If you want an idea of how narrow the margins can be between success, and coming up just short, you need only look at the past week in the USL.

On the one hand, there are the New York Red Bulls II, who ran their winning streak to four games, and undefeated streak to six, thanks to another early goal last Thursday night and a solid rearguard action to follow. On the other is the side the Red Bulls II replace this week at the top of the Power Rankings in Louisville, which came thisclose to another win, only for that aim to be dashed at the last by Wilmington.

Out west, there’s the LA Galaxy II, which was separated from victory by the width of a post against Colorado Springs, and instead forced to settle for its league-high seventh draw of the season. Then there’s Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, which thanks to same width of post – and Marco Carducci’s fingertips – were able to hold onto a victory when collapse appeared imminent.

Those narrow margins, from game to game, week to week, are why we keep watching, and what makes the game compelling. And as the season draws on, they’re also going to be what determines who’s still alive come October.

Here’s the new Top 10.

1. New York Red Bulls II (Previous: 3)

Last Week: W 1-0 vs. Harrisburg City Islanders

Four consecutive victories, and five wins in the last six, moves the Red Bulls II back to the top of the Power Rankings this week, as another 1-0 victory leaves the Red Bulls II with the best points-per-game average in the USL (2.25). If there’s one thing we learned from last season, it’s that a reliable defense is a massive key to long-term success, and with six goals against – the fewest of any team in the USL – the Red Bulls II don’t need to be flashy right now to get results.

2. Louisville City FC (Previous: 1)

Last Week: D 2-2 vs. Wilmington Hammerheads FC

Louisville’s undefeated streak ran to 11 games, certainly, but giving up a late equalizer at home to a visitor that recorded more shots over the 90 minutes isn’t quite the homecoming that Coach James O’Connor was likely looking for. For a good part of the game, Louisville looked good going forward, but there were other times – particularly in the second half – when Wilmington’s passing saw the visitors maintain a decent foothold in the contest. City’s inability to find a decisive finish to kill the game off ended up costing them two points, and the top spot for now.

3. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (Previous: 2)

Last Week: D 0-0 at LA Galaxy II

It was by no means a perfect road performance – the Galaxy II could have taken a second win of the season on Saturday night against the Switchbacks – but Colorado Springs emerged with a valuable point despite being outshot 12-6 overall. The Switchbacks’ defensive resilience has been a hallmark of their play this season, with only seven goals conceded in 11 games, and having played fewer games than any other in the top five of the Western Conference should be favored to regain the conference lead sooner rather than later.

4. Sacramento Republic FC (Previous: 9)

Last Week: W 1-0 vs. Real Monarchs SLC; W 2-1 at Real Monarchs SLC

Back-to-back wins can certainly have a team feeling much better about itself, and Republic FC’s two wins against Real Monarchs SLC looked like a side that had gotten back to its best. There’s a caveat here, given the ups and downs Sacramento’s season has seen so far – fans would definitely like to see them be more efficient in front of goal, with only 34 percent of their shots finding the target this season – but if the side can maintain the defensive solidity it showed over the past two games it could quickly be sitting in a top-two position.