We’re midway through one of the quirkiest segments of the 2019 USL League One schedule, giving us a chance to look back and ahead in this edition of Five Things That Mattered with plenty to talk about in the race for both first place and the postseason overall.

UNLIKELY HERO FOR MINGOS: For most of this season, the trio of Don Smart, Josiel Nunez and Paolo Jr. has done the work in front of goal for Forward Madison with the trio having combined for 15 of the 27 goals the Flamingos had scored in league action prior to Saturday night. But as all three misfired on chances against the Richmond Kickers in front of another sellout crowd of 4,512 at Breese Stevens Field, there couldn’t have been a more timely moment for Christian Diaz to score his first goal for the club in a 1-0 win that moved the side back into the playoff positions as the new week begins. Diaz has only recorded seven shots in 20 appearances this season, with his tap-in finish from Paulo Jr.’s assist the second he’d landed on target, but it could prove a pivotal moment to Madison’s playoff chances.

OLD FAMILIAR FEELING: Greenville Triumph SC did a ton right in its visit to Toronto FC II on Friday evening. It held a majority of possession, outshot its hosts by an almost 2-to-1 margin, connected on more than half of its 18 crosses and registered 12 key passes. The one thing it didn’t do for a second consecutive outing? Find the back of the net. The scoring issues that seriously hamstrung Head Coach John Harkes’ side early in the season have returned at the worst possible time, and while the door is still open for Triumph SC to earn its place in the postseason, the side is going to have to start finding the net again, fast. Three shots on goal from 16 shots overall just isn’t a good enough ratio, and with a visit to Madison up next on Wednesday the pressure is going to be on to earn a result.

SPARK TO A FLAME: As well-positioned as Lansing Ignite FC looked in the League One standings at the start of August, the side was still having to contend with the fact that its playoff chances as much hinged on the way other sides performed as it did what Lansing itself did when it got into action. With four consecutive victories after last Thursday’s romp past North Texas SC, however, the tables have turned and now it’s Lansing that is not only in the best form of anyone in League One but also in control of its own destiny with four games remaining. With three out of the last four games at home after a trip to FC Tucson on September 6, it’s not that hard to envision Ignite FC putting on a solid run down the stretch. As of right now, though, a top-two finish is Lansing’s to lose.

ONE DOWN, PLENTY TO GO: FC Tucson couldn’t have asked for a better opponent to visit for its return home to the Kino Sport Complex on Saturday night than Orlando City B, which saw its abject run of form continue as Tucson took a comprehensive 3-1 victory. Now, though, the real test as to whether FCT is playoff material arrives with Friday night’s visit from Chattanooga Red Wolves SC in a proverbial playoff six-pointer. If Tucson is able to claim all three points, and in the process move level on points with Chattanooga while retaining its game in hand on the Red Wolves, then the playoff push is going to truly be on for Head Coach Darren Sawatzky. Anything but a win, and the pressure will ratchet up a fraction more as Tucson looks to deliver on home turf down the stretch.

STILL WITHIN REACH: Week 23’s five-game slate kicks off on Tuesday night, and while you can find a good argument for Forward Madison FC’s clash with Greenville Triumph SC on Wednesday to be the biggest game of the week, the biggest questions for me surround Tuesday’s clash between North Texas SC and South Georgia Tormenta FC at Toyota Stadium. For NTSC, how will it respond after being comprehensively handled by Lansing Ignite FC last Thursday? The side has now lost three times in its last five games and seems to have lost some of the snap it had in attack early this year. Can the young standouts in this lineup find a way to rebound and reclaim first place? For Tormenta FC the entire question of whether this side can earn a playoff place is still up for grabs. South Georgia took the lead last time out against FC Tucson, if it takes the lead this time around can it make it stick and earn a crucial three road points? It’s going to be intriguing to find out, either way.