Western Conference Power Rankings - Week 11

This week we have a new top team in the USL West, but the gap between the top two and the rest of the pack still sits at a larger margin than the gap from third to 13th. As little changed in the battle for third place, no team entering this week ranked between seventh and 13th this week held on to their spot as the middle of the Elo table saw plenty of shifts this week.

1 (Last Week - 2) Real Monarchs SLC (1156)

A goal in the first minute was all the action that was required to give the Monarchs a shutout victory and send them into the top spot in our Power Rankings for the first time this season.

2 (1) San Antonio FC (1150)

San Antonio produced their fifth consecutive shutout, but have now only been able to score three times themselves in that same time span. They will need to get back in the scoring rhythm to gain the top spot back.

3 (3) Tulsa Roughnecks (1110)

Tulsa had a bye week, and will look to maintain their third spot in the Elo ranks as they return to action this week.

4 (4) Rio Grande Valley Toros (1107)

After 90 minutes no one could find the back of the net in Sacramento. As a result, the Toros were ubable to change much in the terms of their positioning in the first of two road games.

5 (5) Reno 1868 (1104)

Reno did not play in Week 11, but will look to avenge an Open Cup elimination at the hands of Sacramento as they get back into action this weekend.

6 (6) Swope Park Rangers (1103)

The Rangers were unable to score in either of the two games against San Antonio, but were able to secure a draw on the road. They now return home for a three game stand as they try to climb up in the rankings.

7 (8) Sacramento Republic (1098)

Sacramento managed to put five shots on target, but were unable to find the back of the net against an RGVFC team averaging half of a goal allowed per game.

8 (7) Orange County SC (1097)

A first minute lapse was enough to cause Orange County to drop all three points, as they fell below the 1100 mark for the first time in the 2017 season.

9 (10) Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (1096)

An early penalty kick was enough to see Vancouver through with a win in Portland as they recorded their first shutout in five matches.

10 (12) Seattle Sounders 2 (1093)

Seattle jumped into the lead in the second half against Los Dos and never looked back as they scored three goals. In an up and down season, Seattle continues to be a threat week to week.

11 (9) Phoenix Rising (1092)

Despite not playing, Phoenix dropped multiple spots due to strong performances by lower ranked teams. They play their final game of a road stand this week.

12 (13) Colorado Springs Switchbacks (1086)

For the second week in a row, the Switchbacks changed the result with a last minute goal as they won on the final play of the match.

13 (11) Oklahoma City Energy (1084)

A Switchbacks goal on the final play of the game saw OKC snatch defeat from the jaws of a decent result, snapping the Energy’s two game winning streak.

14 (14) Los Angeles Galaxy II (1066)

Los Dos kept it tight in the first half, but allowed three second half goals as they fell apart late. They will be looking for a way to get back on track as they have now only won one in their past ten games.

15 (15) Portland Timbers 2 (1054)

The woes of the Timbers continued as a Whitecaps 2 penalty kick in the first half proved to be the game winner. T2 have only one point from their previous five matches as they head on the road to face the Monarchs.

Week 11 Matches:

#13 Oklahoma City Energy (1084) v #11 Phoenix Rising (1092)

#5 Reno 1868 FC (1104) v #4 Rio Grande Valley Toros (1107)

#13 Oklahoma City Energy (1084) v #2 San Antonio FC (1150)

#4 Rio Grande Valley Toros (1107) v #10 Seattle Sounders 2 (1093)

#1 Real Monarchs (1156) v #15 Portland Timbers 2 (1054)

#14 Los Angeles Galaxy II (1066) v #12 Colorado Springs Switchbacks (1086)

#11 Phoenix Rising (1092) v #9 Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (1096)

#5 Reno 1868 FC (1104) v #7 Sacramento Republic (1098)

#6 Swope Park Rangers (1103) v #3 Tulsa Roughnecks (1110)

Bye: #8 Orange County SC (1097)

Thoughts:

We have seen our first shift at the top of the table. Despite San Antonio continuing their undefeated streak to open the season, the Monarchs have opened up a winning streak that has reached seven matches and have taken over the top spot as a result.

Most of the rest of the table continues to be cluttered however, with the gap from third place Tulsa to 13^th place Oklahoma City currently sits at only 26 points, a gap that can be made up in the span of only a few well played matches.

With it being anyone’s game in the middle of the table, what will next week bring with only one team on bye? Let us know in the comments!