USL Eastern Conference Power Rankings: Week 5

Another week in the books, another set of power rankings.  The rankings are accurate through April 25th's match between Orlando City B and Harrisburg.  As always, a team rated 1100 is considered average, and the first tiebreak is number of games played.

For a full explanation of the Elo rating system, check out this article.

Rankings

1 (Last Week- 1). New York Red Bulls II (1120)

Last Week: Won 1-0 vs Wilmington on Friday

This Week: vs Charlotte Independence (Sunday)

For the second consecutive week, NYRBII sit atop our Eastern Conference power rankings. Four straight shutouts have helped the club become the only unbeaten team left in the East.

2 (2). Louisville City (1114)

Last Week: Won 3-2 vs Harrisburg on Friday

This Week: vs Pittsburgh (Wednesday), @ Bethlehem (Sunday)

Louisville City continues to climb higher each week. After a bad loss to current ranking leaders New York Red Bulls II, City has found a way to move back into second place and the top of the Eastern Conference table.

3 (8). FC Cincinnati (1107)

Last Week: Won 2-1 vs Toronto FC II on Sunday

This Week: vs Wilmington (Saturday)

A big road win in Toronto has vaulted FC Cincinnati to the third spot on our rankings. Hosting the Hammerheads this weekend could see the club crash the party in the top two.

4 (7). Rochester (1107)

Last Week: Won 2-1 vs FC Montreal on Saturday

This Week: vs Harrisburg (Saturday)

The defending champs started their home schedule against northern rivals FC Montreal, and the win has given the Rhinos their first appearance in the top four.

5 (5). Charleston (1106)

Last Week: Draw 0-0 vs Bethlehem on Sunday

This Week: vs Pittsburgh (Saturday)

A nil-nil draw in Bethlehem has kept the Battery in more or less the same position they were in a week ago.

6 (3). Richmond (1103)

Last Week: Lost 3-2 vs Charlotte on Friday

This Week: vs Toronto FC II (Saturday)

After losing two straight matches, the Kickers have fallen three spots to sixth. Two of their next three matches are against Toronto FC II.

7 (9). Charlotte (1102)

Last Week: Won 3-2 vs Richmond on Friday

This Week: @ New York Red Bulls II (Sunday)

Charlotte's decisive 3-2 win over the Kickers has moved the Independence into the top half of our rankings. With this win, Charlotte has nine points on the season, sitting in third in the table. The real test is coming next week against rankings leaders, NYRBII.

8 (4). Wilmington (1100)

Last Week: Lost 1-0 vs New York Red Bulls II on Friday

This Week: @ FC Cincinnati (Saturday)

After a goal that would have tied the match vs NYRBII was controversially disallowed, the Hammerheads have moved down to eighth in this week's ranking.

9 (6). Toronto FC II (1099)

Last Week: Lost 2-1 vs FC Cincinnati on Sunday

This Week: @ Richmond (Saturday)

Having fallen from the ranks of the unbeatens, Toronto FC II looks to regroup against Richmond and a return to the top half of the conference.

10 (10). Bethlehem (1095)

Last Week: Draw 0-0 vs Charleston on Sunday

This Week: vs Louisville City (Sunday)

Bethlehem has gone back and forth this year, with mixed results in its four games against teams in the top half of our rankings.

11 (11). Harrisburg (1094)

Last Week: Lost 3-2 vs Louisville City on Friday, Won 2-1 vs Orlando City on Tuesday

This Week: @ Rochester (Saturday)

After splitting last week's matches, the City Islanders will have a real challenge when they travel to face the Rhinos.

12 (12). Pittsburgh (1089)

Last Week: Lost 2-1 vs Orlando City B on Friday

This Week: @ Louisville City (Wednesday), @ Charleston (Saturday)

Playing two matches in less than a week is already difficult. Facing two top-five teams on the road is even tougher.

13 (14). Orlando City B (1084)

Last Week: Won 2-1 vs Pittsburgh on Friday, Lost 2-1 vs Harrisburg on Tuesday

This Week: vs FC Montreal (Sunday)

After splitting its Pennsylvania matches in Week 5, OCB returns to the Space Coast to meet fellow cellar dweller FC Montreal.

14 (13). FC Montreal (1080)

Last Week: Lost 2-1 vs Rochester on Saturday

This Week: @ Orlando City B (Sunday)

Having yet to gain a point this season, FC Montreal may be in for a long year.

Notable

New York Red Bulls II and Louisville City continue to separate themselves from the rest of the East.

Richmond, Toronto FC II, and Wilmington all suffered losses this week and each dropped in the rankings.

The bottom two clubs face each other this week. Could FC Montreal gain their first points of the year, or will OCB send the Canadian outfit further down the ratings?

What are your thoughts on this week's rankings? Which clubs have the best chances of catching the top two? Let us know in the comments below!