League One Playoff Tracker

League One Playoff Tracker - Week 23

By ETHAN TRIEBSCH - ethan.triebsch@uslsoccer.com, 09/07/22, 2:00PM EDT

Six weeks remain in a competitive regular season

With six weeks and 36 matches remaining in the regular season, the pressure is rising with all 11 clubs remaining in contention for the 2022 USL League One Playoffs. Detailed below are some high-stakes matches to keep an eye on along with current standings with playoff-clinching details.

MATCHES TO WATCH

Richmond Kickers

Sept. 7 | 6:30 p.m. ET
City Stadium

South Georgia Tormenta FC

The Kickers can return to the top of the table with a win over Tormenta FC on Wednesday evening. With the toughest remaining schedule across the league, the Kickers will have their hands full against a Tormenta FC side that has accumulated back-to-back shutout victories and the most away wins in the league this season. A win for South Georgia, however, could potentially set up Tormenta FC to finish the weekend at second in the league table should they down Northern Colorado on Saturday.

FC Tucson

Sept. 11 | 10:00 p.m. ET
Kino North Stadium

Union Omaha

In an ultra-competitive top of the table, Union Omaha will need to gather as many points as possible to stave off challengers such as Greenville and Richmond. Omaha has dominated Tucson since the pair’s first meeting in 2020, accumulating an impressive 8-1-0 record against its western foe. The lone match on Sunday, an Omaha win could see the Owls return to the top of the table should Richmond or Greenville come away with wins on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively. An FC Tucson win, though, could further position the last-place side for a late playoff push.

STANDINGS

1. Union Omaha

Record: 10-3-10, 40 pts

Strength of Schedule: 6th

Max. Points Available: 61pts

Magic Number: 11

Up Next: at TUC (9/11)

Slow and steady may just win the race for Omaha. Despite accumulating 10 draws, the Owls have slowly crept to the top of the table thanks in large part to a suffocating defense that has conceded the fewest goals in the league.

2. Greenville Triumph SC

Record: 11-7-6, 39 pts

Strength of Schedule: 7th

Max. Points Available: 57pts

Magic Number: 12

Up Next: at CLT (9/9)

Greenville is tied for the league lead in wins with 11 and clean sheets with nine. A below-average remaining schedule difficulty should favor Triumph SC.

3. Richmond Kickers

Record: 11-7-5, 38 pts

Strength of Schedule: 1st

Max. Points Available: 59pts

Magic Number: 13

Up Next: vs. TRM (9/7)

Aided by the league’s all-time leading scorer in Emiliano Terzaghi, Richmond’s prolific offensive production is setting it up well for the postseason. The Kickers lead the league in goals, goals per minute, shot conversion rate and big chance conversion rate.

4. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC

Record: 9-9-6, 33 pts

Strength of Schedule: 11th

Max. Points Available: 51pts

Magic Number: 18

Up Next: at MAD (9/10)

Enjoying a nice run of form under Interim Head Coach Jimmy Weekley, the Red Wolves may just be a playoff lock thanks to the easiest remaining strength of schedule in the league

5. South Georgia Tormenta FC

Record: 9-8-6, 33 pts

Strength of Schedule: 2nd

Max. Points Available: 54pts

Magic Number: 18

Up Next: at RIC (9/7)

With a league-high seven away wins, Tormenta FC will hope to extend that streak as two of its final five matches will take place on the road. South Georgia will need to earn as many points as possible as it navigates the second-toughest remaining schedule in the league.

6. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

Record: 8-9-8, 32 pts

Strength of Schedule: 4th

Max. Points Available: 47pts

Magic Number: N/A

Up Next: at TRM (9/10)

Convincing back-to-back wins for the Hailstorm has positioned them above the playoff line with just five matches to go. The first-year side does not control its own destiny, though, as all six teams below the playoff line have at least one match in hand.

7. Forward Madison FC

Record: 7-6-11, 32 pts

Strength of Schedule: 9th

Max. Points Available: 50pts

Magic Number: N/A

Up Next: vs. CHA (9/10)

Still not in control of its playoff destiny, Forward Madison FC will need to take advantage of a relatively easy remaining schedule to jump into a playoff position.

8. Central Valley Fuego FC

Record: 8-9-6, 30 pts

Strength of Schedule: 8th

Max. Points Available: 51pts

Magic Number: 21

Up Next: vs. NC (9/9)

By virtue of its seven matches remaining, Fuego FC currently controls its own postseason destiny. With a trio of teams hot on its trail, however, Central Valley will need to avoid draws and losses.

9. Charlotte Independence

Record: 8-10-6, 30 pts

Strength of Schedule: 5th

Max. Points Available: 48pts

Magic Number: N/A

Up Next: vs. GVL (9/9)

Despite being tied for the third-most goals scored this season, the first-year League One side has been plagued by a leaky defense that has conceded a league-high tying 41 goals despite solid goalkeeping from Adrían Zendejas.

10. North Carolina FC

Record: 6-12-5, 23 pts

Strength of Schedule: 10th

Max. Points Available: 44pts

Magic Number: N/A

Up Next: vs. CV (9/9)

It’s now or never for North Carolina FC. After an incredibly disappointing second half of the season, NCFC now has the second-easiest strength of schedule remaining to make something of its season.

11. FC Tucson

Record: 5-12-5, 20 pts

Strength of Schedule: 3rd

Max. Points Available: 44pts

Magic Number: N/A

Up Next: vs. OMA (9/11)

With a league-high seven matches remaining, FC Tucson amazingly still can finish on top of the league table. While that possibility may be a bit of a stretch, the League One original has shown signs of life in recent weeks.

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