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Race for the Championship Playoffs – Everything You Need to Know

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 09/07/20, 5:00PM EDT

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The first postseason participants are set to be confirmed, here’s where we stand right now

From six-point weeks and tense postseason-type matchups, the race to the 2020 Championship Playoffs produced plenty of storylines in the past three nights. The first playoff places are likely to be clinched this week, with some of the leading title contenders closing in after weekend wins.

Here’s an up-to-date look at where everyone stands to start Week 12, from Magic Numbers to their potential to finish in one of the top two positions in their group. And to start us off, three contests that could prove absolutely crucial for both clubs involved.

 

Playoff Race Games to Watch

Austin Bold FC vs. FC Tulsa

Tuesday, 9 p.m. ET
Venue: Bold Stadium
Group D

What to Know - A 1-1 draw in the first game of the two-match set left both Bold FC and Tulsa with the potential to take a three-point advantage and second place in the group with a win on Tuesday night. With San Antonio far off in the distance in first place and both OKC Energy FC and Rio Grande Valley FC unlikely to make a challenge, there’s a major edge to be earned in final meeting between these two sides in the regular season. It will be interesting to see which club can grasp the opportunity.

Indy Eleven vs. Sporting KC II

Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium
Group E

What to Know - What a playoff race we’ve got now in Group E, with three teams separated by two points with five games to go. Indy is the second-placed team of that group after its second consecutive loss to Louisville City FC on Saturday night, and with one win in its last five games things are not ticking along as smoothly as they were earlier in the season resumption. Finding a way to snap out of that funk – especially with first-placed LouCity and third-placed Saint Louis FC squaring off on Saturday – would be huge for the Boys in Blue, but Sporting Kansas City II is going to come into this game looking at it as a must-win for its own playoff chances as well. Having earned victory once already at Lucas Oil Stadium this season, the visitors will be no pushover.

Sacramento Republic FC vs. Orange County SC

Wednesday, 10:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Papa Murphy's Park
Groups A/B

What to Know - In-division games are essentially the key to the playoffs, but a matchup like this where Republic FC is looking to pull level with Group A leader Reno 1868 FC before their matchup this weekend and Orange County is in need of a bounce-back performance to keep its playoff chances on track in Group B offer all kinds of potential. Sacramento’s going to walk into the playoffs eventually, but has a five-game winning streak to maintain, while OCSC is going to be focused on this matchup while hoping San Diego Loyal SC can do it a favor and take points off the LA Galaxy II, also on Wednesday. Those factors – and that this could end up being a playoff matchup down the line – should make for a high level of intensity.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

 

Group A

3. Reno 1868 FC
1. Reno 1868 FC
Record: 8-2-0, 24pts
Playoff Odds: >99 percent
First Place Odds: 82%
Second Place Odds: 18%
Max. Points Available: 42pts
Magic Number: 5pts
Up Next: at SAC (9/12)
Reno put up another big number against Portland on Saturday night, and now gets a week to prepare for its visit to Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday, while its rivals face a tricky midweek matchup first.
2. Sacramento Republic FC
2. Sacramento Republic FC
Record: 6-1-3, 21pts
Playoff Odds: >99 percent
First Place Odds: 18%
Second Place Odds: 82%
Max. Points Available: 39pts
Magic Number: 8pts
Up Next: vs. OC (9/9), vs. RNO (9/12)
Republic FC can pull level with Reno 1868 FC ahead of their showdown on Saturday night, but a game against fellow playoff contender Orange County SC is going to be a test of its five-game winning streak.
3. Tacoma Defiance
3. Tacoma Defiance
Record: 2-6-1, 7pts
Playoff Odds: <1 percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: <1%
Max. Points Available: 28pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at POR (9/9), at POR (9/12)
The Defiance’s loss to the Monarchs really ended any slim hope they had to claim a playoff place. All that remains this season is to keep its Cascadia rival under its thumb in this week’s twin-bill of games.
4. Portland Timbers 2
4. Portland Timbers 2
Record: 0-10-0, 0pts
Playoff Odds: Eliminated
First Place Odds: N/A
Second Place Odds:N/A
Max. Points Available: 18pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. TAC (9/9), vs. TAC (9/12)
Portland was officially eliminated after its loss on Saturday, and now it goes in search of victory against the Defiance in their doubleheader this week to help end their season as well.
 

