Six of eleven games this week ended in draws, so the standings didn’t move very much. Except at the top of the East, that is, where probably the most surprising result of the week had a big impact. Ten teams remain on 4 games after 5 weeks; all of them play this week, so the Forge Factor will come into effect finally. So here are our last subjective rankings of 2026:
| Rank | Team | Previous | Change | Record | Last 5 | Note | Next |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Paso Locomotive | 3 | +3 | 3-0-1 | TWWW | The highest-scoring game of the week ended in a 3-2 win over Las Vegas. It was efficient but surprisingly not very entertaining. Still, the Locomotive are off to a very good start. | @ Hartford |
| 2 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 2 | +1 | 4-0-0 | WWWW | The Rowdies are now the only perfect team in the Championship but a 1-0 result over JAX is hardly outstanding. And they needed a last-gasp score to do it. | v. Oakland |
| 3 | Louisville City | 1 | -2 | 4-1-0 | WWWWL | Lou City probably were justified in claiming the first Battery goal was out. The second was horrific defending. 2 good attempts on goal but overall play was lackluster . | @ Loudoun |
| 4 | Charleston Battery | 9 | +2 | 3-1-0 | WWLW | The Battery got a surprise 2-0 win in Louisville. Only 3 shots, but all were on target. Luis Zamudio gets major credit for 2 huge saves. | @ Brooklyn |
| 5 | San Antonio FC | 4 | -1 | 3-0-2 | WTWWT | Holding the ball for roughly 60 minutes but not getting a shot on goal is not good. Especially against Monterey Bay. A 0-0 draw with a double-game week ahead. | @ Orange County, v. Miami |
| 6 | Sacramento Republic | 15 | +9 | 2-1-2 | WTTLW | SacRep charged out of the gate, scoring twice early. They rode the lead and two huge blocks by Freddy Kleeman for the 2-0 win over Phoenix. Best performance of the week. | @ Las Vegas |
| 7 | New Mexico United | 19 | +12 | 2-2-0 | LLWW | United’s only shot on target was a PK but that was enough to get the 1-0 win in Orange County. Not as great as last week but they look to have shaken off the early yips. | @ Phoenix |
| 8 | Lexington SC | 8 | 0 | 1-2-2 | LTWLT | Lexington got the early goal in Colorado Springs but gave up a PK to finish 1-1. Several late chances fell short but the visitores were slightly the better side. | v. Rhode Island |
| 9 | Orange County | 6 | -3 | 2-1-2 | TTWWL | The OC generated very little attack in the 0-1 loss to New Mexico. That and the midweek Open Cup loss followed 2 solid wins. Another challenging double-game week looming. | v. San Antonio, @ Tulsa |
| 10 | The Miami FC | 12 | +2 | 2-1-2 | LTWWT | Miami drew 0-0 with Hartford but had the bulk of attacking chances. 4 shots were stopped by Anthony Siaha. This Miami team looks like a big improvement though. | @ San Antonio |
| 11 | Hartford Athletic | 7 | -4 | 2-0-3 | WTWTT | Hartford had just 1 shot on target in a generally toothless display in Miami. They never looked dangerous and also lost in the Open Cup on Wednesday. Rough week. | v. El Paso |
| 12 | Detroit City | 5 | -7 | 2-1-1 | WLWT | Detroit and Rhode Island combined for 3 shots on goal in a mostly tedious 0-0 draw. Detroit had the best chances but could not convert. | v. JAX |
| 13 | Oakland Roots | 10 | -3 | 2-1-1 | WWTL | Oakland Roots were on a bye this week. | @ Tampa Bay |
| 14 | Indy Eleven | 16 | +2 | 1-1-2 | LWTT | Indy can consider themselves cheated in the 1-1 draw with the Riverhounds. The stoppage-time equalizer was a clear foul on GK Eric Dick. They were dominant all game and could have finished it off earlier | v. Monterey Bay |
| 15 | Birmingham Legion | 13 | -2 | 0-2-2 | LTLT | After a slightly sloppy first half the Legion took control and were the better side. Overall an even game but a poor PK decision ended in a 2-2 draw with Loudoun. | v. Pittsburgh |
| 16 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 17 | +1 | 2-2-1 | LWLWT | Pittsburgh did not deserve the 1-1 draw in Indy. They generally lacked attacking punch and the 91st-minute equalizing goal should have been disallowed. | @ Birmingham |
| 17 | FC Tulsa | 14 | -3 | 1-1-2 | LTWT | FC Tulsa were on a bye this week. | v. Orange County |
| 18 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | 18 | 0 | 1-2-2 | TWLLT | The Switchbacks had to come from behind with a PK for the 1-1 home draw with Lexington. Identical records but they were not overly impressive in this one. | Bye |
| 19 | Monterey Bay FC | 23 | +4 | 0-3-2 | LLTLT | Worst v. first in the West. Just 35% possession but Monterey Bay had all the shots on goal. Even so, they tied with San Antonio FC 0-0. It counts as an improvement. | @ Indy |
| 20 | Phoenix Rising | 11 | -9 | 0-2-3 | LTTTL | Phoenix had a couple of good chances to even up the score but were denied in the 0-2 loss in Sacramento. Still winless and struggling mightily. | v. New Mexico |
| 21 | Las Vegas Lights | 20 | -1 | 1-3-1 | TLLWL | The Lights had a 15% possession edge over El Paso but were really unable to create very much. The 2-3 scoreline suggests otherwise but it was oddly boring. | v. Sacramento |
| 22 | Loudoun United | 21 | -1 | 0-2-2 | LTLT | Loudoun played Birmingham close but were outplayed in the second half. They were lucky to finish with a 2-2 draw but remain winless with a tough match coming up. | v. Louisville |
| 23 | Rhode Island FC | 22 | -1 | 0-2-2 | TLLT | Rhode Island is the weakest of 3 Eastern teams with a 0-2-2 record. The 0-0 home draw with Detroit emphasized that. They got lucky on a couple of occasions as well. | @ Lexington |
| 24 | Sporting JAX | 24 | 0 | 0-4-1 | LTLLL | Poor JAX. They held Tampa Bay off for about 95 minutes of play before allowing the game-winner. Under 30% possession will not cut it though. The only team on 1 point. | @ Detroit |
| 25 | Brooklyn FC | 25 | 0 | 1-4-0 | WLLLL | Brooklyn FC were on a bye this week. | v. Charleston |
