skip navigation

USL League One Playoff Projections – Week 26

By USLLeagueOne.com Staff, 09/29/21, 4:00PM EDT

Share

Omaha, Chattanooga close to clinching spots, while the mid-table battle remains intriguing

Matches to Watch


New England Revolution
Friday, October 1
5:00 PM EST
Gillette Stadium
Forward Madison

The New England Revolution II and Forward Madison FC are currently fifth and eighth respectively in the League One standings but rank third (Madison) and fourth (New England) in terms of their potential points totals at the end of the season because of their games in hand on the teams above them. That makes this game crucial for both sides, because a win keeps that chance at a home playoff game moving forward, while also handing a defeat – and the dropped points that go with it – to their opponent. The sides have split a pair of games in Madison so far this season and meet again at Gillette Stadium in two weeks to wrap up the season series in what will be another key contest.

FC Tucson
Saturday, October 2
10:00 PM EST
Kino North Stadium
North Texas SC

No team has been hotter for the past month-plus than FC Tucson, which has picked up 17 of a potential 21 points in its past seven games (5-0-2) to move into third place in the League One standings. That’s great as it stands, but the side is still under pressure to perform as it heads home after Saturday’s impressive road victory against Union Omaha as North Texas SC visits on Saturday night. With a maximum available total of 48 points – currently fifth-highest in the league – Tucson can solidify its place and hand a potentially devastating blow to NTSC, which moved back above the playoff line on Sunday with its win against North Carolina FC but also now has to sustain that for the next five games. A North Texas win, meanwhile, would throw everything back up for grabs around the playoff line as the race continues.

Standings


1. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
1. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Record: 10-3-10, 40pts
Max Points Available: 55pts
Magic Number: 7pts
Upcoming: vs. RIC (10/2)
The Red Wolves’ 13-game home undefeated streak came to an end on Saturday night against the Revolution II, but Chattanooga is still in a strong position to reach the playoffs and earn a bye to the Semifinals. Victory against the Richmond Kickers on Saturday could see the side take a big step toward the postseason with the Kickers currently in the cutoff position with a maximum available total of 46 points, and the side would also benefit from an FC Tucson victory against North Texas as well.
2. Union Omaha
2. Union Omaha
Record: 10-3-8, 38pts
Max Points Available: 59pts
Magic Number: 9pts
Upcoming: @ TRM (10/1)
Los Buhos had a chance to regain top spot with a victory on Saturday night go by the wayside, but they’re also still in good position with two games in hand on Chattanooga and a two-point gap to make up. Friday night’s visit to Tormenta FC is going to be a tough task, though, with South Georgia back in action and fighting for its playoff life in seventh place.
3. FC Tucson
3. FC Tucson
Record: 9-8-6, 33pts
Max Points Available: 48pts
Magic Number: 14pts
Upcoming: vs. NTX (10/2)
Tucson’s hot streak continued on Saturday to keep the side in prime position for a postseason spot. There’s still not much margin for error with five games to go, but the side could give itself some additional leeway with a win against North Texas, which would be good for all three teams at the top of the standings as they try to close in on clinching their spots.
4. Greenville Triumph SC
4. Greenville Triumph SC
Record: 8-7-8, 32pts
Max Points Available: 47pts
Magic Number: 15pts
Upcoming: vs. FTL (10/1)
Triumph SC is undefeated in four games after its draw against Forward Madison FC but is now in the most precarious position of the teams sitting in the projected top six in terms of its maximum points available. That makes Friday night’s home game with Fort Lauderdale a must-win, or else the pressure on Greenville will only rise from there.
5. New England Revolution II
5. New England Revolution II
Record: 9-9-4, 31pts
Max Points Available: 49pts
Magic Number: 16pts
Upcoming: vs. MAD (10/1)
The Revolution II’s stunning late win in Chattanooga on Saturday night gave the side a serious boost in terms of its current and potential position. A win at home to Madison on Friday evening would only add to the side’s growing momentum and put it in line for a top-three finish at the end of the season.
6. North Texas SC
6. North Texas SC
Record: 7-7-9, 30pts
Max Points Available: 45pts
Magic Number: N/A
Upcoming: @ TUC (10/2)
Sunday was a must-win for North Texas against North Carolina FC, but while the side is above the playoff line now it has to keep winning to stay there and hope other teams continue to drop points. A win against Tucson on the road would kill two birds with one stone, with the Arizona side one of those North Texas is trying to reel in.

7. South Georgia Tormenta FC
7. South Georgia Tormenta FC
Record: 8-11-5, 29pts
Max Points Available: 41pts
Magic Number: N/A
Upcoming: vs. OMA (10/1)
Tormenta FC didn’t come out of its bye week in too bad shape after slipping to seventh, but it’s now back in must-win territory as Union Omaha visits on Friday night. Anything other than three points and the side’s maximum available points total drops below 40, and makes the margin for error that much slimmer.
8. Forward Madison FC
8. Forward Madison FC
Record: 6-4-11, 29pts
Max Points Available: 50pts
Magic Number: 18pts
Upcoming: @ NE (10/1)
With seven games to go, Madison currently has the third-highest points available in League One. It’s league-leading 11 draws have been a drag on its overall position, though, which means wins are now needed to remain in what is a strong position, especially against the Revolution II on Friday as both teams vie for a home playoff game.
9. Richmond Kickers
9. Richmond Kickers
Record: 7-8-7, 28pts
Max Points Available: 46pts
Magic Number: N/A
Upcoming: vs. CHA (10/2)
Emiliano Terzaghi’s late winner against Toronto FC II threw a lifeline to the Kickers’ season, but they’ve got to keep winning and hope others slip up to make their way into a projected top six even with six games to go. Saturday’s game with Chattanooga is going to be riveting action.
10. Fort Lauderdale CF
10. Fort Lauderdale CF
Record: 7-10-6, 27pts
Max Points Available: 42pts
Magic Number: N/A
Upcoming: @ GVL (10/1)
If Fort Lauderale is going to reach the postseason, it must win games like Friday’s contest in Greenville. Anything less and the path becomes much more difficult.
11. Toronto FC II
11. Toronto FC II
Record: 6-9-8, 26pts
Max Points Available: 41pts
Magic Number: N/A
Upcoming: vs. NC (10/1)
TFC II’s season isn’t mathematically dead yet, but that sure wasn’t the result it needed in Richmond. It might be victory or bust at home to North Carolina FC on Friday evening.
12. North Carolina FC
12. North Carolina FC
Record: 5-13-4, 19pts
Max Points Available: 37pts
Magic Number: N/A
Upcoming: @ TOR (10/1)
There doesn’t seem to be a route for North Carolina to reach the playoffs this season, even with six games to go, but there’s no reason the side can’t spoil some other hopes along the way, starting with Toronto FC II on Friday.

Follow USL League One

Most Recent USL League One News

Most Read USL League One News

USL League One News