We're about one month into USL League Two play and similar to the W League the teams range from one-third to halfway through their seasons. But the standings look much different than it's W League compatriot, with many of the clubs USLW sides outperforming their respective men's side. But for the most part the standings also resemble much of how they went last year in the USL2 Heartland.
1st Place - Minneapolis City SC (5-0-0, 15 points)
Defending Heartland Division champion Minneapolis City have started 2026 on fire. After struggling through their first few seasons in USL2 the Crows squeaked out a division win in 2025. This season they've made 2025 look like child's play (not the movie) with five straight league wins to open the campaign. With seven matches left the Crows are the team to beat and with two playoff spots on the line, it would take an epic collapse for them to miss the playoffs.
2nd Place - Sueño FC (4-0-2, 12 points)
2025 runners-up Sueño FC haven't had a bad start to the 2026 season, but one that was not quite as good as last season. Sitting in second as the only other team with double digit points, the Chicago-area side is currently sitting in a playoff spot. Sueño's only two losses have come as one goal defeats away from home against River Light and Minneapolis City. But their first four matches showed a team with fire and fury who outscored their opponents 20-1 and shows a team very capable of winning the Heartland.
3rd Place - Chicago Dutch Lions (3-0-2, 9 points)
The biggest surprise of 2026 is the Chicago Dutch Lions, who are in third after five matches played. CDL won just a single match last year and have long been a bottom dwelling team since joining USL. But this season the Dutch Lions have really turned things around and have three wins on the trot heading into a two match week. However the Dutch Lions were hammered a combined 9-0 by the Heartland's top two and unless one of those two slip up, Chicago will miss the playoffs.
4th Place - River Light FC (2-1-2, 7 points)
After finishing last season in 5th place with 15 points, River Light is on track for a better 2026 season. With three wins on the trot, including a massive upset win over Sueño, the Aurora, IL side is not out of the playoff hunt quite yet. But they still have one more match with Sueño and their only meeting with Minneapolis City SC coming up later this year. If River Light wants to hit the playoffs, both of those are must win matches.
5th Place - RKC Third Coast (2-1-2, 7 points)
RKC Third Coast's men's team is in a very similar position to their women's side. A tough to crack defence that's only allowed more than one goal twice this season. On the other side of the pitch is an offence that has scored just thrice, resulting in RKC's 5th place standing. Unless RKC starts scoring and soon their playoff hopes are almost certainly dashed, even with seven matches to go on the season.
6th Place - Edgewater Castle (2-0-3, 6 points)
Coming up from the Midwest Premier League, it was known the Rooks inaugural season in League Two would be a rough one. But Edgewater Castle has had a respectable start to their first season in League Two, getting two wins in their first five matches. However the toughest part of the schedule for the Rooks is yet to come as they still have two matches against Heartland leaders Minneapolis and a single meeting with River Light in front of them.
7th Place - Rockford Raptors (2-0-3, 6 points)
Returning to high-level men's play and League Two for the first time since the year 2000, the Raptors knew it would be a tough opening campaign. Though it is slightly less rough for Rockford than expected as the Raptors two wins have seen them outscore opponents 6-2. The problem for Rockford has been when they've been beaten it has been bad. Giving up 11 goals and only scoring four in those three matches Rockford is out of realistic playoff contention. Now they've got another challenge to face as their next three matches put them against Sueño, Minneapolis, and then Sueño one more time.
8th Place - St. Croix Legends (1-0-4, 3 points)
Unfortunately for St. Croix their is nothing "Legendary" about their 2026 season. A single win and five matches and two blowout losses to start the season have put a damper on the Stillwater, MN club's campaign. St. Croix still has to face those two sides once more each before the end of the year as well. But before then comes a pair of what could and should be winnable matches against the Dutch Lions and Rochester FC.
9th Place - Rochester FC (1-0-4, 3 points)
After finishing fourth last season the Loons 2026 season is nothing short of catastrophic. A single win over River Light FC is Rochester's only points of the season and their four losses have been brutal. Rochester has been outscored a whopping 21-2 in their four losses, including a pair of 5+ goal shutout losses. Not only are the playoffs hopes a distant dream for Rochester, but playing spoiler appears to be out of the question as well.
Matches This Week:
Wednesday, 10 June
Chicago Dutch Lions vs St. Croix Legends - 5pm
Sueño FC vs Rockford Raptors - 6pm
River Light FC vs Edgewater Castle - 7pm
Rochester FC vs Minneapolis City SC - 7pm
Saturday, 13 June
Chicago Dutch Lions vs River Light FC - 5pm
Rockford Raptors vs Minneapolis City SC - 6pm
St. Croix Legends vs Rochester FC - 7pm
Sunday, 14 June
RKC Third Coast vs Edgewater Castle - 6pm
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