Quail City Soccer Western Conference Power Rankings: Week 4
Week 4 is complete, and the separation is starting to show.
San Antonio has taken control at the top, El Paso continues to look like one of the most complete teams in the conference, and a few early risers are beginning to fall back to earth. At the same time, teams near the bottom are finally picking up results—making this table feel tighter than it actually is.
We’re still early, but patterns are forming. Some teams know exactly who they are. Others… are still figuring it out.
Let’s take a look.
1: San Antonio FC (3-0-1) ⬆️5
Last match: 2-0 win vs Lexington
San Antonio looks like the most complete team in the West right now. Even rotating the squad, they handled a strong Lexington side comfortably. One goal allowed in four matches tells you everything you need to know. This is a team that knows exactly how it wants to play—and executes it.
2: El Paso Locomotive FC (2-0-1) ➡️
Last match: 2-1 win at Sacramento
Down a man for over 30 minutes? Didn’t matter. El Paso went up two early, absorbed pressure, and shut the game down. They’ve got one of the best attacks in the West and a defense to match. Right now, they’re the biggest threat to San Antonio.
3: Orange County SC (2-0-2) ⬆️7
Last match: 1-0 win at Oakland
Still not convincing—but still getting results. Orange County has now strung together wins without ever really dominating a match. One goal continues to be enough. It’s not pretty, but it’s effective—and it has them climbing fast.
4: New Mexico United (1-2-0) ⬆️4
Last match: 3-2 win vs Colorado Springs
Finally, three points—and in dramatic fashion. Conceding a penalty in stoppage time only to score the winner moments later is about as chaotic as it gets. There’s still plenty to clean up, but this is the kind of result that can shift momentum.
5: Oakland Roots SC (2-1-1) ⬇️4
Last match: 1-0 loss vs Orange County
Sometimes you lose games you shouldn’t. Oakland probably deserved more here, but couldn’t find the goal—and paid for it. After last week’s collapse and now this, there are starting to be questions about their ability to close out matches.
6: Sacramento Republic FC (1-1-2) ⬇️3
Last match: 2-1 loss vs El Paso
A frustrating night. Two soft goals conceded, little urgency for most of the match, and only a late push when it was already too late. Now winless in three, and the performances aren’t trending in the right direction.
7: FC Tulsa (1-1-2) ➡️
Last match: 1-1 draw vs Phoenix
This feels like two points dropped. Tulsa created enough to win, had goals called back, and controlled large portions of the match. Instead, they settle for a draw—and that’s becoming a theme.
8: Las Vegas Lights FC (1-2-1) ⬆️3
Last match: 1-0 win vs Monterey Bay
Vegas finally gets their first win of the season, though it should’ve been more with 7 shots on target and two penalties. The attack isn’t the issue, the defense is. A clean sheet is nice, but it comes against a struggling Monterey side.
9: Phoenix Rising FC (0-1-3) ➡️
Last match: 1-1 draw at Tulsa
Another draw, another match where Phoenix shows flashes but can’t quite put it together. They found a way to get a point on the road, but defensive issues continue to hold them back.
10: Lexington SC (1-2-1) ⬇️5
Last match: 2-0 loss at San Antonio
A tough reality check. Lexington couldn’t find a way through San Antonio despite getting into dangerous areas. The structure is there—but the final product is missing right now.
11: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (1-2-1) ⬇️7
Last match: 3-2 loss at New Mexico
This one hurts. Thought they had a point, only to lose it with the final kick of the match. Colorado continues to generate chances, but results aren’t following—and that’s starting to add up.
12: Monterey Bay FC (0-3-1) ➡️
Last match: 1-0 loss at Las Vegas
One goal on the season. A missed early penalty. And no real signs of progress. Right now, this looks like the weakest side in the West—and it’s not particularly close.
Closing
Five weeks in, and the gap is starting to form.
San Antonio and El Paso look like real contenders. Orange County keeps finding ways. And teams like Sacramento and Oakland are starting to feel the pressure of slipping results.
At the bottom, wins are finally coming but not always convincingly.
The West isn’t settled yet but it’s starting to take shape.
