Western Conference Power Rankings - Week 11

For the first time, the Whitecaps have dropped out of first place in the Elo rankings, as the Monarchs brought the Canadian team's undefeated streak to an end.  With the Switchbacks now out front and a few of the teams outside of the current top pack stringing together some wins, the ratings are in constant flux:

Rankings

1 (2) Colorado Springs Switchbacks (1132)

Last Week: Defeated Saint Louis FC (2-0)

This Week: @Los Angeles Galaxy II (Saturday)

This one was inevitable.  The Switchbacks took a quick lead against Saint Louis and never looked back.  A win in Los Angeles this weekend would pad their lead on the top spot in the West.

2 (1) Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (1129)

Last Week: Lost to Real Monarchs (0-1)

This Week: @Seattle Sounders (Thursday)

A questionable defense finally let down the Whitecaps in the dying moment of the game.  If Vancouver wants to get back on top of the table they will need to shore up their back line to compensate for games where their offense isn't clicking.

3 (6) Oklahoma City Energy (1120)

Last Week: Defeated Tulsa Roughnecks (2-0)

This Week: @Rio Grande Valley Toros (Saturday)

The Energy cannot be ignored much longer.  They are yet to log a dominant win, but have a chance to knock off an overachieving Toros side this week to keep moving up in the ratings.

4 (3) Los Angeles Galaxy II (1119)

Last Week: Drew Sacramento Republic (2-2)

This Week: vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks (Saturday)

Los Angeles has now scored in 12 of 13 games this season.  A game against a tough Switchbacks side is up next.

5 (5) Rio Grande Valley Toros (1117)

Last Week: Defeated San Antonio FC (1-0)

This Week: @Swope Park Rangers (Wednesday), vs Oklahoma City Energy (Saturday)

Through their first eleven games, the Toros have played one game against a current top-five Elo team, a 0-2 loss at home to Los Dos.  They get a regional rivalry against Swope first, and then later draw a very tough Energy side.

6 (4) Saint Louis FC (1107)

Last Week: Lost to Colorado Springs Switchbacks (0-2)

This Week: vs Tulsa Roughnecks (Saturday)

Saint Louis has started with a difficult schedule, but has failed to take points from top sides. going only 1-3-3 against top teams this season.  An easier schedule the coming month can put Saint Louis in a good position if they capitalize.

7 (7) Sacramento Republic (1107)

Last Week: Drew Los Angeles Galaxy II (2-2)

This Week: vs Real Monarchs (Wednesday), vs Real Monarchs (Saturday)

A defensive lapse cost Sacramento all three points, but they maintain their status in the West leading group.  Back to back games against a Monarchs team who they struggled with last year will be a measuring stick.

8 (9) Real Monarchs (1097)

Last Week: Defeated Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (1-0)

This Week: @Sacramento Republic (Wednesday), vs Sacramento Republic (Saturday)

The Monarchs grabbed an impressive 1-0 road win against previously undefeated Whitecaps taking four points from Vancouver in two games.   Another back to back series awaits them, this time against Sacramento

9 (11) Portland Timbers 2 (1095)

Last Week: Defeated Swope Park Rangers (2-1)

This Week: vs San Antonio FC (Saturday)

Portland continues to be an underrated team despite hanging out near the bottom of the table.  A visit from San Antonio can either be a boost up to the top teams, or keep them in the bottom of the pack.

10 (12) Orange County Blues (1092)

Last Week: Defeated Seattle Sounders 2 (5-2)

This Week: @Arizona United (Saturday)

The Blues broke out of their scoring funk in a major way against Seattle and a trip to an up-and-down Arizona side can help them keep up a good offensive game.

11 (8) San Antonio FC (1091)

Last Week: Lost to Rio Grande Valley (0-1)

This Week: @Portland Timbers 2 (Saturday)

San Antonio is now winless in five games, and only has recorded wins against the two teams at the bottom of the Elo rankings.  They have only lost one game on the year when scoring a goal though.

12 (10) Swope Park Rangers (1086)

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

This Week: vs Rio Grande Valley Toros (Wednesday)

Swope still has yet to record a shutout.  Hosting a Rio Grande team who is able to score is not the best way to break out of that slump.  The Rangers will need their offense to show up to get a point.

13 (13) Arizona United (1083)

Last Week: Bye Week

This Week: vs Orange County Blues (Saturday)

A bye week hopefully helped Arizona fix their defense.  They host a Blues team who is coming off their highest scoring game since 2013.

14 (14) Tulsa Roughnecks (1061)

Last Week: Lost to Oklahoma City Energy (0-2)

This Week: @Saint Louis FC (Saturday)

The Roughnecks' woes continue, as they dropped another game, making it eight losses in their last ten games.  They will need to strike quick to have a chance at taking down Saint Louis.

15 (15) Seattle Sounders 2 (1058)

Last Week: Lost to Orange County Blues (2-5)

This Week: vs Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (Thursday)

A 2-0 lead turned into a 5-2 loss.  Is there anything more indicative of the Seattle season so far?  Vancouver will likely elongate the Sounders winless streak to nine games.

Notable:

Biggest Rise: Oklahoma City Energy (+3)

Biggest Fall: San Antonio FC (-3)

This week there are two main games to pay attention to: #1 Colorado Springs @ #4 Los Angeles in a battle of two strong teams, and #3 Oklahoma City @ #5 Rio Grande Valley in the battle of teams that for the most part are untested.

What games are you looking forward to this week?