The Football Forge Power Rankings: Week 11A new team moving into the top three
Lots of scoring action in the Championship this week. Some teams are making moves as well.
Rank | Team | Previous | Change | Record | Forge Factor | Note |
1 | Charleston Battery | 1 | 0 | 8-0-3 | 25.49 | The Battery were in a tough battle with the Legion, winning 1-0. The win streak extends to 6 games. Will Adam Grinwis be okay for this week’s El Paso game after his late knock to the head? |
2 | Indy Eleven | 4 | 2 | 5-4-2 | 21.73 | Indy got a 3rd-minute PK and never looked back in the 4-1 destruction of Hartford. 4 straight wins now and they get a well-earned rest this week. |
3 | Louisville City | 2 | -1 | 7-1-1 | 21.57 | Louisville were likely expecting an easier time of it, but had to come from behind for the 2-2 draw in Las Vegas. A close game and a fair result. Rhode Island this week. |
4 | Memphis 901 | 3 | -1 | 4-5-1 | 20.76 | 2-1 over El Paso. Marlon gets a goal and an assist, Bruno Lapa gets a goal. Akeen Ward scores an own goal. The ex-Legion contingent at Memphis continues to have an impact. Pittsburgh this week. |
5 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | 8 | 3 | 4-5-1 | 20.65 | Colorado Springs went down a goal but a Ronaldo Damus brace and an own goal gave them the 3-1 win, their fourth in a row. Looking way better and off this week. |
6 | Phoenix Rising | 6 | 0 | 4-4-3 | 15.88 | Phoenix didn’t have to work too hard to get the 2-0 win over Miami. Up to 5th in the West now, but a trip to Indy upcoming. |
7 | Sacramento Republic | 7 | 0 | 5-0-5 | 14.55 | Sacramento Republic were on a bye this week. Next: Legion at home. |
8 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 5 | -3 | 3-3-4 | 13.26 | The Riverhounds had most of the early attack and took the lead but couldn’t hold it in the second half, ending 1-1 with North Carolina. Slowly climbing the standings. A trip to Memphis this week. |
9 | Birmingham Legion | 12 | 3 | 4-4-2 | 13.10 | The Three Sparks played the Battery close and were denied a clear penalty, but ended up 0-1 losers. Scoring remains an issue. They still climb in the rankings though; at Sacramento this week. |
10 | New Mexico United | 11 | 1 | 6-2-1 | 12.60 | New Mexico United were on a bye this week. This week: San Antonio at home. |
11 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 14 | 3 | 4-2-4 | 10.05 | The Rowdies had just 35% possession but racked up 21 shots and 5 goals against hapless Tulsa. Quite a warm-up for FC Dallas on Wednesday; Las Vegas this weekend. |
12 | North Carolina FC | 21 | 9 | 2-4-5 | 10.02 | North Carolina completely manhandled Loudoun 2-0 on Tuesday, then found itself in a much tighter battle in Pittsburgh which ended fairly at 1-1. Off to Miami this week and a chance to get over the playoff line. |
13 | Oakland Roots | 22 | 9 | 3-6-2 | 8.94 | Oakland were awarded a very dubious penalty, but deserved the 2-1 win over Orange County anyway. Quite a signature result to end the 4-game winless streak. At reeling Tulsa next. |
14 | Las Vegas Lights | 23 | 9 | 3-6-2 | 7.50 | Las Vegas let a 2-1 lead go to draw 2-2 with Louisville. Two straight impressive draws now and they are getting back to the strong form of the early season. At Tampa Bay next. |
15 | El Paso Locomotive | 15 | 0 | 1-8-2 | 7.14 | El Paso lost 1-2 at home to Memphis and the Brian Clarhaut era is over. He is replaced by…Wilmer Cabrera. Who starts at Charleston. |
16 | Detroit City | 17 | 1 | 5-1-2 | 6.94 | Detroit City were on a bye this week. They are off again this week but play in the US Open Cup Wednesday at Indy Eleven. |
17 | Orange County | 9 | -8 | 4-3-3 | 6.93 | Orange County’s scoring woes continued despite taking the early lead. They lose 1-2 in Oakland and have just 4 points from the last 5 games. Loudoun this weekend. |
18 | Rhode Island FC | 13 | -5 | 1-3-6 | 5.71 | An early lead disappeared and Rhody doomed themselves with an own goal and a stupid PK play to lose 1-3 in Colorado Springs. No wins in the last 4 games and they host Louisville next. |
19 | Loudoun United | 18 | -1 | 3-6-2 | 5.00 | Loudoun got whipped comprehensively 0-2 by North Carolina then took advantage of a weakened Monterey team to win 3-0 at home. Clinging to a playoff spot, they travel to Orange County. |
20 | San Antonio | 19 | -1 | 3-2-5 | 4.94 | San Antonio were on a bye this week. Next: at New Mexico. |
21 | FC Tulsa | 10 | -11 | 2-3-4 | 3.34 | Tulsa got their butts handed to them by Tampa Bay, losing 0-5 in a completely inept outing. They welcome Oakland in Friday to possibly get back on track. |
22 | The Miami FC | 20 | -2 | 2-8-1 | 1.31 | Miami lost poorly 0-2 in Phoenix. They have just 2 wins for the season to date. When will they see keeper Khadim Ndiaye is a liability? Off this week. |
23 | Monterey Bay Union | 16 | -7 | 4-4-3 | 1.04 | The Union were missing a few starters, then went down to 10 men after 38 minutes. Carlos Guzman made 2 big errors (a giveaway and an own goal) and they lose 0-3 to Loudoun. Hartford next. |
24 | Hartford Athletic | 24 | 0 | 3-6-0 | -1.92 | Hartford go down 1-4 to Indy and that’s their fifth in a row. On top of that, coach Brendan Burke got his second red card of the season. Monterey Bay coming up. |