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USL Championship Race to the Playoffs – Sept. 23-25

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 09/23/22, 1:00PM EDT

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Charleston Battery
September 23 | 7:00 p.m. ET
Patriots Point
Rio Grande Valley FC

By now you know that the Western Conference standings are insane. RGV clings to the seventh and final spot, where every point earned is essential to reaching the postseason. 

 

Tampa Bay Rowdies
September 23 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Al Lang Stadium
Birmingham Legion FC

Let’s just say Legion FC will be up for this one. Both clubs currently hold a precious home-field advantage for their first playoff match, but Pittsburgh and Detroit are nipping at their heels. Last year, positive tests for COVID-19 among Pittsburgh’s traveling squad denied Birmingham its home playoff match and Legion FC was subsequently eliminated by the Rowdies in the Conference Semifinals.


Louisville City FC
September 23 | 8:00 p.m. ET
Lynn Family Stadium
Memphis 901 FC

If Memphis is to overtake its rival for the top seed in the East, it likely has to start with a result in this match. With a road win, 901 FC would narrow Louisville’s lead to two points. Memphis has a game in hand, so even a draw keeps City FC within reach. 


Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
September 24 | 7:00 p.m. ET
Highmark Stadium
Orange County SC

Pittsburgh looks to gain ground on Birmingham and Tampa for a home playoff match in the Conference Quarterfinals. Without getting into all the permutations, a loss at Pittsburgh, combined with other West teams gaining points, could mathematically eliminate OCSC from playoff contention. 


The Miami FC
September 24 | 7:00 p.m. ET
Riccardo Silva Stadium
Monterey Bay FC

Phoenix broke Monterey Bay’s three-game winning streak, but not Union FC’s hopes of making the playoffs in its inaugural season. The expansion side still has five games to play, but needs points from as many of them as possible.


Detroit City FC
September 24 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Keyworth Stadium
FC Tulsa

For Detroit City to host a home playoff match requires no more missteps in their five remaining games.


Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
September 24 | 8:00 p.m. ET
Weidner Field
Oakland Roots SC

In its final home match of the regular season, Switchbacks FC looks to clinch a playoff berth with a win while thwarting a Roots side desperate for points. A win would also help Colorado Springs’ chances of hosting a playoff match because it has just three games remaining, whereas three teams that could overtake them each have five left to play.


San Antonio FC
September 24 | 8:30 p.m. ET
Toyota Field
Sacramento Republic FC

San Antonio can all but secure the top seed in the West with a win in this massive clash. SAFC would still need Las Vegas to earn at least a point against San Diego to confirm it.


Las Vegas Lights FC
September 24 | 10:00 p.m. ET
Cashman Field
San Diego Loyal SC

Las Vegas sits just two points below the playoff line but near the back of the “The Pack” of teams vying for the sixth and seventh berths out West. Loyal, meanwhile, can still catch San Antonio for the coveted top seed and bye – but must win to keep that chase alive. Just as importantly, San Diego wants to maintain its grip on a home playoff match.


