USL League One Power Rankings

USL League One Power Rankings - Week 5

By ETHAN TRIEBSCH - ethan.triebsch@uslsoccer.com, 04/11/24, 4:45PM EDT

The winningest club in league history returns to the top of the Power Rankings

We're officially through the first month of the season and all 12 teams are starting to develop their identities on the pitch. In the Prinx Tires USL League One Power Rankings, we take a look at how each team is progressing as the season unfolds.

How long will Greenville remain undefeated? How will Omaha and Chattanooga look as they return to league play? Tell us why your club should rank higher and keep the conversation going on Twitter at @USLLeagueOne.

On The Move

2 TRM, RIC

2 NCO, CHA

Rank	Team	Change	Summary
1	Greenville Triumph SC (3-0-1) Week 5: W v NCO	1 Last Week: 2 Average Ranking: 4	I wasn’t too high on Greenville heading into the season, and it looks like I was completely wrong. It’s still early, but Greenville appear to have returned to its dominant ways as Rick Wright’s unbeaten side tops the table and leads all clubs with nine goals scored on the season.
2	One Knoxville SC (3-0-0) Week 5: ---	1 Last Week: 1 Average Ranking: 4	The second-year League One club has raced out to a perfect 3-0-0 start in league play to confirm its best start to a season across its three years of existence. Head Coach Mark McKeever and midfielder Angelo Kelly-Rosales were rightfully recognized as the Coach and Player of the Month, respectively, for March.
3	Union Omaha (1-0-0) Week 5: ---	Last Week: 3 Average Ranking:2	When the Owls face Knoxville on CBS Sports Golazo Network on Friday, it will have been nearly a month since Omaha has taken the pitch in league play. An early season test in the form of One Knox at a packed Regal Soccer Stadium will certainly be interesting as the Players’ Shield holders return to league action.
4	Forward Madison FC (1-0-2) Week 5: ---	Last Week: 4 Average Ranking:5	FMFC has struggled offensively at times early in the season, but an unbeaten 1-0-2 start to league play has Matt Glaeser’s ‘Mingos well above the playoff line at the moment. The good news after the first month of league play is that Madison currently lead the league in passing accuracy (84%) and duel success (54%).
5	Charlotte Independence (1-1-0) Week 5: ---	Last Week: 5 Average Ranking:5	It’s difficult to get an accurate read on Charlotte after just two league matches, but a big home contest against first-place Greenville on Friday should be telling. Statistically, Charlotte have experienced some ups and down; the Jacks are among the top three teams in the league when it comes to shooting accuracy and duel success but among the bottom three in the league when it comes to passing accuracy and possession.
6	Spokane Velocity FC (2-2-0) Week 5: ---	1 Last Week: 7 Average Ranking: 8	Velocity FC has looked rather average early in the season, but that’s still above average for a first-year expansion side. With the way things are going, Spokane - which lead the league in touches in opponents’ boxes - should be able to take care of a struggling Lexington side to wrap up the week on Sunday.
7	South Georgia Tormenta FC (2-1-1) Week 5: W v LEX	2 Last Week: 9 Average Ranking: 10	South Georgia have started to figure things out as Ian Cameron navigates one of the youngest and inexperienced rosters in the league. The emergence of some young playmakers coupled with back-to-back shutout victories of three or more goals across all competitions is promising.
8	Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (0-2-1) Week 5: L @ GVL	2 Last Week: 6 Average Ranking: 5	Like fellow preseason favorite Lexington, Northern Colorado have gotten of to a head-scratching start to the season. We knew losing club greats Trevor Amann and Arthur Rogers would be difficult, but a record three-match losing streak to start league play is concerning.
9	Lexington SC (1-3-1) Week 5: L @ TRM	1 Last Week: 8 Average Ranking: 5	Easily the biggest disappointment early, the good news for Darren Powell’s side is that they have plenty of time to get back on track. Still, Lexington’s four-match losing streak across all competitions is tied for the longest in club history, and the side’s 3-0 defeat at South Georgia was the second-largest loss in club history behind another loss to the Ibises (5-1) a season ago
10	Richmond Kickers (1-2-0) Week 5: W v CV	2 Last Week: 12 Average Ranking: 10	The Kickers looked good as they narrowly took down an inexperienced Central Valley team last week. Even with the slow start to the season, it’s clear that Adrian Billhardt, Nil Vinyals and Chandler O’Dwyer have the tools to get the season moving in the right direction.
11	Central Valley Fuego FC (1-3-0) Week 5: L @ RIC	Last Week: 11 Average Ranking: 11	Despite netting five goals on the season - tied for the third-most across the league - Fuego FC’s league-leading nine goals conceded have hindered the team’s ability to put matches away. After recording just one three-match losing streak in league play during its inaugural 2022 campaign, Central Valley have recorded five over the past two seasons.
12	Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (0-1-0) Week 5: ---	2 Last Week: 10 Average Ranking: 9	Like Omaha, the Red Wolves are gearing up for their first league match in nearly a month when they take on Central Valley in Fresno on Saturday. The only club yet to score in league play, Chattanooga will feel confident as they head across the country.