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USL Eastern Conference Power Rankings - Week 12

A shift in power at the top and gains made in the middle of the pack. All this and more in week 12’s power rankings!

A week filled with many 1-0 and 1-1 results ended up shifting the rankings near the top and in the middle of the conference. With June and July setting clubs up for playoff runs later in September and October, it is increasingly important for clubs to perform well this time of season.

You can find last week’s rating here, and an explanation of our methodology here.

Below are the rankings as of June 11th, 2017 (last week’s rankings are in parentheses).

East Rankings

1 (Last Week- 1). Charleston Battery (1136)

Charleston sits atop our Power Rankings for another week. The Battery have scored a goal in each of their 13 matches played this season, and are on pace with 2016’s NYRB II squad that won the league.

2 (3). Louisville City (1133)

Louisville City made a statement win Saturday, scoring three goals in an Eastern Conference finals rematch against NYRB II. Louisville’s four match unbeaten streak has seem the club overtake second place in our rankings.

3 (2). Tampa Bay Rowdies (1122)

Despite the hard fought draw of this week versus Rochester, Tampa Bay has not earned all three points from a match since their come from behind win over Toronto FC II on May 19th. Look for the Rowdies try and change that fact with a match at Richmond this weekend.

4 (4). Rochester Rhinos (1114)

A pair of 1-1 draws this week has Rochester extending their unbeaten run to a seven consecutive matches. Next up, the Rhinos welcome their Canadian neighbors to the North this weekend.

5 (7). Ottawa Fury FC (1108)

Ottawa have made the slow climb into our top five in the Eastern Conference Power Rankings. A trip to fellow top five member, Rochester, might just prove to be the best match on tap for week 13.

6 (5). Charlotte Independence (1102)

Charlotte had a bit of a disappointing Ohio River road swing this week, taking one point from a possible six in their two matches. After weeks of barnstorming around the Charlotte area, the Independence finally open up Matthews Sportsplex with a match against Harrisburg on Saturday night.

7 (8). Orlando City B (1100)

The Baby Lions have scored a goal in each of their past four matches, and with a trip north to face the Canadian clubs and Rochester, Orlando City B will look to keep this momentum going.

8 (5). Saint Louis FC (1099)

Saint Louis found an early advantage after a Ken Tribbett own goal, but Bethlehem came back with two unanswered goals. Saint Louis have only one win in their last five matches.

T9 (11). Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1094)

The Riverhounds needed a goal from Romeo Parkes in the 87th minute to rescue a point against rankings bottom dwellers, Toronto FC II. Pittsburgh now faces a tough stretch of matches, featuring Louisville, Tampa, Charlotte and Orlando City B over the next month.

T9 (12). Bethlehem Steel FC (1094)

Having outscored opponents 6-3 in the past three matches, Bethlehem have made the biggest gain of the Eastern Conference this week. Next up they have a two match road trip on tap to close out June.

11 (10). FC Cincinnati (1093)

Saturday’s draw with Charlotte saw the return of goal scoring threat, Djiby Fall, to the FC Cincinnati squad after having served his six match suspension. A fixture hosting rankings leaders, Charleston awaits this weekend.

12 (9). New York Red Bulls II (1088)

The defending league champs have fallen off the mark in recent weeks, with only two wins in their last five matches and having been outscored 7-10 during that time. Giving up three goals in an Eastern Conference rematch versus Louisville does little to boost the confidence of the Baby Bulls.

13 (12). Harrisburg City Islanders (1084)

After giving up a second half goal to Ottawa, Harrisburg saw their winless run stretch to an eighth match. The City Islanders head to Charlotte this Saturday to help open Matthews Sportsplex.

14 (14). Richmond Kickers (1072)

The Kickers suffered an eighth consecutive match without a win this past weekend. Their struggles may continue as they host top three club, Tampa Bay Rowdies, this week.

15 (15). Toronto FC II (1062)

Scoring their first goal in nearly a month, Toronto FC II earned a draw on Saturday, their first points in June. TFC II host Orlando City B in a Wednesday matinee match, while a bout with the conference leaders looms in two weeks.

Week Thirteen Matches

Wednesday, June 14th

#15 Toronto FC II (1062) v #7 Orlando City B (1100)

Friday, June 16th

#12 New York Red Bulls II (1088) v #9 Bethlehem Steel FC (1094)

Saturday, June 17th

#4 Rochester Rhinos (1114) v #5 Ottawa Fury FC (1108)

#6 Charlotte Independence (1102) v #13 Harrisburg City Islanders (1084)

#11 FC Cincinnati (1093) v #1 Charleston Battery (1136)

#14 Richmond Kickers (1072) v #3 Tampa Bay Rowdies (1122)

#2 Louisville City (1133) v #9 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1094)

Thoughts

A shift in power at the top might occur in the coming weeks, as Louisville appear to have reeled in Charleston, sitting only three rating points behind the conference leaders. Outside this race for the rankings lead, Ottawa has made their presence at the top of the table known, making their first appearance in the top five this season.

A pair of the premier clubs of last season have since struggled this year, as FC Cincinnati and New York Red Bulls II both sit in the bottom half of the rankings as of now. With most of the season still left to play, can either club turn around recent misfortunes and make a return to a playoff spot?

What are your thoughts on this week’s rankings? Which clubs have surprised this season? Will any team go on run through June and July? Let us know in the comments below!