We had our matches in chunks this week, with a pair on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. By the time the final whistle blew on Saturday night, the table started to separate a bit. The two North Carolina clubs continue to run away at the top, while Tormenta’s three wins have them trailing not far behind. Greenville jumped from last place to 4th place on the strength of two wins this week, separating itself from the struggles of Chattanooga, Lexington, One Knox and Fuego.
This week we’ll see some of the middle-of-the-road clubs get tested, as Richmond faces Tormenta, Hailstorm faces Omaha and Madison faces Charlotte. Greenville will also get a chance to fully remove itself out of the early season wooden spoon contention, hosting NCFC.
Going into week seven, here’s how we rank the performances of all the USL League One clubs.
1) Charlotte Independence
Last ranking: 1
Record: 3-0-3 (1st)
Matches since last ranking: DRAW vs. Union Omaha, 0-0; WIN vs. Fuego FC, 1-0
Next league Match: at Forward Madison, 4/29
The Jacks started their double-home-match week with a clean sheet draw with Union Omaha in which goalkeepers Austin Pack and Rashid Nuhu were the stars of the show. We expected this from Nuhu, the reigning goal of the year, but Pack is showing that he’s not done yet. Remember, this is the guy who had five clean sheets in 2021 for an Independence side then competing in the USL Championship. He may not have seen much action splitting 2022 between Hartford and Charlotte, but now given another chance, he’s shining.
Charlotte ended its week with dialing in a 1-0 win over a Fuego FC side struggling to find its footing. Slightly concerning, Gabriel Obertan exited the match with an apparent injury in the 42nd minute. We’ll see how that impacts this week’s lineups.
They’ll travel to Charleston Battery in a US Open Cup matchup on Tuesday before turning around and traveling to Madison for a Saturday night matchup at Breese Stevens Field.
2) North Carolina FC
Last week: 2
Record: 3-1-1 (2nd)
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs. Red Wolves SC, 3-0
Next league match: at Greenville Triumph, 4/29
A Friday night visit from Red Wolves SC showcased everything we expected from this squad. The marquee off-season signings led the way, with plenty of chemistry and support from the returning players. Mikey Maldonado, who seemed to be everywhere at all times, assisted Oalex Anderson to open the scoring, with Rafa Mentzingen putting away two more against his former club. Anderson and Garrett McLaughlin assisted on Rafa’s goals. Along with Charlotte, the North Carolina clubs just seem unbeatable right now. They’ll head south to Greenville on Saturday to see if they can keep it going.
3) Hailstorm FC
Last week: 3
Record: 1-0-2 (T-5th)
Matches since last ranking: DRAW at Richmond, 0-0
Next league match: at Union Omaha, April 29th
After drawing Richmond in a tight contest last weekend, NoCo had the week off to prepare for the back half of their extended away stretch. They’ll face Omaha, One Knox, and Madison before ending May with a home match against Fuego FC. So far it’s been like this: no home, no problem.
4) Tormenta FC
Last week: 8
Record: 3-3-0 (3rd)
Matches since last ranking: WIN at One Knox SC, 2-0
Next match: vs. Richmond, 4/29
Tormenta either wins big or loses badly. This week, the winning squad showed up in Knoxville. It took 70 minutes, but Tormenta ran away with this one after a Matheus Cassini goal that seemed to defy the laws of physics. Preston Kilwien assisted on a long set piece, his professional career first, and during his 100th professional match. Jackson Khoury provided the insurance goal late in the match after One Knox SC went down a man on a second yellow. Cassini assisted on that one, giving the off-season acquisition his best night so far with Tormenta.
The club will face Charlotte FC in mid-week US Open Cup action before returning home to host Richmond on Saturday. Which Tormenta side will we see there?
5) Union Omaha
Last ranking: 5
Record: 1-1-2 (7th)
Matches since last ranking: DRAW at Charlotte, 0-0
Next Match: vs. Hailstorm FC, 4/29
The Owls came away from a battle of the goaltenders with a clean sheet, but so did their opponents, Charlotte Independence. Overall, Omaha put up better numbers, but whiffed on what should have been a few easy shots and ran into the Austin Pack brick wall on others. But a road point is a point.
They’ll face St. Louis City FC in US Open Cup action this week before hosting Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC at Werner Park on Saturday.
