USL Western Conference Power Rankings - Week 13

In a week that saw little impact to the status quo due to a US Open Cup week, a sixth team reached the 1100 point this week while the top five teams remained unchanged. The battle for 6^th place remains wide open however, with eight teams being within ten points of the 1100 average mark.

1 (Last Week – 1) Real Monarchs SLC (1160)

The Monarchs held on to their top spot during a bye week, but now will face two opponents in a red hot Reno club and a Drogba-led Phoenix side in matches that could solidify or end their run at the top of the Rankings table.

2 (2) San Antonio FC (1155)

San Antonio had their shutout streak end at over 670 minutes, but came away with the home win against a Tulsa side that is in a bit of a skid. A trip to a rested Switchbacks side is next as San Antonio looks to maintain their unbeaten streak.

3 (3) Reno 1868 FC (1114)

Reno had a week of rest to prepare for a rematch of a 3-5 loss to the Monarchs, which is still tied for the highest scoring match in the USL this season to date.

4 (4) Swope Park Rangers (1109)

In a penalty kick filled match, the Rangers held on to keep the Drogba powered Phoenix side at bay for most of the match as the game ended in a draw. The result helped SPR hold on to its fourth place spot in the Elo rankings.

5 (5) Rio Grande Valley Toros (1103)

The Toros continue to struggle against Los Dos, and with their loss have only taken away one point from two matches. Rio Grande has two games this week to break out of their recent rut.

6 (10) Oklahoma City Energy (1100)

The Energy shot up the table thanks to a road win against Portland, and now they are 4-1-1 in their last six matches. Oklahoma City plays in Vancouver and Seattle this week to complete the classic Pacific Northwest road trip.

7 (6) Tulsa Roughnecks (1098)

After winning four of their first seven matches, Tulsa has fallen back into old habits. Now after winning only one of their past five matches, the Roughnecks will need to get back into their early season form quickly as they start a difficult two game home stand.

8 (7) Orange County SC (1097)

Orange County continued to have early bye weeks, but will return to action this week as they play Seattle in an attempt to get back to the 1100 point mark.

9 (8) Sacramento Republic (1096)

Sacramento recovered from an early error to earn a comeback win against the Whitecaps as they improved to 3-1-1 at home this season. They will have two matches this week as they fight to get back to the 1100 benchmark.

10 (11) Phoenix Rising (1093)

A late goal from the spot earned Phoenix a draw on the road in Swope Park as the rebranded Phoenix squad remains undefeated when Drogba starts for the team.

11 (12) Colorado Springs Switchbacks (1091)

Colorado had a bye week, but will now face two difficult games in a week as they will play two top five sides Swope Park and San Antonio.

12 (9) Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (1088)

The Vancouver skid continued this past weekend with a loss in Sacramento. Whitecaps 2 have now dropped six of nine matches. They will return home for four of their next five matches in hopes of righting the ship and getting back in the playoff conversation by the middle of the season.

13 (13) Seattle Sounders 2 (1087)

Seattle did not play and held their spot in the Elo table. Losses from higher ranked teams leaves Seattle as easily able to make a run up the table, however. They will look to do with two matches to play this week.

14 (14) Los Angeles Galaxy II (1067)

Los Dos continued to be a thorn in the sides of Rio Grande Valley as they ended a four game undefeated streak the Toros had maintained at home. Los Dos will start a three game road trip as they try to work their way off the bottom of the Elo table.

15 (15) Portland Timbers 2 (1042)

The slide for the Timbers continued as they dropped a home game to Oklahoma City. They will need to at least earn a draw this week to prevent from dropping a season record six straight games this week.

Next Week

#1 Real Monarchs SLC (1160) v #3 Reno 1868 FC (1114)

#13 Seattle Sounders 2 (1087) v #6 Oklahoma City Energy (1100)

#4 Swope Park Rangers (1109) v #11 Colorado Springs Switchbacks (1091)

#9 Sacramento Republic (1096) v #5 Rio Grande Valley Toros (1103)

#12 Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (1088) v #6 Oklahoma City Energy (1100)

#8 Orange County SC (1097) v #13 Seattle Sounders 2 (1087)

#11 Colorado Springs Switchbacks (1091) v #2 San Antonio FC (1155)

#15 Portland Timbers 2 (1042) v #3 Reno 1868 FC (1114)

#14 Los Angeles Galaxy II (1067) v #9 Sacramento Republic (1096)

Bye Week: #7 Tulsa Roughnecks (1098)

Thoughts:

In a week that saw little USL West action, Oklahoma City emerged as the victor, jumping from 10^th place up to 6^th and reaching 1100 for the first time since before the season began. With a large number of teams hovering around the 1100 mark, as we move from week to week we are sure to see plenty of teams break the coveted average point and slip back below into mediocrity.

What teams will rise to the challenge and move up the table? Which clubs will suffer as the season moves on? Let us know in the comments below!