5. Rio Grande Valley FC (Previous: 10)

Last Week: W 6-0 vs. Seattle Sounders FC 2

The attacking explosion the Toros had been waiting for finally arrived on Saturday night as they handed a thumping to a Seattle Sounders FC 2 side that entered on a six-game undefeated streak. Add in the six-game shutout streak the Toros currently hold, and there’s a chance they could be right among the contenders by this time next week with a two-game trip to Tulsa (Thursday) and Colorado Springs (Sunday) up next.

6. Louisville City FC (Previous: 7)

Last Week: D 1-1 vs. Harrisburg City Islanders; D 1-1 vs. Rochester Rhinos

Louisville needed to come from behind to take a point from each of its games in the past week, and as a result ceded top spot in the Eastern Conference to the New York Red Bulls II, and opened the door for FC Cincinnati should it be able to take advantage of its games in hand. After being outstanding in possession for most of the season, things now need to be tightened up ahead of a game against a Red Bulls II side that will punish poor giveaways.

7. Arizona United SC (Previous: NR)

Last Week: W 1-0 vs. San Antonio FC

Three wins on the spin have sent Arizona into the playoff positions for the first time in a long time as Tyler Blackwood’s goal proved the difference against San Antonio FC on Saturday night. For a while, the bounces didn’t appear to be going United’s way, but now things seem to be falling right for Coach Frank Yallop’s side as the TLC front line of Blackwood, Long Tan and Chris Cortez appears to be in perfect harmony.

8. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (Previous: NR)

Last Week: W 1-0 vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC

The Switchbacks return to the rankings after their victory against the Roughnecks on Thursday night, which was comprehensive enough as they broke out of a five-game winless streak. Now on top of the Western Conference on goal differential, it would appear the Switchbacks will need to string more victories together to hold onto the top spot, and Sunday’s game with Rio Grande Valley FC should be a fascinating one.

9. Charlotte Independence (Previous: NR)

Last Week: W 1-0 vs. Wilmington Hammerheads FC

The Independence continued to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference playoff positions with their victory against the Hammerheads and are now undefeated in their past five games. Wednesday night’s game against an Orlando side that will be looking for a big bounce-back performance could be challenging, but with eight games remaining the Independence could be flying under the radar for an even higher position than the sixth spot they currently hold.

10. Portland Timbers 2 (Previous: NR)

Last Week: W 2-1 vs. Orange County Blues FC

After last week’s heroic comeback against the Galaxy II, Portland turned the trick against their Southern California rivals from the front on Sunday as two goals in three minutes sank an Orange County Blues FC side that had taken a victory against Vancouver in midweek. T2 will need more results like those suffered by Saint Louis, Swope Park and Seattle, but they’re now only five points out of eighth with eight games to go.

Best of the Rest: Rochester Rhinos, LA Galaxy II, OKC Energy FC, Orange County Blues FC, Real Monarchs SLC