Cup clash.
#21) Las Vegas Lights
Previous Ranking: #20
Result: 2-1 Loss Vs New Mexico United (H)
Las Vegas continues to slip down the rankings off the back of a four-game losing stretch in league play culminating with a tough 2-1 home loss at the hands of New Mexico United. Las Vegas actually looked really good at points, none more so than Gaoussou Samake’s solo goal in which he slipped through the New Mexico backline and slotted past Tambakis easily. Las Vegas has largely relied on moments of individual brilliance this season, and while that can work from time to time, it’s not a common way to find yourself in the playoffs. Las Vegas now turns their attention towards the Open Cup against LAFC before returning to league play looking to do the double over San Antonio FC this season.
#22) Rhode Island FC
Previous Ranking: #22
Result: 0-0 Vs North Carolina FC (A)
Rhode Island loves a good draw, and they accrued their league-leading fifth draw on the season against the returning North Carolina FC. Any point in your inaugural season is a sacred one, but it feels like they still have some more gears to find. Offensively they have been rather tame and need to find other avenues than just hopeful crosses into the box, as Albert Dikwa looks to retain his Golden Boot he claimed last year in Pittsburgh. Rhode Island’s next task will be as tough as they come, as they square up against Western Conference leaders Sacramento Republic at home.
Image Credit: Rhode Island FC
#23) North Carolina FC
Previous Ranking: #23
Result: 0-0 Vs Rhode Island FC (H)
Alongside Rhode Island, it feels like North Carolina are still adjusting to life back in the Championship, which by all means, can take some time. I truly have no worries for this team as they are stable from top to bottom and have apt contributors in every position on the field and a quality head coach in John Bradford who led them to the USL League One title just last year. Some fans may be wanting more now, which is understandable, but I still believe we’ll see the true North Carolina FC in the coming weeks. North Carolina FC now focus on a two game homestand in Cary, as they take on Phoenix in Open Cup play midweek before taking on Loudoun United in league play,
#24) El Paso Locomotive.
Previous Ranking: #24
Result: 2-0 Loss Vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks
No matter the result, Brian Clarhaut will live and die by his tactical approach. Which is admirable, I guess? In all honesty, this run of form of nine winless including seven losses has been just as shocking to me as I’m sure it has been for many, but it just seems like nothing is working. Clarhaut refuses to adjust, the players don’t look to be endeared to him anymore, and the product on the field has been nothing short of a train wreck most of the time. Sooner or later the difficult questions will have to be asked, and changes are desperately needed if El Paso want to salvage this season, which is remarkable to be having this discussion this early in the season. El Paso will be looking for their first win as they travel away to Loudoun United for just their third ever meeting between the two.
I would have Pittsburgh higher and San Antonio lower and El Paso Locomotive about 30th in a 24 team race.
At least Hartford went for make the game as boring as possible and didn't let Charleston Battery run riot on them. The what if game that could be played if Hartford could have taken their one golden chance...Charleston might be in the same spot as Sacramento.
Can't disagree with much though.
Seems like Tormenta will have a tough task this week at Charleston.