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USL League One Race to the Playoffs - Week 20

By ETHAN TRIEBSCH - ethan.triebsch@uslsoccer.com, 09/11/24, 5:15PM EDT

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Owls have opportunity to clinch first postseason berth of season

The USL League One Race to the Playoffs presented by Terminix is back for the league's sixth season, where we provide weekly information on where each team stands in their bid to reach the 2024 USL League One Playoffs in November.

The defending USL League One Players' Shield winners, Union Omaha, have a slim possibility of locking up the first postseason position of the season on Saturday. With no team in a position to be eliminated, though, the postseason push is in full effect for all 12 teams.

This season, we're grateful to our friend John Morrissey at USL Tactics for providing the data for playoff projections. Below, you'll find matches to watch and an overview of where everyone stands.

As a reminder, the 2024 USL League One Playoffs will be expanded to include the top eight regular season finishers - the largest postseason field in league history. The postseason will begin with the four quarterfinal matches on the weekend of Nov. 2 with the top four seeds hosting the four remaining lower seeds; No. 1 hosting No. 8, No. 2 hosting No. 7, No. 3 hosting No. 6 and No. 4 hosting No. 5.

The pair of semifinal matches will be hosted by the highest remaining seeds on the weekend of Nov. 9. The 2024 USL League One Final will be held on the weekend of Nov. 16 at the home venue of the highest remaining seed as the league concludes its sixth campaign. The seven total postseason matches will be the most in league history.

Friday, September 13

After opening up the brand-new, 7,500-seat soccer-specific Lexington SC Stadium with Lexington SC's USL Super League match last weekend, the Boys in Green will have their first match in their new home on Friday in what could be the final Barrel Brawl for some time. The hosts are winless across their last three and fresh off a result that equaled its largest loss in club history - a 5-1 thrashing in Northern Colorado. Knoxville, on the other hand, has avoided defeat in 10 consecutive matches across all competitions, closing in on its record of 12 set in its inaugural 2022 USL League Two season. In the seventh all-time meeting, Lexington will have one more shot to defeat rival Knoxville in a series controlled by OKSC at 4-0-2. A victory for Lexington could see the hosts return to a playoff position for the first time since April.

Saturday, September 14

Only three days after meeting in the 2024 USL Jägermeister Cup Semifinals, the Hailstorm and the Owls will meet again in Windsor, Colo. in what will be the 12th meeting between the pair of contenders. The Hailstorm are enjoying an eight-match unbeaten streak - their second unbeaten run of eight matches or longer this season - and the Owls coming off of a reassuring victory against rival Greenville last weekend. While Omaha does have a slim chance to lock up the first playoff berth of the season on Saturday, a positive result for either side would be huge in either end's postseason push.

1. Union Omaha
Record: 9-4-2, 29 pts.

Playoffs Odds: >99%

Magic Number: 7

Max Points Available: 50
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/12th

Strength of Schedule: 9th

Up Next: @ NCO (9/14)
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Union Omaha is able to clinch and unable to be eliminated from 2024 USL League One Playoffs contention in Week 20. The Owls control their own destiny with a magic number of 7. Omaha are seeking their fifth consecutive postseason appearance in their fifth season of existence. The defending Players’ Shield holders were bounced from the 2023 USL League One Playoffs by Charlotte in the Semifinals. Los Búhos are chasing their fourth trophy in club history and first since winning the 2023 USL League One Players’ Shield.

CLINCHING SCENARIOS:
1. LEX loss vs. KNX AND OMA win vs. NCO AND TRM loss at SPK
2. Charlotte Independence
Record: 8-3-5, 29 pts.

Playoffs Odds: >99%

Magic Number: 7

Max Points Available: 47
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/12th

Strength of Schedule: 8th

Up Next: vs. RIC (9/14)
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The Charlotte Independence are unable to clinch or be eliminated from 2024 USL League One Playoffs contention in Week 20. The Independence control their own destiny with a magic number of 7. The Jacks are seeking their fourth consecutive postseason appearance and seventh in club history. Charlotte concluded the 2023 campaign with a loss on penalties in the 2023 USL League One Final. The 9-year-old side is chasing its first trophy in club history.
3. Forward Madison FC
Record: 7-2-7, 28 pts.

Playoffs Odds: >99%

Magic Number: 8

Max Points Available: 46
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/12th

Strength of Schedule: T-1st

Up Next: vs. SPK (9/21)
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Forward Madison FC is unable to clinch or be eliminated from 2024 USL League One Playoffs contention in Week 20. The 'Mingos control their own destiny with a magic number of 8. Forward Madison FC is seeking its second consecutive postseason appearance and third in club history. Madison concluded the 2023 campaign with a loss in the 2023 USL League One Playoffs Quarterfinals against Northern Colorado. The 6-year-old club is seeking its first trophy in club history.
4. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
Record: 7-4-4, 25 pts.

Playoffs Odds: >99%

Magic Number: 11

Max Points Available: 46
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/12th

Strength of Schedule: 4th

Up Next: vs. OMA (9/14)
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Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC is unable to clinch or be eliminated from 2024 USL League One Playoffs contention in Week 20. The Hailstorm control their own destiny with a magic number of 11. Northern Colorado is seeking its second consecutive postseason appearance in its third season of existence. The Hailstorm concluded the 2023 campaign with a loss in the 2023 USL League One Playoffs Semifinals against eventual champion North Carolina. The Windsor, Colo.-based club is chasing its first trophy in club history.
5. One Knoxville SC
Record: 7-4-4, 25 pts.

