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League One Playoff Tracker - Week 24

By ETHAN TRIEBSCH - ethan.triebsch@uslsoccer.com, 09/14/22, 5:15PM EDT

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First chance at 2022 USL League One Playoffs presented for pair of contenders

With five weeks and 31 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

Union Omaha
Sept. 14 | 8 p.m. ET
Werner Park
Richmond Kickers

In a high-stakes match with significant playoff implications, Union Omaha will host the Richmond Kickers as it aims to even up the all-time series at 2-2-2 with a win. Just one of two league opponents Omaha has yet to defeat this season, the Kickers will travel to Omaha for the first time this year. The Kickers and the Owls are the only two sides that can clinch a postseason berth this week – and it all hinges on the outcome of Wednesday evening’s fixture. In order to clinch this week, Omaha or Richmond need to win both of its Week 25 contests and hope for some outside help from teams below them in the standings. Even if things aren’t confirmed by the end of this week, it would be a shock if either team fails to qualify when things are all said and done.

Central Valley Fuego FC
Sept. 17 | 10:30 p.m. ET
Fresno State Soccer Stadium
Charlotte Independence

Central Valley Fuego FC will hope to claim its first-ever win against the Charlotte Independence in the Jacks’ first visit to Fresno in Week 25’s final fixture. While Charlotte finds itself positioned above the playoff line as things currently stand, it’s the ninth-place Fuego FC side that actually controls its own destiny thanks to its seven matches remaining. If Central Valley wins, it’s three points closer to clinching its spot in the playoffs in its inaugural season. If Charlotte wins, however, Central Valley will lose its magic number as the two sides would be even on tiebreakers.

STANDINGS

2. Richmond Kickers
1. Richmond Kickers
Record: 12-7-5, 41 pts
Strength of Schedule: 2nd
Max. Points Available: 59pts
Magic Number: 8
Up Next: at OMA (9/14)
The Kickers are one of two teams that can clinch a spot in the 2022 USL League One Playoffs before the conclusion of Week 25. Despite facing the second-toughest remaining schedule, two wins and a little outside help can provide the Kickers with some postseason security before next week.

CLINCHING SCENARIO
: WIN at Omaha (9/14) AND WIN at Chattanooga (9/17) AND Madison LOSS/DRAW vs. North Carolina (9/17) AND Charlotte LOSS/DRAW at Central Valley (9/17)
2. Union Omaha
2. Union Omaha
Record: 10-4-10, 40 pts
Strength of Schedule: 5th
Max. Points Available: 58pts
Magic Number: 9
Up Next: vs. RIC (9/14)
Like Richmond, Omaha can clinch a postseason berth this weekend if a few things go according to plan. A strong second half of the season has positioned the reigning champs with a chance to be the first team to punch its ticket to the postseason.

CLINCHING SCENARIO:
WIN vs. Richmond (9/14) AND WIN vs. Greenville (9/17) AND Madison LOSS/DRAW vs. North Carolina (9/17) AND Charlotte LOSS at Central Valley (9/17)
2. Greenville Triumph SC
3. Greenville Triumph SC
Record: 11-8-6, 39 pts
Strength of Schedule: 3rd
Max. Points Available: 54pts
Magic Number: 10
Up Next: at OMA (9/17)
John Harkes’ side will have to wait at least one more week before they can claim a potential postseason spot due to a recent slump. Since topping the table in recent weeks, Triumph SC have gone 0-2-1 in its last three contests with both losses coming against teams then below the playoff line.
2. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
4. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Record: 10-9-6, 36 pts
Strength of Schedule: 8th
Max. Points Available: 51pts
Magic Number: 13
Up Next: vs. RIC (9/17)
The Red Wolves have lost only once in their last 10 outings to shoot up the standings and position themselves for a spot in the playoffs. What’s even wilder about the red-hot side is that they’ve dropped the second-most points (16) from a winning position across the league this season.
2.South Georgia Tormenta FC
5. South Georgia Tormenta FC
Record: 10-9-6, 36 pts
Strength of Schedule: 1st
Max. Points Available: 51pts
Magic Number: 13
Up Next: vs. TUC (9/16)
Tormenta FC controls its own destiny but navigating the toughest remaining schedule will be no easy task as the Ibises will have to face three of the league’s current top four teams.
2. Charlotte Independence
6. Charlotte Independence
Record: 9-10-6, 33 pts
Strength of Schedule: 11th
Max. Points Available: 48pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at CV (9/17)
Positioned right above the playoff line, the Jacks will face the easiest remaining schedule in the league as they aim to earn a spot in the 2022 USL League One Playoffs in its inaugural League One campaign.
2.Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
7. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
Record: 8-10-8, 32 pts
Strength of Schedule: 4th
Max. Points Available: 44pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. OMA (9/21)
Northern Colorado has four matches left to define its inaugural season. The Hailstorm’s next two matches against Omaha and Greenville, respectively, should give us an indication of the expansion side’s postseason chances.
2. Forward Madison FC
8. Forward Madison FC
Record: 7-7-11, 32 pts
Strength of Schedule: 10th
Max. Points Available: 47pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. NC (9/17)
The next time the ‘Mingos take the field it will be nearly a month since their last win. Madison is slumping at a bad time, sure, but it does have the second-easiest schedule to navigate in its final five matches.
2.Central Valley Fuego FC
9. Central Valley Fuego FC
Record: 8-9-6, 30 pts
Strength of Schedule: 7th
Max. Points Available: 51pts
Magic Number: 19
Up Next: vs. CLT (9/17)
Sitting near the bottom of the table, Fuego FC surprisingly controls its own destiny thanks to its seven matches remaining. Central Valley should take advantage of its two upcoming home matches before it must hop back on the road.
2.FC Tucson
10. FC Tucson
Record: 6-12-5, 23 pts
Strength of Schedule: 9th
Max. Points Available: 44pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at TRM (9/16)
If Tucson lost to Omaha last week there was a chance its playoff hopes would end in Week 25. However, thanks to Tucson’s massive 3-0 win against the Owls, Tucson is safe for another week as it looks to extend its season-best two-match win streak.
2.North Carolina FC
11. North Carolina FC
Record: 6-12-5, 23 pts
Strength of Schedule: 6th
Max. Points Available: 44pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at MAD (9/17)
North Carolina’s playoff hopes were unexpectedly extended as its Week 24 contest against Central Valley was postponed. While slim, NCFC’s postseason chances are still alive.

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