EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Louisville City FC
Current Record: 14-5-5, 47pts
Maximum Points Available: 71
Points Needed to Clinch: 7
Avg. Finishing Position: 1.3
Last Game: W 1-0 vs. Charleston Battery
Next Game: 9/9 at Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 7 p.m. ET
Louisville could move within a point of clinching a playoff place this weekend with a win against the Riverhounds depending on how results elsewhere play out. City fans will have their choice of games to pull up the second screen for with Ottawa Fury FC visiting the Rochester Rhinos and New York Red Bulls II visiting Toronto FC II on Saturday night.

2. Charlotte Independence
Current Record: 13-5-8, 47pts
Maximum Points Available: 65
Points Needed to Clinch: 7
Avg. Finishing Position: 2.3
Last Game: W 3-0 vs. Richmond Kickers
Next Game: 9/9 at Charleston Battery, 7 p.m. ET
The Independence’s victory against the Kickers on Saturday put the side in the same circumstance as Louisville in terms of clinching a playoff berth, but Charlotte’s own game on Saturday night offers the potential for a big payoff as well. Take a win against the Battery at MUSC Health Stadium – a tough task, admittedly – and you should be able to pencil in the Independence for a home playoff game for the first time in their history.

3. Charleston Battery
Current Record: 11-7-8, 41pts
Maximum Points Available: 59
Points Needed to Clinch: 13
Avg. Finishing Position: 4.3
Last Game: L 1-0 at Louisville City FC
Next Game: 9/9 vs. Charlotte Independence, 7 p.m. ET
If there was ever a time for the Battery to break out of their prolonged dip in form, it’s this Saturday. As mentioned above, a victory for the Independence at MUSC Health Stadium would be a major boost for Charlotte. If the Battery can find a win, however, it would get them back into the conversation for a top-two finish of their own, and also give a welcome lift to Louisville in its pursuit of first.  

4. Rochester Rhinos
Current Record: 11-5-8, 41pts
Maximum Points Available: 65
Points Needed to Clinch: 13
Avg. Finishing Position: 3.2
Last Game: W 1-0 at Toronto FC II
Next Game: 9/9 vs. Ottawa Fury FC, 6:05 p.m. ET
The Rhinos may be in fourth position right now, but with their games in hand and a two-game winning streak they’re the clear favorite to take third place as we go into this weekend’s action. There’ll be a lot of other fans rooting for Rochester this weekend as well, hoping the Rhinos can help push Ottawa Fury FC further from the Eastern Conference playoff race.

5. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Current Record: 10-7-8, 38pts
Maximum Points Available: 59
Points Needed to Clinch: 16
Avg. Finishing Position: 5.5
Last Game: L 4-2 at New York Red Bulls II
Next Game: 9/6 at Harrisburg City Islanders, 6:30 p.m. ET
The Rowdies’ away form has really stung the team’s chances of hosting a home playoff game this season, with the defeat against the Red Bulls II on Saturday the latest letdown. Tampa Bay isn’t in any serious danger of missing the postseason, SportsClubStats still puts it as a 92.4 percent chance to be postseason bound, but this week’s games against the Harrisburg City Islanders and Bethlehem Steel FC would be a good point for the start of a turnaround away from Al Lang Stadium.

6. Orlando City B
Current Record: 8-6-12, 36pts
Maximum Points Available: 54
Points Needed to Clinch: 18
Avg. Finishing Position: 6.9
Last Game: D 1-1 vs. Bethlehem Steel FC
Next Game: 9/7 vs. Richmond Kickers, 4:30 p.m. ET
After it draw with Steel FC last Thursday night, OCB will be have been very pleased to see the results around it this past weekend which allowed the side to hold onto its sixth spot in the standings. Orlando will now be eyeing its cross-state rivals game on Wednesday night, as a Harrisburg City Islanders win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies would open up the chance to move to fifth win a win against Richmond on Thursday.

7. New York Red Bulls II
Current Record: 10-11-5, 35pts
Maximum Points Available: 53
Points Needed to Clinch: 19
Avg. Finishing Position: 8.5
Last Game: W 4-2 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Next Game: 9/9 at Toronto FC II, 8 p.m. ET
No team was happier to see the spate of draws across the Eastern Conference over the past weekend than the Red Bulls II, who vaulted from 10th to seventh in the standings as a result. New York is still on the brink in terms of its odds to make the postseason, with SportsClubStats rating it a 48.9 chance, but if the attack keeps clicking against Toronto FC II this Saturday, those chances will surely rise for the defending champions.

