The Football Forge Power Rankings: Week 26One team continues to stand out
How much longer can Orange County’s remarkable win streak continue? Well, they play El Paso this week… Meanwhile, San Antonio are playing like anything but themselves.
| Rank | Team | Previous | Change | Record | Forge Factor | Note |
| 1 | Orange County | 1 | 0 | 14-9-4 | 30.424 | 5 separate players scored in the 5-1 romp over Las Vegas. The win streak extends to 8 games and they are pressing the top 2 in the West. |
| 2 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 2 | 0 | 15-6-5 | 20.963 | The Rowdies needed a stoppage time goal to beat Hartford 2-1 in what should have been a walkover to clinch a playoff spot. 2 big games this week. |
| 3 | Phoenix Rising | 5 | 2 | 11-8-8 | 19.502 | Danny Trejo and Manuel Arteaga each scored in both games in a huge week for the Rising, 2-1 over Sacramento and 2-0 over RGV. |
| 4 | Indy Eleven | 3 | -1 | 11-9-8 | 16.837 | Indy got the only goal in a close but testy contest against Miami. 16 of 18 points in the last 6 games now. |
| 5 | San Diego Loyal | 14 | 9 | 12-7-7 | 16.688 | San Diego were clinical and efficient in disposing of the Legion 3-0 this week in their first home game since announcing they will fold. |
| 6 | Monterey Bay Union | 19 | 13 | 9-11-7 | 15.267 | The Union got a key 2-1 win over El Paso to move within a point of that same team and a playoff spot. A trip to Memphis could do it. |
| 7 | Charleston Battery | 12 | 5 | 14-7-7 | 15.234 | The Battery beat New Mexico United 1-0 in a rather lackluster game with little attacking by either side. Good enough to hold 3rd in the East. |
| 8 | Detroit City | 10 | 2 | 8-12-7 | 13.701 | Detroit had just 1 shot on target and predictably relied on Nate Steinwascher for the 1-1 draw with Memphis, but fell back below the playoff line. |
| 9 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 11 | 2 | 14-5-9 | 13.441 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds were on a bye this week but results elsewhere ice a playoff spot. |
| 10 | Louisville City | 17 | 7 | 12-8-7 | 12.244 | Another late game-winner for Lou City in a tight 3-2 contest with Colorado Springs. An important trip to Tampa this week. |
| 11 | Sacramento Republic | 9 | -2 | 14-5-9 | 11.634 | SacRep weren’t convincing in the 1-2 loss to Phoenix Rising 1-2 then needed a softish PK and goalkeeping heroics by Carlos Saldana to beat Oakland 1-0. |
| 12 | The Miami FC | 7 | -5 | 7-12-8 | 11.018 | Miami played Indy pretty evenly but couldn’t find the net, losing 1-0 and also losing Paco Craig to a red card late. |
| 13 | Memphis 901 | 8 | -5 | 10-7-9 | 10.960 | Memphis had most of the good opportunities but had to come from behind for the 1-1 draw in Detroit. Tampa and Monterey this week. |
| 14 | Oakland Roots | 15 | 1 | 11-9-7 | 10.229 | Oakland pummeled the Sacramento goal but couldn’t break through, losing 0-1. 2 tough losses in a row and they slip to 6th in the West. |
| 15 | Birmingham Legion | 6 | -9 | 11-13-3 | 9.660 | The Legion were listless and uninspired in a very disappointing performance, losing 0-3 in San Diego. There’s little room for maneuver now. |
| 16 | Loudoun United | 18 | 2 | 7-18-3 | 9.636 | Loudoun United were on a bye this week. |
| 17 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | 16 | -1 | 11-13-3 | 9.386 | Colorado Springs came close but couldn’t find the equalizer in the 2-3 home loss.to Louisville. A struggling San Antonio next. |
| 18 | New Mexico United | 20 | 2 | 9-12-6 | 7.335 | New Mexico had to come from 2 goals down to tie Las Vegas 3-3 and then blew their only good scoring chance, losing 0-1 to Charleston. |
| 19 | Rio Grande Valley Toros | 13 | -6 | 7-10-11 | 7.212 | The Toros failed to score in 2 games this week, first in a 0-0 draw with San Antonio and then in a 0-2 loss to Phoenix Rising that was closer than the scoreline suggests. |
| 20 | San Antonio | 4 | -16 | 13-5-10 | 7.135 | 410 minutes. That’s how long it was between goals for San Antonio. A 3rd straight 0-0 draw with RGV was followed by a 1-2 loss in Tulsa. Barely holding 2nd in the West. |
| 20 | FC Tulsa | 21 | 1 | 8-12-8 | 6.827 | Tulsa looked in complete control, beating San Antonio 2-1 comfortably to break the 6-game winless streak and move back into the playoffs. |
| 22 | El Paso Locomotive | 23 | 1 | 10-11-5 | 3.503 | El Paso’s return to winning ways was short-lived as they fell 1-2 to Monterey at home despite having most of the good scoring chances. |
| 23 | Hartford Athletic | 22 | -1 | 4-19-4 | 0.634 | Hartford ‘s COVID-hit and makeshift squad nearly got the upset of the season, leading early but eventually losing 1-2 in Tampa. |
| 24 | Las Vegas Lights | 24 | 0 | 2-16-9 | 0.498 | Las Vegas blew a 3-1 lead in New Mexico to finish 3-3 then got waxed 1-5 by Orange County. |