READ MORE: Goalkeeper Showcase Maintains Draw (Who Gives a Hoot)
6) Richmond Kickers
Last week: 4
Record: 1-1-2 (8th)
Matches since last ranking: DRAW vs. Hailstorm FC, 0-0
Next match: at Tormenta FC, April 29th
Richmond had the weekend off and will travel to the nation’s capitol to face DC United in US Open Cup action this week. Afterward, they’ll travel to Statesboro to face Tormenta FC on April 29th. It’s been said before, but this squad really needs to figure out its offense with only two goals in four matches and with reigning Golden Boot winner Emiliano Terzaghi yet to score in league play.
7) Forward Madison
Last week: 6
Record: 1-0-2 (T-5th)
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs. Greenville Triumph, 4-1
Next match: vs. Charlotte Independence, April 29th
After a shellacking of Greenville Triumph, the Mingos had the weekend off from league play, and will host Charlotte Independence on Saturday. That’s when we’ll get to see if this squad is for real, or if there is still work to be done. Unfortunately, they’ll be without Jayden Onen, who had two official assists and may as well have been credited with one on a third goal against Greenville last weekend. He’ll be serving a red card suspension after some physical contact deemed “violent” by the match official.
8) Greenville Triumph
Last week: 12
Record (2-3-0, 4th)
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs. Fuego FC, 3-0; WIN at Lexington SC, 2-0
Next match: vs. NCFC, 4/29
Greenville finally got that elusive win while hosting Fuego FC on Wednesday. Then they went to Lexington and added another. Five goals in total, two clean sheets. We won’t know if they’re truly making a turnaround until they face some clubs beyond those that previously joined them at the bottom of the table, but it’s at least something in an otherwise dismal first few weeks of the season. If anything, it’s a boost of confidence moving forward, and a sign they may have figured out how to adjust to their injuries. They’ll need this confidence to remain when a red-hot NCFC comes into town on Saturday.
9) Red Wolves SC
Last week: 7
Record: 1-2-1 (11th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at NCFC, 3-0
Next match: vs. Lexington SC, 4/29
Leading up to the matchup with NCFC, coach Ziggy Korytoski criticized his team’s “possession without purpose,” due to its ability to possess the ball for majorities of the matches, but frequent inability to actually score. It was more of the same against NCFC, as Red Wolves SC failed to find the back of the net despite maintaining over 60% possession. They were no match for an efficient NCFC midfield and backfield, who won more duels and cleared away attempts time and time again. Red Wolves were also stymied by goalkeeper Nick Holiday, who saved a penalty kick attempt by Riley Kraft. They’ll return home to face Lexington SC on Saturday.
10) Lexington SC
Last week: 9
Record: 1-3-1 (10th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS vs. Greenville Triumph, 2-0
Next match: at Red Wolves SC, 4/29
If Greenville got the confidence boost, Lexington had its momentum stalled. A match that started out strong took a wrong turn in the 27th minute when the official showed Cesar Murillo a straight red card for a flagrant tackle on a Leo Castro breakaway. Lexington maintained possession but could not stop a Noah Pilato goal late in the first half. Leo Castro got a second chance in second half stoppage time and put away the insurance goal. Lexington will try to regroup before a visit to an inconsistent Red Wolves SC on Saturday.
11) One Knoxville SC
Last week: 10
Record: 1-2-1 (9th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS vs. Tormenta FC, 2-0
Next match: at Fuego FC, 4/30
It wasn’t a good showing when Tormenta came to town this weekend. Limited to one shot on target, and burned twice by a speedy and efficient Tormenta offense, One Knox SC fell 2-0. Making matters worse, Angelo Kelly-Rosales took a second yellow after a collision with Torementa goalkeeper TJ Bush, leaving One Knox without the veteran defensive midfielder for Sunday’s matchup at Fuego FC. The only good news is that Fuego is possibly playing worse right now, perhaps opening up an opportunity to regain some confidence.
12) Fuego FC
Last week: 11
Record: 1-3-1 (12th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at Greenville, 3-0; LOSS at Charlotte, 1-0
Next match: vs. One Knox SC, 4/30
Fuego FC went on a Carolina road trip that did not go well, starting with a 3-0 loss at previously winless Greenville. Their five shots on goal all came later in the second half in a match in which they were thoroughly dominated. Things did not get any better when they made the quick trip up I-85 to face top-ranked Charlotte. Another anemic offensive attack followed by an Adrian Vera second yellow led to a 1-0 defeat. They’ll return home to host a rematch with One Knox SC on Sunday, a side that may be struggling with some key defensive players out.