Group B

Phoenix Rising FC
1. Phoenix Rising FC
Record:7-2-2, 23pts
Playoff Odds: 99 percent
First Place Odds: 90%
Second Place Odds: 9%
Max. Points Available: 38pts
Magic Number: 14pts
Up Next: vs. LV (9/11)
Getting back on a winning track before heading home was good, and so was seeing Los Dos come back to split its two meetings with Orange County in the week. Rising FC gets back home this weekend, where it’s been perfect this season.
2. LA Galaxy II
2. LA Galaxy II
Record: 6-5-0, 18pts
Playoff Odds: 42 percent
First Place Odds: 4%
Second Place Odds: 38%
Max. Points Available: 36pts
Magic Number: 19pts
Up Next: vs. SD (9/9)
The Galaxy II are right back in it after their bounce-back performance on Saturday night, and hold second place on the total wins tiebreaker. Wednesday night brings another challenging game with the visit of SD Loyal, but the youngsters are really starting to show they want this.
3. Orange County SC
3. Orange County SC
Record: 5-2-3, 18pts
Playoff Odds: 58 percent
First Place Odds: 6%
Second Place Odds: 52%
Max. Points Available: 36pts
Magic Number: 19pts
Up Next: at SAC (9/9), at SD (9/13)
Missing out on a second win against Los Dos knocked Orange County’s playoff odds by 24 percent, an illustration of how big these six-pointers can be to a team’s chances. Now it’s got to rebound on the road against a Sacramento side on a week’s rest that’s won five games in a row.
4. San Diego Loyal SC
4. San Diego Loyal SC
Record: 3-4-4, 13pts
Playoff Odds: <1 percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: <1%
Max. Points Available: 28pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at LA (9/9)
The Galaxy II taking victory on Saturday night against Orange County kept the door slightly open for SD Loyal, and it could be wide open by the end of a week in which it plays both clubs. With a five-point gap to make up to both Los Dos and OCSC, the time is now for Head Coach Landon Donovan’s recently bolstered side.
5. Las Vegas Lights FC
5. Las Vegas Lights FC
Record: 2-5-3, 9pts
Playoff Odds: <1 percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: <1%
Max. Points Available: 27pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at LA (9/9), vs. OC (9/13)
One loss to Phoenix at home this past Saturday night was a serious blow to Las Vegas’ playoff chances. Another on the road – where Lights FC will enter given an 8 percent chance of winning – could bring an end to the club’s postseason aspirations once again.
 

Group C

1. New Mexico United
1. New Mexico United
Record: 6-3-2, 20pts
Playoff Odds: 98 percent
First Place Odds: 64%
Second Place Odds: 34%
Max. Points Available: 35pts
Magic Number: 9pts
Up Next: at SLC (9/12)
Saturday’s first loss to Locomotive FC was a tough one, but United is still considered the favorite to finish first in the group. If it can find victory on Saturday against the Monarchs for the third time this season while El Paso is having to handle San Antonio FC, it would be another good step toward that goal.
2. El Paso Locomotive FC
2. El Paso Locomotive FC
Record: 5-2-2, 15pts
Playoff Odds: 94 percent
First Place Odds: 35%
Second Place Odds: 59%
Max. Points Available: 36pts
Magic Number: 11pts
Up Next: vs. SA (9/12)
It’s not out of the question that Locomotive FC could be on top of Group C by the end of the week. In order to do so, however, it’s going to have to hand San Antonio FC its first loss of the season when the Group D leaders visit Southwest University Park on Saturday night.
3. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
3. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Record: 1-4-5, 7pts
Playoff Odds: <1 percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: <1%
Max. Points Available: 26pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at SLC (9/9)
The Switchbacks couldn’t afford that scoreless home draw with OKC Energy FC. They’ll go into Wednesday’s visit to the Monarchs needing to make up a 10-point gap to Locomotive FC in six games, which is a really tall order.
4. Real Monarchs SLC
4. Real Monarchs SLC
Record: 2-6-1, 4pts
Playoff Odds: 7 percent
First Place Odds: 1%
Second Place Odds: 6%
Max. Points Available: 28pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. COS (9/9), vs. NM (9/12)
The Monarchs got a win under their belts on Friday night, and now they’ve got to add more. Nothing less than a sweep of this week’s games at Zions Bank Stadium will do at this point, and a loss to New Mexico would probably mark the realistic end of the club’s playoff chances.
 