Standings


Western Conference

2. San Antonio FC
1. San Antonio FC
Record: 21-5-4, 67 pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 1st (99%)
Max. Points Available: 79pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: vs. SAC (9/24)
San Antonio FC could mathematically clinch the top spot with a win or a draw on Saturday.
2. San Diego Loyal SC
2. San Diego Loyal SC
Record: 17-9-4, 55 pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 2nd (86%)
Max. Points Available: 67pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: at LV (9/24)
San Diego can clinch a home playoff match with a win or a draw at Las Vegas. Loyal trails San Antonio by 12 points and has played one more game than SAFC, so first place is likely out of reach.
3. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
3. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Record: 16-12-3, 51pts
Playoff Odds: >99%
Projected Finish: 4th (55%)
Max. Points Available: 63pts
Magic Number: 2
Up Next: vs OAK (9/24)
Colorado Springs can clinch a playoff spot with a win at home against Oakland on Saturday. A draw would keep Switchbacks FC right on the cusp, but not mathematically clinched … yet.
7. Sacramento Republic FC
4. Sacramento Republic FC
Record: 14-8-7, 49pts
Playoff Odds: >99%
Projected Finish: 3rd (52%)
Max. Points Available: 64pts
Magic Number: 4
Up Next: at SA (9/24)
The door is open for Sacramento to leap past Colorado Springs into third place in the West – but the only way that could happen this weekend is if Sacramento wins at San Antonio and Colorado Springs loses at home to Oakland.
2. El Paso Locomotive FC
5. El Paso Locomotive FC
Record: 12-12-7, 43pts
Playoff Odds: 68%
Projected Finish: 7th (30%)
Max Points Available: 52pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at TBR (9/28)
Like Colorado Springs, El Paso now has just three games remaining to lock down points. So its score-watching time for Locomotive FC, and their fans will be rooting against Rio Grande Valley FC, Monterey Bay F.C. and Las Vegas Lights FC this weekend.
4. New Mexico United
6. New Mexico United
Record: 11-9-10, 43pts
Playoff Odds: 89%
Projected Finish: 5th (42%)
Max. Points Available: 55pts
Magic Number: 10
Up Next: at LV (9/30)
Another club, idle this weekend, that must cross its fingers for favorable results in other matches. While 89% seems like good odds to make the playoffs, New Mexico will watch its West foes closely and prepare for a massive match at Las Vegas Lights next weekend.
10. Rio Grande Valley FC
7. Rio Grande Valley FC
Record: 11-12-6, 39pts
Playoff Odds: 71%
Projected Finish: 6th (29%)
Max. Points Available: 54pts
Magic Number: 14
Up Next: at CHS (9/23)
Rio Grande Valley FC has won four of its last five matches to vault above the playoff line, including wins over Colorado Springs, New Mexico and El Paso in recent weeks. RGV FC has games in hand over several Western Conference rivals, so things are trending positive for a surprise playoff berth.

5. Oakland Roots SC
8. Oakland Roots SC
Record: 9-9-12, 39pts
Playoff Odds: 27%
Projected Finish: 9th (22%)
Max. Points Available: 51pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at COS (9/24)
Oakland has won back-to-back matches, but the teams directly above and below it in the standings have games in hand, so Roots SC is in a vulnerable spot. A road win at Colorado Springs would rekindle hope across the Bay Area.
6. Rio Grande Valley FC
9. Monterey Bay F.C.
Record: 12-14-3, 39pts
Playoff Odds: 35%
Projected Finish: 9th (20%)
Max. Points Available: 54pts
Magic Number: 15
Up Next: at MIA (9/24)
Monterey Bay lost six of its first seven matches in its inaugural season, but is now charging up the table with three wins and a draw in its past four games. If it can handle the congested schedule, Union FC could climb above the playoff line.
2. El Paso Locomotive FC
10. Las Vegas Lights FC
Record: 10-12-7, 37pts
Playoff Odds: 11%
Projected Finish: 11th (27%)
Max Points Available: 52pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at SD (9/24)
Las Vegas isn’t mathematically eliminated yet, but with three losses in a row, time is running out. Lights FC has the benefit of games in hand, but likely needs at least a draw in San Diego to realistically keep pace with the rest of “The Pack” of nine teams vying for the last three playoff berths.
4. LA Galaxy II
11. LA Galaxy II
Record: 10-14-6, 36pts
Playoff Odds: 6%
Projected Finish: 11th (26%)
Max. Points Available: 48pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at SAC (10/2)
LA Galaxy II has some time off before visiting Sacramento Republic FC on October 2, but if the wrong combination of teams pick up points in the interim, an uphill slog may just become impossible.
Phoenix Rising FC
12. Phoenix Rising FC
Record: 9-15-5, 32pts
Playoff Odds: <1%
Projected Finish: 12th (52%)
Max. Points Available: 45pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at MB (9/21)
They’re not out yet, but it would take a miracle for a side with four losses in its last six games to turn things around and reach the postseason. The current playoff line is at 39 points and Phoenix can still reach 45 if it unleashes a winning streak.
3. Orange County SC
13. Orange County SC
Record: 7-13-10, 31pts
Playoff Odds: <1%
Projected Finish: 13th (83%)
Max. Points Available: 43pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at PIT (9/24)
Orange County’s title defense is just about over, but Milan Iloski is still the leader in the Golden Boot Race.

