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USL Championship Race to the Playoffs – October 15

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 10/14/22, 11:00AM EDT

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Two places remain up for grabs in the West, while seeding is at stake in both conferences going into the final day of the regular season

Detroit City FC
October 15 | 4:00 p.m. ET
Keyworth Stadium
Miami FC

Both of these teams will open the USL Championship Playoffs on the road, but their seeding and opponent is yet to be determined. Both sides could finish anywhere from fifth to seventh depending on this result and the result in Pittsburgh a few hours later. We’ll explain the specific scenarios below.


Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
October 15 | 7:00 p.m. ET
Highmark Stadium
Oakland Roots SC

This match is important for both sides, but it is absolutely vital for Oakland. If Roots SC wins, it guarantees itself a playoff berth no matter what happens elsewhere. If Oakland drops points, scenarios come into play that leave Oakland on the outside looking in when the night ends. See more on those scenarios below.


Tampa Bay Rowdies
October 15 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Al Lang Stadium
New York Red Bulls II

The Rowdies will be heavily favored to win this contest, and, if they do, they’ll put a ton of pressure on Memphis 901 FC’s match in Tulsa for the No. 2 seed. Tampa Bay can still finish ahead of Memphis with a win if Memphis draws or loses. If Memphis loses, even a draw is enough for Tampa to take second place.


FC Tulsa
Ocotber 15 | 8:30 p.m. ET
ONEOK Field
Memphis 901 FC

Memphis will secure the No. 2 seed with a victory over FC Tulsa, but dropped points open the door for the Rowdies, depending on what happens in their match that kicks off an hour earlier. If Tampa Bay wins, Memphis will need a win to hold onto second.


Rio Grande Valley FC
October 15 | 8:30 p.m. ET
H-E-B Park
Monteray Bay F.C.

The Toros know they’re in as long as they don’t lose to Monterey Bay F.C. The only way for them to miss out on the playoff field is to lose this game and for Oakland and Las Vegas both to win their matches.


New Mexico United
October 15 | 9:00 p.m. ET
Isotopes Park
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

New Mexico has its spot in the postseason booked, but it can still move up to fourth and host a Western Conference Quarterfinal if it beats Colorado Springs and the Sacramento Republic FC loses at home to San Diego Loyal SC an hour later. New Mexico can finish as low as seventh with a loss and wins by both RGV FC and Oakland.


Sacramento Republic FC
October 15 | 10:00 p.m. ET
Toyota Field
San Diego Loyal SC

If Sacramento manages at least a point out of this match, it will host its Western Conference Quarterfinal match regardless of what happens elsewhere.


LA Galaxy II
October 15 | 10:30 p.m. ET
Dignity Health Sports Park
Las Vegas Lights FC

Las Vegas must win to have a chance at reaching the playoffs. If both RGV FC and Oakland both win their earlier kickoffs, Las Vegas is out no matter what. If Oakland drops points and Lights FC wins, Las Vegas will sneak past Oakland into the playoff field via a head-to-head tiebreaker.


WESTERN CONFERENCE

2. San Antonio FC
1. San Antonio FC
Record: 24-5-4, 76 pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 1st (100%)
Max. Points Available: 79pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: vs OC (10/15)
A win this weekend against Orange County SC would see San Antonio set new USL Championship records for wins and points in a season. With a bye into the Western Conference Semifinals, SAFC doesn’t really need to rest players and should be able to push for the record.
2. San Diego Loyal SC
2. San Diego Loyal SC
Record: 18-9-6, 60 pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 2nd (100%)
Max. Points Available: 63pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: at SAC (10/15)
San Diego is locked into the No. 2 seed and gave 16-year-old goalkeeper Duran Ferree a start against New Mexico last weekend. There’s not really anything on the line for San Diego this weekend either, but Sacramento is an in-state rival.
3. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
3. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Record: 17-12-4, 55pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 3rd (100%)
Max. Points Available: 58pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: at NM (10/15)
Colorado Springs will finish third, but faces a New Mexico United side that should be motivated to try and earn a home playoff match.
7. Sacramento Republic FC
4. Sacramento Republic FC
Record: 14-11-8, 50pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 4th (84%)
Max. Points Available: 53pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: vs SD (10/15)
If Sacramento beats or draws San Diego this weekend, it will finish fourth and open the USL Championship playoffs at Heart Health Park. If Sacramento loses and New Mexico United beats Colorado Springs, Sacramento will slip to fifth and face a trip to Albuquerque in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
4. New Mexico United
5. New Mexico United
Record: 12-9-12, 48pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 5th (51%)
Max. Points Available: 51pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: vs COS (10/15)
New Mexico clinched a playoff berth Wednesday night with a come-from-behind win over LA Galaxy II and El Paso Locomotive FC’s loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. New Mexico can finish anywhere from fourth to seventh. A home game is still in play if New Mexico beats Colorado Springs on Saturday night and Sacramento loses to San Diego.
10. Rio Grande Valley FC
6. Rio Grande Valley FC
Record: 13-13-7, 46pts
Playoff Odds: 97%
Projected Finish: 6th (50%)
Max. Points Available: 49pts
Magic Number: 1
Up Next: vs MB (10/15)
There’s only one scenario in play this weekend that leaves RGV FC out of the playoffs. If the Toros lose to Monterey Bay F.C. and both Oakland (at Pittsburgh) and Las Vegas (at LA Galaxy II) win, the Toros will finish 8th. If RGV manages at least a draw, it will book its playoff spot, regardless of what happens elsewhere because it owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over Las Vegas should they both finish on 47 points.
5. Oakland Roots SC
7. Oakland Roots SC
Record: 11-9-13, 46 pts
Playoff Odds: 77%
Projected Finish: 7th (57%)
Max. Points Available: 49pts
Magic Number: 3
Up Next: at PIT (10/15)
The scenario for Oakland is clear: win and you’re in. If Oakland beats Pittsburgh on Saturday, the Roots will clinch a playoff berth regardless of what happens elsewhere. However, if Oakland only manages a draw, it will need RGV FC to lose or Las Vegas to drop points because Oakland would lose the head-to-head tiebreaker to either club if they finish level on 47 points. If Oakland loses, Las Vegas must drop points for the Roots to reach the playoffs.
2. El Paso Locomotive FC
9. Las Vegas Lights FC
Record: 12-13-8, 44pts
Playoff Odds: 26%
Projected Finish: 9th (65%)
Max Points Available: 47pts
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at LA (10/15)
Las Vegas’ hopes of reaching the playoffs may expire before kickoff of its match in LA depending on the results of Oakland’s and RGV FC’s matches. Las Vegas will reach the playoffs with a victory in the late game if either RGV FC or Oakland loses earlier in the day or if Oakland draws. If Oakland draws and Las Vegas wins, they will finish level on 47 points and Las Vegas will finish ahead via the head-to-head tiebreaker. An RGV FC draw is of no use to Las Vegas because Lights FC loses the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Eliminated from playoff contention: El Paso Locomotive FC, Monterey Bay F.C., LA Galaxy II, Phoenix Rising FC, Orange County SC