Group D

1. San Antonio FC
1. San Antonio FC
Record: 8-0-3, 27pts
Playoff Odds: >99 percent
First Place Odds: >99%
Second Place Odds: <1%
Max. Points Available: 42pts
Magic Number: 6pts
Up Next: at ELP (9/12)
San Antonio’s victory and the draw between Austin Bold FC and FC Tulsa on Saturday night moved SAFC within range of clinching a playoff place. Whatever the result in Tuesday’s rematch – including a draw –SAFC will have a chance to clinch a playoff place with a win against El Paso, as a draw in ATXvTUL would see both team’s maximum available points and wins drop to 30 points and eight wins, respectively, meaning SAFC’s ninth win of the season would put it out of reach.
2. Austin Bold FC
2. Austin Bold FC
Record: 3-2-5, 14pts
Playoff Odds: 61 percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: 60%
Max. Points Available: 32pts
Magic Number: 19pts
Up Next: vs. TUL (9/8), at RGV (9/12)
Saturday’s draw with Tulsa upped the stakes for the second meeting between these clubs on Tuesday night. Winner gets a big edge in the playoff race, loser has to play catch-up. How much is either side prepared to risk for all three points?
3. FC Tulsa
3. FC Tulsa
Record: 3-2-5, 14pts
Playoff Odds: 38 percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: 38%
Max. Points Available: 32pts
Magic Number: 19pts
Up Next: at ATX (9/9), vs. OKC (9/12)
Dario Suarez added another spectacular finish for his third goal in the past two games, and he might be the wild card in Tuesday’s rematch against Bold FC. Tulsa’s got a big chance to show it can rise to the occasion against a contender, will it be able to pull off the road win?
4. OKC Energy FC
4. OKC Energy FC
Record: 1-5-5, 8pts
Playoff Odds: <1 percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: <1%
Max. Points Available: 25pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at TUL (9/12)
The playoffs aren’t completely out of reach thanks to Austin and Tulsa’s stalemate, but it’s more like that Energy FC will be playing spoiler when it visits Tulsa on Saturday night. And in terms of taking on that role, OKC will gladly do so if it means keeping its Black Gold Derby rival from the postseason.
5. Rio Grande Valley FC
5. Rio Grande Valley FC
Record: 0-9-3, 3pts
Playoff Odds: <1 percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: <1%
Max. Points Available: 15pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. ATX (9/12)
The Toros are facing elimination on Tuesday night when Austin hosts Tulsa. If there’s a victory for either side, the playoffs are officially out of reach.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

 

