Eastern Conference Power Rankings: Week 16

We are now entering the second half of the season and clubs are starting to make their push for the playoffs. Lets see how the Power Rankings stand now in this crucial time for all clubs.

Important to note on our rankings: 1100 is considered an average club, with tiebreakers going to the club that has played more matches. Read up on our ranking system here, and its slight improvement here.

These rankings are accurate through Sunday's Rochester v Orlando City B match.

Rankings

1 (Last Week- 1). Louisville City (1163)

Last Week: Won 2-0 vs FC Montreal on Monday, Drew 1-1 vs Charleston on Saturday

This Week: @ Wilmington (Sunday)

Giving up a controversial goal towards the end of Saturday's match against Charleston has kept Louisville still firmly in the lead.

2 (2). New York Red Bulls II (1152)

Last Week: Won 4-2 @ FC Montreal on Saturday

This Week: @ Charlotte (Saturday)

A hat trick from Brandon Allen keeps the Baby Bulls on the heels of Louisville but not quite in a position to overtake them.

3 (3). FC Cincinnati (1139)

Last Week: Lost 2-1 @ Rochester on Wednesday, Won 2-1 @ Saint Louis FC

This Week: Bye Week

With a friendly against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, then their next three league matches against the rest of the top four, FC Cincinnati may be in for a tough couple of weeks.

4 (4). Charleston Battery (1127)

Last Week: Drew 1-1 @ Louisville on Saturday

This Week: vs Orlando City B (Wednesday)

Charleston can widen the gap between the top four and the rest of the east by avenging their shocking home loss to Orlando City B earlier this season.

5 (6). Rochester Rhinos (1116)

Last Week: Won 2-1 vs FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, Drew 0-0 vs Orlando City B on Sunday

This Week: vs FC Montreal (Saturday)

The Rhinos snapped FC Cincinnati's unbeaten streak and hold the slight advantage over Charlotte in fifth place.

6 (5). Charlotte Independence (1115)

Last Week: Lost 2-1 vs Wilmington on Saturday

This Week: vs New York Red Bulls II (Saturday)

Following their first loss to a Carolina rival this season, Charlotte will hope to stop the potent attack from New York Red Bulls II.

7 (7). Wilmington Hammerheads (1109)

Last Week: Won 2-1 vs Charlotte on Saturday

This Week: @ Bethlehem (Thursday), vs Louisville (Sunday)

With their first ever win in club history over their in-state rival, Wilmington moves their Elo rating to a season high, remaining in the top half of the rankings.

8 (8). Richmond Kickers (1107)

Last Week: Won 3-0 @ Harrisburg on Friday

This Week: @ Pittsburgh (Thursday)

Outscoring opponents 6-4 in their last five matches, the Kickers can jump back into the top half of the rankings with a good result on Thursday.

9 (9). Bethlehem Steel (1094)

Last Week: Lost 3-2 @ Toronto FC II on Wednesday, Won 2-0 vs Pittsburgh on Sunday

This Week: vs Wilmington (Thursday)

Posting their first win in exactly a month last Sunday, Bethlehem looks to move back above 1100 with a matinee match against Wilmington on Thursday.

10 (10). Orlando City B (1092)

Last Week: Drew 0-0 @ Rochester on Sunday

This Week: @ Charleston (Wednesday)

Unbeaten in their last five matches, Orlando City B will look to stifle Charleston's offense this weekend.

11 (11). Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1068)

Last Week: Drew 0-0 vs Harrisburg on Monday, Lost 2-0 @ Bethlehem on Sunday

This Week: vs Richmond (Thursday), vs Harrisburg (Sunday)

Only one point gained our of a possible six against their fellow Pennsylvania clubs leaves the Riverhounds in the same position as last week.

12 (13). Toronto FC II (1061)

Last Week: Won 3-2 vs Bethlehem on Wednesday, Won 4-2 @ Harrisburg on Sunday

This Week: Bye Week

Toronto FC II will take a well deserved rest with a bye week after earning all six possible points last week.

13 (12). Harrisburg City Islanders (1048)

Last Week: Drew 0-0 @ Pittsburgh on Monday, Lost 3-0 vs Richmond on Friday, Lost 4-2 vs Toronto FC II on Sunday

This Week: @ Pittsburgh (Sunday)

Winless in their last nine, Harrisburg have quickly become the Eastern Conference's coldest club and are struggling to post positive results.

14 (14). FC Montreal (1032)

Last Week: Lost 4-2 vs New York Red Bulls II on Saturday

This Week: @ Rochester (Saturday)

FC Montreal will try to not let Christian Volesky - who already has three goals against the Quebec side - make it four or more when they visit Rochester this weekend.

Notable

The top four remains unchanged for another week, could we see the top seeds forming here for the playoffs?

Elsewhere, Rochester Rhinos and Toronto FC II both took advantage of wins this week to move up a spot in this week's rankings. Meanwhile, Harrisburg cannot seem to find a win in recent matches and have dropped into the bottom two of the rankings.

A pair of top half matches are on tap this week, as Charlotte hosts New York Red Bulls II on Saturday, with Louisville City making their lone trip to the Port City this season, taking on Wilmington on Sunday.

What are your thoughts on this week's rankings? Is there a club that can break up the stagnate movement in the top four? Will a club outside the top half of the rankings move up in the coming weeks? Let us know in the comments below!