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

Below are the rankings through as of June 24th, 2017 (last week’s ranking is in parentheses).

East Rankings

1 (Last Week- 2). Charleston Battery (1146)

Count them, 6 goals for the Battery on Saturday as they faced rankings bottom Toronto FC II. Charleston has now scored a goal in each of their 16 matches this season, including 14 in their last five matches.

2 (1). Louisville City (1136)

Despite seeing their scoring streak end this past weekend, Louisville only slip one spot in our rankings. Ottawa Fury take a trip to Kentucky this weekend, where Louisville City are unbeaten at home this year.

T3 (3). Tampa Bay Rowdies (1117)

After falling to Pittsburgh on Thursday night, the Rowdies’ winless streak stretched to a sixth match. With a bout against the conference leaders, Charleston Battery, on tap for this weekend, Tampa will try to turn around their recent form.

T3 (5). Charlotte Independence (1117)

Making their case for the hottest club in the Eastern Conference right now, Charlotte have quickly climbed up our rankings, and are now threatening the party at the top. A playoff rematch this week against Rochester allows for a chance to extend the good times for the Independence.

5 (4). Rochester Rhinos (1112)

Their eight match unbeaten run may have come to an end, but the Rhinos remain a very strong club and are competing at the top of the conference. Rochester now embark on a two match road swing to start July.

6 (7). Bethlehem Steel FC (1109)

Bethlehem went unbeaten through June, winning three of their four contests in the month. With their next three fixtures at home, Steel look to maintain this momentum throughout July.

7 (6). Ottawa Fury FC (1107)

Taking two wins this past week over Orlando City B and NYRB II, Ottawa are looking to continue their climb towards the top of the conference. With a goal in six of their last seven matches, Fury have the offense to be very dangerous in the East.

T8 (9). Orlando City B (1098)

After starting the season above the average, Orlando City B have since slipped beneath it. With only one win in their last five matches, the Baby Lions face a crucial three match homestand, including a big I-4 derby versus Tampa Bay in three weeks.

T8 (10). FC Cincinnati (1098)

Earning points in four of their last five matches, FC Cincinnati look to be on the rise in the Eastern Conference. A Florida road trip is scheduled over the next two weeks, which could see the Ohio club move into the top half of the rankings by the end of it.

T10 (11). Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1093)

A 2-0 win over Tampa on Thursday night halted a five match winless skid for the Riverhounds. With two of their next three matches against top half clubs, Pittsburgh will have their work cut out for them in July.

T10 (8). Saint Louis FC (1093)

Only one win in the last five matches for Saint Louis FC, who take a trip East to New Jersey to face the Baby Bulls on Saturday.

12 (12). New York Red Bulls II (1080)

Ending a two match losing streak on Saturday with a draw in Ottawa, New York Red Bulls II are looking to change their recent form, that has seen the defending champs outscored 2-7 in their last three bouts.

13 (13). Harrisburg City Islanders (1076)

Another streak ended this weekend, as Harrisburg halted their ten match winless run, earning a surprising three points over top three club, Louisville, at home on Saturday.

14 (14). Richmond Kickers (1062)

A winless streak that reached a tenth consecutive match, as Richmond were held scoreless for the ninth time this season, this time by the high-flying Charlotte Independence.

15 (15). Toronto FC II (1057)

After winning their second match of the year last week, reality came atToronto FC II fast, as the Ontario club gave up six goals in a loss to the conference leaders on Saturday. A Canadian Derby looms in two weeks for the conference cellar dwellers.

Week Fifteen Matches

Saturday, July 1

#12 New York Red Bulls II (1080) v #10 Saint Louis FC (1093)

#6 Bethlehem Steel FC (1109) v #14 Richmond Kickers (1062)

#15 Toronto FC II (1057) v #13 Harrisburg City Islanders (1076)

#1 Charleston Battery (1146) v #3 Tampa Bay Rowdies (1117)

#3 Charlotte Independence (1117) v #5 Rochester Rhinos (1112)

#2 Louisville City (1136) v #7 Ottawa Fury FC (1107)

#8 Orlando City B (1098) v #8 FC Cincinnati (1098)

Bye Week: Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1093)

Thoughts

After a brief week away from the top spot, Charleston returned to our rankings lead this week. The Battery face fellow top three club, Tampa, this weekend, a fixture with many implications for the top of the conference. Another club from the Carolinas, Charlotte, made the move up this week and now find themselves in a tie for third in our rankings.

Oddly enough, there are three ties in our power rankings this week, displaying how similar many of the clubs in the conference have fared so far this year. This will make for an exciting and close race for the playoffs come September and October.

This Saturday has three very interesting matches for the clubs at the top of the rankings. Charleston vs Tampa is a battle of the top three, Charlotte vs Rochester could shift power in the rankings and is a rematch of last year’s first round of the playoffs, and Louisville vs Ottawa is a bout between two high-scoring clubs in the conference.

What are your thoughts on this week’s rankings? Which clubs will break their respective ties this week? Are their any clubs on the rise in the coming months? Let us know in the comments below!