Group E

1. Louisville City FC
1. Louisville City FC
Record: 6-3-2, 20pts
Playoff Odds: 85 percent
First Place Odds: 48%
Second Place Odds: 37%
Max. Points Available: 35pts
Magic Number: 14pts
Up Next: vs. STL (9/12)
Look at your new favorite to finish on top of Group E. LouCity’s victory against Indy Eleven flipped the top two around, but there’s still a lot of work to be done to get things wrapped up with Saint Louis only two points back. The Kings’ Cup rivals meet on Saturday night in Louisville, and it should be a corker.
2. Indy Eleven
2. Indy Eleven
Record: 6-4-1, 19pts
Playoff Odds: 81 percent
First Place Odds: 40%
Second Place Odds: 41%
Max. Points Available: 34pts
Magic Number: 15pts
Up Next: vs. SKC (9/9)
The Boys in Blue simply haven’t been able to solve LouCity for two seasons now, and that has raised the pressure in the bigger picture. You’d expect Indy to find a way to beat Sporting Kansas City II on Wednesday night, but as we found out last month it’s not quite a sure thing.
3. Saint Louis FC
3. Saint Louis FC
Record: 6-3-3, 18pts
Playoff Odds: 33 percent
First Place Odds: 12%
Second Place Odds: 21%
Max. Points Available: 33pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at LOU (9/12)
Saint Louis’ playoff odds went down a fraction, but it chances of finishing first went up after beating Sporting KC II on Friday night. Whatever happens from here, STLFC will hold its playoff fate in its hands as it meets Louisville and Indy twice apiece in its final five games, starting on Saturday in the third Kings’ Cup meeting of the season.
4. Sporting Kansas City II
4. Sporting Kansas City II
Record: 4-6-1, 13pts
Playoff Odds: <1 percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: <1%
Max. Points Available: 28pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at IND (9/9)
The numbers aren’t looking good for SKC II after Friday’s loss, but there is still a pathway back to the playoff race. It will need to start with a win against Indy on Wednesday night, but Head Coach Paulo Nagamura’s side has pulled that feat off once already this season, so why not again?
 

Group F

1. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
1. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Record: 7-3-1, 22pts
Playoff Odds: >99 percent
First Place Odds: 89%
Second Place Odds: 11%
Max. Points Available: 37pts
Magic Number: 4pts
Up Next: vs. HFD (9/12)
The Hounds will have a chance to clinch their playoff place this week in the Philadelphia Union drops points in either of its games. Taking victory at home to Hartford on Saturday night will be the big focus this week, though, with the Athletic still having an outside chance at first place with its three games in hand.
2. Hartford Athletic
2. Hartford Athletic
Record: 6-2-1, 19pts
Playoff Odds: 95 percent
First Place Odds: 11%
Second Place Odds: 85%
Max. Points Available: 40pts
Magic Number: 10pts
Up Next: at PIT (9/12)
The Athletic got past Loudoun to continue its road to the postseason, but if it’s serious about having a chance at a first-place finish at the end of the campaign it’s going to need to take something from Saturday’s meeting with the Hounds.
3. New York Red Bulls II
3. New York Red Bulls II
Record: 3-7-0, 9pts
Playoff Odds: <1 percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: <1%
Max. Points Available: 27pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. PHI (9/9)
New York will almost certainly miss the playoffs after its defeat to Riverhounds SC on Saturday evening, ending a run of five consecutive trips to the postseason. Ensuring the side finishes above Loudoun and the Union II is about all that’s left to do now.
4. Loudoun United FC
4. Loudoun United FC
Record: 1-7-2, 5pts
Playoff Odds: <1 percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: <1%
Max. Points Available: 23pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. PHI (9/12)
Saturday’s loss at Hartford meant United can’t catch Riverhounds SC in first and is almost eliminated completely. A loss to the Union II on Saturday might end the competitive portion of the season.
5. Philadelphia Union II
5. Philadelphia Union II
Record: 1-6-1, 4pts
Playoff Odds: <1 percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: <1%
Max. Points Available: 28pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at NY (9/9), at LDN (9/12)
The Union II have the most available points to them of the teams below the playoff line, but could be officially eliminated this week if every result goes against it.
 

