Omaha continued to add on to its league-record win streak, including a solid takedown of top-of-the-table NCFC. But the top three in our rankings and the table are separated by just one point, and further separated from the rest of the table, setting up an exciting race for the top two playoff seeds. Meanwhile, Charlotte sits comfortably in the middle while Greenville, Madison and Knoxville struggle to gain enough points to solidify those last two spots.
Here’s how we have the clubs stacked up going into week 27.
1) Union Omaha
Last week: 1
Record: 14-7-5 (3rd)
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs. NCFC, WIN vs. Richmond
This week: at Chattanooga
Last week we bet on Union Omaha, keeping them at the top of the rankings despite having a bye week and their top-of-the-table competitors putting up solid performances. The Owls came through to justify our position this week, with wins over first place NCFC and lowly Richmond. This extended the win streak to eight, piling onto the ongoing league record. As far as the table is concerned, Omaha is tied with Northern Colorado in points, but remains in third place, owing to Northern Colorado’s better goal differential. But the top three is only separated by one point, making a first round bye and home pitch advantage well within reach.
They’ll travel to Chattanooga this weekend, a place known to be dangerous for visiting clubs.
2) Hailstorm FC
Last week: 3
Record: 14-7-5 (2nd)
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs. Lexington, WIN vs. Tormenta
This week: at Fuego
Hailstorm kept on rolling this week, taking down Lexington and Tormenta. While it was a slightly easier schedule than that of NCFC, the mark of a good team is not overlooking these matches and capitalizing on the available points. They’re now on a four match win streak, and undefeated in six. A healthy Noah Powder continues to provide the late-season boost they needed to get back on track.
Speaking of not overlooking matches, they’ll travel to Fuego on Saturday.
3) North Carolina FC
Last week: 2
Record: 15-5-6 (1st)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at Omaha, WIN at Greenville
This week: vs. Tormenta
Despite a late rally, Omaha got the best of NCFC with a mostly dominating performance that saw the hosts go up 4-1 at one point. Coach John Bradford pulled most of the stars for roster management purposes in the 78th minute, but those remaining on the pitch for the rest of the match managed to score two more. They came up short, but it shows the depth and resilience of this squad.
They recovered nicely at Greenville over the weekend, blanking their hosts on a penalty conversion from Rafa Mentzingen and a goal from Jaden Serviana, all before the 25th minute. They held Greenville to just one shot on target to cruise to victory and maintain their spot at the top of the table.
They’ll host Tormenta on Saturday. With all three of the top clubs facing clubs that are all but out of contention, they can’t sleep on these points if they want to maintain the number one seed.
4) Charlotte Independence
Last week: 4
Record: 12-7-8 (4th)
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs. Chattanooga
This week: at Lexington
They may have fallen behind in the race to win the table, but the Jacks sit solidly in fourth place after a clean sheet win over Chattanooga this weekend. Dependable goal scorers Tresor Mbuyu and Khori Bennett scored in the second half, while Luis Alvarez hammered home the final nail in the 90th minute. Austin Pack stopped seven, reminding us all that he can be a brick wall in net. With Madison and Greenville failing to gain significant points this week, Charlotte now sits five points ahead of its nearest competitor for the fourth seed. This would be good enough to host the first round of the playoffs if it stands.
They’ll travel to Lexington on Sunday, a place where they lost in May.
5) One Knoxville SC
Last week: 6
Record: 9-9-9 (7th)
Matches since last ranking: DRAW at Forward Madison
This week: vs. Greenville
It was ugly, but One Knox escaped a loud, packed and rowdy Breese Stevens Field with a point against Madison. Sean Lewis made five saves to maintain a clean sheet, but Knoxville was stymied three times, handing a clean sheet to Bernd Schipmann as well. Worse, Dereck Waldeck exited the match on two yellow cards, one late in the first half, and another early in the second, putting Knoxville on the defensive the rest of the match. That being said, the point moved them to within one of Greenville for the final playoff spot, and they remain just a win away from a potential move into fifth place.
