Lower Division Power Rankings - July 1

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The end of June proved to be a threshold week as several clubs that I have been keeping in the shadows of the rankings finally proved themselves and were moved up quite a bit. Atlanta showed they are true contenders with the 1-1 draw in Carolina against the RailHawks, whose only loss came in Atlanta earlier in the season, and San Antonio appears for real with yet another win to put themselves in the title picture.

In USL Pro, Richmond has lingered among the top few teams, but the win in Orlando City coupled with their unbeaten record was the golden ticket for the top spot. Orlando City, meanwhile, tumbles all the way down to four with the loss being coupled with the team losing key players.

This Week (Last Week) Club (League) :: W-L-D :: Notes

1 (4) Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) :: 8-0-6 :: Posted a big 2-0 road win against league-leading Orlando City Saturday and the following day played to a scoreless draw against rested VSI Tampa Bay.

2 (10) Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) :: 5-3-3 :: Saw a chance at the league lead going into the final game slip through their hands, allowing a late 1-1 equalizer at Carolina.

3 (2) Carolina RailHawks (NASL) :: 5-1-5 :: With starters resting, the club lost 3-0 at Real Salt Lake and only stayed atop the table Saturday thanks to a last-minute equalizer in a 1-1 home draw against fellow contender Atlanta.

4 (1) Orlando City (USL Pro) :: 10-2-2 :: After a disastrous finish in the Open Cup Wednesday at Chicago, the team lost two key players due to Sporting KC roster moves and then dropped a home match, 2-0, to unbeaten Richmond.

5 (11) San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) :: 5-4-2 :: Still climbing the charts, San Antonio drubbed woeful Fort Lauderdale and are now the only other challengers to Atlanta and Carolina for the title.

6 (3) Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) :: 4-4-3 :: Idle

7 (5) Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) :: 10-4-1 :: Picked up a 2-1 home win against Phoenix FC.

8 (6) Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) :: 6-2-7 :: Gave up the lead twice in Dayton for a 2-2 draw Friday, but rallied on the road against the Fire Reserves for a 2-1 win.

9 (7) Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) :: 6-2-5 :: Came back twice to tie Charlotte 2-2 at home.

10 (8) Charleston Battery (USL Pro) :: 7-3-5 :: Idle

11 (12) FC Edmonton (NASL) :: 3-4-5 :: Finished the Spring campaign on a high note, defeating Minnesota 3-1.

12 (14) Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) :: 5-8-2 :: Rallied for a 2-1 road win against the Red Bulls Reserves.

13 (13) Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro) :: 5-4-6 :: Idle

14 (18) VSI Tampa Bay (USL Pro) :: 7-6-3 :: Played to a scoreless draw against visiting unbeaten Richmond, who played league-leading Orlando City the night before.

15 (9) Minnesota United (NASL) :: 4-5-2 :: Fell on the road to FC Edmonton, 3-1.

16 (15) LA Blues (USL Pro) :: 5-6-5 :: Idle

17 (19) Phoenix FC (USL Pro) :: 2-10-6 :: Somewhat decent showings, though they only got one point, falling 2-1 in Harrisburg Friday and finishing even with Rochester the following night in a scoreless stalemate.

18 (16) Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) :: 3-7-6 :: Played to a disappointing scoreless draw against a Phoenix side that played the night before in Harrisburg.

19 (17) Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) :: 2-7-2 :: Handily beaten 4-1 by visiting San Antonio.

20 (20) Antigua Barracuda (USL Pro) :: 0-15-0 :: Idle

Note: The LD Power Rankings are based on past results are not a projection of the future.

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