EASTERN CONFERENCE

2. Louisville City FC
1. Louisville City FC
Record: 21-6-6, 69pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 1st (100%)
Max. Points Available: 72pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: vs HFD (10/15)
Louisville can take it easy in this weekend’s match against Hartford, or it can run its starters out with a bye into the Eastern Conference Semifinals offering a chance to rest later.
3. Memphis 901 FC
2. Memphis 901 FC
Record: 20-8-5, 65pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 2nd (51%)
Max. Points Available: 68pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: at TUL (10/15)
Memphis and Tampa Bay look like they’re on a collision course for a meeting in the Eastern Conference Semifinals as the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds. FiveThirtyEight says it’s basically a coin toss as to which team would host that match. If Memphis wins in Tulsa, it will finish with the No. 2 seed. If Memphis drops points and the Rowdies beat New York Red Bulls II, Memphis will slip to No. 3. If Memphis loses and the Rowdies draw against New York, Tampa Bay has the tiebreaker advantage via in-conference points-per-game.
1. Tampa Bay Rowdies
3. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Record: 19-7-7, 64pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 3rd (51%)
Max. Points Available: 67pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: vs NY (10/15)
The Rowdies can pip Memphis to the No. 2 seed if they finish level on points via a Rowdies draw and Memphis loss, or the Rowdies can pass Memphis on points with a win if Memphis fails to win.
1. Birmingham Legion FC
4. Birmingham Legion FC
Record: 17-10-7, 58pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 4th (100%)
Max. Points Available: 58pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: Idle
Birmingham’s victory against the Indy Eleven on Wednesday night means that Legion FC will play its Eastern Conference quarterfinal at home next weekend against an opponent yet to be determined. Birmingham didn’t beat either Detroit City FC or The Miami FC in the regular season, so maybe it hopes Pittsburgh finishes with the No. 5 seed.
3. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
5. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Record: 15-9-9, 54pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 5th (58%)
Max. Points Available: 57pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: vs OAK (10/15)
If Pittsburgh beats Oakland on Saturday, it will finish with the No. 5 seed regardless of what happens elsewhere because it has the tiebreaker advantage over Detroit. The Hounds will stay ahead of Detroit as long as they match or better Detroit’s result in the early game against Miami. If Miami wins that game, Pittsburgh will secure the No. 5 seed with a draw against Oakland thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker against Miami.
1. Birmingham Legion FC
6. Detroit City FC
Record: 14-7-12, 54pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 6th (37%)
Max. Points Available: 57pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: vs MIA (10/15)
Detroit can jump to fifth with a win over Miami if Pittsburgh then loses to Oakland. Detroit can also slip to seventh with a loss to Miami. Le Rouge beat No. 4 Birmingham in both regular season contests, so it will probably aim to finish 5th.
4. The Miami FC
7. The Miami FC
Record: 14-9-10, 52pts
Playoff Odds: Clinched
Projected Finish: 7th (70%)
Max. Points Available: 55pts
Magic Number: IN
Up Next: at DET (10/15)
Like Detroit, Miami can finish anywhere from fifth to seventh. If it beats Detroit, it can finish no lower than sixth. Miami can reach fifth with a win if Pittsburgh also loses to Oakland.
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: FC Tulsa, Indy Eleven, Hartford Athletic, Loudoun United FC, Charleston Battery, Atlanta United 2, New York Red Bulls II

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Tag(s): Features  San Antonio FC  CO Spring Switchbacks  LA Galaxy II  Orange County SC  Phoenix Rising FC  Rio Grande Valley FC  Sacramento Republic FC  FC Tulsa  Charleston Battery  Louisville City FC  New York Red Bulls II  Pittsburgh Riverhounds  Tampa Bay Rowdies  Las Vegas Lights FC  Birmingham Legion FC  Atlanta United 2  Indy Eleven  Memphis 901 FC  El Paso Locomotive FC  New Mexico United  Loudoun United FC  Hartford Athletic  San Diego Loyal SC  Miami FC  Oakland Roots SC  Race to the Playoffs  Detroit City FC  Monterey Bay F.C. 

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