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Race to the 2022 USL League One Playoffs presented by Hisense - Week 28

By ETHAN TRIEBSCH - ethan.triebsch@uslsoccer.com, 10/05/22, 5:30PM EDT

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Number of teams can clinch in pivotal Week 28

With two weeks and 11 matches remaining in the regular season, the pressure is rising with nine 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

FC Tucson
October 5 | 10:00 p.m. ET
Kino North Stadium
Central Valley Fuego FC

It’s the third edition of the Western Clásico as FC Tucson (8-12-7, 10th) aims to grab its first victory over expansion side Central Valley Fuego FC (9-12-7, 8th). A pivotal fixture, both Tucson and Central Valley must win to keep its respective playoff hopes alive. Tucson is unbeaten in six straight, while Central Valley has lost its magic number due to a pair of disappointing losses.

Greenville Triumph SC
October 8 | 7:00 p.m. ET
Triumph Stadium
Charlotte Independence

While either side can clinch with some favorable results elsewhere in Week 28, a potential winner in Saturday’s contest between Greenville Triumph SC (11-8-9, 2nd) and the Charlotte Independence (11-11-6, 6th) would punch its ticket to the playoffs. The home side has won each of the previous two meetings of the series, so Greenville may have some hope to clinch its postseason spot at Triumph Stadium.

2. Richmond Kickers
1. Richmond Kickers
Record: 13-7-8, 48 pts
Strength of Schedule: 3rd
Max. Points Available: 57pts
Magic Number: Clinched
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/4th
Up Next: at MAD (10/8)
Unbeaten in their last seven, the Kickers have nearly cemented their status at the top of the table. A win or pair of draws in Richmond’s final two matches would mean the playoffs would run through City Stadium.
2. Greenville Triumph SC
2. Greenville Triumph SC
Record: 11-8-9, 42 pts
Strength of Schedule: 1st
Max. Points Available: 48pts
Magic Number: 1
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/7th
Up Next: avs. CLT (10/8)
Greenville has struggled down the stretch and faces the toughest remaining schedule in the league. However, a first-place finish to the regular season is still a possibility.

CLINCHING SCENARIO:
WIN/DRAW vs. CLT (10/8)
OR
NCO LOSE/DRAW vs. TUC (10/8)
2. Union Omaha
3. Union Omaha
Record: 10-6-12, 42 pts
Strength of Schedule: 6th
Max. Points Available: 48pts
Magic Number: 1
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/7th
Up Next: vs. TRM (10/8)
Like Greenville, Omaha has had a difficult time closing matches out during the latter half of the season, winless in five straight.

CLINCHING SCENARIO:
WIN/DRAW vs. TRM (10/8)
OR
NCO LOSE/DRAW vs. TUC (10/8)
2. South Georgia Tormenta FC
4. South Georgia Tormenta FC
Record: 11-9-8, 41 pts
Strength of Schedule: 2nd
Max. Points Available: 47pts
Magic Number: 2
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/8th
Up Next: at OMA (10/8)
Just behind Richmond and Tucson, Tormenta FC has racked up the third-longest unbeaten streak in the league to position itself on the cusp of its first-ever postseason appearance.

CLINCHING SCENARIO:
WIN at OMA (10/8)
OR
NCO LOSE/DRAW vs. TUC (10/8)
2. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
5. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Record: 11-10-7, 40 pts
Strength of Schedule: 9th
Max. Points Available: 46pts
Magic Number: 3
Best/Worst Finish: 2nd/10th
Up Next: at NC (10/8)
After a midseason slump, the Red Wolves have turned it on to close out the season and are a win away from clinching a playoff berth.

CLINCHING SCENARIO:
WIN at NC (10/8)
OR
TUC DRAW vs. CV (10/5) AND NCO LOSE/DRAW vs. TUC (10/8)
2. Charlotte Independence
6. Charlotte Independence
Record: 11-11-6, 39 pts
Strength of Schedule: 8th
Max. Points Available: 45pts
Magic Number: 4
Best/Worst Finish: 2nd/10th
Up Next: at GVL (10/8)
Three consecutive victories to close out September has positioned the Jacks to potentially clinch a playoff berth in their first League One campaign.

CLINCHING SCENARIO:
WIN at GVL (10/8)
OR
TUC DRAW vs. CV (10/5) AND NCO LOSE/DRAW vs. TUC (10/8)
2. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
7. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
Record: 10-10-9, 39 pts
Strength of Schedule: 11th
Max. Points Available: 42pts
Magic Number: 42pts
Best/Worst Finish: 2nd/10th
Up Next:vs. TUC (10/8)
Northern Colorado’s positive form in recent weeks may be too little and too late as the Hailstorm need to win their one remining match and hope for a lot of positive results across the league.

CLINCHING SCENARIO:
CHA LOSS at NC (10/8) AND TRM LOSS at OMA (10/8) AND WIN vs. TUC (10/8)

ELIMINATION SCENARIO:
LOSS vs. TUC (10/8)
2. Central Valley Fuego FC
8. Central Valley Fuego FC
Record: 9-12-7, 34 pts
Strength of Schedule: 7th
Max. Points Available: 40pts
Magic Number: N/A
Best/Worst Finish: 5th/11th
Up Next: at TUC (10/5)
Once positioned to cruise into the playoffs, Central Valley is a draw away from being eliminated from postseason contention in its inaugural campaign due to a disappointing second half of the season.

ELIMINATION SCENARIO:
LOSE/DRAW at TUC (10/5)
OR
CLT WIN at GVL (10/8)AND CHA WIN/DRAW at NC (10/8)
2. Forward Madison FC
9. Forward Madison FC
Record: 7-10-11, 32 pts
Strength of Schedule: 4th
Max. Points Available: 38pts
Magic Number: Eliminated
Best/Worst Finish: 8th/11th
Up Next: vs. RIC (10/8)
Madison has completely imploded in the latter portion of the season and will sit out of the playoffs following a Week 27 elimination.
2. FC Tucson
10. FC Tucson
Record: 8-12-7, 40 pts
Strength of Schedule: 10th
Max. Points Available: 40pts
Magic Number: N/A
Best/Worst Finish: 5th/11th
Up Next: vs. CV (10/5)
A six-match unbeaten streak has positioned Tucson for an improbable late-season playoff push, but a loss or draw on Wednesday would completely derail that possibility.

ELIMINATION SCENARIO:
LOSE/DRAW vs. CV (10/5)
OR
LOSE/DRAW at NCO (10/8)
OR
CLT WIN at GVL (10/8) AND CHA WIN/DRAW at NC (10/8)
2. North Carolina FC
11. North Carolina FC
Record: 8-14-6, 30 pts
Strength of Schedule: 5th
Max. Points Available: 36pts
Magic Number: Eliminated
Best/Worst Finish: 8th/11th
Up Next: vs. CHA (10/8)
Despite an unbeaten Week 27, North Carolina’s playoff hopes were dashed as John Bradford’s side can finish no better than eighth.

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Tag(s): News  Union Omaha  Chatt Red Wolves SC  Forward Madison FC  Greenville Triumph SC  Richmond Kickers  So. Georgia Tormenta FC  FC Tucson  North Carolina FC  Playoffs  Central Valley Fuego FC  Hailstorm FC  Charlotte Independence 

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