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.
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.