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Race to the 2022 USL League One Playoffs presented by Hisense - Week 27

By ETHAN TRIEBSCH - ethan.triebsch@uslsoccer.com, 09/28/22, 5:30PM EDT

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Plenty of playoff scenarios from Wednesday to Sunday

With three weeks and 17 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

North Carolina FC
September 28 | 7:30 p.m. ET
WakeMed Soccer Park
Central Valley Fuego

Despite the fact that no teams have clinched a playoff spot or been eliminated from postseason contention, the first domino may finally fall on Wednesday night as North Carolina FC hosts Central Valley Fuego FC to kick off Week 27. While not as pressing as Fuego FC, NCFC need to win to avoid elimination. In that scenario, if Central Valley drops points on Wednesday, Richmond will clinch a postseason spot. With that being said, though, history is on the side of the visitors as NCFC is the only League One team that Fuego FC has never lost to or drawn with. 

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
October 1 | 7:30 p.m. ET
CHI Memorial Stadium
Charlotte Independence

The two sides right on the postseason bubble will battle at CHI Memorial Stadium as Chattanooga Red Wolves SC and the Charlotte Independence face off on Saturday. Both Chattanooga and Charlotte are tied on max points for the final playoff position, but that will obviously change pending the outcome of the pair’s third all-time meeting. While Chattanooga can neither clinch nor be eliminated this week, a surging Charlotte side does have a slim chance to sneak into the playoffs in its inaugural League One season as soon as Saturday.

STANDINGS

2. Richmond Kickers
1. Richmond Kickers
Record: 13-7-7, 46 pts
Strength of Schedule: 2nd
Max. Points Available: 55pts
Magic Number: 1
Up Next: at TRM (10/2)
It will be nearly impossible for the Kickers not to secure the first spot in the 2022 USL League One Playoffs presented by Hisense with a magic number of just one. If Central Valley drops points in Cary on Wednesday night, Richmond is in.

CLINCHING SCENARIO
:
CV LOSS/DRAW at NC (9/28)
OR
CHA LOSS/DRAW vs. CLT (10/1)
OR
CV LOSS/DRAW vs. NCO (10/1)
OR
CLT LOSS vs. CHA (10/1)
OR
WIN/DRAW at TRM (10/2)
2. Greenville Triumph SC
2. Greenville Triumph SC
Record: 11-8-8, 40 pts
Strength of Schedule: 3rd
Max. Points Available: 50pts
Magic Number: 6
Up Next: vs. TUC (10/1)
Five winless matches is pretty troubling for John Harkes’ side as the postseason looms. While Greenville should cruise into the playoffs, it seems it needs to figure some things out.

CLINCHING SCENARIO
: CV LOSS at NC (9/28) AND WIN vs. TUC (10/1)
OR
CV LOSS at NC (9/28) AND CV LOSS vs. NCO (10/1)
OR
WIN vs. TUC (10/1) AND CHA LOSS vs. CLT (10/1)
OR
WIN vs. TUC (10/1) AND CV LOSS vs. NCO (10/1)
2. Union Omaha
3. Union Omaha
Record: 10-6-11, 41 pts
Strength of Schedule: 1st
Max. Points Available: 50pts
Magic Number: 7
Up Next: at NC (10/1)
Omaha and Greenville's recent slump has allowed some teams lower in the table to stay alive in the postseason conversation. The Owls need to finish things up with a win or two to clinch their postseason spot and focus on the playoffs.

CLINCHING SCENARIO
: CV LOSS at NC (9/28)AND WIN at NC (10/1)
OR
CV LOSS at NC (9/28) AND CV LOSS vs. NCO (10/1)
OR
WIN at NC (10/1) AND CHA LOSS vs. CLT (10/1)
OR
WIN at NC (10/1)AND CV LOSS vs. NCO (10/1)
2.South Georgia Tormenta FC
4. South Georgia Tormenta FC
Record: 11-9-7, 40 pts
Strength of Schedule: 1st
Max. Points Available: 49pts
Magic Number: 7
Up Next: vs RIC (10/2)
Despite Hurricane Ian pushing the opening match of Tormenta Stadium back 24 hours, South Georgia’s late-season success has positioned the side for a playoff spot with three matches to go.

