SBI USSF Division 2 Power Rankings: Week 25

Ussf2logo2

By TRAVIS CLARK

The first and most likely only year of the USSF Division 2 League is coming to a close.

Not much is at stake in the final week of the season -- there is a fight at the top for some of the higher seeds, and of course, a race for first in the SBI Power Rankings.

Austin checks back into first place, taking advantage of two straight Rochester losses, and the Aztex now hold the No. 1 seed in the playoff standings as well. Vancouver and Carolina are in a tussle for the NASL Conference, with the Railhawks needing a win to secure the conference and No. 2 seed.

Here's a look at this week's power rankings:

1. Austin Aztex (15-5-8)

Aztexlog

Last Match- Won 4-2 vs. A.C. St. Louis on September 25.

Next Match- at Carolina on October 1.

Outlook: Getting back on track against St. Louis is important, and Austin closes with a chance to secure the top spot and a first round playoff series against Puerto Rico.

------------------------------

2. Rochester Rhinos (15-8-6)

Rhinos New Logo

Last Match- Lost 1-0 at Miami FC on September 25.

Next Match- at St. Louis on October 2.

Outlook: Two losses against Miami could have cost the Rhinos, and they'll hope to finish strong against St. Louis.

------------------------------

3. Portland Timbers (13-7-9)

Timbers

L ast Match- Won 3-1 at Crystal Palace Baltimore on September 25.

Next Match- at Vancouver on October 2.

Outlook: The Timbers are locked in at the fourth spot in the playoffs, and only await on who their opponent will be. Certainly Portland can be regarded as a potential champion, and will look to Ryan Pore and Bright Dike in the playoffs.

------------------------------

4. Carolina Railhawks (12-9-8)

Railhawks

Last Match- Won 2-1 vs. Puerto Rico Islanders on September 25.

Next Match- vs. Austin on October 1.

Outlook: A 3-1-1 record in September, aided with more points dropped in Vancouver, handed Carolina a chance to win the NASL Conference. The Railhawks look dangerous at exactly the right time, and the addition of Tom Heinemann looks to be a good one.

------------------------------

5. Vancouver Whitecaps (10-5-14)

Vancouver_Whitecaps

Last Match- Lost 1-0 vs. Montreal Impact on September 24.

Next Match- vs. Portland on October 2.

Outlook: The same questions persist in Vancouver. Defense is excellent, offense is a bit too spotty to anoint the Whitecaps legitimate contenders.

------------------------------

6. Montreal Impact (11-11-7)

Montreal_impact logo

Last Match- Won 1-0 at Vancouver Whitecaps on September 24.

Next Match- vs. Austin on October 3.

Outlook: A win over their rivals secured the sixth spot in the ! playoff standings

------------------------------

7. NSC Minnesota Stars (11-12-7)

Nsc-minnesota-logo

Last Match- Won 3-1 at Tampa Bay Rowdies on September 24.

Next Match- Playoffs, TBA

Outlook: Minnesota gets a weekend off and is hot at the right time. Won't be easy for whichever team wins the NASL Conference.

------------------------------

8. Puerto Rico Islanders (9-11-9)

PR-Islanders-logo

Last Match- Lost 2-1 at Carolina Railhawks on September 25.

Next Match- at Miami on October 2.

Outlook: The Islanders' CONCACAF Champions League duty has certainly stretched them, and it'll be a tough opening round in the playoffs against either Austin or Rochester.

------------------------------

9. Miami FC (7-11-11)

Miami_fc logo

Last Match- Won 1-0 vs. Rochester Rhinos on September 25.

Next Match- vs. Puerto Rico on October 2.

Outlook: The Blues have saved face under new head coach Daryl Shorewith four straight wins, going 4-1 in September. While it was too late for a playoff berth, it's something to feel good about and a reason to look forward to 2011.

------------------------------

10. A.C. St. Louis (7-14-8)

ACSTL

Last Match- Lost 4-2 at Austin Aztex on September 25.

Next Match- vs. Rochester on October 2.

Outlook: Won&# 39;t finish bottom of the league and can start looking forward to 2011 -- or at least sorting things out for next year.

------------------------------

11. FC Tampa Bay Rowdies (6-12-11)
Rowdies_logo

Last Match- Lost 3-1 vs. NSC Minnesota Stars on September 24.

Next Match- vs. Crystal Palace Baltimore on October 2.

Outlook: Another loss raises the winless streak to 11 straight. Finishing on a high against Baltimore is possible, but not a given with the way this season has come off the rails.

------------------------------

12. Crystal Palace Baltimore (6-17-6)

PalaceBaltimore_logo

Last Match- Lost 3-1 vs. Portland Timbers on September 25.

Next Match- at Tampa Bay on October 2.

Outlook: Perhaps the only team to finish worse off than Tampa, Baltimore has lost seven straight. Their last win came back on August 14 against Carolina. The road might give them some better luck.



Watch Free Live Soccer Football Matches Online Here

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Hottest Tour de France 2010 Podium Girls

Image
The annual Tour de France is among the most grueling races in all of sports. But every summer, hundreds of cyclists brave the plains, the mountains, the sun and the rain of France (and often the surrounding countries) to complete the 3,500-plus kilometer trek. But why? Fame? Sure, names like Lance Armstrong, Greg LeMond and defending champion Alberto Contador will go down in the annals of cycling history. Money? Certainly, the winners make some dough from winning and from the sponsorship deals that can result. The challenge of it all? No doubt, there are some competitors just looking to see where they rank among the top athletes in the sport. But there's another reason to race. If you win, you get to stand on the podium with some of the world's most beautiful women. Whether they're delivering handshakes, kisses or the radiant yellow jersey , these ladies serve as serious motivation t...
Keep reading

The 25 Hottest NFL Cheerleaders

Image
No matter what the situation, you can bet that there will be some sexy ladies on the sidelines cheering them on, just as they have been all season. Cheerleaders are a wonderful part of the game, but it's hard to see all of them during brief appearances during games, and it's way too time consuming to check all of them out online. That's why you have me. I personally looked through each cheerleader in the National Football League and picked out the hottest ones. So for your viewing enjoyment, here are the 25 Hottest NFL Cheerleaders. No. 25: Chiefs—Suzie Kansas City has it rough in professional sports. The Royals are the biggest punchline in baseball and the Chiefs have bombed what looks to be a promising season. KC is lo...
Keep reading

The 30 Hottest WAGs in Major League Baseball

Image
Baseball is finally back! With the Yankees and Red Sox kicking things off Sunday night, America's pastime is officially back in session. That means another year of home runs and diving catches. It also means another year to check out the finest talent baseball has to offer off the field. With Derek Jeter locked down and engaged to Minka Kelly, what other MLB players will step up as the playboys of the MLB? And what team is the most stacked with six different WAGs on this list? (Hint: It's not the Yankees) So step up to the plate. WAGs may not be as American as apple pie, but they sure are just as tasty. No. 30: Misty Mae Treanor—Matt Treanor (Rangers) It can't be easy when your wife is hotter than you, more famous, and also better at sports, but somehow Matt Trean...
Keep reading