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?

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USSF D2 Table Update

Week 5:

Vancouver vs. Montreal

 - Result: 1-1 

 - Full Match Reports: Vancouver and Montreal

 - Thoughts: Vancouver kicked off their Nutrilite Canadian Championship campaign with a late equalizer, via a penalty, to earn a point in the three team competition with Toronto. Montreal had two players sent off in the second half and are off to a bad start in this year's battle for a CONCACAF Champions League position with only one point in two matches. 

NSC Minnesota vs. Montreal

 - Result: 2-1 (Montreal)

 - Full Match Reports: Minnesota and Montreal

 - Thoughts: Different game, same tough defeat for the new Minnesota outfit. Just like last week they let the game slip away as the Impact scored two in the final 11 minutes of regulation. It must also be tough for Minnesota to be on the road and see the support Montreal is receiving - over 12,000 strong. The Impact's win could not have come at at better time for fan support as the franchise had just announced their jump to the MLS in 2012. 

AC St. Louis vs. Rochester

 - Result: 2-1 (Rochester)

 - Full Match Reports: AC St. Louis and Rochester

 - Thoughts: Strong winds dominated the match in Rochester on Saturday as AC St. Louis dropped their fifth match of the season. St Louis held with the Rhinos for much of the first half, but still look like the young franchise that they are letting up two goals and now stand at a negative seven goal difference. 

Miami vs. Carolina

 - Result: 1-1

 - Full Match Reports: Carolina and Miami 

 - Thoughts: The Railhawks went up against their 2009 goal keeper Caleb Patterson who had a strong match until an equalizer in the 83rd minute gave Carolina a point on the road. Carolina lost John Gilkerson in the 78th minute to two yellow cards, but Miami was unable to capitalize on the advantage and earned their fourth draw of the season. Attendance for the match dipped slightly to just over a thousand fans for Miami FC.

Tampa Bay vs. Austin

 - Result: 2-2

 - Full Match Reports: Tampa Bay and Austin

 - Thoughts: Tampa Bay opened their new stadium, George M. Steinbrenner Field, to a sell-out crowd of 8,082. The fans were treated with a highly entertaining match with four goals, including two PKs, and a well earned point from their home side who went a man down in the 58th minute. The point moves the Aztex into a two-way tie for second place in the USL conference. 

Vancouver vs. Baltimore

 - Result: 0-0

 - Full Match Reports: Vancouver and Baltimore

 - Thoughts: On the contrast the 4900+ in Vancouver witnessed a lack-luster nil-nil draw as the Whitecaps and Baltimore met for the first time ever. The game's stat line read 2 saves required and 26 fouls total between the two clubs. For most teams this would be a disappointing result, but for Crystal Palace it marked their first point of the year. Baltimore's schedule doesn't get an easier as they next travel cross country to take on the Portland Timbers. 

NASL Conference Standings

NASL Conference
Pos	Club	Pts	GP	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD	Playoffs
1	Vancouver Whitecaps FC	8	5	2	1	2	4	2	+2	*
2	Montreal Impact	7	4	2	1	1	4	4	0	*
3	Carolina RailHawks FC	5	4	1	1	2	4	3	+1	*
4	Miami FC	4	4	0	0	4	3	3	0
5	AC St. Louis	3	6	1	5	0	3	10	-7
6	Crystal Palace Baltimore	1	4	0	3	1	1	5	-4

USL Conference Standings

USL Conference
Pos	Club	Pts	GP	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD	Playoffs
1	Rochester Rhinos	11	6	3	1	2	9	5	+4	*
2	Portland Timbers	10	4	3	0	1	7	2	+5	*
3	Austin Aztex	10	5	3	1	1	9	6	+3	*
4	Puerto Rico Islanders	6	3	2	1	0	6	3	+3	*
5	NSC Minnesota Stars	6	7	2	5	0	5	12	-7	*
6	FC Tampa Bay Rowdies	5	4	1	1	2	4	4	0

(Wikipedia)

Thoughts / comments on this past weeks action? The current table standings?

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