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Race to the 2022 USL League One Playoffs presented by Hisense - Week 26

By ETHAN TRIEBSCH - ethan.triebsch@uslsoccer.com, 09/20/22, 3:00PM EDT

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Three teams have ability to clinch, four look to avoid elimination

With four weeks and 25 matches remaining in the regular season, the pressure is rising with all 11 clubs remaining in contention for the 2022 USL League One Playoffs presented by Hisense. 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. 24 | 6:30 p.m. ET
City Stadium
Central Valley Fuego FC

Despite the fact that Richmond’s contest against Central Valley features the first-place team versus the ninth-place team, the pair’s third meeting of the season may serve as the first big domino to fall in the race to the playoffs. Fuego FC may have lost its magic number over the weekend thanks to its 3-0 loss to Charlotte last week, but a Central Valley win over Richmond on Saturday would mean that no teams can clinch a spot in the playoffs this week. However, should Richmond defeat Fuego FC for the first time, that would potentially allow Richmond, Omaha or Greenville to clinch this week.

Forward Madison FC
Sept. 24 | 8 p.m. ET
Breese Stevens Field
South Georgia Tormenta FC

Like Richmond and Central Valley’s match earlier in the evening, Madison’s matchup with South Georgia has a number of implications on the first postseason eliminations. Of 11 total Week 26 elimination scenarios, 10 would be impossible should FMFC take down the visiting Tormenta FC. A Madison win would mean Northern Colorado, North Carolina and Madison would still have a chance at the postseason for another week. A positive Tormenta FC result, though, would push the Ibises to the brink of postseason confirmation.

STANDINGS

2. Richmond Kickers
1. Richmond Kickers
Record: 13-7-6, 45 pts
Strength of Schedule: 4th
Max. Points Available: 57pts
Magic Number: 4
Up Next: vs. CV (9/24)
The Kickers need to outpace just one more team in order to clinch their spot in the playoffs. Darren Sawatzky’s side have the easiest route to clinch this week.

CLINCHING SCENARIO:

CV LOSS vs. MAD (9/21) AND WIN/DRAW vs. CV (9/24)
OR
WIN/DRAW vs. CV (9/24) AND CLT LOSS vs. NC (9/24)
2. Union Omaha
2. Union Omaha
Record: 10-5-11, 41 pts
Strength of Schedule: 10th
Max. Points Available: 53pts
Magic Number: 8
Up Next: at NCO (9/21)
The Owls have the second-easiest remaining schedule to navigate as they aim to punch their ticket to the postseason this week.

CLINCHING SCENARIO:

NC LOSS/DRAW at TUC (9/20) AND WIN at NCO (9/21) AND CV DRAW vs. MAD (9/21) AND CV LOSS at RIC (9/24)
OR
WIN at NCO (9/21) AND CV DRAW vs. MAD (9/21) AND CV LOSS at RIC (9/24) AND NC LOSS/DRAW at CLT (9/24)
2. Greenville Triumph SC
3. Greenville Triumph SC
Record: 11-8-7, 40 pts
Strength of Schedule: 2nd
Max. Points Available: 52pts
Magic Number: 9
Up Next: at NCO (9/24)
With the second-toughest schedule, Greenville’s path to the playoffs will be difficult but certainly not impossible thanks to its current standing.

CLINCHING SCENARIO:

NC LOSS at TUC (9/20) AND CV LOSS vs. MAD (9/21) AND CV LOSS at RIC (9/24) AND CLT LOSS vs. NC (9/24) AND MAD LOSS vs. TRM (9/24) AND WIN at NCO (9/24)
2. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
4. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Record: 10-9-7, 37 pts
Strength of Schedule: 11th
Max. Points Available: 49pts
Magic Number: 12
Up Next: at TUC (9/24)
The Red Wolves might just be a postseason lock thanks to the fact that they will face the easiest schedule down the stretch.
2.South Georgia Tormenta FC
5. South Georgia Tormenta FC
Record: 10-9-7, 37 pts
Strength of Schedule: 1st
Max. Points Available: 49pts
Magic Number: 12
Up Next: at MAD (9/24)
It won’t get much easier for Tormenta FC as South Georgia is set to face the toughest remaining schedule in the league.
2. Charlotte Independence
6. Charlotte Independence
Record: 10-10-6, 36 pts
Strength of Schedule: 8th
Max. Points Available: 48pts
Magic Number: N/A (Tiebreaker)
Up Next: vs. NC (9/24)
Although above the playoff line, the Jacks do not possess a magic number just yet. Back-to-back impressive victories should help the playoff push, though.
2.Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
7. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
Record: 8-10-8, 32 pts
Strength of Schedule: 3rd
Max. Points Available: 44pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. OMA (9/21)
A tough remaining schedule and just six points in its last five matches is not a good combination for a potential postseason push.

