Louisville City FC last season ran into a Rochester Rhinos club that coneded only 15 goals in 28 regular-season games, earning 61 points in the process. The Rhinos went on to win the USL championship.
This year, the task somehow appears tougher, with the New York Red Bulls II having tallied an astonishing plus-39 goal differential and USL record 66 points. A game remains before the playoffs.
Accordingly, the Red Bulls remained the club to catch in the USL’s Week 26 Power Rankings as the only team ranked ahead of red-hot LouCity, a winner of four straight.
“A guaranteed No. 2 seed, and retaining the Kings’ Cup against Saint Louis, made for a good away day for Louisville, which now enters its home finale with nothing on the line except pride,” wrote the USL’s Nicholas Murray, who assembles the power rankings.
“With the Charlotte Independence still fighting for a home playoff game, though, it would be a surprise if an understrength team awaits them as Louisville looks to maintain its momentum going into the postseason.”
Louisville scored more goals last weekend in a 5-1 win over Saint Louis than it has all season. The Independence, who visit Slugger Field at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, are fourth on the Eastern Conference table, currently holding a home playoff position.
Other than the Red Bulls II and LouCity, top Eastern Conference clubs in the Power Rankings were FC Cincinnati (No. 6), the Rochester Rhinos (No. 7) and Charleston Battery (No. 10). The Independence were listed first in the league’s “Best of the Rest” category.
Should LouCity meet the Red Bulls II in the postseason, the matchup would come only after two postseason wins apiece and in the Eastern Conference final.
