TAMPA, Fla. – The first coaching change of the season, and the leader out west rolls along. Here’s what we learned from Week 9 in the USL:

1. CHANGE AT THE TOP FOR RIVERHOUNDS: Given the timing of the two announcements, it’s apparent there was nothing former Pittsburgh Riverhounds Coach Mark Steffens was going to be able to do this past weekend to remain in the position, with college coaching standout Dave Brandt appointed as the club’s new head coach on Sunday morning. After a playoff appearance last season, there was great optimism the Riverhounds would kick on to bigger things this year, but early setbacks that included elimination from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup hastened Steffens’ departure.

2. PITTSBURGH’S RE-BRANDT: Thanks to the Riverhounds’ win against Toronto FC II, their first of the season, there remains a glimmer of hope that something can be made from this season at Highmark Stadium. Certainly, in Brandt the Riverhounds have a coach with a remarkable track record both at Messiah College and the U.S. Naval Academy. A four-time NSCAA Coach of the Year, and six-time NCAA Division III National Champion, Brandt will look to build on Saturday’s result and get the Hounds into contention for a playoff position.

3. WFC2 ROLLS ALONG: One former college coach who has led his team to great success this season is Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2’s Alan Koch, whose side maintained its undefeated start with a 3-1 win against the Portland Timbers 2 on Friday night. A goal inside the first minute by Kyle Greig, his 30th career goal in the USL regular season, got WFC2 off to a flying start before Fatawu Safiu’s excellent free kick made it two inside 20 minutes. The goal will likely have been a satisfying one for Safiu, who had performed strongly last season for T2 before making the move north this offseason.

4. WHEELS ON FIRE: Another player who was likely pleased to make an impression against a former club was the Harrisburg City Islanders’ Aaron Wheeler, who played a decisive role in his side’s 3-1 win on Sunday evening against Bethlehem Steel FC. A former player for the Philadelphia Union, Wheeler joined the City Islanders this offseason to provide an alternative to Craig Foster in attack, and on Sunday his height and energy proved tough for the Steel to contain. Harrisburg has had some inconsistency so far this season, so Tuesday’s game with Toronto will be one to watch to see if Coach Bill Becher’s side can start to string some results together and make a move into the top eight in the East.

5. BARRY BURIES HOMETOWN RHINOS: Orlando City B’s Hadji Barry dealt his hometown club a minor blow on Sunday night, as the graduate of Rochester’s Greece Olympia High School scored twice to lead the Lions to a 2-1 win against the Rhinos, snapping the 2015 USL champions’ five-game undefeated streak. A first-round pick by the Lions in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, Barry’s potential was in full evidence as he played set-up man to Tyler Turner in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago. Now with his first two goals for OCB under his belt, he’ll be a player to watch as the side enters the second third of its season.

6. TOROS TURN UP THE HEAT: While Barry was scoring his first professional goals on Sunday, Rio Grande Valley FC forward Memo Rodriguez scored his first two goals of the season on Saturday night to lead the Toros to a 4-1 win against the Swope Park Rangers. While the game was definitely closer than the final score might indicate, the young attacking talent on display for both sides was excellent to watch, with Christian Lucatero showing off why he’s so well regarded in a late cameo that saw him notch two assists. Now fifth in the Western Conference, the Toros will be well worth checking out on Wednesday night’s USL Game of the Week on ESPN3 in San Antonio.

7. SAFC LEFT FRUSTRATED: San Antonio FC, meanwhile, will go into Wednesday night’s game off a frustrating night at Toyota Field that saw the side pepper OKC Energy FC’s goal with shots, but come up empty-handed as the visitors took a 1-0 victory. San Antonio has played some very good soccer so far this season, but hasn’t quite executed in the decisive moments to put the side on the outside of the playoffs positions so far. A win against the Toros would be a welcome step in the right direction, with the opportunity for revenge after RGVFC’s thrilling 3-2 win in their first meeting an additional motivator.

8. ENERGY FC FINDING ITS WAY: For Energy FC, Saturday night’s win in San Antonio was a welcome boost after recording draws in four of its previous five games. Goalkeeper Cody Laurendi took Man of the Match honors for his six-save performance, which continued a strong stretch of defensive play for Coach Jimmy Nielsen’s side. OKC has conceded only two goals in its last five league games, and while the side’s attack continues to regain the form that saw it score 44 goals a season ago, that defensive solidity will be essential if the club to continue its move up the Western Conference standings.

9. ROUGHNECKS RILED UP: As well as Energy FC is playing defensively, its rival across the state is running into some of the same defensive difficulties that cropped up in its inaugural season. After conceding 46 goals in its inaugural season, Tulsa Roughnecks FC has already conceded 19 goals in 10 games this year, the most in the league and on pace for 57 goals against over the full year. Certainly, an early red card played a factor in Saturday’s 5-2 loss to Saint Louis FC, but the Roughnecks’ shots against totals of 157 overall and 76 on target are certainly worrying for the long-term.

10. BATTERY BUILDING UP: One team that has been based around defensive continuity for the past few seasons has been the Charleston Battery, and in Saturday’s win against Wilmington Hammerheads FC that was again on show. Defender Shawn Ferguson scored the only goal of the game from a set piece, and the visitors then stifled the Hammerheads’ attack as they allowed only five shots, none of which hit the target. With Louisville City FC coming to MUSC Health Stadium this Saturday, the Battery have recorded back-to-back shutouts in the league as the challenge of withstanding City’s potent attack looms.

11. MONARCHS ARREST SLIDE: Coming in on a five-game winless streak after a promising start to the season, Real Monarchs SLC’s downward slide appeared ready to continue on Saturday night when it went behind early to Orange County Blues FC. It would definitely be very interesting to know what Coach Freddy Juarez told his side at halftime, because the second 45 minutes showed just what this side is capable of when it’s on song. Led by Ricardo Velazco’s two goals and one assist, the Monarchs emerged with an impressive victory, and will head to OKC on Tuesday night with a big jolt of confidence.