Speaking of Greenville, they’ll host the Triumph on Saturday to see if that move can be made.
6) Greenville Triumph
Last week: 5
Record (10-7-9, 6th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS vs. NCFC
This week: at Knoxville
Greenville was unable to do much of anything against top-of-the-table NCFC, limited to only one shot on target in the 2-0 loss. While the matchup was always going to be tough, the loss also means Greenville dropped to sixth place in the table, and just one point ahead of seventh place Knoxville. They’re winless in three heading into the weekend matchup at One Knox, where a loss would boot them out of the playoff bubble. At minimum, they need to leave Regal Soccer Stadium with a draw.
7) Forward Madison
Last week: 7
Record: 10-8-8 (5th)
Matches since last ranking: DRAW vs. Knoxville
This week: vs. Richmond
Another match, another failure to maximize points and build a cushion to remain in the playoff race. The offense once again fell victim to hot goalkeeping, this time at the hands of Sean Lewis. Worse, both Christian Chaney and Mauro Cichero exited late in the match on red cards and will be unavailable against Richmond this week. Madison remains winless in five matches, and just one loss away from dropping out. of the top six.
They haven’t had issues handling Richmond so far this season, and will look to complete the sweep of the Henny Derby on Thursday. Those three points would go a long way in getting the season back on track.
8) Tormenta FC
Last week: 8
Record: 9-5-13 (8th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at Northern Colorado
This week: at NCFC
The season is all but slipping away for the defending champions after a second loss in a row. With five matches remaining, they sit five points out of sixth place, and very lucky to not be even further back. It’s certainly possible to conjure up some late season magic, but next up is the mighty NCFC. A loss there with a win from either Madison, Greenville or Knoxville may be the death blow.
9) Lexington SC
Last week: 9
Record: 8-7-12 (9th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at Northern Colorado, DRAW at Fuego
This week: vs. Charlotte
Lexington came out of a tough road trip with only one point after a loss at Northern Colorado and a draw at Fuego. While Northern Colorado kept the pace of that match and never really let Lexington get close, it was the concession of a stoppage-time goal at Fuego that sank hopes for three points there. A win could have upgraded their status to a serious playoff contender. Instead, it’s probably time to write off those hopes and just have fun the rest of the year. Speaking of fun, how about Atês Diouf putting up 12 goals this season, including two against Fuego?
They’ll host Charlotte on Sunday.
10) Richmond Kickers
Last week: 11
Record: 6-10-11 (10th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at Omaha
This week: at Madison
Richmond didn’t get blown out by Omaha and seemed to hang with the pace of their hosts. But they failed to connect on several solid chances, an area in which a healthy Emiliano Terzaghi could have helped.
With the playoffs out of reach at this point for last year’s table winner, they’ll try to salvage some dignity and play spoiler at Madison on Thursday.
11) Red Wolves SC
Last week: 10
Record: 6-6-15 (11th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at Charlotte
This week: vs. Omaha
Charlotte keeper Austin Pack shut down Chattanooga for its 15th loss of the season. They’ll return to the den this weekend to take on Omaha, a club that is all but unstoppable at the moment. But we’ve seen plenty of good clubs get stopped in Chattanooga. As we always say, “the talent is there…”
12) Fuego FC
Last week: 12
Record: 5-4-16 (12th)
Matches since last ranking: DRAW vs. Lexington
This week: vs. Northern Colorado
In a week that saw midfield mainstay (and sometimes captain) Ozzie Ramos shipped off to Madison, Fuego managed a 2-2 draw against Lexington. If anything, they might have spoiled their visitor’s playoff hopes with the stoppage-time drawing goal from Angel Ruelas. Alexis Cerritos also added one more to his club-leading total of eight on the year.
Fuego hosts Northern Colorado on Saturday.