CLINCHING SCENARIO
: CV LOSS/DRAW at NC (9/28) AND CV LOSS vs. NCO (10/1)AND WIN vs. RIC (10/2)
OR
CV LOSS at NC (9/28)AND CV LOSS/DRAW vs. NCO (10/1)AND WIN vs. RIC (10/2)
2. Charlotte Independence
5. Charlotte Independence
Record: 11-10-6, 39 pts
Strength of Schedule: 6th
Max. Points Available: 48pts
Magic Number: 8
Up Next: at CHA (10/1)
The Jacks have gone on a three-match win streak at exactly the right time, shooting up the standings with a chance to clinch a postseason berth this weekend.

CLINCHING SCENARIO
: CV LOSS at NC (9/28) AND TUC LOSS/DRAW vs. GVL (10/1)AND WIN at CHA (10/1) AND CV LOSS vs. NCO (10/1)
2. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
6. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Record: 10-10-7, 37 pts
Strength of Schedule: 8th
Max. Points Available: 46pts
Magic Number: N/A (Tiebreaker)
Up Next: vs. CLT (10/1)
If the top of the table gets back to winning and the bottom continues its late-season surge, the mid-table Red Wolves may be in trouble after winning just once in their last five matches.
2.Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
7. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
Record: 9-10-9, 36 pts
Strength of Schedule: 11th
Max. Points Available: 42pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. OMA (9/21)
Despite a strong September, it is truly now or never for the Hailstorm. With two matches left, Northern Colorado is in danger of being left out of the playoff picture.

ELIMINATION SCENARIO
: CHA WIN vs. CLT (10/1) ANDLOSS at CV (10/1)
OR
CV WIN at NC (9/28) ANDCHA WIN vs. CLT (10/1)ANDLOSS at CV (10/1)
2.Central Valley Fuego FC
8. Central Valley Fuego FC
Record: 9-10-7, 3 pts
Strength of Schedule: 10th
Max. Points Available: 46pts
Magic Number: N/A (Tiebreaker)
Up Next: at NC (9/28)
Fuego FC is turning up the heat as the season winds down and has a big chance to jump into a playoff position thanks to its four matches remaining. Draws may not be enough, though, as other teams below the playoff line vie for those final few postseason spots.
2. Forward Madison FC
9. Forward Madison FC
Record: 7-10-11, 32 pts
Strength of Schedule: 5th
Max. Points Available: 38pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. RIC (10/8)
A rough end to the 2022 campaign means Madison’s playoff hopes are in the hands of other teams in Week 27. It may be an agonizing week off for the ‘Mingos as they sit and watch.

ELIMINATION SCENARIO
: CV WIN at NC (9/28) AND CV WIN vs. NCO (10/1)
OR
CHA WIN/DRAW vs. CLT (10/1)
2.FC Tucson
10. FC Tucson
Record: 8-12-6, 30 pts
Strength of Schedule: 7th
Max. Points Available: 42pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at GVL (10/1)
Like last season, FC Tucson is making a remarkable push up the table with a league-best 13 points in its last five. The League One original will hope their recent run won't be too little, too late.
2.North Carolina FC
11. North Carolina FC
Record: 7-14-5, 26 pts
Strength of Schedule: 4th
Max. Points Available: 38pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. CV (9/28)
A disappointing conclusion to the season may see NCFC absent from the playoffs if it can’t string together a few more results in its second League One season.

ELIMINATION SCENARIO
: LOSS/DRAW vs. CV (9/28)
OR
CV WIN at NC (9/28) AND CV WIN vs. NCO (10/1)
OR
LOSS/DRAW vs. OMA (10/1)
OR
CHA WIN/DRAW vs. CLT (10/1)

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