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USL Power Rankings – Week 4

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/18/16, 5:04PM EDT

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Red Bulls II take top slot as numerous clubs falter over the weekend


Photo courtesy Ben Solomon / New York Red Bulls II

Upsets. They have to come sometime, and over the past three days they all arrived at once to throw the USL Power Rankings into a little bit of disarray.

What to make of those who fell for the first time? How about those for whom the wins were their first of the season? What about the teams that might feel fortunate to have dodged the carnage?

As always, these are a snapshot not only of where a team might be now, but also where it might be headed. After this past weekend’s detours, the picture just got a whole lot more interesting.

Here’s the new Top 10.

1. New York Red Bulls II (Previous: No. 2)
Last Week: D 0-0 vs. Rochester Rhinos
The Red Bulls II didn’t take a victory against the defending champions, but continued to look sharp and created the sort of chances that on another day could have gone in. Still undefeated, they now sit a point behind Louisville City FC, but their win at Slugger Field two weeks ago keeps them ahead of their Eastern Conference rivals here.

2. Swope Park Rangers (Previous: 3)
Last Week: Bye
Looking at results from around the league, it was a good week for an undefeated team to have a bye on the schedule. The Rangers will get back into action on Saturday with a visit to OKC Energy FC.

3. Louisville City FC (Previous: 10)
Last Week: W 3-2 at FC Cincinnati
Following its loss to the Red Bulls II in the club’s home opener, Coach James O’Connor’s side has found the form that made people believe it would build on an excellent inaugural season. Chandler Hoffman is now tied for the league lead with four goals after his hat trick on Saturday, and City will now head to face a Harrisburg side on Friday that it enjoyed great success against last season, hungry for more.

4. LA Galaxy II (Previous: 7)
Last Week: D 1-1 vs. San Antonio FC
The Galaxy II’s third consecutive draw last Wednesday, conceding late to San Antonio FC, didn’t look like the best result at the time, but with the carnage below them, Los Dos will take the point and move onto what appears to be a fascinating contest against fellow Top 10 member Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Friday.

5. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (Previous: NR)
Last Week: PPD vs. OKC Energy FC
After an unscheduled weekend off thanks to snowstorms in the Rockies left OKC Energy FC unable to reach Vancouver, WFC2 moves into the top 10 after many around them fell. Friday’s game on the road against the Galaxy II should be a must-see between the two undefeated sides.

6. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (Previous: 1)
Last Week: L 1-0 at Seattle Sounders FC 2
The Switchbacks played well in periods against Seattle, forcing Tyler Miller into six saves to earn his shutout, but falling to a team that hadn’t previously recorded a win, or a shutout, was likely a disappointment after two wins from two to start the season. Saturday brings San Antonio to Switchbacks Stadium, and hopefully for Steve Trittschuh a sharper overall performance.

7. Charleston Battery (Previous: 4)
Last Week: L 3-2 vs. Charlotte Independence
Now, this is where it starts to get tricky. The Battery fought back well against the Independence after going down three goals, but given their body of work are still a side that few teams should want to face. After all, it’s not every game you’re doing to see the kind of defensive lapses that happened at Ramblewood Stadium this Saturday, or the Battery’s midfield as comprehensively outplayed as it was in the first half. Important rebound contest on Sunday in Bethlehem.

8. Sacramento Republic FC (Previous: 6)
Last Week: L 1-0 at Portland Timbers 2
The lack of goals produced so far by Sacramento – only one from open play in four games – remains a concern, but Sacramento did everything but score in its loss to Portland on Sunday with the hosts needing two clearances off the line to preserve a shutout. Republic FC will surely be hoping for a change in fortune in front of goal on Saturday when it hosts Saint Louis FC.

9. Charlotte Independence (Previous: NR)
Last Week: W 3-2 vs. Charleston Battery
It’s been an up-and-down start for the Independence, but Saturday’s win against Charleston proved a sizeable up in the manner it controlled the game throughout the first half. Friday night offers another big test as the Richmond Kickers come to town, as the Independence look to snap a streak that has seen them alternate losses and wins to start the season.

10. Orange County Blues FC (Previous: NR)
Four points from the past two games is a solid return for Orange County from two teams that appear either among the league’s best (LA Galaxy II) or a solid playoff contender (San Antonio FC). The team’s chemistry seems to be starting to click, and if they can find a way for Trevin Caesar to break his scoreless run, Orange County could be poised for a strong move up the real standings.

Best of the Rest – Bethlehem Steel FC; Rio Grande Valley FC; Toronto FC II; Richmond Kickers; Wilmington Hammerheads FC