8. FC Cincinnati
Current Record: 9-9-8, 35pts
Maximum Points Available: 53
Points Needed to Clinch: 19
Avg. Finishing Position: 8.4
Last Game: D 1-1 vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Next Game: 9/12 at Harrisburg City Islanders, 6:30 p.m. ET
Cincinnati still sits in the playoff positions after its draw with the Riverhounds, but it will have some serious score-watching to do this weekend before it returns to action against the City Islanders next Tuesday. Victories for Tampa Bay, Rochester, Louisville and Harrisburg would be big for FCC’s chances.

9. Bethlehem Steel FC
Current Record: 10-11-4, 34pts
Maximum Points Available: 55
Points Needed to Clinch: 20
Avg. Finishing Position: 7.8
Last Game: D 1-1 at Orlando City B
Next Game: 9/9 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies, 3 p.m. ET
Steel FC’s late point against Orlando City B last Thursday was a welcome boost, but still saw the side slide out of the top eight thanks to the Red Bulls II’s triumph against the Rowdies on Saturday. With Tampa Bay the next opponent for Bethlehem, a similar result for Steel FC would keep the club’s playoff chance in solid shape.

10. Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Current Record: 8-8-10, 34pts
Maximum Points Available: 52
Points Needed to Clinch: 21
Avg. Finishing Position: 9.2
Last Game: D 1-1 at FC Cincinnati
Next Game: 9/9 vs Louisville City FC, 7 p.m. ET
Picking up a point after holding an early lead against FC Cincinnati kept the Riverhounds in the hunt, but how they’re likely going to need to take something from as Lousiville City FC comes to visit Highmark Stadium this Saturday. Louisville has taken victory in each of the prior two meetings this season, with the Riverhounds yet to score a goal. With the side on a five-game undefeated streak, it has to make sure this one turns out differently.

11. Saint Louis FC
Current Record: 8-10-7, 31pts
Maximum Points Available: 49
Points Needed to Clinch: 23
Avg. Finishing Position: 10.0
Last Game: D 2-2 at Ottawa Fury FC
Next Game: 9/9 vs. Harrisburg City Islanders, 8:30 p.m. ET
Saint Louis is still in with a chance of the postseason, but a second consecutive draw due to a late goal against Ottawa Fury FC on Sunday was another serious blow. STLFC is really in must-win territory on Saturday as they host the Harrisburg City Islanders, the first of three crucial home games in the next three weeks.

12. Ottawa Fury FC
Current Record: 7-9-9, 30pts
Maximum Points Available: 51
Points Needed to Clinch: 24
Avg. Finishing Position: 11.1
Last Game: D 2-2 vs. Saint Louis FC
Next Game: 9/9 at Rochester Rhinos, 6:05 p.m. ET
A second consecutive late equalizer is nice, but a second consecutive draw wasn’t enough to inspire confidence in a second consecutive home game. The challenge of the Rochester Rhinos is next, with a handful of Fury FC players heading back to Capelli Sport Stadium. The Rhinos took a 1-0 win the first time the teams squared off in Rochester. A similar result, and the bell will be tolling for Fury FC’s season.

13. Harrisburg City Islanders
Current Record: 6-13-6, 24pts
Maximum Points Available: 45
Points Needed to Clinch: 30
Avg. Finishing Position: 12.9
Last Game: L 5-0 vs. Louisville City FC
Next Game: 9/6 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies, 7 p.m. ET
Harrisburg might have received some inspiration from the New York Red Bulls II’s victory on Saturday as they prepare to host the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Wednesday night. The City Islanders certainly need some to try and jumpstart a playoff push that has faltered over the past month. A win would provide a really difficult path to the playoffs, particularly with a visit to Saint Louis next. Anything else, and it’s probably over.

14. Richmond Kickers
Current Record: 5-13-8, 23pts
Maximum Points Available: 41
Points Needed to Clinch: 31
Avg. Finishing Position: 14.3
Last Game: L 3-0 at Charlotte Independence
Next Game: 9/7 at Orlando City B, 4:30 p.m. ET
The Kickers couldn’t replicate their feat against the Charleston Battery in their visit to the Charlotte Independence, and now all that’s really left is to play out the final six games of the season. Richmond will have some teams rooting for it on Thursday night, though, as it visits sixth-place OCB.

15. Toronto FC II
Current Record: 5-15-7, 22pts
Maximum Points Available: 37
Points Needed to Clinch: 32
Avg. Finishing Position: 14.4
Last Game: L 1-0 vs. Rochester Rhinos
Next Game: 9/9 vs. New York Red Bulls II, 8 p.m. ET
The time for mathematical elimination has arrived for Toronto FC II, who would be officially out of the playoffs with a loss to the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday, or some victories elsewhere.

