If you want an idea of how narrow the margins can be between success, and coming up just short, you need only look at the past week in the USL.

On the one hand, there are the New York Red Bulls II, who ran their winning streak to four games, and undefeated streak to six, thanks to another early goal last Thursday night and a solid rearguard action to follow. On the other is the side the Red Bulls II replace this week at the top of the Power Rankings in Louisville, which came thisclose to another win, only for that aim to be dashed at the last by Wilmington.

Out west, there’s the LA Galaxy II, which was separated from victory by the width of a post against Colorado Springs, and instead forced to settle for its league-high seventh draw of the season. Then there’s Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, which thanks to same width of post – and Marco Carducci’s fingertips – were able to hold onto a victory when collapse appeared imminent.

Those narrow margins, from game to game, week to week, are why we keep watching, and what makes the game compelling. And as the season draws on, they’re also going to be what determines who’s still alive come October.

Here’s the new Top 10.

1. New York Red Bulls II (Previous: 3)
Last Week: W 1-0 vs. Harrisburg City Islanders
Four consecutive victories, and five wins in the last six, moves the Red Bulls II back to the top of the Power Rankings this week, as another 1-0 victory leaves the Red Bulls II with the best points-per-game average in the USL (2.25). If there’s one thing we learned from last season, it’s that a reliable defense is a massive key to long-term success, and with six goals against – the fewest of any team in the USL – the Red Bulls II don’t need to be flashy right now to get results.

2. Louisville City FC (Previous: 1)
Last Week: D 2-2 vs. Wilmington Hammerheads FC
Louisville’s undefeated streak ran to 11 games, certainly, but giving up a late equalizer at home to a visitor that recorded more shots over the 90 minutes isn’t quite the homecoming that Coach James O’Connor was likely looking for. For a good part of the game, Louisville looked good going forward, but there were other times – particularly in the second half – when Wilmington’s passing saw the visitors maintain a decent foothold in the contest. City’s inability to find a decisive finish to kill the game off ended up costing them two points, and the top spot for now. 

3. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (Previous: 2)
Last Week: D 0-0 at LA Galaxy II
It was by no means a perfect road performance – the Galaxy II could have taken a second win of the season on Saturday night against the Switchbacks – but Colorado Springs emerged with a valuable point despite being outshot 12-6 overall. The Switchbacks’ defensive resilience has been a hallmark of their play this season, with only seven goals conceded in 11 games, and having played fewer games than any other in the top five of the Western Conference should be favored to regain the conference lead sooner rather than later.

4. Sacramento Republic FC (Previous: 9)
Last Week: W 1-0 vs. Real Monarchs SLC; W 2-1 at Real Monarchs SLC
Back-to-back wins can certainly have a team feeling much better about itself, and Republic FC’s two wins against Real Monarchs SLC looked like a side that had gotten back to its best. There’s a caveat here, given the ups and downs Sacramento’s season has seen so far – fans would definitely like to see them be more efficient in front of goal, with only 34 percent of their shots finding the target this season – but if the side can maintain the defensive solidity it showed over the past two games it could quickly be sitting in a top-two position.

• RELATED: 11 Things: Republic FC Returns to Form

5. FC Cincinnati (Previous: 6)
Last Week: W 2-1 vs. FC Montreal
Cincinnati kept itself on course for a massive clash with Louisville in the USL Game of the Week on ESPN3 on June 25 with a solid 2-1 win against Montreal on Saturday night. Sean Okoli notched another two goals, as the side looked dangerous throughout, and while Mitch Hildebrandt was a little busier in the second half, the three points extended the club’s undefeated streak to eight games, and solidified third place in the standings as others below them faltered.

6. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (Previous: 5)
Last Week: L 3-2 at Seattle Sounders FC 2; W 3-2 vs. Swope Park Rangers
A roller-coaster week saw WFC2 take a second consecutive dip in a defeat to Seattle on Thursday night, then rise up to take a three-goal lead against the Swope Park Rangers on Sunday before holding on for dear life at the end to preserve three points by the tips of Marco Carducci’s fingertips. At the end of it all, Vancouver slips one spot in the rankings, but wherever it sits, it definitely seems as though for a neutral fan this is a side whose games you can’t afford to miss right now.

7. LA Galaxy II (Previous: 7)
Last Week: D 0-0 vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
It was so near, and yet so far away for the Galaxy II this past weekend. You could make a very good argument that the hosts were the better side against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, as they outshot their visitors 12-6, and saw Jack McBean hit the post with an almost-great finish. Instead, the team had to settle for its seventh draw of the season so far, more than any other team in the league, and was pushed a further spot down in the Western Conference standings.

• RELATED: Weekend Gallery: USL Week 12

8. Wilmington Hammerheads FC (Previous: NR)
Last Week: D 2-2 at Louisville City FC
It’s difficult what to make of the middle of the Eastern Conference right now, but one thing that is starting to emerge is a sense of purpose and chemistry for the Hammerheads. After back-to-back wins against teams outside the playoff positions, they got a big test on Saturday against conference leader, and came through in the end thanks to Peabo Doue’s late equalizer. With seven points in their past three games, Wilmington showed a good level of cohesion and cleverness in their passing, and will be a side to keep an eye on moving forward.

9. Rio Grande Valley FC (Previous: 8)
Last Week: L 4-0 at Swope Park Rangers; W 3-0 vs. OKC Energy FC
What a confusing week for the Toros. First they go into Missouri, and look like a shadow of the side that had entered on a six-game undefeated streak as the Rangers romped to their biggest win of the season. Then, they return home to face an Energy FC side that was on an eight-game undefeated streak, and put together a good performance, even after being reduced to 10 men, to take a victory and a top-three place in the conference standings. Saturday’s game at Sacramento is going to be a fascinating one.

10. Saint Louis FC (Previous: NR)
Last Week: W 7-1 vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC
There’s obviously a caveat here, given how poor Tulsa looked on Saturday night, but Saint Louis bouncing back from its loss in Colorado Springs was still impressive any way you slice it. Irvin Herrera and James Musa were both stellar, and have the goals and assists to prove it, but the introduction of the threat of Seth Rudolph to the lineup took this performance to another level. It will be very interesting to see the boost this provides STLFC’s attack moving forward.

Best of the Rest: OKC Energy FC, Orlando City B, Richmond Kickers, Portland Timbers 2, Swope Park Rangers