You can find last week’s projections here, and an explanation of our methodology here. Projections are as of August 20th, 2017 (last week’s projected position is in parentheses).

Eastern Conference Points Projections

1 (Last Week- 1). Louisville City (63.8)

2 (2). Charlotte Independence (59.2)

3 (3). Charleston Battery (56.0)

4 (4). Rochester Rhinos (52.0)

5 (5). Tampa Bay Rowdies (50.2)

6 (6). Bethlehem Steel FC (45.2)

7 (7). FC Cincinnati (43.7)

8 (10). Orlando City B (43.6)

9 (11). New York Red Bulls II (42.0)

10 (8). Saint Louis FC (41.5)

11 (9). Ottawa Fury FC (40.0)

12 (12). Pittsburgh Riverhounds (39.3)

13 (13). Harrisburg City Islanders (32.6)

14 (15). Richmond Kickers (25.9)

15 (14). Toronto FC II (24.1)

Remaining Schedules

Hardest Remaining Schedules: Richmond Kickers (1.488 average points per future opponent), Bethlehem Steel FC (1.478), Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1.449)

Easiest Remaining Schedules: Saint Louis FC (1.205 average points per future opponent), FC Cincinnati (1.238), New York Red Bulls II (1.327)

Thoughts

The top seven clubs in our projections remain unchanged from last week, as Louisville tightens their grip at the top with a lead of 4.6 projected points over second place Charlotte. Charleston and Rochester maintain their spots in the top four, as hosting a playoff match becomes a goal in the coming weeks of the season.

Orlando City B made the largest gain of the week, moving up two spots—and into a playoff position—to eighth. Just slightly in front of them, FC Cincinnati holds a 0.1 projected point advantage in seventh place. Just 4.4 projected points separate seventh from twelfth place in our table, meaning the race for the final two spots in the postseason will be a close one.

FC Cincinnati may have taken a tumble in our most recent Elo Power Rankings, but the Ohio side maintains their spot in the playoffs. While Cincinnati are winless in their last four matches, the club faces the second easiest finish in the Eastern Conference, which should help to regain any momentum that has been lost in recent league play.

What are your thoughts on this week’s Eastern Conference Points Projections? How much do you think the table can change between now and the end of the season? Let us know in the comments below!