USL League 2: Power 20 - Week 8 (As of 06/30)

Back with another edition of well-reasoned power rankings for League 2! With all clubs having played at least six matches of their schedule now, we’re able to separate and rank sides, whether they’ve competed in six games or a dozen, but the number of potential table points they’ve dropped. For those tied in that metric, their goal differential has been averaged out across their total number of games played. See, well-reasoned and informed - Here’s Week 8:

20. The Villages SC (5-2-1)

Seven points dropped. All seems well again at the Polo Grounds of the Villages, where the Bison are back to their old selves and just two points behind Nona FC for the Southeast Division title. Without any unforeseen setbacks along the way, The Bison will look to trample the Lakers in a home match on 7/08. Should they come up short in that endeavor, chances are still good we’ll see the Villages in the postseason, with their wide lead for a wild card spot over the South Florida division’s claimants.

19. Vermont Green (8-0-2)

Six points dropped. Whatever setbacks the Greens face in the way of losses, they learn their lessons quickly, and respond in rapid fashion. Their home loss to Seacoast United now returned in kind, Vermont is back in the driver’s seat of the Northeast Division, and probably a 7/07 date at Western Mass Pioneers away from a division title.

18. Park City Red Wolves (4-2-0)

Six points dropped. Undefeated Park City isn’t higher up this list only because of the relatively few matches they’ve had opportunity to play. But, they can only play the schedule before them, and, with three matches left, could be sitting pretty and well rested for a third-straight deep postseason run in 2023.

17. Ocean City Nor’Easters (6-4-0)

Eight points dropped. In a weakened Mid-Atlantic Division, it’s an easy path for the Nor’Easters to seize the title, UNTIL their last match vs second-place West Chester United. While they’ve avoided losses all season, another draw or two might eliminate their hopes of hosting some early round postseason matchups.

16. Northern Virginia FC (5-1-1) 0.57

Five points dropped, 0.57 Average GD per Match. NoVa FC has thrived as the hunter this season, but they’ll have to succeed as the hunted for their final five games over the next fourteen days. Their last three contests are against two very-much-alive-postseason-hopes sides in Virginia Beach United (twice) and Christos FC. Any slip up along the way and either of those two squads, or Lionsbridge, could seize the Chesapeake crown.

15. SC United (6-1-1) 1.13

Five points dropped, 1.38 Average GD per Match. The Bantams are very much back in the running for a division title, a top seed in the Southern Conference AND a chance to host the early rounds of the postseason after taking down the Asheville City Blues at home last week. Still down two goals head to head and four goals in differential to the Blues, the division race could be one of the most photo-finish runs in the next two weeks in the entire league.

14. Monterey Bay FC2 (6-1-1) 1.38

Five points dropped, 1.38 Average GD per Match. The upset at SF Glens may have been predicted, but certainly not the thumping MBFC2 took in the 3-0 loss. The Glens succumbing to Marin a few days later has breathed new life and re-set the Boys from Salinas back atop the NorCal standings. How they use this second chance will be known soon enough as Monterey closes out the regular season versus #5 Academica twice, #6 SFCFC and hosts #3 Project 510.

13. Albion Houston FC (8-1-1) 1.60

Five points dropped, 1.60 Average GD per Match. The Albion Hurricanes Football Club Royals of Houston avenged their one loss of the season early on to AC Houston Sur with a 2-1 win Monday night. With a 4-0-1 record vs Sur and Houston FC, the Royals have all but secured the unofficial Bayou City Derbies and are just a couple wins and a Twin City Toucans slip-up away from the Lone Star division title.

12. Asheville City SC (6-1-1) 1.63

Five points dropped, 1.63 Average GD per Match. The Blues came up just short away to their rivals in South Carolina, but they still hold the lead over the Bantams on tie breakers, having won the earlier contest between the two, 3-0. Their remaining path to postseason play will be one of the most closely watched in the country, as Southern Conference overall seeding, and hosting, is still very much in play for Asheville City.

11. Thunder Bay Chill (5-1-1) 1.71

Five points dropped, 1.77 Average GD per Match. Fifteen years after their championship season, Thunder Bay is quietly setting up for another potential run to the title game. Running a bit behind the scenes of the Central Conference as other sides nab the headlines, the Chill haven't dropped points since their opening weekend of play this year.

10. Ventura County Fusion (7-1-1) 1.77

Five points dropped, 1.77 Average GD per Match. The defending champions returned from a successful Arizona trip to put the SoCal Seahorses away, 3-1. With divisional cellar dwelling Capo FC and a return meeting with the Seahorses on deck, the Fusion will be keeping one eye on the Redlands ahead of their season ending matchup that could decide the final division standings.

