4. TULSA TWO-STEP: San Antonio would have moved back level on points with Real Monarchs SLC had it been able to pull out a victory on the road, with Tulsa Roughnecks FC pulling off a big result for its playoff hopes in a 2-0 victory against the Monarchs at ONEOK Field. To get the points the Roughnecks needed a standout display from Fabian Cerda in goal as the absence of Sebastian Velasquez from the Monarchs’ lineup did little to quell their attacking threat. At the other end, though, Tulsa saw its loanees from the Chicago Fire and FC Dallas come through strongly as Joey Calistri set up the opening goal for Joaquin Rivas, and Collin Fernandez (CHI) and Jacori Hayes (FCD) combined for eight tackles and five interceptions. The combination of Juan Pablo Caffa and Ian Svantesson then put the game to be with 11 minutes to go as Svantesson notched his seventh goal this season to push the Roughnecks right back into the thick of the playoff race with some crucial games coming next.

5. EDGING UP: Just as with Ottawa Fury FC in Louisville, Rio Grande Valley FC produced only one shot on goal in its visit to face Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday night. It was also the only shot of the game for the Toros, who were outshot 15-1 by their hosts for the game, but it also proved enough to earn a 1-0 victory at Weidner Field after an 80-minute lightning delay that threw another twist in the playoff race in the Western Conference. Ruben Luna’s penalty kick in the second half allowed the Toros to not only retain their place in the top eight after back-to-back defeats, but also will put the pressure on the Switchbacks to produce some more wins as their position in sixth place looks precarious with the games in hand those below them hold.

6. RANGING UPSTREAM: With results elsewhere causing the race around the red line to tighten, the biggest mover in the Western Conference in the past seven days were the Swope Park Rangers, who claimed two victories to jump into the top three, and the potential for more to come for the defending Western Conference champions. Swope Park’s Friday night 1-0 win against the LA Galaxy II saw Head Coach Nikola Popovic’s introduction of Nansel Selbol around the hour mark pay off handsomely as the Nigerian struck moments later for the only goal of the game. The goal paid off the solid performance overall of Tyler Pasher, who continues to put in positive displays as he waits for his chance with Sporting Kansas City. If the Rangers, who have now won four of their past five, can keep this form, they could make the final third of the second very interesting for the West’s top two.

7. INDEPENDENCE DAY: While the Rangers are making a move in the Western Conference, the Charlotte Independence added even more legitimacy to their recent run of form with a 2-1 win against the Rochester Rhinos in a weather-hit contest at the Sportsplex at Matthews. A brace by David Estrada paved the way to victory for the Independence, who moved into fifth position on the back of their three-game winning streak. Another test arrives on Tuesday night with a visit to a Pittsburgh Riverhounds side that wants to get back above the red line itself. The only Independence Day game in the USL on the Fourth of July should be worth paying attention to.