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.
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.
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.