We are now entering the final third of the season and the Eastern Conference is gearing up for the playoffs. As we enter this crucial time for each club, let us look at this week's ICS Power Rankings!
Important to note about our rankings, 1100 is considered an average club, with tiebreakers going to the club that has played more matches.
These rankings are accurate through Sunday's Bethlehem v Charlotte match.
Rankings
1 (Last Week- 1). Louisville City (1167)
Last Week: Won 2-1 @ Pittsburgh on Friday
This Week: vs Harrisburg (Wednesday), vs Rochester (Saturday)
A pair of second half goals from George Davis IV saw Louisville return to the win column.
2 (2). New York Red Bulls II (1165)
Last Week: Won 5-0 @ Harrisburg on Tuesday
This Week: vs Orlando City B (Friday)
NYRBII stay on the tails of Louisville after scoring a season-high five goals in one match.
3 (3). FC Cincinnati (1147)
Last Week: Won 2-0 @ FC Montreal on Wednesday
This Week: @ Richmond (Saturday)
Another solid victory for the Ohio-based club. Now, another top four match beckons as they make a trip to Richmond next week.
4 (5). Richmond Kickers (1140)
Last Week: Won 1-0 @ Rochester on Wednesday, Won 2-1 @ FC Montreal on Saturday
This Week: vs FC Cincinnati (Saturday)
The Kickers move up a position in our rankings for the second consecutive week, their highest of the season.
5 (4). Charleston Battery (1132)
Last Week: Drew 1-1 vs Charlotte on Wednesday
This Week: vs FC Montreal (Saturday)
Charleston extended their unbeaten streak to eight with a draw against Charlotte Independence. The Battery have outscored opponents 10-4 during that time.
6 (6). Charlotte Independence (1127)
Last Week: Drew 1-1 @ Charleston on Wednesday, Drew 2-2 Bethlehem on Sunday
This Week: vs Wilmington (Saturday)
The Independence ended their four match road trip earning 8 points out of a possible 12. Now they return to Ramblewood to face Southern Derby rival, Wilmington, on Saturday.
7 (7). Rochester Rhinos (1124)
Last Week: Lost 0-1 vs Richmond on Wednesday, Won 2-0 vs Wilmington on Saturday
This Week: @ Louisville (Saturday)
Rochester's bad result on Wednesday was canceled out by the return-to-form win over Wilmington on Saturday.
8 (8). Orlando City B (1102)
Last Week: Won 2-1 vs Toronto FC II on Saturday
This Week: @ New York Red Bulls II (Friday)
Orlando City B are currently on a nine match unbeaten streak, and now have won two straight games for the second time all season.
9 (9). Bethlehem Steel FC (1087)
Last Week: Drew 2-2 vs Charlotte on Sunday
This Week: @ Pittsburgh (Saturday)
Winless in their last four matches, Bethlehem now begins a four match road trip against in-state rival Pittsburgh.
10 (10). Wilmington Hammerheads FC (1077)
Last Week: Lost 0-2 @ Rochester on Saturday
This Week: @ Charlotte (Saturday)
Wilmington have reached a season-low rating after a month without a win.
11 (11). Toronto FC II (1055)
Last Week: Lost 1-2 @ Orlando City B on Saturday
This Week: vs Harrisburg (Sunday)
TFC II were hurt by Saturday's loss off a stoppage time goal, but can regroup in a match against Harrisburg, who they beat 4-2 in their last outing.
12 (12). Harrisburg City Islanders (1048)
Last Week: Lost 0-5 vs New York Red Bulls II on Tuesday
This Week: @ Louisville (Wednesday), @ Toronto FC II (Sunday)
The City Islanders were shutout for the sixth time this year and face an uphill battle as they travel to Louisville this week.
13 (13). Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1041)
Last Week: Lost 1-2 vs Louisville on Friday
This Week: @ FC Montreal (Wednesday), vs Bethlehem (Saturday)
With only one win in their last five matches, Pittsburgh face fellow cellar-dweller, FC Montreal on Wednesday before a crucial match against in-state foe, Bethlehem.
14 (14). FC Montreal (1005)
Last Week: Lost 0-2 vs FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, Lost 1-2 vs Richmond on Saturday
This Week: vs Pittsburgh (Wednesday), @ Charleston (Saturday)
Sitting only five points from 1000, FC Montreal may become the USL's first team to reach a triple-digit rating this season.
Notable
Louisville City hold onto a slim lead over New York Red Bulls II for another week. Circle August 19th on your calendars, when these clubs face-off in New Jersey.
Richmond continue their run of positive results and have moved into the top four. A match against fellow top club, FC Cincinnati, could see the Kickers take a top three spot with a win.
With Orlando City B moving to above the average for the first time all season, we are now back to eight clubs above 1100. The top eight sit at 15 rating points over the rest of the Eastern Conference.
What are your thoughts on this week's rankings? Which clubs can go on a run in the final third of the season? Let us know in the comments below!