We have reached August, and USL clubs are preparing for the push for the eight playoff spots. Here are this week's Eastern Conference Power Rankings!
Remember, 1100 is considered an average club, with tiebreakers going to the club that has played more matches.
The rankings are accurate through Sunday's Bethlehem v Toronto FC II match.
Rankings
1 (Last Week- 1). Louisville City (1161)
Last Week: Lost 1-2 vs Orlando City B on Saturday
This Week: @ Pittsburgh (Friday)
Now suffering a second straight loss, Louisville has started to drop from their lofty position of earlier this season.
2 (2). New York Red Bulls II (1154)
Last Week: Lost 1-2 @ Richmond on Saturday
This Week: @ Harrisburg (Tuesday)
Like Louisville above them, New York Red Bulls II were defeated in a second straight week after giving up a winning goal in the dying moments of the match.
3 (3). FC Cincinnati (1138)
Last Week: Drew 1-1 vs Charleston on Saturday
This Week: @ FC Montreal (Wednesday)
FC Cincinnati has made it through the gauntlet of their last three matches against the other top-four clubs and hold on to the third spot for another week.
4 (4). Charleston Battery (1133)
Last Week: Drew 1-1 @ FC Cincinnati on Saturday
This Week: vs Charlotte (Wednesday)
A hard-fought draw against FC Cincinnati leaves the Battery within striking distance of a top-three spot.
5 (6). Richmond Kickers (1128)
Last Week: Won 2-1 vs New York Red Bulls II on Saturday
This Week: @ Rochester (Wednesday), @ FC Montreal (Saturday)
A fourth straight win sees the Virginia-based club move up a spot into a season-high on our rankings.
6 (7). Charlotte Independence (1125)
Last Week: Won 1-0 @ FC Montreal on Saturday
This Week: @ Charleston (Wednesday), @ Bethlehem (Sunday)
Another club reaching a season-high spot on our rankings, Charlotte has now posted two straight shutout victories.
7 (5). Rochester Rhinos (1124)
Last Week: Drew 1-1 @ Harrisburg on Friday
This Week: vs Richmond (Wednesday), vs Wilmington (Saturday)
Despite the draw, Rochester drops two spots this week. Two matches this week offer them a chance to move up again.
8 (10). Orlando City B (1098)
Last Week: Won 2-1 @ Louisville on Saturday
This Week: vs Toronto FC II (Saturday)
A big victory over the top league's top club sees Orlando City B take control of the last playoff spot in the league table and eight.
9 (8). Bethlehem Steel FC (1088)
Last Week: Lost 2-3 vs Toronto FC II on Sunday
Now winless in their last three matches, Bethlehem dropped a spot in our rankings this week.
10 (9). Wilmington Hammerheads FC (1083)
Last Week: Lost 1-4 vs Pittsburgh on Saturday
This Week: @ Rochester (Saturday)
Wilmington drop to their lowest spot in our rankings after a second 4-1 loss in their last five matches,
11 (12). Toronto FC II (1059)
Last Week: Won 3-2 @ Bethlehem on Sunday
This Week: @ Orlando City B (Saturday)
Scoring multiple goals for only the fourth time this season, Toronto FC II posted a big road win over Bethlehem on Sunday and move up one spot as a result.
12 (11). Harrisburg City Islanders (1059)
Last Week: Drew 1-1 vs Rochester on Friday
This Week: vs New York Red Bulls II (Tuesday)
After slow start to the season, Harrisburg have won two of their last three and seem to have found their stride on offense.
13 (13). Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1047)
Last Week: Won 4-1 @ Wilmington on Saturday
This Week: vs Louisville (Friday)
Pittsburgh now look to start the long climb out of the cellar after posting their highest scoring match of the season.
14 (14). FC Montreal (1020)
Last Week: Lost 0-1 vs Charlotte on Saturday
This Week: vs FC Cincinnati (Wednesday), vs Richmond (Saturday)
Another week, one-goal loss, FC Montreal has lost seven straight and are approaching triple digits in our elo ratings.
Notable
Louisville City FC and New York Red Bulls II are starting to fall back to Earth. Could this open the door for FC Cincinnati and Charleston to catch them?
Recent positive results has seen Richmond move up a spot, with a chance to crash the party in the top four.
Orlando City B makes the largest gain this week, jumping two spots to eighth in our rankings and gaining control of the last playoff spot in the league's standings.
What are your thoughts on this week's rankings? Which clubs do you look to make their playoff push as we enter August? Let us know in the comments below!