Happy Monday USL fans! Here’s a rundown of the action last week:

• One Knox SC battled its way out of the basement with a 2-1 win over Red Wolves SC.
• NCFC came back from a 2-0 halftime deficit against Richmond to win 3-2.
• Northern Colorado Hailstorm knocked Forward Madison back down to earth with a 2-0 win.
• One Knox SC, not satisfied with being merely out of the basement, took care of Greenville Triumph 2-1 and vaulted into the third spot in the table.
• Richmond recovered from the mid-week loss to defeat Lexington SC 2-1.
• Red Wolves SC refused to go out with another loss and came back to draw Union Omaha 3-3.
• Fuego FC finally seemed to have things together in a 3-2 defeat of Tormenta FC.

With all of this chaos, how are these clubs stacking up in our power rankings?

1) North Carolina FC

Last week: 1
Record: 6-3-1 (1st)
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs. Richmond, 3-2; LOSS at Charlotte, 2-1
Next league match: at One Knox, 6/3

North Carolina FC is not invincible, but they’re also still playing the best overall football in the league. Richmond gave them a test, taking a 2-0 lead into halftime, but NCFC responded with everything they could get out of their star-studded offense to send the Kickers home with a 3-2 defeat.

Four days later, the squad traveled to Charlotte for round two of the Dogwood Derby. Rafa Mentzingen started on the bench, and would not appear until the hosts were already up 2-1. It wasn’t enough, and another tough defense shut them down.

They’ll have next week off to rest before traveling to Knoxville on June 3rd.

2) Charlotte Independence

Last ranking: 3
Record: 4-2-4 (2nd)
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs. NCFC, 2-1
Next league Match: vs. Red Wolves SC, 5/27

The Jacks let us know that they are not going anywhere when they knocked off top-ranked NCFC on Sunday afternoon. Gabriel Obertan returned to the roster, coming off the bench in the 75th minute, and there’s just something different about this club when he’s around. But Tresor Mbuyu and Khori Bennett pulled some vintage 2022 moves to win this one. This squad goes deep, and when they’re healthy, they’re one of the most dangerous teams in the league. They’ve also had the toughest schedule so far this season, based on overall performance of their opponents.

They’ll host Red Wolves SC on Saturday, which should be a chippy affair.

3) Hailstorm FC

Last week: 4
Record: 3-1-2 (6th)
Matches since last ranking: WIN at Forward Madison, 2-0
Next league match: vs. Fuego FC, 5/27

Just as we were starting to think Forward Madison was the real deal to challenge the top of the table, Hailstorm FC swooped in and said no. The squad ended its six-match road swing with a 2-0 shutout in Madison. Capitalizing on rare defensive miscues from the hosts, Trevor Amann scored both, and nearly had a third if not for being taken down by Madison defender Timmy Mehl in the box (Billy King would have the penalty attempt saved by Bernd Schippman).

They’ll host a possibly resurgent Fuego side this Saturday, their season’s first home match. No time to let off the brakes to allow an upset at home.

4) Richmond Kickers

Last week: 7
Record: 3-2-4 (4th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at NCFC, 3-2, WIN vs. Lexington, 2-1
Next match: at Tormenta FC, 5/27

Richmond started its week ten double-header on Wednesday with a frustrating 3-2 loss to NCFC after going into the second half up 2-0. Emiliano Terzaghi was out as a late scratch, but midfielder João Gomiero came through with his first two goals for Richmond. But the defense was no match for the near-superstar front line of NCFC in the second half, as Oalex Anderson (off the bench), Louis Pérez, and Garrett McLaughlin took care of business.

Three days later in front of 5,252 at City Stadium, the Kickers dominated Lexington SC on two second-half goals. Kharlton Belmar scored his second of the year, and then João Gomiero sealed the deal just with his third of the year (and the week). A late penalty conversion from Don Smart wasn’t enough for the visitors, and Richmond took the win.

Richmond returns to Statesboro on Saturday to take on Tormenta FC, where they took a 3-1 win last month.

5) Forward Madison

Last week: 2
Record: 2-1-4 (6th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS vs. Hailstorm, 2-0
Next match: at Union Omaha, 5/27

The Mingos came home full of momentum after beating NCFC but made some uncharacteristic mistakes against Hailstorm FC which were fully exploited by the visitors. It’s certainly no time to panic because we know what this squad is capable of, and still consider them to be in the race. They’ll have a chance to regroup when they travel to rivals Union Omaha on Saturday.

