USSF D2 Power Rankings - Week 9

Most of the soccer world will be taking a break for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but for the USSF D2 league. Three matches last night with another 5 scheduled for this Saturday. Vancouver and Carolina are the two big movers this weeks thanks to 4 points in two matches for each club. Here is a look at the USSF D2 Power Rankings - Week 9, tracking all matches through 6/9/10 (W-L-D).

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1. Austin Aztex (7-1-3) (LW: 1)

2. Vancouver Whitecaps (4-2-4) (LW: 5)

3. Tampa Bay Rowdies (5-2-3) (LW: 2)

4. Rochester Rhinos (4-3-3) (LW: 3)

5. Carolina Railhawks (3-2-4) (LW: 6)

6. Montreal Impact (3-3-3) (LW: 4)

7. Portland Timbers (3-3-4) (LW: 7)

8. Puerto Rico Islanders (3-4-0) (LW: 8)

9. Minnesota Stars (4-7-2) (LW: 11)

10. Crystal Palace Baltimore (3-5-2) (LW: 9)

11. Miami FC (1-2-7) (LW: 10)

12. AC St. Louis (1-7-1) (LW: 12)

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What are your thoughts on the current power rankings? What changes would you make?

USSF D2 Power Rankings - Week 8

The first, and possibly only, season of the USSF D2 league is in full swing now entering its third full month of action. There has been a lot of movement in the power rankings over the past few weeks as teams continue to find their form. Here's a look the NASLNews.com USSF D2 Power Rankings, tracking all matches through 6/2/10. (W-L-D).

1. Austin Aztex (6-1-2) (LW: 1) - Another road win for the league's current top team with a 2-0 defeat at Baltimore. The Aztex host the best goal differential (+8) and their next three matches are at home. 
2. Tampa Bay Rowdies (5-1-3) (LW: 3) - One of the hottest teams in the league right now, jumping from 7th place two weeks ago. Two home victories against Minnesota and Puerto Rico over a three day period and averaging close to 5K fans a match so far. 
3. Rochester Rhinos (4-3-2) (LW: 6) - Rochester avenged their earlier loss to Vancouver and remain third in the stronger conference. The Rhinos have been a bit inconsistent at times this season, but still remain a contender at the top along with fellow surprising clubs Austin and Tampa Bay. 
4. Montreal Impact (3-2-2) (LW: 4) - The home loss to Carolina was not expected, but the Impact will hope to turn things back around now that the Canadian Championship is over for them. Next two matches are against teams in our bottom 3. 
5. Vancouver Whitecaps (3-2-3) (LW: 2) - The Whitecaps went 1-1-2 over the month of May and like the Impact should improve with the extra Canadian Championship matches behind them. They are still in the lead of the NASL conference and have only let in a league leading 4 goals in 8 matches. 
6. Carolina Railhawks (3-2-2) (LW: 8) - Another impressive road win sees the Railhawks start to climb the rankings this week. Carolina went on the road to defeat Puerto Rico and Montreal over a 5 day period. They have a game in hand over Vancouver who is 1 point ahead of them, but two additional road matches coming up next - at Portland and at Vancouver. 
7. Portland Timbers (3-3-2) (LW: 5) - No action for the Timbers which causes them to drop while similar clubs in their position were victorious this weekend. Portland has failed to recapture their dominating league play from last season.
8. Puerto Rico Islanders (3-3-0) (LW: 9) - Puerto Rico has still played the fewest matches in the league so far, but Wednesday nights goal fest which saw them top Miami 4-2 shows they the power to contend. Their next three matches are at home, with long travel for St. Louis and Vancouver, the Islanders should move up these rankings in the weeks to come. 
9. Crystal Palace Baltimore (3-5-1) (LW: 7) - After climbing out of the power rankings basement a few weeks ago Baltimore slid backwards this week. A loss against Austin is nothing to be ashamed of at this point in the season, but would only make the playoffs on goal differential over Minnesota. 
10. Miami FC (1-2-5) (LW: 10) - Two losses in a row. I would have dropped them to 11th, but they beat Minnesota just a few weeks back. The bottom three seem to be distancing themselves, in a bad way. 
11. NSC Minnesota (3-7-1) (LW: 11) - The good news is that they got their 3rd win of the season. The bad news is that it came against St. Louis. And with only 10 points in 11 games its not shaping up to be a historically good inaugural season for the new Minnesota club. 
12. AC St. Louis (1-7-1) (LW: 12) - The good news for St. Louis is that fan attendance has gone up each match (and a franchise exists there). The bed news is that they don't have another home game until June 26th and they've earned four points in nine matches with a goal differential of -11. 

