The Richmond Kickers are back on top of the Power Rankings thanks to a resounding victory over the Charlotte Independence on Monday evening's rescheduled match.
The match – dominated by the visitors – saw the Kickers open the scoring less than six minutes into the contest as Leonardo Baima curled in a perfect cross to find the head of fellow countryman Emiliano Terzaghi who headed the ball past Adrian Zendejas in goal. Charlotte did equalize on a header of their own, as Shalom Dutey headed in a well-placed Ayrton Paez corner kick in the 37th minute. The finishing blow came from another perfect assist from Baima who slotted a ball to the feet of a wide-open Matt Bentley who converted the chance in the 55th minute.
Union Omaha and South Georgia Tormenta FC vault up the rankings thanks to a pair of convincing victories for the pair's first league wins of the year. Forward Madison FC takes a tumble after having the week off.
NOTE: The rescheduled Week 5 contest between Richmond and Charlotte has been factored into this ranking.
Rank |
Team |
Change |
Summary |
|
1 | Richmond Kickers (2-1-1) Week 5: W @ CLT |
2
Last Week: 3 |
The Kickers top the Power Rankings and the league table once again following a 2-1 victory over the Charlotte Independence on Monday evening thanks in large part to Leo Baima and Akira Fitzgerald. | |
2 | Union Omaha (1-0-2) Week 4: W v. CV |
5
Last Week: 7 |
The defending champs are starting to look the part, taking down promising expansion side Central Valley Fuego FC 3-0 in their banner-raising home opener and subsequently placing four on the Team of the Week. | |
3 | Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (2-1-1) Week 4: L v. CHA |
2
Last Week: 1 |
The Red Wolves let a pair of leads slip away against FC Tucson and paid the price by the final whistle. Despite the side’s first league loss of the season, the Red Wolves still placed two on the Team of the Week. | |
4 | South Georgia Tormenta FC (1-1-1) Week 4: W @ GVL |
5
Last Week: 9 |
While a loss, draw and win in its first three outings may not look the best on paper, a one-goal loss to NCFC, a scoreless draw with Omaha and a 2-0 victory over Triumph SC isn’t a terrible way start the season, all things considered. | |
5 | Central Valley Fuego FC (1-1-1) Week 4: L @ OMA |
3
Last Week: 2 |
Martín Vásquez’s first match at the helm of Central Valley wasn’t the easiest. Vásquez will hope to rekindle that early season fire from Fuego FC. | |
6 | Charlotte Independence (1-1-1) Week 5: L v. RIC |
1
Last Week: 5 |
A close loss to start Week 5 for the Independence, but the collection of South American talents and young domestic products seem to be working well together. | |
7 | FC Tucson (1-1-1) Week 4: W @ CHA |
3
Last Week: 10 |
Led by Player of the Week, Louis Perez, FC Tucson earned its first league win of the season in emphatic fashion, downing the then first-place Red Wolves in Chattanooga. | |
8 | North Carolina FC (1-1-1) Week 4: --- |
2 Last Week: 6 |
Not playing in over 10 days means NCFC drops a bit. Once this side finds the finishing touch, they could be real trouble to the teams above them. | |
9 | Forward Madison FC (0-0-3) Week 4: --- |
5
Last Week: 4 |
Another side that hasn’t played since April 16, Forward Madison FC is one of two unbeaten sides left in the league. | |
10 | Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (0-1-1) Week 4: --- |
2
Last Week: 8 |
Despite its U.S. Open Cup success, the Hailstorm are still seeking their first league victory of the year. | |
11 | Greenville Triumph SC (0-2-1) Week 4: v. TRM |
Last Week: 11 |
Greenville’s tough start to the season won’t get much easier as they host Chattanooga before heading out West for Fuego FC’s home opener. |