Monday, May 20, 2013

Lower Division Power Rankings - May 20

The weekly edition of the mixed Lower Division power rankings based on results from all competitions, including the US Open Cup which all the American-based NASL and USL Pro teams play in this week - well, except for Phoenix after their upset loss last week.
This Week (Last Week) Club (League) :: W-L-D :: Notes

1 (1) Orlando City (USL Pro) :: 7-1-2 :: The Lions headed north and played to a 2-2 draw with one-loss Harrisburg and narrowly defeated Rochester 1-0. 

2 (2) Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) :: 4-0-3 :: The Kickers allowed a late equalizer from the visiting LA Blues in a 1-1 draw. 

3 (4) Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) :: 3-1-2 :: The defending champs took advantage of some sloppy defending, but the dramatic 3-2 win in Minnesota was still impressive.

4 (6) Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) :: 5-1-1 :: Nearly earned a big victory against Orlando City, but settled for a 2-2 draw at home. 

5 (3) Carolina RailHawks (NASL) :: 3-1-2 :: The RailHawks suffered their first loss of the season, falling 2-0 in Atlanta.

6 (8) Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) :: 3-0-3 :: They were idle over the weekend after posting a big win midweek against one-loss Charleston 1-0 at home. 

7 (5) Charleston Battery (USL Pro) :: 6-2-0 :: The Battery fell 1-0 on the road to unbeaten Charlotte midweek but rebounded to win at Houston, handing the previously unbeaten Dynamo Reserves 1-0. 

8 (10) Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) :: 3-2-1 :: Grabbed a big victory, blanking the visiting league-leading RailHawks 2-0. 

9 (9) FC Edmonton (NASL) :: 2-2-2 :: Idle

10 (7) Minnesota United (NASL) :: 2-2-2 :: A poor outing defensively this week proved costly in 3-2 loss at home to Tampa Bay. 

11 (12) LA Blues (USL Pro) :: 4-5-2 :: The trip east started out with a positive note with a late 1-1 draw in Richmond, but were unable to find much luck against Wilmington in a 2-1 loss. 

12 (15) Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) :: 3-2-1 :: The team cruised to an easy 3-0 win in the US Open Cup against a PDL club and then rallied from two down in Pittsburgh to snare a 2-2 draw. 

13 (14) San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) :: 1-3-2 :: The Scorpions finally found some offense, nearly doubling their goal total for the season with a 3-1 win at home against Fort Lauderdale. 

14 (11) VSI Tampa Bay (USL Pro) :: 4-3-0 :: Idle in league play but needed penalty kicks to advance against a PDL team in US Open Cup after a 1-1 draw.

15 (17) Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) :: 1-6-1 :: Normally a 1-0 home loss to league-leading Orlando City wouldn't be that bad, but it proved to be the breaking point for coach Jesse Myers, who was relieved of his post and replaced by COO and USL Hall of Fame coach Pat Ercoli. 

16 (13) Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) :: 1-4-1 :: Fell on the road 3-1 to the previously winless San Antonio Scorpions.

17 (19) Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) :: 2-5-0 :: Took advantage of a tired LA side that played the night before, posting a 2-1 victory. 

18 (18) Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro) :: 1-4-4 :: After escaping an embarrassing potential Open Cup loss at home to a USASA side by finding a late equalizer and winning the penalty kick tiebreaker, the Riverhounds were unable to hold onto a two-goal lead at home against Dayton in a 2-2 draw.

19 (16) Phoenix FC (USL Pro) :: 2-5-2 :: Having an off week for league play left the team stewing from being the only one of four USL Pro teams in Open Cup action to lose, falling 2-1 on a late rally in Tucson to a PDL team.

20 (20) Antigua Barracuda (USL Pro) :: 0-7-0 :: Idle

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