Having had the week off, Real Monarchs SLC remain on top of the USLSoccer.com Power Rankings as unanimous No. 1, but results during a week where some teams surged and others fell has made a difference as high as the No. 2 position. That’s where you’ll find defending Western Conference champion Swope Park Rangers now, as their six-game winning streak and four-game shutout streak have bridged the gap to the top two in the Western Conference.

As we mentioned last week in 11 Things, the Rangers are ahead of schedule when it comes to where they were a season ago in terms of wins, points and goal differential at their halfway point of the season. Two 1-0 victories later, against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 and Portland Timbers 2 on its visit to Cascadia, and the side could move into second place on Thursday night with victory against Seattle Sounders FC 2 to round out the trip. After the Rangers won six of seven to close the 2016 regular season with a top-four place, we might be looking at a potentially similar run, only with much more range to develop.

The other team on a big streak, the Charlotte Independence, didn’t get quite as big a bump after a 3-2 victory against the New York Red Bulls II. They are now ahead of Louisville City FC in the eyes of the panel after moving into second place in the Eastern Conference this weekend. With the two teams set to meet on Aug. 5 in at the Sportsplex at Matthews, another big game just got circled on the calendar for both sets of fans.

The five-person USLSoccer.com voting panel tabulates 10 points for first-place team votes, nine points to the second-place team and so forth to one point for 10th place. The accrued points among the group determines the final ranking.

Here’s your new Top 10.

1. Real Monarchs SLC (50pts)
Last Week: Bye
The Monarchs will have enjoyed Miguel Gonzalez’s stoppage-time equalizer for OKC Energy FC against San Antonio FC on Friday night in the USL Game of the Week on ESPNU, which kept SAFC seven points back in the standings as the two sides prepare to meet on Saturday night.

2. Swope Park Rangers (43pts)
Last Week: W 1-0 at Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2; W 1-0 at Portland Timbers 2
The Rangers’ defense has begun to clamp down on teams again the way it did late last season, and the side is earning wins as a result. A sweep through the Pacific Northwest would also place plenty of pressure on San Antonio to match when it hosts the Monarchs with second place in the Western Conference now in play.

3. San Antonio FC (39pts)
Last Week: D 1-1 vs. OKC Energy FC
San Antonio was so close to a big win on Friday night in front of its second-highest crowd at Toyota Field in club history of 8,131, but Miguel Gonzalez’s stoppage-time equalizer kept the gap between SAFC and Real Monarchs SLC a wide one. Three points isn’t essential to San Antonio’s playoff hopes on Saturday, but if the side has aspirations to the USL Regular Season Championship, it had better knock the Monarchs from their throne.

RELATED: SAFC’s Powell Gives Credit to OKC

4. Charleston Battery (35pts)
Last Week: L 1-0 at Saint Louis FC
The Battery were held scoreless for the first time this season by Saint Louis, although it wasn’t for a lack of chances as Charleston gave as good as it got on the road. The loss was a bump in the road that didn’t hurt too much overall, but the Battery can probably hear the Charlotte Independence coming up the road behind them fast, making a positive result in Tampa Bay important.

5. Charlotte Independence (32pts)
Last Week: W 3-2 at New York Red Bulls II
The Independence’s attack kept humming along, taking advantage of openings in the Red Bulls II defense that it and others have found over the course of the season. With Jorge Herrera’s 10th goal of the season – tying his best single-season total ever – now under his belt, a visit to a suddenly-hot Harrisburg should provide some good entertainment on Tuesday night.

6. Louisville City FC (24pts)
Last Week: L 3-2 vs. FC Cincinnati
Louisville had everything it could ask for in Saturday’s River Cities Cup clash against FC Cincinnati except for the final result. A solid rebound is now in order for Head Coach James O’Connor’s side as it looks to not only pick back up its pursuit of the Charleston Battery, but also hold off some of the challengers that are appearing in the rear-view mirror.

RELATED: 11 Things – USL Week 17

7. Reno 1868 FC FC (17pts)
Last Week: D 1-1 at Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
Reno 1868 FC kept ticking along in its pursuit of a good finish in the Western Conference but will probably be disappointed to have let its lead slip against WFC2 on Saturday afternoon. Dane Kelly picked up a nice assist on the goal, too, but he’ll be wanting to boost his recent run of one goal in five games as Reno hosts the Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday night.

8. Bethlehem Steel FC (16pts)
Last Week: D 1-1 vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Steel FC was again without some key players but managed to continue its undefeated streak with a draw in an entertaining clash with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Cory Burke will remain on international duty as Jamaica reached the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but Bethlehem will be hoping to pick up a win on the road as it visits Richmond after the 1-1 draw between the sides earlier this month.

9. Sacramento Republic FC (8pts)
Last Week: Bye
Sacramento had a second week off but made a nice piece of history in its international exhibition against C.F. Pachuca of Liga MX on Saturday, when Roberto Hategan became the youngest player in club history at 16 years old. Republic FC gets back to league action on Sunday against Seattle Sounders FC 2, looking to make a move.

RELATED: Republic FC Makes History, Falls to Pachuca

10. Tampa Bay Rowdies (6pts)
Last Week: D 1-1 at Orlando City B
The Rowdies had victory grabbed away in stoppage time by Orlando City B from the penalty spot, which meant the side trod water in what is now a congested middle of the Eastern Conference playoff places. A visit from the Charleston Battery this Saturday offers a chance at revenge, with Charleston the only visiting side to have taken victory at Al Lang Stadium this season.

Also receiving votes – FC Cincinnati 3, Harrisburg City Islanders 2