The gap between first place and 11th in the Western Conference is just eight points. That’s the same margin between seventh and 10th in the East. The two conferences have always brought distinct competitive vibes to the table, but there’s a historic gulf between the anything-can-happen West and more conventional East in 2026.
Those trends only depend in Week 25. Chaos and upsets defined the action in one conference, while stratification remained persistent in the other. Along the way, what’d we learn about the playoff race in the USL Championship? I’m ranking and analyzing all 25 clubs to find out.
1. New Mexico United
Trending: +1
Result: 0-0 draw at Loudoun
No Valentin Noel, no problem? With the star No. 10 out injured this weekend, New Mexico was out to show that they’re not reliant on Noel’s singular brilliance to get the job done. Week 25 looked like it’d be a showcase for that capability, but it ended up proving something else about this club’s resiliency.
Manager Dennis Sanchez went for a rather attacking-minded lineup without the Frenchman in tow. In his place, forward Justin Rennicks slotted into a second striker-ish role. Meanwhile, the all-speed, all-trickery duo of Niall Reid-Stephen and Joseph Melto prevailed on the wings. As much as possible, United wanted to play in an anvil-shaped 4-2-4 – one where Rennicks and striker Greg Hurst could connect play as the wingers went wild upfield.
Switches toward the flanks helped make that gameplan a reality, particularly when Loudoun overextended against the first phase of build. Still, New Mexico had answers when the game settled down. By dropping Rennicks into a No. 8ish position and allowing either Zico Bailey or Ousman Jabang to take up positions level with Loudoun’s front line, United created layers of passing triangles through the center of the park. Whenever Loudoun overextended, they were able to be played through.
Center back Niko Hamalainen, one of the under-sung signings of the 2026 season, tended to stir the pot from his left-sided deployment. The defender is completing 60 passes per game this year, and he beat that average in Virginia. Hamalainen set the table for New Mexico’s real strength, an ability to generate a threat from any position on the pitch.
That upside was undone by a 31st minute red card for Melto, but United responded as well as possible. A shift into a 4-4-1ish shape kept Loudoun at bay; in the second-half, Sanchez brought central defender Tyler Blackett into the game, moved Hamalainen to left back and Chris Gloster to the wing, and successfully shut the match down. The turn toward pragmatism wouldn’t have been the first choice, but it kept New Mexico’s unbeaten streak alive at 12 matches.
2. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Trending: -1
Result: 1-0 loss v. Detroit
In terms of turning defense into offense, few teams exceed the Tampa Bay Rowdies. This club is excellent at breaking forward and creating overloads after they’ve made a stop – hence why they lead the East in xG and rank second in break chances. Still, there are moments where that full-throated transition game can falter. They’re rare, but they reared their head in Detroit this weekend.
