The Football Forge Power Rankings: Week 30Just 3 weeks left
Only one team booked its berth in the playoffs this week; six spots remain open and eleven teams are competing for them. It’s going to be a wild finish.
| Rank | Team | Previous | Change | Record | Forge Factor | Note |
| 1 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | 2 | 1 | 14-13-5 | 22.781 | The Switchbacks waxed Detroit 3-0 in rainy conditions and then blew a lead late at home to tie RGV 1-1. As a result they don’t clinch a playoff spot but continue a strong run. |
| 2 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 1 | -1 | 18-5-9 | 19.893 | Pittsburgh were in control all night in the 3-2 win over Tulsa despite the tight scoreline. They hold on to a 3-point lead over Tampa and the league’s best record. |
| 3 | The Miami FC | 7 | 4 | 10-14-8 | 18.165 | Miami hit the crossbar 3 times in the 2-0 win over Hartford; it could have been much worse. 3 -game win streak, but they will have a tough holding that playoff spot. |
| 4 | San Antonio | 6 | 2 | 14-5-13 | 16.262 | San Antonio did everything they could to lose against Oakland but came back late to draw 2-2. A red card after the game ended to Jordan Farr on the bench. They fall 3 points behind Sacramento. |
| 5 | Rio Grande Valley Toros | 10 | 5 | 9-10-12 | 15.466 | RGV should have lost in Colorado Springs, but tied it 1-1 deep in stoppage after going down a man. They then nearly blew it at the final whistle. Slim playoff hopes remain. |
| 6 | New Mexico United | 13 | 7 | 11-14-7 | 14.299 | New Mexico got the 2-0 win in Louisville, but it was costly. They were down to 9 players late in the game for stupid reasons. That will hurt their postseason chances. |
| 7 | San Diego Loyal | 16 | 9 | 14-9-8 | 14.016 | A Ronaldo Damus hat-trick led the Loyal to a blowout 4-1 win over Monterey. Solidly in 3rd with 3 games to play; second in the West is possible. |
| 8 | Memphis 901 | 4 | -4 | 13-9-10 | 13.810 | Once again Memphis lost to the Legion, 1-2 this time; PK aside, they generated very little attack. They hold on to 4th place thanks to Lou City also losing. |
| 9 | El Paso Locomotive | 12 | 3 | 12-12-7 | 13.359 | El Paso got a surprise 3-2 win over Charleston and vaulted back into the playoff spots in the West. 3 games left and they could well stay up there. |
| 10 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 14 | 4 | 18-8-6 | 13.133 | The Rowdies were outplayed by Hartford, who gifted them a 2-0 win. The 1-0 win over Loudoun was much more comfortable. Last week’s loss to Memphis keeps them in 2nd. |
| 11 | Phoenix Rising | 5 | -6 | 12-8-12 | 12.661 | The Rising were the weaker team but got a late equalizer to finish 1-1 with Orange County. That’s all they needed to clinch a playoff spot. 4th right now but that may not stick. |
| 12 | FC Tulsa | 8 | -4 | 9-14-9 | 11.656 | Tulsa got a PK at the death to make it 2-3 in Pittsburgh, but they were never really in it. They drop to 10th in the East and playoff chances are dwindling. |
| 13 | Indy Eleven | 18 | 5 | 12-11-9 | 11.428 | Indy were all over Detroit City, winning 3-0 handily. With that they clinch a playoff spot and stay 2 points ahead of the Legion. |
| 14 | Charleston Battery | 3 | -11 | 16-8-8 | 11.136 | The Battery missed a couple of good chances, including a PK, and went down 2-3 in El Paso. They are guaranteed at least 3rd in the East, but likely can’t improve on that. |
| 15 | Sacramento Republic | 15 | 0 | 16-6-10 | 10.133 | #1 v. #12 in the West? The 2-0 win over Las Vegas was a forgone conclusion. They stay 3 points clear of San Antonio but it’s not over yet. |
| 16 | Birmingham Legion | 21 | 5 | 13-15-4 | 10.043 | The Legion played as well as they did against Miami, but with a far better result. It’s Memphis; what else is new? A home playoff game is still possible. |
| 17 | Louisville City | 9 | -8 | 14-11-7 | 7.142 | Lou City had a chance to pass Memphis but blew it big time, managing to lose to New Mexico who were down to 9 men in the second half. |
| 18 | Monterey Bay Union | 11 | -7 | 11-13-8 | 5.512 | The Union led early but then got manhandled by San Diego, losing 1-4. Back out of the playoffs and the game this weekend in Birmingham is huge. Orange County after that. |
| 19 | Las Vegas Lights | 20 | 1 | 3-19-10 | 4.646 | The Lights’ miserable season is almost done. They fall 0-2 to Sacramento this week; Colorado Springs and San Diego at home to close it out. |
| 20 | Loudoun United | 22 | 2 | 7-21-4 | 4.594 | Loudoun were never really in the 0-1 loss in Tampa. Without Hugo Fauroux it might have been a wider scoreline. 1 point in the last 6 games. |
| 21 | Orange County | 19 | -2 | 14-11-6 | 4.476 | Orange County should have made more of the 1-1 draw in Phoenix. The win streak is now a distant memory, with just 2 points in the last 4 games. Down to 5th in the West. |
| 22 | Oakland Roots | 23 | 1 | 11-11-9 | 4.174 | Oakland scored in the 8th minute and again on the ensuing kickoff to take a commending lead over San Antonio but blew it deep in stoppage time for the 2-2 draw. Still in the playoffs, but dropping 2 points hurts. |
| 23 | Detroit City | 17 | -6 | 10-15-7 | 0.529 | Detroit managed jut 3 shots on goal in two games, losing 0-3 to both Colorado Springs and Indy. They slip out of the playoff spot, but still have a good path to the postseason. |
| 24 | Hartford Athletic | 24 | 0 | 4-23-4 | -4.349 | Hartford scored twice against Tampa, but in their own net to lose 0-2. Then they were handled easily by Miami, also 0-2. 9 straight losses now. |