ELIMINATION SCENARIO:

LOSS vs. OMA (9/21) AND CLT WIN vs. NC (9/24) AND TRM WIN vs. MAD (9/24) AND LOSS vs. GVL (9/24) AND CHA WIN at TUC (9/24)
OR
LOSS vs. OMA (9/21) AND CLT WIN vs. NC (9/24) AND TRM WIN at MAD (9/24) AND DRAW vs. GVL (9/24) AND CHA WIN at TUC (9/24)
OR
DRAW vs. OMA (9/21) AND CLT WIN vs. NC (9/24) AND TRM WIN at MAD (9/24) AND LOSS vs. GVL (9/24) AND CHA WIN at TUC (9/24)
2. Forward Madison FC
8. Forward Madison FC
Record: 7-8-11, 32 pts
Strength of Schedule: 6th
Max. Points Available: 44pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at CV (9/21)
Riding the league’s longest losing and winless streaks, Forward Madison FC’s recent run of form may be enough to keep the side out of the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

ELIMINATION SCENARIO:

LOSS/DRAW at CV (9/21)AND CLT WIN vs. NC (9/24)AND LOSS vs. TRM (9/24) AND CHA WIN at TUC (9/24)
OR
LOSS at CV (9/21) AND CLT WIN vs. NC (9/24) AND LOSS vs. TRM (9/24) AND CHA WIN/DRAW at TUC (9/24)
OR
LOSS at CV (9/21) AND CLT WIN vs. NC (9/24) AND LOSS/DRAW vs. TRM (9/24) AND CHA WIN at TUC (9/24)
2.Central Valley Fuego FC
9. Central Valley Fuego FC
Record: 8-10-6, 30 pts
Strength of Schedule: 7th
Max. Points Available: 48pts
Magic Number: N/A (Tiebreaker)
Up Next: vs. MAD (9/21)
Fuego FC’s playoff hopes (and magic number) are slipping away as it continues to struggle with its offensive production.
2.North Carolina FC
10. North Carolina FC
Record: 7-12-5, 26 pts
Strength of Schedule: 5th
Max. Points Available: 44pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at TUC (9/20)
Right now, NCFC’s playoff hopes look slim. However, more of what we saw last week could change those odds.

ELIMINATION SCENARIO:

LOSS at TUC (9/20) AND LOSS at CLT (9/24) AND TRM WIN at MAD (9/24) AND CHA WIN at TUC (9/24)
2.FC Tucson
11. FC Tucson
Record: 6-12-5, 23 pts
Strength of Schedule: 9th
Max. Points Available: 42pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. NC (9/20)
Tucson has one of the easiest remaining schedules to get through, leaving the door open for a potential late entry to the playoffs.

ELIMINATION SCENARIO:

LOSS vs. NC (9/20) AND CLT WIN/DRAW vs. NC (9/24) AND LOSS vs. CHA (9/24)
OR
DRAW vs. NC (9/20) AND CLT WIN vs. NC (9/24) AND TRM WIN at MAD (9/24) AND DRAW vs. CHA (9/24)
OR
DRAW vs. NC (9/20) AND CLT WIN vs. NC (9/24) AND TRM WIN at MAD (9/24) AND LOSS vs. CHA (9/24)
OR
LOSS vs. NC (9/20) AND CLT WIN vs. NC (9/24) AND TRM WIN at MAD (9/24) AND DRAW vs. CHA (9/24)

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