Indy Eleven and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC square off on Saturday night in one of this weekend's key games in the playoff race. | Photo courtesy Chris Cowger / Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Welcome to the first edition of the USL Championship Race to the Playoffs presented by Terminix this campaign, where we’ll provide weekly information on where each team stands in their bid to reach the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs in November.
This weekend won’t see any teams officially clinch a postseason berth, but Louisville City FC, the Charleston Battery and New Mexico United could move to the doorstep of returning to the postseason and Miami FC could be officially eliminated from contention.
This season, we’re grateful to our friend John Morrissey at USL Tactics for providing the data for playoff projections. Now, here are some games to watch and an overview of where everyone stands.
Oakland Roots SC vs. New Mexico United
Saturday, 6 p.m. ET | Pioneer Stadium
New Mexico United heads to face Oakland Roots potentially two wins away from clinching a postseason berth if things fall right elsewhere. Roots will have the chance to jump past Memphis 901 FC into third place with a victory at home, but if New Mexico picks up all three points it would be hard to envision the visitors dropping out of the top two by the end of the season.
Indy Eleven vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET | Michael A. Carroll Stadium
We’ve got two six-pointers in the Eastern Conference this weekend, starting with Indy hosting the Hounds. These teams are separated by four positions and four points in the standings with the Hounds coming in off a big win and in possession of an eight-game undefeated streak. The Boys in Blue need a win to boost their top-four chances. If Pittsburgh comes away with victory, it makes the East’s playoff race even harder to call.
Rhode Island FC vs. Birmingham Legion FC
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET | Beirne Stadium
Rhode Island took victory in the first meeting as Head Coach Khano Smith got one over mentor and Legion Head Coach Tommy Soehn. With these teams separated by a point in the standings with nine games to go, if there’s a decisive result it would go a long way toward carrying the winner toward a playoff berth and a potential top-four finish.
FC Tulsa vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Sunday, 6 p.m. ET | ONEOK Field
What if we told you that based on their maximum available points, Tulsa and Colorado Springs both had a legitimate chance for a top-four finish? You can see it with the Switchbacks, especially after their midweek win against Memphis 901 FC moved them within four points of third place with two games in hand, but Tulsa’s still got 11 games to play in the remainder of the season. If someone comes out on top here, it’ll be big for their chances of a home playoff game.
Tag(s): Features San Antonio FC CO Spring Switchbacks Orange County SC Phoenix Rising FC Sacramento Republic FC FC Tulsa Charleston Battery Louisville City FC Pittsburgh Riverhounds Tampa Bay Rowdies Las Vegas Lights FC Birmingham Legion FC North Carolina FC Indy Eleven Memphis 901 FC El Paso Locomotive FC New Mexico United Loudoun United FC Hartford Athletic Miami FC Oakland Roots SC Detroit City FC Monterey Bay F.C. Rhode Island FC