USL Western Conference Power Rankings - Week 17

For the first time in the season, and for the first time in USL West, four separate teams are above 1140 at the same time. This signifies a significant separation from the pack by Real Monarchs, San Antonio and Swope Park, with Reno desperately trying to keep pace with the top group rather than fading back to the rest of the crowd. Meanwhile, Portland falls further off pace, despite still showing signs of life. They will continue to be a team that eventually will put enough together to do major damage to the standings of some unfortunate club.

1 (Last Week – 1) Real Monarchs SLC (1167)

Last Week: Bye Week

Next Week: at #2 San Antonio FC (1148)

2 (2) San Antonio FC (1148)

Last Week: Drew Oklahoma City FC (1-1)

Next Week: vs #1 Real Monarchs SLC (1167)

3 (3) Swope Park Rangers (1140)

Last Week: Defeated Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (1-0)

Next Week: at #11 Seattle Sounders 2 (1084)

4 (4) Reno 1868 FC (1125)

Last Week: Drew Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (1-1)

Next Week: vs #15 Portland Timbers 2 (1028)

5 (5) Sacramento Republic (1109)

Last Week: Bye Week

Next Week: vs #11 Seattle Sounders 2 (1084)

6 (6) Tulsa Roughnecks (1107)

Last Week: Drew Los Angeles Galaxy II (2-2)

Next Week: vs #8 Phoenix Rising (1098)

7 (7) Orange County SC (1104)

Last Week: Defeated Seattle Sounders 2 (2-1)

Next Week: at #9 Rio Grande Valley Toros (1094), vs #9 Rio Grande Valley Toros (1094)

8 (9) Phoenix Rising (1098)

Last Week: Defeated Colorado Springs Switchbacks 2-1

Next Week: at Tulsa Roughnecks (1107)

9 (8) Rio Grande Valley (1094)

Last Week: Bye Week

Next Week: vs #7 Orange County SC (1104), at #7 Orange County SC (1104)

10 (11) Oklahoma City Energy (1087)

Last Week: Drew San Antonio FC 1-1

Next Week: vs #12 Colorado Springs Switchbacks (1081)

11 (10) Seattle Sounders 2 (1084)

Last Week: Lost to Orange County SC (1-2)

Next Week: vs #3 Swope Park Rangers (1140), at #5 Sacramento Republic (1109)

12 (12) Colorado Springs Switchbacks (1081)

Last Week: Lost to Phoenix Rising 1-2

Next Week: at #10 Oklahoma City Energy (1087)

13 (13) Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (1075)

Last Week: Lost to Swope Park Rangers 0-1, Drew Reno 1868 FC 1-1

Next Week: Bye

14 (14) Los Angeles Galaxy II (1058)

Last Week: Drew Tulsa Roughnecks 2-2

Next Week: Bye

15 (15) Portland Timbers 2 (1028)

Last Week: Lost to Swope Park Rangers (0-1)

Next Week: at #4 Reno 1868 FC (1125)

Thoughts:

This was a week in the West that resulted in nearly no movement. After a total of seven matches were played, there were only two instances of teams switching places, even after disappointing draws for Reno and San Antonio.

Next week, however, gives us what might be one of the early highlights of the season, as the Real Monarchs travel to play San Antonio FC in the match between the current #1 and #2 teams— something that no one saw coming at the start of this season.

This match also may allow Swope Park to snatch up a top two spot, as they are now within striking distance of San Antonio after taking home six straight victories.

With the possibility for action at the top of the table, will we see a new first place team? A new second best? Will there be movement in the middle of the table as teams like Sacramento return to action for the first time in weeks, and Orange County played a home and away series against Rio Grande Valley?

Let us know predictions in the comments!