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Western Mass Pioneers keep rising in latest Power Rankings

By USLLeagueTwo.com Staff, 07/05/22, 5:00PM EDT

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Rank

Team

Movement

Record

Summary

1
Ocean City Nor’Easters
3
Last Week: 4
9-0-2
Week 9: @ Philadelphia Lone Star SC
vs. West Chester United SC
With a magic number of 30 points, Ocean City is riding their undefeated record right to the top of the Mid-Atlantic Division. They went 2-0-1 in their season series with bitter rivals Reading United AC, and have gotten all six possible points from second place West Chester United SC. They’ll look to sweep the season series on July 10, but can wrap up the division with anything but a loss against Philadelphia Lone Star on Wednesday.
2
Lionsbridge FC
4
Last Week: 6
8-0-2
Week 9: vs. Christos FC
vs. Patuxent Fotball Athletics
Lionsbridge has had the opportunity to get lots of rest, playing only two matches since June 15, and it’s paying off for them. With four matches to go, they hold a seven-point division lead over Christos FC, but the work isn’t done yet. They’ll now launch into the most difficult part of their schedule – they won’t go more than four days in between matches until the regular season is over. So long as they get at least four total points, though, their playoff spot is secure.
3
Manhattan SC
4
Last Week: 7
8-1-0
Week 9: vs. Long Island Rough Riders
@ Morris Elite SC
Manhattan needed an 87th minute winner against FA Euro NY to keep their winning steak alive, but the streak is up to six matches now. In those six, however, only one was by multiple goals, a 3-1 win vs New Jersey Copa FC on June 18. They’ll be tested this week as they host Long Island Rough Riders, the team they dethroned to announce themselves as contenders. Should they defeat Long Island and win their next match, their playoff spot is secure.
4
North Carolina Fusion U23
3
Last Week: 1
10-0-2
Week 9: @ Wake FC
There’s little shame in drawing due to a 71st-minute equalizer against West Virginia United, which NC Fusion did on June 29. A 5-1 win away at Tobacco Road FC cured that problem quickly, and they just need a single point to secure the South Atlantic playoff spot and win the division. They’ll have two chances to do so – away games at Wake FC and West Virginia United.
5
Des Moines Menace
3
Last Week: 2
8-0-2
Week 9: vs. St. Croix SC
Once you’ve already won the division, it can be understandable to get a bit slower at the back, as Des Moines Menace were in a 3-3 draw with Thunder Bay Chill. The Menace now must work to preserve an undefeated record as they look to defend their title – they’ll have nothing to worry about in the last two weeks, as their division crown is secure.
6
Nona FC
4
Last Week: 10
11-1-1
Week 9: vs. The Villages SC
Nona, like Des Moines, has nothing to worry about at this point in the season. With their 3-0 win against FC Florida U-23, the Southeast Division title was locked down with a game to spare. The Villages have far more to fight for in that final match than Nona does – four total points over the rest of their matches secures the second Southeast playoff spot.
7
One Knoxville SC
6
Last Week: 13
10-1-1
Week 9: vs. Southern Soccer Academy Kings
Ten wins with two matches to go isn’t half bad in your inaugural season. The plethora of League Two experience they’ve acquired helped them secure a playoff spot with relative ease, but they’ll still have to hold off Asheville City SC for the South Central Division title. Winning their last two matches would do it, and they’re in luck – both matches are at home, and their final match is against already-eliminated East Atlanta FC.
8
Western Mass Pioneers
3
Last Week: 11
8-2-0
Week 9: @ Pathfinder FC
@ AC Connecticut
The rocky start that Western Mass experienced – with two losses by a combined six goals in their first three matches – are long behind them. They’re in the driver’s seat for the second playoff spot in the northeast division, as four points across their final four games secures the spot for them. Their seven-match winning streak to get to this point has been incredibly impressive, but now three of their final four matches are on the road, where they’re just 2-2-0 on the season. They’ll have to steel themselves down the stretch.
9
Seacoast United Phantoms
6
Last Week: 3
9-1-1
Week 9: @ Boston Bolts
@ Boston City FC
Seacoast United Phantoms have a playoff spot in hand, but a critical match against Western Mass Pioneers throws the divisional crown in some doubt. They have a four-point lead over Pioneers with three matches remaining, compared to Pioneers’ four. The Phantoms can secure the divisional title by winning out – they have to travel to play Boston Bolts and Boston City before closing the season at home against AC Connecticut.
10
Asheville City SC
5
Last Week: 5
7-1-2
Week 9: vs. South Carolina United FC
vs. Tennessee SC
A 3-1 loss to One Knoxville at home, and four points in their last three matches, isn’t ideal for Asheville. However, they’re still in prime position for the second South Central playoff spot – they’re tied on points with South Georgia Tormenta FC 2, but have 12 points still to get. The first three in question will be against South Carolina United FC – who will be fighting for their playoff lives. Still much to play for in Asheville.

Rank

Team

Movement

Record

11
Long Island Rough Riders
3
Last Week: 8
8-2-1
Week 9: @ Manhattan SC
vs. Westchester Flames
12
Texas United
5
Last Week: 17
8-0-4
Week 9: vs. Blue Goose SC
vs. Little Rock Rangers
13
Chicago FC United
6
Last Week: 19
9-1-2
Week 9: @ Chicago City SC
14
Park City Red Wolves
1
Last Week: 15
7-1-2
Week 9: ---
15
St. Louis Lions
1
Last Week: 14
6-3-2
Week 9: ---
16
Capital FC Atletico

Not ranked
6-1-2
Week 9: @ Lane United FC
vs. Ballard FC
17
Project 51O

Not ranked
7-2-1
Week 9: vs. Davis Legacy SC
18
Kings Hammer FC
7
Last Week: 25
7-2-2
Week 9: @ Dayton Dutch Lions
vs. Cleveland Force SC
19
South Bend Lions FC

Not ranked
7-2-2
Week 9: @ Cleveland Force SC
vs. Toledo Villa FC
20
Ballard FC
2
Last Week: 18
6-1-2
Week 9: @ Oly Town FC
@ Capital FC
21
West Virginia United

Last Week: 21
7-2-2
Week 9: @ North Carolina FC U23
@ Charlotte Eagles
22
The Villages SC
2
Last Week: 24
7-1-3
Week 9: @ Nona FC
23
Vermont Green FC

Not ranked
6-3-1
Week 9: @ Black Rock FC
@ Blackwatch Rush
24
Peoria City
Not Ranked 6-2-3
Week 9: ---
25
Christos FC
9
Last Week: 16
6-2-1
Week 9: @ Lionsbridge FC
vs. Commonwealth Cardinals FC

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