Eastern Conference

2. Louisville City FC
1. Louisville City FC
Record: 19-5-6, 63pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 1st (85%)
Max. Points Available: 75pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: vs. MEM (9/23)
Louisville holds a 5-point edge over Memphis 901 FC for the No. 1 seed in the East, but Memphis has a game in hand. These two teams meet head-to-head at Lynn Family Stadium on Friday night in a massive regular season match. Louisville won the first meeting of the season 2-1 in July and has a 6-1-1 record against Memphis all-time.
3. Memphis 901 FC
2. Memphis 901 FC
Record: 18-7-4, 58pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 2nd (44%)
Max. Points Available: 73pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: vs. LOU (9/23)
Memphis can make a huge statement with a win Friday night in Louisville, but that’s no small task. Should it win that match, 901 FC will be just two points behind Louisville with a game in hand. Even if it loses, Memphis will keep the No. 2 spot through the weekend at least.
1. Tampa Bay Rowdies
3. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Record: 16-7-6, 54pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 3rd (41%)
Max. Points Available: 69pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: vs. BHM (9/23)
The Rowdies are slumping at the wrong time, but have a good opportunity to consolidate their place in third this weekend with fourth-placed Birmingham in town. The two teams are level on points, but the Rowdies have a game in hand. Beat Legion FC on Friday night and it’s hard to see Birmingham catching the Rowdies in the remainder of the season.
1. Birmingham Legion FC
4. Birmingham Legion FC
Record: 16-8-6, 54pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 4th (39%)
Max. Points Available: 66pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: at TBR (9/23)
Birmingham rallied for a big win last week at home against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and will hope that momentum continues through to this weekend. If Legion FC beats the Rowdies head-to-head this weekend, it will take a 3-point cushion over Tampa Bay and build a little defense against the Rowdies’ game in hand.
3. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
4. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Record: 15-8-7, 52pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 5th (40%)
Max. Points Available: 64pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: vs. OC (9/24)
Pittsburgh let a big opportunity slip away last week with a 2-1 loss in Birmingham at halftime. If the postseason started today, the Riverhounds would be right back at Protective Stadium in Birmingham for the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Pittsburgh has a friendly match this week with Orange County coming east, but it can’t afford to relax if it wants a home playoff game.
1. Birmingham Legion FC
6. Detroit City FC
Record: 13-6-11, 50pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 6th (37%)
Max. Points Available: 64pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: vs. Tulsa (9/24)
A midweek draw at New York Red Bulls II may have felt like a missed opportunity, but Le Rouge still has a chance at sneaking into the top four and earning a home playoff game. Detroit City is back in Hamtramck against a Tulsa team that is out of contention and winless in its past three. Trap game?
4. The Miami FC
7. The Miami FC
Record: 13-8-9, 48pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 7th (58%)
Max. Points Available: 60pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: vs. MB (9/24)
Miami FC clinched its playoff berth last weekend, so the pressure is off. With no games in hand over anyone above it in the standings, Miami looks unlikely to climb all the way to fourth, but you never know. A tricky test awaits with red-hot Monterey Bay coming to town.

Eliminated from Playoff Contention: FC Tulsa, Hartford Athletic, Indy Eleven, Loudoun United FC, Charleston Battery, Atlanta United 2, New York Red Bulls II

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