What are your thoughts on the current power rankings? What changes would you make?

USSF D2 Power Rankings - Week 7

Time again for the USSF D2 Power Ranking (tracking all matches through 5/26 - including a few mid-week matches). Vancouver and Tampa Bay make the biggest jumps of the week, with Portland and Rochester falling. Minnesota and St. Louis remain the bottom of the league at this point and would be relegated if we only had that system in place. (W-L-D)

1. Austin Aztex (5-1-2) (LW: 1) - Road victory over Miami last night keeps the Aztex top of the USL conference and the power rankings. They are also tied for the best goal differential with +7. Will be an interesting road game for them this weekend against a resurgent Baltimore.
2. Vancouver Whitecaps (3-1-3) (LW: 5) - A home victory against Rochester coupled with other top teams faltering moves the Whitecaps to #2. The NASL conference leaders now travel for a quick return match against the Rhinos on Saturday. 
3. Tampa Bay Rowdies (3-1-3) (LW: 7) - The Rowdies continued their strong month with another win against St. Louis on Saturday and return home for their second match in their new stadium tonight against Minnesota. Another win tonight along with a good crowd should keep this club on its upward climb. 
4. Montreal Impact (3-1-2) (LW: 4) - No USSF action for the Impact this past week as they took on Vancouver in the Canadian Championship. The club stay at home this weekend with a match against the Railhawks who were just in Puerto Rico last night. 
5. Portland Timbers (3-3-2) (LW: 3) - Their second loss to Baltimore in 9 days brings to an end a horrible month for the club. Luckily for them they don't play again until June 6th and will host a Carolina team traveling from Puerto Rico to Montreal to Portland (this should be 3 points for the Timbers).
6. Rochester Rhinos (3-3-2) (LW: 2) - At the top two weeks ago, but two straight losses is evidence that this league is very even this year and should be a tough battle all season. The Rhinos will seek revenge tomorrow against the Impact at home. 
7. Crystal Palace Baltimore (3-4-1) (LW: 8) - 9 points from 4 matches is a good stat line. The fact that they played those four matches over 9 days is quick impressive. Normally they would be ahead of a few more clubs if it were not for the fact that 9 of their 10 points have come in just the past week and a half.
8. Carolina Railhawks (2-2-2) (LW: 9) - The Railhawks traveled to Puerto Rico to earn their first ever road victory their and 1st win of the season this the league opener. The down side is that they now must continue their 4-game road trip to Montreal, Portland and Vancouver. 
9. Puerto Rico Islanders (2-2-0) (LW: 6) - Playing in just their 2 match of the month and 4th overall the Islanders lost a crucial point after giving up a late goal to Carolina. Puerto Rico are still hard to place having played far fewer games that the rest of the league. 
10. Miami FC (1-1-5) (LW: 10) - A win over Minnesota, expected. A loss to Austin, reasonable. Thus they stay put for another week. 
11. NSC Minnesota (2-6-1) (LW: 11) -  Winless in their last five, Minnesota travel to Tampa Bay tonight with another loss expected. The good news is that they host fellow bottom of the table club St. Louis Saturday night. 
12. AC St. Louis (1-5-1) (LW: 12) - A loss to Tampa Bay right now is nothing to be ashamed of and with their attendance growing at each home match the club can hope to secure the franchise's 2nd win ever this Saturday against St. Louis. Then they can finally leave the bottom of the power rankings. 

What are your thoughts on the current power rankings? What changes would you make?

USSF D2 Power Rankings - Week 6

Time again for the USSF D2 Power Ranking (tracking all matches through 5/19 - including a trio of mid-week matches). Austin takes over the top spot, while Tampa Bay and Baltimore move up the charts. (W-L-D)