9. NONA FC (6-1-1) 1.88

Five points dropped, 1.88 Average GD per Match. Steady wins the race seems to be the mantra for this Nona FC side, even as they slipped to third behind divisional opponents The Villages SC and Florida Elite SA in recent weeks. Those two opponents have fizzled over the weekend, while Nona notched a pair of wins and regained the lead. With their next two matches coming against those very same two opponents, Nona could have the division wrapped up by July 8th.

8. Ballard FC (7-1-1) 2.44

Five points dropped, 2.44 Average GD per Match. The sophomore slump may have finally come for the Bridges, as Ballard dropped five points in the past week, first losing a 3-2 thriller to down-the-sound rival Oly Town Artesians, then having to come from behind to earn a draw at United PDX. As one of the strongest rosters in the nation playing in one of the weakest divisions, the slump should be short lived and Ballard will be climbing the ranks soon.

7. Long Island Rough Riders (9-1-1)

Five points dropped, 2.45 Average GD per Match. The Rough Riders have emerged at the top of the heap again after another weekend of chaos in the Metropolitan Division. Where Hudson Valley slipped Sunday (1-4 loss to FC Motown), Long Island climbed, beating Westchester, on the road in a 3-1 win. With three matches left to their ‘23 campaign, the ‘Riders will need every point to stay ahead of the Hammers and claim the division crown.

6. Little Rock Rangers SC (7-1-1)

Five Points Dropped, 2.88 Average GD per Match. The dark horse pick in the mid-south by Protagonist staff in the preseason, the Stags have proven up to the weight of expectation in 2023. A single goal separates them from league leaders Texas United, and the Rangers have shed a few demons along the way, winning their first Old River Rivalry with Brilla on Saturday night in a 6-1 win, then avoided the usual trip-up match as they try and hold their wild card lead over Lone Star division claimants with an emphatic 5-0 victory on the road vs LA Parish on Wednesday.

5. Fort Wayne FC (8-2-0)

Four Points Dropped, 2.60 Average GD per Match. Their offensive output will get all the notice, but Fort Wayne’s defense hasn’t allowed a goal in six straight matches. Their final two outings of the regular season come against current #2 Toledo Villa this Sunday, and struggling but ever-dangerous Kings Hammer the following week. Solid performances and results against both will shore up hosting chances for the already postseason-bound FWFC.

4. Texas United (7-2-0)

Four Points Dropped, 3.50 Average GD per Match. The Pride of Plano crossed off their Texas two-step weekend with LA Krewe this past weekend. After an initial match that saw the plucky Louisianans pull out a draw on the back of otherworldly goalkeeping and a late penalty, the hosts obliterated their hopes of a repeat performance with a dominant 4-0 win. Still at least a point clear of the second place Rangers of Little Rock, the breezeway to a second straight Mid South title for TexU looks wide open.

3. Des Moines Menace (8-0-1)

Three Points Dropped. The Menace, and their supporters The Society DSM, have been impatiently looking forward to this weekend since the final whistle of their 3-1 loss in Chicago all the way back on 5/28. Should the Menace protect their unbeaten regular season streak with a victory by two or more goals, they’ll slip into the division lead on tiebreakers.

2. Flint City Bucks (7-1-0)

Two Points Dropped. With everyone’s attentions in the Central Conference diverted westward this weekend, the Flint City Bucks remain one of just five teams in the league without a loss, and wins in their next two home stands will wrap up the Great Lakes crown for them.

1. Chicago City SC (8-0-0)

Zero Points Dropped. The last remaining perfect season will more than likely have its ultimate fate decided this weekend when Chicago City makes its way to Valley Stadium in Des Moines to play a waiting and ready Menace side looking to avenge the only mark on their own campaign.With the rest of the Heartland Division having offered minimal competition all year, three points to either opponent in this match will probably decide the league shield for ‘23

Just Outside:
21. Redlands FC (5-2-1)
22. FC Manitoba (4-2-1)
23. Western Mass Pioneers (6-3-1)
24. San Francisco Glens (6-1-2)
25. Seacoast United Phantoms (6-1-2)

On the Margins:
26. Hudson Valley Hammers (6-1-2)
27. Lionsbridge FC (5-1-2)
28. Charlotte Eagles (7-3-1)
29. Manhattan SC (5-3-1)
30. NC Fusion (7-2-2)

by Ryan Stallings