USL Western Conference Power Rankings - Week 18

It has become clearer and clearer that the West is dominated by three powerhouse teams: Real Monarchs, San Antonio and Swope Park Rangers. The top two teams this week ended up at a deadlock after a tough fight, which once against allowed Swope Park to close the gap and start making a case to not only be considered one of the elite in the West, but possibly the best team in the conference.

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

Last Week: Drew San Antonio FC (2-2)

Next Week: at #10 Rio Grande Valley Toros (1085)

2 (2) San Antonio FC (1148)

Last Week: Drew Real Monarchs SLC (2-2)

Next Week: at #9 Phoenix Rising (1091)

3 (3) Swope Park Rangers (1147)

Last Week: Defeated Seattle Sounders 2 (2-0)

Next Week: vs #4 Reno 1868 FC (1123)

4 (4) Reno 1868 FC (1123)

Last Week: Drew Portland Timbers 2 (1-1)

Next Week: at #3 Swope Park Rangers (1147)

5 (5) Sacramento Republic (1115)

Last Week: Defeated Seattle Sounders 2 (2-0)

Next Week: Bye Week

6 (6) Tulsa Roughnecks (1114)

Last Week: Defeated Phoenix Rising (3-0)

Next Week: Bye Week

7 (7) Orange County SC (1113)

Last Week: Drew Rio Grande Valley Toros (1-1) Defeated Rio Grande Valley Toros (4-0)

Next Week: vs #12 Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (1075)

8 (10) Oklahoma City Energy (1091)

Last Week: Defeated Colorado Springs Switchbacks (3-4)

Next Week: at #14 Los Angeles Galaxy II (1058)

9 (8) Phoenix Rising (1091)

Last Week: Lost to Tulsa Roughnecks (0-3)

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

10 (9) Rio Grande Valley (1085)

Last Week: Drew Orange County SC (1-1), Lost to Orange County SC (0-4)

Next Week: vs #1 Real Monarchs SLC (1167), at #15 Portland Timbers 2 (1030)

11 (12) Colorado Springs Switchbacks (1077)

Last Week: Lost to Oklahoma City Energy (3-4)

Next Week: vs #13 Seattle Sounders 2 (1071)

12 (13) Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (1075)

Last Week: Bye Week

Next Week: at #7 Orange County SC (1113)

13 (11) Seattle Sounders 2 (1071)

Last Week: Lost to Swope Park Rangers (0-2), Lost to Sacramento Republic (0-2)

Next Week: vs #11 Colorado Spring Switchbacks (1077)

14 (14) Los Angeles Galaxy II (1058)

Last Week: Bye Week

Next Week: vs #8 Oklahoma City Energy (1091)

15 (15) Portland Timbers 2 (1030)

Last Week: Drew Reno 1868 FC (1-1)

Next Week: vs #10 Rio Grande Valley Toros (1085)

Thoughts:

With the season nearing the two thirds of the way completed point, there are clear groups forming in the West. The aforementioned elite group of Real Monarchs, San Antonio and Swope Park make up the heavy favorites. Then there are a group of teams that are above average and have the potential at any point to take down a big dog, but are clear second tier teams. These is the Sacramento, Tulsa, Orange County and Reno, who have shown the capabilities of having high highs and low lows all season long.

Will these two tiers remain intact as the season plays out? Will a team be able to break into a better bracket? Or will a team fall into obscurity? Let us know predictions in the comments!