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Race to the League One Playoffs – Week 26

By USLLeagueOne.com Staff, 09/19/19, 1:30PM EDT

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Two places clinched, two to go, where does everyone stand going into the weekend?

Two of the places in the inaugural USL League One Playoffs have been claimed by North Texas SC – also the regular season title-winner – and Lansing Ignite FC. Greenville Triumph SC looks well positioned to join them, but fourth place is still up for grabs with three weekends to go.

Ahead of the action, here’s where things currently stand.

Projections via sportsclubstats.com

1. North Texas SC
1. North Texas SC
Record: 16-5-5, 53pts
Playoff Odds Clinched
Projected Final Position: 1.0
Max Points Available: 59pts
Magic Number: N/A
Upcoming: @ MAD (9/22)
North Texas claimed the League One regular season title with its victory against South Georgia Tormenta FC last Saturday night, but still has a big role to play in which side it will face as the No. 4 seed in the League One Playoffs. This Sunday night’s game against Forward Madison FC is a massive one for the Flamingos, but if NTSC takes points from the contest the teams below the playoff line would be very happy.
2. Lansing Ignite FC
2. Lansing Ignite FC
Record: 12-5-9, 45pts
Playoff Odds Clinched
Projected Final Position: 2.1
Max Points Available: 51pts
Magic Number: N/A
Upcoming: vs. TRM (9/21)
Lansing clinched its place in the postseason with its victory on Saturday night against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC and is closing in on clinching the No. 2 seed with only Greenville Triumph SC having a chance to overtake it in the final three weeks. Lansing hosts South Georgia this Saturday and depending on how Greenville has fared at home on Friday night could have a chance to seal second place with a win.
3. Greenville Triumph SC
3. Greenville Triumph SC
Record: 10-7-7, 37pts
Playoff Odds 94.3%
Projected Final Position: 3.2
Max Points Available: 49pts
Magic Number: 7pts
Upcoming: vs. TOR (9/20)
Greenville’s dominant victory against Tucson was a big step toward the playoffs, and with a repeat performance against Toronto FC II this Friday night, Triumph SC could move to the doorstep of clinching a playoff place. Greenville won’t quite be able to make it this weekend, even if Tucson falls to Richmond it would still have three games left to equal Triumph SC in the win column, but if things go right for Head Coach John Harkes’ squad it could be as little as one point away going into its final three games.
4. Forward Madison FC
4. Forward Madison FC
Record: 10-9-6, 36pts
Playoff Odds 50.2%
Projected Final Position: 4.7
Max Points Available: 45pts
Magic Number: 8pts
Upcoming: vs. NTX (9/22)
It’s inconceivable how things could have played out better for Madison last weekend as it took victory and everyone else below it except for Toronto FC II didn’t, boosting the Flamingos above the 50 percent threshold. FMFC plays on Sunday night this week, meaning it will know what its challengers to fourth spot have done prior to kickoff, but if the Flamingos pull off a win, it would go a long way to a rematch with NTSC in Texas next month in the League One Semifinals.

5. South Georgia Tormenta FC
5. South Georgia Tormenta FC
Record: 8-8-9, 33pts
Playoff Odds 6.7%
Projected Final Position: 6.7
Max Points Available: 42pts
Magic Number: 11pts
Upcoming: @ LAN (9/21)
The early hope of a lead against North Texas evaporated to another defeat for Tormenta FC, and now the side has to visit the hottest team in the league in Lansing Ignite FC this Saturday with victory an absolute must. Should Tormenta FC lose on the road, and both Greenville Triumph SC and Forward Madison FC win, South Georgia would be mathematically eliminated with two games to go.
5. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
6. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Record: 8-8-9, 33pts
Playoff Odds 26.9%
Projected Final Position: 5.4
Max Points Available: 42pts
Magic Number: 11pts
Upcoming: vs. ORL (9/21)
The Red Wolves find themselves facing the same situation as Tormenta FC – lose and see both Greenville and Madison win, and they’re mathematically eliminated – but their odds are far better thanks to the remaining schedule that sees 10th-place Orlando, ninth-place Richmond and eighth-place Toronto visit over their final three games. Chattanooga is probably going to have to win all three, though, if it’s going to put pressure on Madison for fourth place.
7. FC Tucson
7. FC Tucson
Record: 8-9-7, 31pts
Playoff Odds 17.7%
Projected Final Position: 6.2
Max Points Available: 43pts
Magic Number: 13pts
Upcoming: vs. RIC (9/21)
Two games in which the side conceded nine goals was not the direction Tucson needed things to go, and now it might have to take at least 10 points – if not all 12 – from its final four home games to close out the season to have a chance at the playoffs. Richmond visits on Saturday night with the season on the line for TUC.
8. Toronto FC IIC
8. Toronto FC II
Record: 7-9-8, 29pts
Playoff Odds 1.8%
Projected Final Position: 8.0
Max Points Available: 41pts
Magic Number: 15pts
Upcoming: @ GVL (9/20)
Toronto FC II ensured Orlando City B will finish in last place with its victory last Friday, but it really didn’t impact the Reds’ playoff chances. With a loss in Greenville, the side could be mathematically eliminated by the end of the weekend.
9. Richmond Kickers
9. Richmond Kickers
Record: 8-12-4, 28pts
Playoff Odds 2.4%
Projected Final Position: 7.8
Max Points Available: 40pts
Magic Number: 16pts
Upcoming: @ TUC (9/21)
Back-to-back defeats effectively ended Richmond’s playoff chances last week, now it will try to do the same for Tucson when it heads to the desert for Saturday night’s contest.
Eliminated: Orlando City B

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