Week 2 in the books (well, mostly) and we finally got some goals. Maryland clearly wanted to wreck the average and put in 6 against Flower City Union, removing any chance of the Rochester club from climbing out of the 10 spot. Valley beat Albion in its NISA debut (sorta - RIP ‘04). Strikers saw the goals and decided to stick with the 0-0 draws. Here’s the Knights Who Say NISA Week 2 NISA Power Rankings!

10. Flower City Union

Giancarlo Canas-Jarquin scored the first goal in Flower City Union’s history in week 2.

One of only two clubs that all the Knights slotted in the same position, Flower City Union got the brunt of it when it traveled to Maryland to take on the Bobcats. Bobcats absolutely blew up the visitors, putting in 6 goals and allowing just 1. It was the kind of performance that really emphasized the “expansion-ness” of FCU. After the match, Evan Raimist, Bobcats VP, compared FCU to MDB favorably, saying he felt like he saw a lot of their club last year in the expansion side. Let’s hope that’s true, as FCU continues to flounder against better opponents.

9. Albion SC San Diego

Yes, Albion remains in the second to last spot in the rankings, but no reason to give up hope. Albion debuted on the road against Valley United and withstood the pressure of an unrelenting VUFC attack. The visitors gave up two goals early on, but managed to scratch one back at the death. Regardless of the negative scoreline, Albion consistently threatened to score, particularly with Mayele Malango on the left hand side. The Congolese forward was wrecking havoc down the sideline, consistently putting pressure on the backline and VAFC’s keeper, Sam Howard. In the opposing net, Ben Roach, kept the match close till the end. Albion has some work to do, but looked good against an impressive VUFC side.

8. Michigan Stars

Michigan Star won’t play in NISA till this weekend (against FCU) and we’ll see how good this team is. We’ve given this club the benefit of the doubt so it will be interesting to see what we get on Saturday.

7. AC Syracuse Pulse

Pulse got snowed out, but dropped a slot, thanks to great play from another debutant.

6. Bay Cities FC

Bay Cities went toe-to-toe against the best clubs in the west on back to back weekends and came out with two points. It’s clear this team is good enough to compete with league and is a couple of plays from being top of the table. Particularly, in week 2, with goals at a premium, Bay Cities’ forward Anthony Orendain beat Striker’s GK Jean Antione but was given a yellow card for simulation. The replay showed that Antione caught his foot and a penalty would have been in order. Plays like that should even out over the course of the season, so Bay Cities is looking solid 2 weeks in.

5. California United Strikers FC

Strikers have to feel a little incomplete at this point in the season. Moving down a slot in our Power Rankings, Strikers have been stagnant on offense through two matches. Now scoreless after two dates against expansion NISA sides, there’s something wrong with the Striker attack. Nuño is scoreless (after scoring 12 goals last season) and is showing his frustration on the field. Thierjung, the other half of CUS’ deadly attack, has had little opportunity to get on to the scoresheet. Whatever the issue, this club needs to solve the problem quick.

4. Los Angeles Force

Force wasn’t in action in week 2, but due to the success of another club, moved down a slot. 1 point is not what we expected from LAFC, for sure.

3. Valley United FC

Valley has proven itself to be a worthy opponent for the top of the West, where the club currently sits first on the table. After battling California United Strikers to a draw in week 1, VUFC went home to Mesa, Arizona and beat Albion SC 2-1. The match showed a very aggressive and high-pressing VUFC side scoring in the first two minutes. While the team managed another goal before the half, there were plenty of great chances for the home side stymied by the stellar play of Ben Roach, Albion’s keeper. IF Force and Strikers continue to cough away points through draws, we may have a new favorite in the West.

2. Chattanooga FC

Brett Jones and Nick Spielman surveyed the snowy field in Syracuse before the match was postponed.

Tough break for CFC, getting snowed out and moving down a slot. Think of this as 1a, maybe?

1. Maryland Bobcats

What a day for Maryland Bobcats. After a week 1 draw against CFC, the Bobcats returned to Maryland to welcome Flower City Union. And what a welcome it was! MDB pounded FCU with 6 goals, matching the second highest scoring match in NISA history. The aggressive attack was everything fans have hoped for from Maryland. Currently, three Bobcat players sit atop the scoring in NISA (Amo, Espinal, Solomon). Let’s see if the scoring continues for the Bobcats this weekend.