League One Power Rankings

League One Power Rankings - Week 12

By ETHAN TRIEBSCH - ethan.triebsch@uslsoccer.com, 06/07/23, 11:30AM EDT

Charlotte dethrone North Carolina at top of Power Rankings for first time in five weeks

The Charlotte Independence dethrone their Dogwood Derby rivals North Carolina FC at the top of the Power Rankings for the first time in five weeks, while Omaha's big loss means the Owls continue to tumble.

Can the Kickers continue to overachieve? Will Fuego FC be able to build on the momentum of a big Week 12 victory? Tell us why your club should rank higher and keep the conversation going on Twitter at @USLLeagueOne.

Biggest Movers

1 CLT, TRM, GVL, CV

2 OMA

Rank	Team	Change	Summary
1	Charlotte Independence (6-2-4) Week 13: v. ---	1 Last Week: 2	The Jacks have reeled off back-to-back 3-0 victories to extend their win streak to three and confirm their eighth consecutive season with a win streak of three or longer. Winnable matches against Knoxville and Chattanooga precede the third and final Dogwood Derby of the regular season against table-topping NCFC.
2	North Carolina FC (7-3-1) Week 13: @ MAD	1 Last Week: 1	North Carolina FC has accumulated the most wins this season and added to its total with a 1-0 victory over a solid Knoxville side on Saturday. Even with the third toughest schedule so far, NCFC is overperforming and averages a league-best two points per match.
3	Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (4-1-3) Week 13: v. RIC, v. KNX	Last Week: 3	In a match that seemed one-sided on paper, the Hailstorm let a pair of one-goal leads evaporate and nearly left Lexington with no points to show for their efforts. Still operating with one of the most efficient offensive and defensive units, the Hailstorm have a chance to really prove they’re for real with a pair of Week 13 home matches against Richmond and Knoxville.
4	Richmond Kickers (4-2-5) Week 13: @ NCO, @ CV	Last Week: 4	Yeah, stats aren’t everything, but statistically speaking, the Kickers are one of the best teams in the league. They have the best goal differential minus expected goal differential and are the highest overachievers in terms of strength of schedule. If the thrice consecutive MVP gets hot, look out.
5	One Knoxville SC (4-4-3) Week 13: @ NCO	Last Week: 5	Knoxville has enjoyed a solid start to its first season in League One with one of the best starts by an expansion club in league history. While credit is certainly due to the squad, OKSC has also benefitted from the easiest strength of schedule so far this season.
6	Forward Madison FC (3-2-4) Week 13: @ CHA, v. NC	Last Week: 6	In a shocking defeat, the ‘Mingos threw away a one-goal lead in the final 16 minutes of their match against Central Valley to remain winless against Fuego FC all time. Undefeated on the road this season, Madison will need to grab all three points in Chattanooga on Wednesday ahead of a pair of tough matchups with North Carolina and Richmond in the coming weeks.
7	South Georgia Tormenta FC (4-5-2) Week 13: v. LEX	1 Last Week: 8	South Georgia have suffered back-to-back 1-1 draws that surely feel like losses after controlling possession and attacking pace in both contests. With the third-most goals conceded and by far the most conceded above expected (5.02), Tormenta FC needs more production from its defending and goalkeeping.
8	Greenville Triumph SC (3-5-3) Week 13: v. OMA	1 Last Week: 9	Even with the fourth easiest schedule to open the season, Triumph SC has earned the most points below expected across the league (4.18). The good news, though, is that three of Greenville’s next four matches will be at home and all four are against clubs currently positioned below the playoff line.
9	Union Omaha (2-3-5) Week 13: @ GVL	2 Last Week: 7	Now riding its second-longest winless streak in club history, the Owls have all the pieces in place to be successful but can’t find the results at the moment. Shockingly, Omaha is a dismal 3-9-8 with a -12 goal differential across all competitions since Sept. 3, 2022.
10	Lexington SC (2-5-3) Week 13: @ TRM	Last Week: 10	Juxtaposed by its fellow 2023 expansion counterparts Knoxville opening their League One campaign with the easiest schedule in the league, Lexington have faced the toughest so far. Still, LSC picked up a solid result on the weekend and is still overperforming relative to its strength of schedule.
11	Central Valley Fuego FC (3-6-1) Week 13: v. RIC	1 Last Week: 12	While most of the attention will be focused on Madison fumbling its lead last weekend, Central Valley deserves credit for hanging on and fighting for the victory. The second-year side has a pair of mid-June home matches to keep the momentum going.
12	Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (2-6-2) Week 13: v. MAD	1 Last Week: 11	Now winless in five consecutive matches, the 2022 USL League One Final runners-up are riding their longest unbeaten streak since their inaugural 2019 campaign. Something's got to change in a hurry.