Western Conference Power Rankings: Week 7

The more things change, the more things stay the same.  Another week down in the USL West Elo rankings and four of the top five has remained the same.  The only newcomer is a Rio Grande Valley team who has worked their way into fifth after a wild 3-2 victory in San Antonio.

As always with the power rankings, a rating of 1100 is considered average.

Rankings

1 (Last Week - 2) Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (1124)

Last Week: Defeated Tulsa Roughnecks (3-2)

Next Week: vs Los Angeles Galaxy II (Sunday)

It was a big scare for the Whitecaps last week as they needed a late game comeback to beat a struggling Tulsa side. They will need to be prepared for their match against Los Dos to stay undefeated and extend their streak of multi-goal games to four.

2 (1) Los Angeles Galaxy II (1115)

Last Week: Defeated Colorado Springs Switchbacks (3-2), Lost to Sacramento Republic (0-2)

Next Week: @Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (Sunday)

The Los Dos offense was very strong midweek against a Switchbacks side who had allowed only two goals in their first four games, but their defense let them down in both matches last week. The Galaxy II side have now allowed two or more goals in four of nine matches this season, including 3 of their last 4.

3 (3) Colorado Springs Switchbacks (1115)

Last Week: Lost to Los Angeles Galaxy II (2-3), Defeated Orange County Blues (3-0)

Next Week: vs Portland Timbers 2 (Friday)

A disappointing start to the week against Los Dos, allowing three straight goals to open the match,turned into five unanswered goals to close the week out. This included putting three past the 2015 USL keeper of the year Brandon Miller in the Orange County game, ending a three game shutout streak for the Blues.

4 (5) Saint Louis FC (1111)

Last Week: Defeated Swope Park Rangers (3-0)

Next Week: @Louisville City FC (Saturday)

Referee assisted blowout or not, Saint Louis has now logged three straight shutouts after giving up seven goals in their first four matches. A trip to Eastern rivals Louisville City without Chad Bond will put their defense to the test, as Saint Louis has only played one team so far this season that scores more than a goal a game on average.

5 (9) Rio Grande Valley Toros (1105)

Last Week: Defeated San Antonio FC (3-2)

Next Week: vs Real Monarchs (Friday)

In what will likely go down as one of the most entertaining games of the season, the Toros managed to get a stoppage time winner against regional rivals San Antonio. A rematch at home against a Monarchs side who hasn't won in four games can keep Rio Grande moving up the Elo table.

6 (12) Sacramento Republic (1103)

Last Week: Defeated Los Angeles Galaxy II (2-0)

Next Week: vs Seattle Sounders 2 (Saturday)

Breaking a four game scoreless streak, Sacramento continued their trend of picking up wins in Los Angeles.  Hosting a Seattle side that has allowed a goal in six of eight matches this season may be what Sacramento needs to keep the wheels rolling.

7 (4) San Antonio FC (1101)

Last Week: Lost to Rio Grande Valley Toros (2-3)

Next Week: @Oklahoma City Energy (Sunday)

The San Antonio defense finally gave out for the first time this season against the Toros.  A streak of not allowing more than one goal in a game made it six and a half matches, but all streaks must end.  A visit to Oklahoma City who is undefeated in four and playing low scoring soccer, should help the defense get back on track.

8 (8) Oklahoma City Energy (1101)

Last Week: Drew Arizona United (0-0)

Next Week: vs San Antonio FC (Sunday)

After giving up two goals in each of their first two, the Energy host San Antonio, a team that has suddenly shifted from a low scoring team with strong defense to a high scoring team with a more questionable backline. It will be a test of playstyles to see if the Energy can contain San Antonio and be able to break out of their scoring slump.

9 (13) Portland Timbers 2 (1098)

Last Week: Defeated Real Monarchs (3-1)

Next Week: @Colorado Springs Switchbacks (Friday)

After scoring only three in their first five matches, the Portland is now showing signs of life.  A 3-1-1 record in their last five with only three goals allowed, the Timbers defense and offense will be put to the test in Colorado Springs.

10 (10) Arizona United (1097)

Last Week: Drew Oklahoma City Energy (0-0)

Next Week: @Orange County Blues (Saturday)

Arizona continues to rank near the top of the USL in both least goals allowed per game and fewest goals scored per game. They will be up against a like-minded Orange County team that has yet to score more than one goal in a game.

11 (7) Swope Park Rangers (1093)

Last Week: Lost to Saint Louis FC (0-3)

Next Week: vs Tulsa Roughnecks (Saturday)

You cant blame everything on the refs. While not getting any lucky breaks as of late, the Rangers still need to find a way to shore up their backline. SPR has now allowed a goal in all six games this season and is tied for the worst defense in the USL West. This week SPR are hosting a Roughnecks team that is also tied for bottom of the West defensively, so anything can happen.

12 (6) Orange County Blues (1091)

Last Week: Lost to Colorado Springs Switchbacks (0-3)

Next Week: vs Arizona United (Saturday)

The three game shutout streak evaporated quickly for the Blues against a Colorado Springs team that played like they wanted revenge for a midweek loss. A match against a low scoring Arizona United side should help the Blues defense get back on track.

13 (11) Real Monarchs (1089)

Last Week: Lost to Portland Timbers 2 (1-3)

Next Week: @Rio Grande Valley Toros (Friday)

The Monarchs are another team that is still struggling on the offensive side of the ball, now only scoring twice in their last five matches. A Toros team who has been very swingy this season is a risky prospect for the Monarchs.

14 (15) Tulsa Roughnecks (1082)

Last Week: Defeated Seattle Sounders 2 (2-1)

Next Week: @Swope Park Rangers (Saturday)

A win in Seattle broke the six game winless streak for Tulsa. The Roughnecks will look to continue their streak in a visit to a defensively vulnerable Swope Park side that hasn't posted a clean sheet all season.

15 (14) Seattle Sounders 2 (1075)

Last Week: Lost to Tulsa Roughnecks (1-2)

Next Week: @Sacramento Republic (Saturday)

Seattle was able to get off of the bottom spot for a week, but was unable to do much against Tulsa. The Sounders now travel to Sacramento for a rematch of their 0-1 season opener loss.

Notable:

Biggest rise: Sacramento Republic (+6)

Biggest fall: Orange County Blues (-6)

The marquee match of the coming week is without a doubt the #1 Vancouver and #2 Los Angeles rematch after the previous match ended in a hard fought 2-2 draw earlier this season.  The other high level match will be #5 Saint Louis visiting their old Eastern conference rival and current #1 Eastern Conference side, Louisville City.

The Tulsa Roughnecks and Swope Park Rangers is also an intriguing matchup, as both teams have allowed a Western Conference high 1.50 goals per game on average.

Who is overrated?  Who is underrated?  What matchup are you looking forward too?  Let us know in the comments