USL League One Power Rankings

USL League One Power Rankings - Week 29

By ETHAN TRIEBSCH - ethan.triebsch@uslsoccer.com, 10/04/23, 4:45PM EDT

Things are starting to settle down as the postseason looms

The race for the Players' Shield is in full swing as North Carolina, Omaha, and Northern Colorado look to lift a trophy ahead of the postseason.

Will all six playoff spots be claimed by the end of the weekend? Can South Georgia and Knoxville stave off postseason elimination for another week? Tell us why your club should rank higher and keep the conversation going on Twitter at @USLLeagueOne.

Rank	Team	Change	Summary
1	Union Omaha (16-5-8) Week 30: v. CLT, @ TRM	Last Week: 1	Omaha’s record-breaking 10-match winning streak came to an end, but the Owls still have the most points left up for grabs.
2	North Carolina FC (17-7-6) Week 30: @ LEX	Last Week: 2	North Carolina snapped Union Omaha’s winning streak to remain atop the table but will need the Owls to drop points in order to have a shot at the Players’ Shield.
3	Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (16-6-8) Week 30: v. MAD	Last Week: 3	Sitting in second place, the Hailstorm still have a real shot at claiming its first trophy in club history. With one of the easiest remaining schedules, anything is possible for Northern Colorado.
4	Charlotte Independence (13-8-9) Week 30: @ OMA	Last Week: 4	The Jacks have a shot at locking up a home playoff match and top-four finish - good for their best-ever finish in an overall table - this weekend.
5	Greenville Triumph SC (12-10-7) Week 30: @ CV, @ CHA	Last Week: 5	Dropping three points against Northern Colorado is tough, but certainly not the end of the world. With a manageable remaining schedule, Greenville should lock up a fifth consecutive postseason appearance this week or next.
6	South Georgia Tormenta FC (12-13-5) Week 30: v. OMA	Last Week: 6	The defending champs are enjoying yet another late-season push, winning three consecutive matches and eyeing one of those final two postseason positions.
7	One Knoxville SC (9-11-10) Week 30: v. RIC	Last Week: 7	Knoxville will need a lot of help, but the first-year League One side is still alive in the hunt for the playoffs. A win over Richmond could set up a fascinating final-day matchup with an NCFC side eager to lift the Players’ Shield.
8	Forward Madison FC (11-9-10) Week 30: @ NCO	Last Week: 8	Madison can lock up its first trip to the postseason since 2019 with a win over the Hailstorm and a South Georgia loss or draw. Despite slipping down the table in recent weeks, the ‘Mingos control their own postseason destiny.
9	Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (8-16-6) Week 30: v. GVL	Last Week: 9	No team has scored more across their last two matches (six) than the Red Wolves. Matches against Greenville and Northern Colorado will likely prove exciting.
10	Lexington SC (7-13-10) Week 30: v. NC	Last Week: 10	Winless across its last six, Lexington can chip away at North Carolina and Greenville’s Players’ Shield and playoff hopes, respectively, in its final two matches.
11	Richmond Kickers (6-14-10) Week 30: @ KNX	Last Week: 11	Safe from the bottom of the table, 2023 still has been a huge disappointment for the Players’ Shield holders. The Kickers have a chance to snap their 14-match winless streak against Knoxville on Friday.
12	Central Valley Fuego FC (5-20-5) Week 30: v. GVL	Last Week: 12	Fuego FC has now matched Orlando City B’s (2019) league record of most losses in a single season at 20. Contests against Greenville and Richmond mean the second-year side might just set a new record.