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USL League One Power Rankings – Week 26

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 09/01/25, 5:00PM EDT

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One Knox’s positive week is setting up a potential in-state showdown for first place

With the club’s eight-game undefeated streak having been brought to an end last weekend in Richmond, Week 26 set up as pivotal for One Knoxville SC.

Two home games, two fellow top-four opponents, the chance to make a leap forward.

It might not have been the most high-flying soccer you’ve seen, but with four points out of a potential six thanks to Saturday’s 1-0 win against Spokane Velocity FC, Knoxville is right there, in with a chance at top spot.

Was there some good fortune involved? Yeah, maybe.

The fact neither FC Naples or Velocity found their shooting boots helped. Naples hit the woodwork twice on Wednesday night, while Knoxville goalkeeper Sean Lewis had to make only two saves across the two games – one of which, at least, was a game-saver in stoppage time against Spokane.

With Chattanooga Red Wolves SC dropping points at home to AV ALTA FC on Saturday, though, opportunity is still there for both Velocity and One Knox to reel in the current leaders, with each getting a shot over the final two months of the season.

If there’s one game we’re looking forward to, though, it’s the Wednesday, Oct. 1 meeting between One Knoxville and Chattanooga Red Wolves SC at Covenant Health Park.

These teams have already built a mutual distaste and in-state rivalry. Put the potential for silverware on the line, and it could become their most consequential meeting to date. 

Here are this week’s rankings.

Biggest Movers

3 TRM, MAD 3 TXO

Rank

 

Team

Change

Summary
1 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
(11-2-8)
Week 27: vs. CLT
Last Week: 1		 The Red Wolves couldn’t widen their lead at the top of the standings, but they’re now undefeated in 10 consecutive games and looked the more likely to find a winner against Antelope Valley.
2 One Knoxville SC
(10-3-8)
Week 27: @ TRM		 1
Last Week: 3		 A four-point week against two fellow top-four contenders keeps Knoxville in contention for top spot. Everyone should circle Chattanooga’s visit on Oct. 1 now.
3 Spokane Velocity FC
(11-4-5)
Week 27: vs. WES		 1
Last Week: 2		 Spokane didn’t test Knoxville’s Sean Lewis until second-half stoppage time. Lot of good pressure, but not enough quality to earn a result.
4 FC Naples
(9-5-8)
Week 27: vs. GVL
Last Week: 4		 Naples’ eight-game undefeated streak is its longest in league play this season, but Saturday night should have been a victory at home to Westchester. Missed opportunity.
5 Portland Hearts of Pine
(6-4-9)
Week 27: @ GVL		 1
Last Week: 6		 Hearts of Pine were motoring against Charlotte in the second half at Fitzpatrick Stadium. That’s the sort of display that will carry this side into the playoffs.
6 Union Omaha
(7-10-3)
Week 27: vs. TXO		 1
Last Week: 5		 Omaha dropped below the playoff line thanks to Portland’s win, but Saturday brings a crucial six-pointer to Werner Park against Texoma.
7 AV ALTA FC
(7-6-9)
Week 27: vs. MAD
Last Week: 7		 On one hand, Antelope Valley is winless in its last seven games. On the other, getting a point away at Chattanooga’s a good accomplishment, and they’re still in solid position.
8 South Georgia Tormenta FC
(6-11-5)
Week 27: vs. KNX		 3
Last Week: 11		 Tormenta’s won two of its last three games and close to the playoff line. This weekend’s game at home to Knoxville’s going to be a test.
9 Greenville Triumph SC
(6-9-6)
Week 27: vs. POR; @ NAP
Last Week: 9		 Greenville has a big week ahead, starting at home to Hearts of Pine. Take victory there, they’ll be back above the playoff line ahead of the trip to Naples.
10 Forward Madison FC
(4-8-10)
Week 27: @ AV		 3
Last Week: 13		 The Flamingos were great in midweek against Texoma, and then fell apart away against South Georgia Tormenta. That’s not the way you get to the playoffs.
11 Texoma FC
(6-9-7)
Week 27: @ OMA		 3
Last Week: 8		 Wednesday night was pretty rough for Texoma in Madison. Six points from the last eight games and the pressure’s on again.
12 Charlotte Independence
(8-7-7)
Week 27: @ CHA		 2
Last Week: 10		 The Independence have the highest-scoring attack in the league, but they’ve conceded 13 goals in the last four games. That’s a real problem.
13 Richmond Kickers
(5-11-5)
Week 27: @ WES		 1
Last Week: 12		 Wednesday night’s visit to Westchester feels like a must-win for the Kickers. If they come through, the playoff race gets even more interesting.
14 Westchester SC
(3-10-8)
Week 27: vs. RIC; @ SPK
Last Week: 14		 The bad news – Westchester let a lead get away again. The good news – this time they got a point out of the game!

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Tag(s): Spotlight  Union Omaha  Power Rankings  Chatt Red Wolves SC  Forward Madison FC  Greenville Triumph SC  Richmond Kickers  So. Georgia Tormenta FC  Charlotte Independence  One Knoxville SC  Spokane Velocity FC  Portland Hearts of Pine  AV ALTA FC  FC Naples  Texoma FC  Westchester SC 

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