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Race to the 2023 USL League One Playoffs - Week 26

By ETHAN TRIEBSCH - ethan.triebsch@uslsoccer.com, 09/08/23, 5:00PM EDT

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With just six weeks remaining, all 12 teams remain in contention for the postseason

With six weeks and 39 matches remaining in the regular season, the pressure is rising with all 12 clubs remaining in contention for the 2023 USL League One Playoffs. Detailed below are some high-stakes matches to keep an eye on along with current standings with playoff-clinching details

Saturday, September 9
Greenville Triumph SC
North Carolina FC
7:00 PM
Stadium IconPaladin Stadium
Match Center

North Carolina need to win in order to potentially lock up the first playoff spot of the season. A Greenville win, however, would ensure that Chattanooga and Central Valley would live to see another day.

Saturday, September 9
Forward Madison FC
One Knoxville SC
8:00 PM
Stadium IconBreese Stevens Field
Match Center

A pivotal match between the teams straddling the playoff line, Madison really need a win in order to shake off their poor run of form, while a Knoxville victory would push the club above the playoff line for the first time since June.

Sunday, September 10
Central Valley Fuego FC
Lexington SC
10:00 PM
Stadium IconFresno State Soccer Stadium
Match Center

Lexington’s push to the playoffs in recent weeks has been exciting, and the first-year side really should be able to handle a struggling Fuego FC side. That said, Central Valley will be hungry for a victory in order to preserve its postseason hopes.

1. North Carolina FC
Record:14-6-5, 47pts

Playoffs Odds: >99%

Magic Number: 7

Max Points Available: 68
Strength of Schedule: 7th

Projected Finish: 1st (43%)

Up Next: at GVL (9/9)
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Although tied for the most losses across their last three with two, North Carolina are still the lone team capable of clinching a spot in the postsesason – their first since 2019 – in Week 26.
CLINCHING SCENARIO: NC win at GVL AND KNX loss at MAD AND TRM loss/draw at NCO
2. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
Record:13-5-7, 46pts

Playoffs Odds: >99%

Magic Number: 8

Max Points Available: 67
Strength of Schedule: 9th

Projected Finish: 2nd (34%)

Up Next: vs. TRM (9/10)
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A massive three-match winning streak – second only to Union Omaha’s seven – has positioned the Hailstorm back withing striking distance of NCFC at the top of the table.
3. Union Omaha
Record:13-5-7, 46pts

Playoffs Odds: >99%

Magic Number: 8

Max Points Available: 67
Strength of Schedule: 12th

Projected Finish: 3rd (34%)

Up Next: vs. RIC (9/9)
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The Owls have completely turned it around and have set a league record with seven consecutive victories. Omaha will also enjoy the easiest remaining schedule.
4. Charlotte Independence
Record:11-8-7, 40pts

Playoffs Odds: 96%

Magic Number: 14

Max Points Available: 58
Strength of Schedule: 1st

Projected Finish: 8th (44%)

Up Next: at NCO (9/10)
+
Despite that big loss to Northern Colorado, the Jacks are right where they need to be to finish in a postseason position.
5. Greenville Triumph SC
Record:10-8-7, 37pts

Playoffs Odds: 86%

Magic Number: 17

Max Points Available: 58
Strength of Schedule: 11th

Projected Finish: 5th (32%)

Up Next: vs. NC (9/9)
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Greenville have been up and down as of late, and that may just allow the likes of Knoxville or South Georgia to sneak up on them in the closing weeks of the season.
6. Forward Madison FC
Record:10-8-7, 37pts

Playoffs Odds: 85%

Magic Number: 17

Max Points Available: 58
Strength of Schedule: 2nd

Projected Finish: 6th (32%)

Up Next: vs. KNX (9/9)
+
The ‘Mingos have lost their winning ways at the worst possible time. Madison still controls its own destiny but the second toughest remaining schedule may prove difficult to navigate.
7. One Knoxville SC
Record: 9-9-8, 35pts

Playoffs Odds: 26%

Magic Number: N/A

Max Points Available: 53
Strength of Schedule: 3rd

Projected Finish: 7th (46%)

Up Next: at MAD (9/9)
+
Only Omaha has won more points in its last four than Knoxville have. The first-year League One side is making a convincing push for the postseason late.
8. South Georgia Tormenta FC
Record: 9-12-5, 32pts

Playoffs Odds: 5%

Magic Number: N/A

Max Points Available: 50
Strength of Schedule: 1st

Projected Finish: 8th (44%)

Up Next: at NCO (9/10)
+
Still pushing to avoid becoming the first defending champion to be eliminated from postseason contention, South Georgia will have to navigate the toughest remaining schedule in the league.
9. Lexington SC
Record:7-12-7, 28pts

Playoffs Odds: <1%

Magic Number: N/A

Max Points Available: 46
Strength of Schedule: 6th

Projected Finish: 9th (36%)

Up Next: at CV (9/10)
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Lexington have started to put it together late, but the expansion side can’t afford to let any more points slip as they did against Greenville and Northern Colorado.
10. Richmond Kickers
Record:6-10-10, 28pts

Playoffs Odds: <1%

Magic Number: N/A

Max Points Available: 46
Strength of Schedule: 8th

Projected Finish: 10th (39%)

Up Next: at OMA (9/9)
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Winless in 10 consecutive matches, the Kickers are close to confirming the worst season in league history for a Players’ Shield holder. Nothing has gone according to plan in 2023.
11. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Record:6-14-6, 24pts

Playoffs Odds: <1%

Magic Number: N/A

Max Points Available: 42
Strength of Schedule: 4th

Projected Finish: 11th (58%)

Up Next: at CLT (9/9)
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With 12 goals across their last five, the Red Wolves’ offense have been finding the back of the net with ease in recent weeks. That slow start to the season, though, will likely catch up with the 2022 finalists soon.
ELIMINATION SCENARIO: CHA loss at CLT AND GVL win vs. NC AND MAD win vs. KNX
12. Central Valley Fuego FC
Record:5-16-4, 19pts

Playoffs Odds: <1%

Magic Number: N/A

Max Points Available: 40
Strength of Schedule: 5th

Projected Finish: 12th (80%)

Up Next: vs. LEX (9/10)
+
A Fuego FC win against Lexington on Sunday would ensure their postseason hopes would remain intact. Still, it’s likely just a matter of time before those are dashed.
ELIMINATION SCENARIO: GVL win vs. NC AND MAD win vs. KNX AND CV draw vs. LEX

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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  North Carolina FC  Central Valley Fuego FC  Hailstorm FC  Charlotte Independence  Lexington SC  One Knoxville SC 

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