Group G

1. Birmingham Legion FC
1. Birmingham Legion FC
Record: 6-2-4, 22pts
Playoff Odds: 97 percent
First Place Odds: 73%
Second Place Odds: 23%
Max. Points Available: 34pts
Magic Number: 10pts
Up Next: vs. CLT (9/12)
Birmingham has hit a sticky point in its schedule and could be hearing the Charlotte Independence’s footsteps in the background. With the two sides set to meet at BBVA Field on Saturday night, Birmingham has a chance to re-establish its hold on first place.
2. Charlotte Independence
2. Charlotte Independence
Record: 5-3-3, 18pts
Playoff Odds: 72 percent
First Place Odds: 19%
Second Place Odds: 53%
Max. Points Available: 33pts
Magic Number: 14pts
Up Next: at BHM (9/12)
The past week couldn’t have gone better for the Independence, which defeated the two teams sitting below them in the standings and saw Birmingham only take one point from two games. First place is within reach now for Head Coach Mike Jeffries side, which would make it a one-point gap at the top with a game in hand on Legion FC if they can win on Saturday night at BBVA Field.
3. North Carolina FC
3. North Carolina FC
Record: 3-5-1, 10pts
Playoff Odds: 31 percent
First Place Odds: 8%
Second Place Odds: 23%
Max. Points Available: 31pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. MEM (9/10), vs. MEM (9/13)
North Carolina saw its playoff chances sink by 22 percent after its loss to the Independence on Saturday, and now has an eight-point gap to make up in seven games. The result against Charlotte wasn’t just tough in the 90 minutes, it also ensured NCFC is going to have to take maximum points from its two games in hand to get back within touch of the Independence. Two games this week with Memphis are looking like must-wins.
4. Memphis 901 FC
4. Memphis 901 FC
Record: 1-5-4, 7pts
Playoff Odds: <1percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: <1%
Max. Points Available: 25pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at NC (9/10), at NC (9/13)
For a team in Memphis’ spot, draws just aren’t going to cut it at this point. And if 901 FC doesn’t take victory in either of its matches against North Carolina FC, the final curtain of the season will approach.
 

Group H

1. Tampa Bay Rowdies
1. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Record: 8-1-3, 27pts
Playoff Odds: >99 percent
First Place Odds: 90%
Second Place Odds: 10%
Max. Points Available: 39pts
Magic Number: 1pt
Up Next: at CHS (9/11)
The Rowdies would have locked up its playoff place on Sunday night if not for Miami still having seven games left, meaning it can still technically match the Rowdies’ eight victories if it wins out. Head Coach Neill Collins isn’t bothered about clinching, though, since he’s got much bigger aspirations, and earning revenge against Charleston on Friday for Tampa Bay’s only loss of the season would be a very good step toward achieving those.
2. Charleston Battery
2. Charleston Battery
Record: 6-2-3, 21pts
Playoff Odds: 98 percent
First Place Odds: 10%
Second Place Odds: 89%
Max. Points Available: 36pts
Magic Number: 7pts
Up Next: vs. TBR (9/11)
Charleston couldn’t hold onto its lead in Miami, lessening the pressure on the Rowdies at the top of the group, but the Battery still have a path to first place if they can record a second home win against Tampa Bay on Friday night. With the way both sides are playing right now, it should have a playoff atmosphere with two teams ready to attack.
3. Atlanta United 2
3. Atlanta United 2
Record: 2-7-3, 6pts
Playoff Odds: <1 percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: <1%
Max. Points Available: 21pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. MIA (9/12)
Atlanta is still alive thanks to its midweek win last week and the Battery’s draw on Saturday, and it will hope to maintain its place down the stretch with victory at home to Miami on Saturday night.
4. The Miami FC
4. The Miami FC
Record: 1-5-3, 6pts
Playoff Odds: 2 percent
First Place Odds: <1%
Second Place Odds: 2%
Max. Points Available: 27pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at ATL (9/12)
No win, and at this point likely no playoffs for Miami, which is going to need to win out and have something really strange happen to Charleston down the stretch to find a way into the playoffs from here.

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Tag(s): Features  San Antonio FC  CO Spring Switchbacks  LA Galaxy II  OKC Energy FC  Orange County SC  Phoenix Rising FC  Portland Timbers 2  Real Monarchs SLC  Reno 1868 FC  Rio Grande Valley FC  Sacramento Republic FC  FC Tulsa  Philadelphia Union II  Charleston Battery  Charlotte Independence  Louisville City FC  New York Red Bulls II  Pittsburgh Riverhounds  Saint Louis FC  Tampa Bay Rowdies  Las Vegas Lights FC  Birmingham Legion FC  Austin Bold FC  Atlanta United 2  North Carolina FC  Indy Eleven  Memphis 901 FC  El Paso Locomotive FC  New Mexico United  Loudoun United FC  Hartford Athletic  Playoffs News  Tacoma Defiance  San Diego Loyal SC  Sporting KC II  Miami FC 

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