Playoffs Odds: >99%

Magic Number: 11

Max Points Available: 46
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/12th

Strength of Schedule: 5th

Up Next: @ LEX (9/13)
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One Knoxville SC is unable to clinch or be eliminated from 2024 USL League One Playoffs contention in Week 20. One Knox controls its own destiny with a magic number of 11. Knoxville is seeking its first USL League One Playoffs appearance and second postseason appearance in club history after qualifying for the 2022 USL League Two Playoffs as South Central Division champions. One Knox finished the 2023 season in eighth place, and the 3-year-old side is chasing its first trophy in club history.
6. Spokane Velocity FC
Record: 7-4-4, 25 pts.

Playoffs Finish: 99%

Magic Number: 11

Max Points Available: 46
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/12th

Strength of Schedule: T-3rd

Up Next: vs. TRM (9/14)
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Spokane Velocity FC is unable to clinch or be eliminated from 2024 USL League One Playoffs contention in Week 20. Velocity FC controls its own destiny with a magic number of 11. Velocity FC is seeking its first postseason appearance in its first season of existence. Outside of the league’s inaugural 2019 campaign, a playoff berth in 2024 would see Spokane join Omaha (2020) and Charlotte (2022) as the only clubs to qualify for the USL League One Playoffs in their first season in the league.
7. Greenville Triumph SC
Record: 7-6-3, 24 pts.

Playoffs Odds: >99%

Magic Number: 12

Max Points Available: 42
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/12th

Strength of Schedule: 10th

Up Next: @ CHA (9/14))
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Greenville Triumph SC is unable to clinch or be eliminated from 2024 USL League One Playoffs contention in Week 20. Triumph SC controls its own destiny with a magic number of 12. Greenville is seeking its sixth postseason appearance in its sixth season of existence. Greenville concluded the 2023 campaign with a loss in the 2023 USL League One Playoffs Quarterfinals against Charlotte. Triumph SC is chasing its third trophy and first since being crowned 2020 USL League One Final winners.
8. South Georgia Tormenta FC
Record: 4-7-5, 17 pts.

Playoffs Odds: 46%

Magic Number: N/A

Max Points Available: 35
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/12th

Strength of Schedule: T-1st

Up Next: @ SPK (9/14)
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South Georgia Tormenta FC is unable to clinch or be eliminated from 2024 USL League One Playoffs contention in Week 20. The Ibises are seeking their third postseason appearance and second in USL League One after qualifying for the USL League Two Playoffs in 2018 and USL League One Playoffs in 2022. Tormenta FC finished one point shy of qualifying for the postseason in 2023, finishing in seventh place. South Georgia are seeking its second trophy in club history and first since winning the 2022 USL League One Final.

9. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Record: 5-10-1, 16 pts.

Playoffs Odds: 11%

Magic Number: N/A

Max Points Available: 34
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/12th

Strength of Schedule: 6th

Up Next: vs. GVL (9/14)
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Chattanooga Red Wolves SC is unable to clinch or be eliminated from 2024 USL League One Playoffs contention in Week 20. The Red Wolves are seeking their third postseason appearance and first since advancing to the 2022 USL League One Final. Chattanooga concluded the 2023 campaign in 10th place and are aiming to lift its first trophy this season.
10. Lexington SC
Record: 3-7-5, 14 pts.

Playoffs Odds: 19%

Magic Number: N/A

Max Points Available: 35
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/12th

Strength of Schedule: 7th

Up Next: vs. KNX (9/13)
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Lexington SC is unable to clinch or be eliminated from 2024 USL League One Playoffs contention in Week 20. LSC is seeking its first postseason appearance in its second season of existence. In its inaugural 2023 campaign, Lexington finished in ninth place. In its final season in League One before moving to the USL Championship in 2025, LSC is seeking its first trophy.
11. Richmond Kickers
Record: 3-9-4, 13 pts.

Playoffs Odds: <1%

Magic Number: N/A

Max Points Available: 31
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/12th

Strength of Schedule: 2nd

Up Next: @ CLT (9/14)
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The Richmond Kickers are unable to clinch or be eliminated from 2024 USL League One Playoffs contention in Week 20. The Richmond Kickers are seeking their 25th postseason appearance, their third since joining League One in 2019, and first since 2022 when the historic club claimed the 2022 USL League One Players’ Shield. Richmond finished the 2023 campaign in 11th place. The 32-year-old club is seeking its 10th trophy.
12. Central Valley Fuego FC
Record: 3-10-2, 11 pts.

Playoffs Odds: <1%

Magic Number: N/A

Max Points Available: 32
Best/Worst Finish: 1st/12th

Strength of Schedule: T-3rd

Up Next: @ LEX (9/18)
+
Central Valley Fuego FC is unable to clinch or be eliminated from 2024 USL League One Playoffs contention in Week 20. Fuego FC is seeking its first postseason appearance in its third season of existence. The Fresno, Calif.-based side finished in last place in 2023 and is seeking its first trophy in club history.

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