6) One Knoxville SC

Last week: 9
Record: 4-3-2 (3rd)
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs. Red Wolves SC, 2-0, WIN at Greenville, 2-1
Next match: at Lexington SC, 5/27

One Knox shut out Chattanooga Red Wolves SC on Tuesday on the strength of a Callum Johnson goal in the second minute, and yet another Jake Keegan penalty kick conversion late in the half. The club has been lucky with penalties thus far, receiving five and converting four; but as the schedule toughens, that will probably not be sustainable.

Indeed, One Knox traveled to Greenville on Saturday where they walked away with a 2-1 win where neither goal came from a penalty. After going down 1-0 early, Gabriel Claudio scored in the 20th, and then Seba Andreassen put away the game-winner early in the second half. It was his first start and goal in league play.

Whatever it takes, they’re now third in the table and will have a rematch with fellow expansion side Lexington SC on Saturday where a win would further solidify the position in the top third of the table.

7) Union Omaha

Last ranking: 6
Record: 2-1-4 (9th)
Matches since last ranking: DRAW at Red Wolves SC, 3-3
Next Match: vs. Greenville, 5/24

In a match that ended up being a shootout, the Owls only walked away with a draw thanks to goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu, who stopped a Walter Valera penalty shot in late stoppage time. It’s difficult at times to figure out this Omaha defense. By all accounts, Chattanooga should not have been able to score three goals, but they did anyway.

Not much turnaround time here, as they’ll host Greenville Triumph on Wednesday, and then rivals Forward Madison on Saturday.

8) Tormenta FC

Last week: 5
Record: 4-5-0 (5th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at Fuego, 3-2
Next match: vs. Richmond, 5/27

Like clockwork, Tormenta lost after winning its previous match. This time it was to bottom of the table Fuego FC. On a bright note, Arthur Bousa returned from a long injury related absence, and scored in his first match back. However, it was after giving up the early goal, and then before a penalty conversion and a stoppage time goal from Fuego to finish it off.

If the pattern continues, they should take care of Richmond this Saturday. The Kazaiah Sterling watch continues, as the striker missed yet another match due to an injury suffered in pre-season.

9) Greenville Triumph

Last week: 8
Record (3-5-1, 7th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at One Knox, 2-1
Next match: at Union Omaha, 5/24

Greenville continues to struggle to break out of the middle of the pack, this time with a loss at Knoxville. Leo Castro scored early, but the defense could not hold off the two shots to which it limited Knoxville, as both found the back of the net. It’s a quick turnaround, as the squad heads to Omaha for a midweek match.

10) Red Wolves SC

Last week: 10
Record: 2-4-2 (10th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at One Knox, 2-0, DRAW vs. Union Omaha
Next match:

Chattanooga fell short at Knoxville, unable to replicate its early season victory against the state rivals. While a draw with Union Omaha salvaged a point out of the two match-week, the club is only averaging a point per match, is in the negative in goal differential, and has allowed the most goals per match. They’ve shown they can score the goals, putting up three against Omaha, but offensive consistency is not their strong point so far this season. Worse, the schedule will only get more difficult moving forward.

They’ll travel to Charlotte on Saturday to face an immensely talented Independence side.

11) Lexington SC

Last week: 11
Record: 2-5-1 (11th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at Richmond, 2-1
Next match: vs. One Knox SC, 5/27

Just when it looked like Lexington might have turned the corner with an upset win over Charlotte last weekend, they ran into a roadblock at Richmond this weekend. Reigning goalkeeper of the week Amahl Knight got the start after his brilliant performance at Charlotte, and despite a couple of great saves, proved no match for goals from Kharlton Belmar and João Gomiero.

Moving into the second quarter of its inaugural season, Lexington is tied for last in the league for points earned per match, tied for second worst goal differential, and second worst goals scored per match, all with a middle-of-the-road strength of schedule. On the bright side, there are 24 remaining matches to turn this ship around.

12) Fuego FC

Last week: 12
Record: 2-5-1 (12th)
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs. Tormenta, 3-2
Next match: at Hailstorm FC, 5/27

Did you hear the news? Fuego FC won its first match since its first match of the season, going tit-for-tat with Tormenta and finalizing the deal in stoppage time. We’re not ready to declare a turnaround just yet, but for the first time this season, the squad looked good. The shots remained relatively low at nine, but accuracy was much improved with four on target, three of which found the back of the net. Mitch North saved seven, which most certainly kept his side in the match against a rejuvenated Tormenta offense featuring Arthur Bousa for the first time this season.

Another huge test will come this weekend when the squad travels to Northern Colorado. Win that one, and we’ll officially declare that Fuego FC has turned a corner. But that one won’t come easy with the way Hailstorm has been playing.