1. Austin Aztex (4-1-2) (Last Week: 3) - One win, one draw and 5 goals over the week moves the Aztex to the top of the rankings - along with the top two struggling. 
2. Rochester Rhinos (3-2-2) (Last Week: 2) - Normally a loss to Baltimore would be a worrying sign this season. However, Portland's similar loss and Baltimore's new form isn't the worst result.
3. Portland Timbers (3-2-2) (Last Week: 1) - Only one point from three matches over the week which brought down the early leaders back down to the rest of the pack.
4. Montreal Impact (3-1-2) (Last Week: 6) - Four points in two matches against their future MLS clubs - Vancouver and Portland.
5. Vancouver Whitecaps (2-1-3) (Last Week: 4) - A home draw, but their lead in the NASL conference could be over shortly. 
6. Puerto Rico Islanders (2-1-0) (Last Week: 5) - Hardest team to rank in this line-up having played on 3 matches when the average is 6 across the league.
7. Tampa Bay Rowdies (2-1-3) (Last Week: 8) - A good road victory over Carolina and a road draw against league leaders Austin, good results that they are hoping translate back in front of their great home crowd. 
8. Crystal Palace Baltimore (2-4-1) (Last Week: 11) - Victories over Portland and Rochester mark the biggest week of the season for Baltimore and 6 of the their 7 points of the year.
9. Carolina Railhawks (1-2-2) (Last Week: 7) - Struggling to find last year's form and about to start another long road trip. 
10. Miami FC (0-0-5) (Last Week: 9) - Five straight draws, Miami must get a victory in one of their next two home matches.
11. NSC Minnesota (2-5-1) (Last Week: 10) - The new club continue to fall and are almost at the bottom. Lowest attendance in the league and their next two matches on the road don't bode well for the immediate future. 
12. AC St.Louis (1-5-1) (Last Week: 12) - A point earned against the Timbers, but still the bottom of the league at this point, but that can be quickly changed.

What are your thoughts on the current power rankings? What changes would you make?

USSF D2 Power Rankings - Week 5

It is time again to visit the USSF D2 Power Ranking (tracking all matches through 5/12). Rochester jumps into the #2 position, as most of the league stays relatively static. (W-D-L)

1. Portland Timbers (3-1-0) (Last Week: 1) - Can't drop the leaders even on an idle weekend.
2. Rochester Rhinos (3-2-1) (Last Week: 4) - Only team in last week's top 4 to get a W.
3. Austin Aztex (3-1-1) (Last Week: 2) - Managed a road draw in front of a tough Tampa Bay crowd.
4. Vancouver Whitecaps (2-2-1) (Last week: 3) - A draw at home against Baltimore is almost a loss for Vancouver.
5. Puerto Rico Islanders (2-0-1) (Last Week: 5) - Not in action, no movement.
6. Montreal Impact (2-1-1-) (Last Week: 6) - Almost jumped the Islanders, but they have only 1 point more than Puerto Rico in one more game.
7. Carolina Railhawks (1-2-1) (Last Week: 7) - Another road draw and the Railhawks return home this weekend.
8. Tampa Bay Rowdies (1-2-1) (Last Week: 9) - After a great home opening, sadly the Rowdies play their next three games on the road.
9. Miami FC (0-4-0) (Last Week: 10) - Still cannot find the win column, but are also finding a way to take a point each time out.
10. NSC Minnesota (2-0-5) (Last Week: 8) - Two straight weeks of falling in the power rankings, Minnesota has the most goals allowed the season so far.
11. Crystal Palace Baltimore (0-1-3) (Last Week: 12) - Baltimore final get their first point of the year and have a better goal difference than St. Louis.
12. AC St. Louis (1-0-5) (Last Week: 11) - The win last week was nice, but 3 points in 6 games is not acceptable.

What are your thoughts on the current power rankings? What changes would you make?

USSF D2 Power Rankings - Week 4

It is time again to visit the USSF D2 Power Ranking (tracking all matches through 5/6). Portland remains the hot team in the league, while the bottom sees some movement.

1. Portland Timbers (3-1-0) (Last Week: 1)
2. Austin Aztex (3-0-1) (Last Week: 4)
3. Vancouver Whitecaps (2-1-1) (Last Week: 3)
4. Rochester Rhinos (2-2-1) (Last Week: 6)
5. Puerto Rico Islanders (2-0-1) (Last Week 3)
6. Montreal Impact (1-1-1) (Last Week: 8)
7. Carolina Railhawks (1-1-1) (Last Week: 5)
8. NSC Minnesota (2-0-4) (Last Week: 7)
9. Tampa Bay Rowdies (1-1-1) (Last Week: 10)
10. Miami FC (0-3-0) (Last Week: 9)
11. AC St. Louis (1-0-4) (Last Week: 12)
12. Crystal Palace Baltimore (0-0-3) (Last Week: 11)

What are your thoughts on the current power rankings? What changes would you make?