2015 USL Power Rankings: Week 2

By Jo-Ryan Salazar | Mar 31, 2015

1 of 3

Mar 28, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe (12) makes a save against the D.C. United during the first half at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Happy Great and Holy Tuesday of Football, readers of The View From Avalon, your Los Angeles Galaxy II and USL news site on the FanSided Network! Back at the top of this week’s USL Power Rankings are the red-hot Seattle Sounders FC 2, who are, hands down, the hottest team in the competition at the moment. Meanwhile, the LA Galaxy II crash down the rankings, along with a few others. Movers, shakers, and a whole lot more: this is the USL Power Rankings on The View From Avalon and it starts…now.

A little side note: the USL web site is not using MLS’s conventions when designating who is the home team and who is the road team. They are placing the away team above the home team on their scores, instead of the other way around, as is customary with the rest of the world. The venues for the matches mentioned in the previous power rankings have been corrected, clarified and are as indicated below.

1. Seattle Sounders FC 2

At Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash., a hat trick from Darwin Jones (17′, 37′, 50′) and an insurance strike from Andy Craven (25′) gave Ezra Hendrickson’s Seattle Sounders FC 2 a 4-0 smashing of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. Sounders 2 are back in action on Apr. 11 against Portland Timbers 2 at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET.

More from USL

2. Charleston Battery

Michael Anhaeuser’s Charleston Battery continued their form with a 3-1 win over the Charlotte Independence at Transamerica Field on the campus of UNC Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C. A brace from Heviel Cordoves (10′, 38′) combined with an insurance strike from Ricky Garbanzo (21′) paced the Battery, who will look to continue their win streak on Apr. 4 against the Harrisburg City Islanders at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

3. Sacramento Republic

A wild shootout at StubHub Center’s Track and Field Stadium saw Preki’s Sacramento Republic prevail over the LA Galaxy II, 3-2. A penalty kick brace from Octavio Guzman (12′, 25′) and the match-winner from Rodrigo Lopez in the third minute of second half stoppage time powered the Republic, who return home to host the Portland Timbers 2 at Merlo Field on the campus of the University of Portland in Portland, Ore. on Apr. 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET.

4. Richmond Kickers

Leigh Cowlishaw’s Richmond Kickers rallied for a 2-2 draw with the Wilmington Hammerheads at Legion Stadium in Wilmington, N.C. Goals from Jalen Robinson (41′) and Matthew Delicate (55′) paced the Kickers, who return to action against Louisville City on Apr. 4 at City Stadium in Richmond, Va. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.

5. Arizona United

At Anteater Stadium on the campus of UC Irvine in Irvine, Calif., Michael Dellorusso’s Arizona United defeated the Orange County Blues 2-1 on goals from Dennis Chin (20′) and Robbie Derschang (23′). Arizona are back in action on Apr. 2 against LA Galaxy II at StubHub Center’s Track and FieldStadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET.

6. Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Mark Steffens’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds had a big weekend last weekend in their 5-2 demolition of the Harrisburg City Islanders in the first leg of the Keystone Derby Cup at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. A brace from Rob Vincent (5′, 90′) combined with a hat trick from Kevin Kerr (11′, 52′, 77′) powered the Hounds, who will look to add more bite to their bark on Apr. 4 against the Rochester Rhinos at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

7. Rochester Rhinos

Bob Lilley’s Rochester Rhinos were consigned to a scoreless draw against the New York Red Bulls II at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. and will look to find their scoring form on Apr. 4 at Highmark Stadium against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

8. Wilmington Hammerheads

Despite goals from Troy Cole (9′) and WIll Heaney (18′), Carson Porter’s Wilmington Hammerheads couldn’t hold on and were consigned to a 2-2 draw with the Richmond Kickers at Legion Stadium. Wilmington return to action on Apr. 3 against the Charlotte Independence at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Next: No. 9 Through No. 16