The Charlotte Eagles continue to lead the pack in the Eastern Conference, while a strong week from the Ocean City Nor’easters sees them enter the fray in this week’s rankings.

The Nor’easters earned two wins in Week 9, surging into second place in the Mid Atlantic Division. Reading United AC suffered its third loss of the season, but recovered over the weekend with a convincing result.

Here’s the Eastern Conference’s Top 6:

1. Charlotte Eagles (Previous: 1)
Last Week: No Games
The Eagles had the week off to prepare for a two-game road trip. The South Atlantic Division leaders currently have an 8-2-1 record and lead the SC United Bantams by five points.

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2. GPS Portland Phoenix (Previous: 4)
Last Week: W 3-2 vs. AC Connecticut
The Phoenix sit atop the Northeast Division following Week 9 action. Fletcher Ekern, Skyler Milne and Khesanio Hall each scored a goal in the win over AC Connecticut. The Phoenix have a 7-2-1 record, and have played one less game than the Western Mass Pioneers, who also have 22 points this season.

3. Reading United AC (Previous: 3)
Last Week: L 1-0 at New York Red Bulls U23, W 4-0 vs. Baltimore Bohemians
Despite falling for the third time this season during the week, Reading United was able to remain atop the Mid Atlantic standings with a dominant win over the Bohemians. Paul Marie – Reading United’s leading goalscorer – Rayane Boukemia, Frantzdy Pierrot and Bradley Fountain all scored in the win over the Bohemians.

4. Western Mass Pioneers (Previous: 2)
Last Week: T 2-2 vs. Seacoast United Phantoms
A penalty-kick goal by Carlos Ruiz saw the Pioneers earn a point at home against the Phantoms on Friday. Benjamin Lamb scored the first goal for the Pioneers, who now have a 6-1-4 record and sit in second place in the Northeast.

5. SC United Bantams (Previous: 6)
Last Week: W 2-1 at Peachtree City MOBA
As the end the 2016 regular season approaches, the Bantams continued their strong run by earning a win on the road against Peachtree City MOBA. Joseph Vyner and Leandro Browne scored the goals for the Bantams, who have a 6-2-2 record, and face off against the Eagles and Carolina Dynamo in Week 10.

6. Ocean City Nor’easters (Previous: NR)
Last Week: W 3-1 vs. Lehigh Valley United Sonic, W 5-1 vs. New York Red Bulls U23
The Nor’easters suffered a loss to Reading United in Week 8, but they bounced back with two key wins to rise into the Eastern Conference Power Rankings for the first time this season. Chevaughn Walsh continues to shine for the club, and he now has 12 goals this regular season – tying the single season goal-scoring record for the Nor’easters.