July is heating up and it is time to see where each club in the East stands in our Power Rankings. As the playoffs are on the horizon, each club is trying to position themselves for a run that will land them a spot in the top eight.
Rankings
1 (Last Week- 1). Louisville City (1173)
Last Week: Won 4-1 @ Wilmington on Sunday
This Week: @ FC Cincinnati (Saturday)
Louisville keeps on moving further up the ratings with each coming week. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when they will break 1200.
2 (2). New York Red Bulls II (1158)
Last Week: Won 2-1 @ Charlotte on Saturday
This Week: @ FC Cincinnati (Wednesday), vs Charleston (Saturday)
On an unbeaten streak that is now at 11 games, the Baby Bulls make a midweek trip to Cincinnati and have a home meeting vs Charleston this upcoming week.
3 (3). FC Cincinnati (1139)
Last Week: Bye Week
This Week: vs New York Red Bulls II (Wednesday), vs Louisville (Saturday)
After a massively-attended friendly against Crystal Palace, FC Cincinnati face a real test this week as the East's top two clubs make trips to Nippert Stadium.
4 (4). Charleston Battery (1126)
Last Week: Drew 0-0 vs Orlando City B on Wednesday
This Week: @ New York Red Bulls II (Saturday)
Facing New York Red Bulls II and FC Cincinnati to finish out July, Charleston can further cement their top-four spot with positive results.
5 (5). Rochester Rhinos (1122)
Last Week: Won 3-1 vs FC Montreal on Saturday
This Week: @ Toronto FC II (Wednesday), @ Bethlehem (Sunday)
A solid win keeps the Rhinos in fifth, within striking distance of the top four.
6 (8). Richmond Kickers (1116)
Last Week: Won 2-0 vs Pittsburgh on Thursday
This Week: @ Toronto FC II (Saturday)
With three shutouts in their last five league matches - and a win in a friendly over Swansea City - Richmond make the biggest jump in the East this week.
7 (6). Charlotte Independence (1109)
Last Week: Lost 1-2 vs New York Red Bulls II on Saturday
This Week: @ Charlotte (Saturday)
Winless in their last three matches, the Independence will be looking to bounce back against the struggling Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
8 (8). Bethlehem Steel FC (1101)
Last Week: Won 3-0 vs Wilmington on Thursday,
This Week: vs Harrisburg (Thursday), vs Rochester (Sunday)
For the first time since their Week 1 win over FC Montreal, Bethlehem are above 1100, and sit at the edge of the ranking's top half.
9 (10). Orlando City B (1093)
Last Week: Drew 0-0 @ Charleston on Wednesday
This Week: vs Wilmington (Sunday)
Unbeaten through six matches - although four of them were draws - Orlando City B has had consistent play over the past month, and a move up a spot as a result.
10 (7). Wilmington Hammerheads FC (1092)
Last Week: Lost 0-3 @ Bethlehem on Thursday, Lost 1-4 vs Louisville on Sunday
This Week: @ Orlando City B (Sunday)
Having been outscored 2-7 over the past two matches, Wilmington take the biggest fall this week, reaching their lowest Elo rating since week 9.
11 (12). Toronto FC II (1061)
Last Week: Bye Week
This Week: vs Rochester (Wednesday), @ Richmond (Saturday)
Sitting idle this past week, Toronto FC II happened to move up a spot.
12 (13). Harrisburg City Islanders (1054)
Last Week: Won 2-1 @ Pittsburgh on Sunday
This Week: @ Bethlehem (Thursday)
Snapping their winless streak, the City Islanders halted their recent slide to move up a spot in this week's rankings.
13 (11). Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1047)
Last Week: Lost 1-2 vs Harrisburg on Sunday
This Week: @ Charlotte (Saturday)
With their last victory coming in June, Pittsburgh make an appearance in the bottom two of the rankings again.
14 (14). FC Montreal (1026)
Last Week: Lost 1-3 @ Rochester on Saturday
This Week: Bye Week
Another week in the cellar, and FC Montreal may be in danger of dropping into triple digit Elo ratings by season's end.
Notable
Another big Louisville win sees the Kentucky side pulling away from the rest of the East, with a goal of 1200 in sight.
The rest of the top four remain the same, but movement is inevitable as Louisville, New York Red Bulls II, FC Cincinnati, and Charleston, all meet sometime in the next week.
Richmond and Orlando City B both move up spots in the middle of the rankings. Wilmington take a big drop after two straight blowout losses this week.
At the bottom of the rankings, Toronto FC II moved up a spot without setting foot on the pitch. Harrisburg jump ahead of their in-state rivals, Pittsburgh, after a derby win on Sunday.
What are your thought's on this week's rankings? How will the top four shake out at the end of next week? Can any club in the bottom four catch the rest of the East? Let us know in the comments below!