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League One Power Rankings - Week 26

By ETHAN TRIEBSCH - ethan.triebsch@uslsoccer.com, 09/28/22, 4:15PM EDT

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Lots of movement as we near the conclusion of the season

With only a few weeks remaining in the regular season, the Richmond Kickers hold a magic number of just one as they push to become the first team to punch its ticket to the 2022 USL League One Playoffs presented by Hisense.

Surprisingly, the usual trio near the top of the table - Omaha, Greenville and Chattanooga - have been plagued by negative results in recent weeks, allowing South Georgia and Charlotte to fill the void at the top of the Power Rankings.

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Summary

1 Richmond Kickers
(13-7-7)
Week 26: T v. CV

Last Week: 1
Average Ranking: 2
It will be nearly impossible for the Kickers not to secure the first spot in the 2022 USL League One Playoffs presented by Hisense with a magic number of just one. If Central Valley drops points in Cary on Wednesday night, Richmond is in.
2 South Georgia Tormenta FC
(11-9-7)
Week 26: W @ MAD
3
Last Week: 5
Average Ranking: 6
Despite Hurricane Ian pushing the opening match of Tormenta Stadium back 24 hours, South Georgia’s late-season success has positioned the side for a playoff spot with three matches to go.
3 Charlotte Independence
(11-10-6)
Week 26: W v. NC
3
Last Week: 6
Average Ranking: 6
The Jacks have gone on a three-match win streak at exactly the right time, shooting up the standings with a chance to clinch a postseason berth this weekend.
4 Union Omaha
(10-6-11)
Week 26: L @ NCO
1
Last Week: 3
Average Ranking: 5
Omaha and Greenville's recent slump has allowed some teams lower in the table to stay alive in the postseason conversation. The Owls need to finish things up with a win or two to clinch their postseason spot and focus on the playoffs.
5 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
(10-10-7)
Week 26: L @ TUC
3
Last Week: 2
Average Ranking: 4
If the top of the table gets back to winning and the bottom continues its late-season surge, the mid-table Red Wolves may be in trouble after winning just once in their last five matches.
6 Greenville Triumph SC
(11-8-8)
Week 26: T @ NCO
2
Last Week: 4
Average Ranking: 5
Five winless matches is pretty troubling for John Harkes’ side as the postseason looms. While Greenville should cruise into the playoffs, it seems it needs to figure some things out.
7 FC Tucson
(8-12-6)
Week 26: W v. NC, W v. CHA
1
Last Week: 8
Average Ranking: 10
Like last season, FC Tucson is making a remarkable push up the table with a league-best 13 points in its last five. The League One original will hope their recent run won't be too little, too late.
8 Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
(9-10-9)
Week 26: W v. OMA, T v. GVL
1
Last Week: 7
Average Ranking: 8
Despite a strong September, it is truly now or never for the Hailstorm. With two matches left, Northern Colorado is in danger of being left out of the playoff picture.
9 Central Valley Fuego FC
(9-10-7)
Week 26: W v. MAD, T @ RIC

Last Week: 9
Average Ranking: 6
Fuego FC is turning up the heat as the season winds down and has a big chance to jump into a playoff position thanks to its four matches remaining. Draws may not be enough, though, as other teams below the playoff line vie for those final few postseason spots.
10 North Carolina FC
(7-14-5)
Week 26: L @ TUC, L v. CLT
1
Last Week: 11
Average Ranking: 7
A disappointing conclusion to the season may see NCFC absent from the playoffs if it can’t string together a few more results in its second League One season.
11 Forward Madison FC
(7-10-11)
Week 26: L @ CV, L v. TRM
1
Last Week: 10
Average Ranking: 7
A rough end to the 2022 campaign means Madison’s playoff hopes are in the hands of other teams in Week 27. It may be an agonizing week off for the ‘Mingos as they sit and watch.

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