Eastern Conference Power Rankings, Week 21

With the Eastern Conference preparing for the postseason, let us return to the ICS Power Rankings!

Important to note about our rankings, 1100 is considered an average rating with tiebreakers going to the club that has played more matches.

These rankings are accurate through Sunday's Toronto FC II v Harrisburg match.

Rankings

1 (Last Week- 2). New York Red Bulls II (1173)

Last Week: Won 5-1 vs Orlando City B on Friday

This Week: vs Louisville City (Friday)

The Baby Bulls return to the top spot in our rankings for the first time since Week 5 after scoring five goals in a second straight match,

2 (1). Louisville City (1165)

Last Week: Drew 1-1 vs Harrisburg on Wednesday, Drew 1-1 vs Rochester on Satruday

This Week: @ New York Red Bulls II (Friday)

Louisville fall from the top of our rankings after a pair of draws.

3 (3). FC Cincinnati (1148)

Last Week: Drew 1-1 @ Richmond on Saturday

This Week: Bye Week

A late goal from Andrew Weideman salvaged a point for FC Cincinnati, who remain in third for another week.

4 (4). Richmond Kickers (1139)

Last Week: Drew 1-1 vs FC Cincinnati on Saturday

This Week: vs Charleston (Wednesday), @ Orlando City B (Sunday)

After extending their unbeaten run to seven straight after their draw with FC Cincinnati, the Kickers look to continue their success against two likely playoff clubs this week.

5 (6). Charlotte Independence (1131)

Last Week: Won 1-0 vs Wilmington on Saturday

This Week: vs Orlando City B (Wednesday)

Charlotte's recent good form of five straight unbeaten matches, including a win over in-state rival Wilmington, has moved them up a spot into the top-five.

6 (7). Rochester Rhinos (1125)

Last Week: Drew 1-1 @ Louisville on Saturday

This Week: vs Pittsburgh (Saturday)

Despite scoring a goal themselves, Rochester gave up a late equalizer and posted its third draw in five matches.

7 (5). Charleston Battery (1123)

Last Week: Lost 1-3 vs FC Montreal on Saturday

This Week: @ Richmond (Wednesday), @ Wilmington (Saturday)

The Battery fall two spots in this week's rankings after suffering arguably their worst loss of the season.

8 (8). Orlando City B (1094)

Last Week: Lost 1-5 @ New York Red Bulls II on Friday

This Week: @ Charlotte (Wednesday), vs Richmond (Sunday)

A nine match unbeaten streak came to a crashing halt last Friday when New York Red Bulls II handed the Baby Lions their biggest loss in club history. They do stay put in our rankings this week, which is a small consolation.

9 (9). Bethlehem Steel FC (1083)

Last Week: Lost 1-2 @ Pittsburgh on Saturday

This Week: @ FC Montreal (Saturday)

The past month has been a rough one for Bethlehem Steel FC. They have failed to post a win since July 14.

10 (10). Wilmington Hammerheads FC (1073)

Last Week: Lost 0-1 @ Charlotte on Saturday

This Week: vs Charleston (Saturday)

Having now lost five of their last six games, this Hamerheads team is continuing to reach new lows with each passing week.

11 (12). Harrisburg City Islanders (1055)

Last Week: Drew 1-1 @ Louisville on Wednesday, Won 1-0 @ Toronto FC II on Sunday

This Week: Bye Week

Harrisburg move up a spot thanks to their undefeated week. They have only five matches remaining in their season, with their next two after this week's bye coming against in-state foes, Bethlehem and Pittsburgh.

12 (11). Toronto FC II (1049)

Last Week: Lost 0-1 vs Harrisburg on Sunday

This Week: Bye Week

After starting their final home stand with a loss, Toronto FC II will use the bye week to regroup before rankings leader New York Red Bulls II visit next week.

13 (13). Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1038)

Last Week: Lost 1-4 @ FC Montreal on Wednesday, Won 2-1 vs Bethlehem on Saturday

This Week: @ Rochester (Saturday)

Last week was a bit of a mixed bag for Pittsburgh, with three out of six possible points in the bag. Next up they travel to Rochester to take on the Rhinos.

14 (14). FC Montreal (1021)

Last Week: Won 4-1 vs Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Won 3-1 @ Charleston on Saturday

This Week: vs Bethlehem (Sunday)

FC Montreal can take many positives from their recent form, especially last Saturday's win over Charleston Battery.

Notable

After weeks of Louisville City domination, New York Red Bulls II finally knocked the Kentucky club off their perch. All eyes will be on Red Bull Arena (though not many in Red Bull Arena) as these two clubs face off on Friday. The winner will very likely be atop the East by season's end.

Charleston takes this week's biggest fall, dropping two spots after a loss to basement-dwellers FC Montreal.

After Orlando City B's loss on Friday dropped them back below the average, we are now back to seven clubs above 1100. The top eight clubs hold an 11 point advantage over the rest of the Eastern Conference.

What are your thoughts on this weeks rankings? Who will be atop the East by the end of the season? Let us know in the comments below!