The first teams in the USL officially hit the halfway point of the season, which means it’s officially time to start taking the table seriously.
Out West, Phoenix has a game in hand and a three-point edge for the eight seed, but two proactive teams - Orange County and New Mexico - have made coaching changes to try and catch up. The East is messier; six points separate Loudoun on the cut line from last-place Hartford.
Who’s for real in the playoff hunt? And higher up the table, who’s staking their claim for a home game in the postseason? I’m ranking every team and breaking down who has the tactics and form to improve their place in the standings.
1. El Paso (No change)
Result: Bye
It was a well-earned off week for the Locomotive, who haven't lost a game since March 18th. Their goal difference is +12 since then, bolstered by impressive wins over Louisville, Pittsburgh, and San Diego. Injuries in the backline haven't made a dent, and the offensive corps is very deep and tends to be plug-and-play at the whims of manager Brian Clarhaut. Doubts crept in after three straight losses to start the year, but this El Paso team is a title contender.
Joseph Lowery