Western Conference

1. Real Monarchs SLC
Current Record: 17-4-4, 55pts
Maximum Points Available: 76
Points Needed to Clinch: IN
Avg. Finishing Position: 1.1
Last Game: L 2-1 vs. San Antonio FC
Next Game: 9/9 at Portland Timbers 2, 10 p.m. ET
The Monarchs ended up getting help to get into their first postseason before their late loss against San Antonio FC, and even despite that defeat the side is in good shape to claim the USL Regular Season Championship. A visit to T2, which was officially eliminated this past weekend, offers a good chance to bounce back.

2. San Antonio FC
Current Record: 13-2-9, 48pts
Maximum Points Available: 72
Points Needed to Clinch: 7
Avg. Finishing Position: 2.3
Last Game: W 2-1 at Real Monarchs SLC
Next Game: 9/9 at LA Galaxy II, 10:30 p.m. ET
San Antonio’s victory against the Monarchs was a big one not only in terms of its pursuit of the USL Regular Season but also in its quest to finish in the top two of the standings. As it prepares to take on the Galaxy II this Saturday, SAFC will also be big fans of Phoenix Rising FC this week. Should Phoenix take victories against Orange County SC on Wednesday and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday, and Orange County also fall on Saturday to the Swope Park Rangers, the door would be open for San Antonio to clinch a playoff place with a win.

3. Reno 1868 FC
Current Record: 13-5-6, 45pts
Maximum Points Available: 69
Points Needed to Clinch: 10
Avg. Finishing Position: 3.1
Last Game: W 3-1 at Orange County SC
Next Game: 9/6 at LA Galaxy II, 10:30 p.m. ET
Reno’s fifth consecutive victory almost put it into second place, only for San Antonio’s late victory to rule that out for the time being. 1868 FC would move into second with a win against the Galaxy II on Wednesday night, however, and potentially be in position to claim a place in the playoffs alongside San Antonio FC on Saturday should Orange County fall in both its contests and the Switchbacks against Phoenix.

4. Swope Park Rangers
Current Record: 13-6-6, 45pts
Maximum Points Available: 66
Points Needed to Clinch: 10
Avg. Finishing Position: 3.7
Last Game: W 2-0 vs. OKC Energy FC
Next Game: 9/9 at Orange County SC, 10 p.m. ET
The Rangers’ victory against Energy FC, and the plethora of draws below them this weekend, means Children’s Mercy Victory Field will almost certainly be home to at least one postseason contest this weekend. The teams in the middle of the race to win the playoffs, as well as San Antonio and Reno, will also be hopeful that the Rangers can continue their momentum against Orange County this Saturday night.

5. Tulsa Roughnecks FC
Current Record: 11-11-4, 37pts
Maximum Points Available: 58
Points Needed to Clinch: 18
Avg. Finishing Position: 6.3
Last Game: D 1-1 at Portland Timbers 2
Next Game: 9/6 at Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, 10 p.m. ET
The Roughnecks came a crossbar away from grabbing a second victory in its trip to the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, but will probably be pleased to walk away with a point against a T2 side that had chances of its own to win. A victory against Vancouver on Wednesday would be a major high to end the trip on, though, as it would create the chance for a seven-point lead on the ninth-place OKC Energy FC going into the weekend’s action.

6. Sacramento Republic FC
Current Record: 10-8-6, 36pts
Maximum Points Available: 60
Points Needed to Clinch: 19
Avg. Finishing Position: 6.6
Last Game: D 2-2 vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Next Game: 9/9 at Rio Grande Valley FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
Sacramento’s winless streak reached four games thanks to the Switchbacks’ dramatic equalizer on Saturday night, and Republic FC will likely be kicking itself over the late chances it had to add an insurance goal that weren’t taken. A first visit to H-E-B Park could be the contest Sacramento needs to turn things around, though, as it faces a side that is a similar dry spell of form. A win, and things are definitely back where they need to be, even if a home playoff game is probably now out of reach.

7. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Current Record: 9-10-10, 34pts
Maximum Points Available: 52
Points Needed to Clinch: 21
Avg. Finishing Position: 8.6
Last Game: D 2-2 at Sacramento Republic FC
Next Game: 9/9 vs. Phoenix Rising FC, 8 p.m. ET
The Switchbacks could have been in a tight spot even with their draw against Republic FC on Saturday, but thanks to results elsewhere Colorado Springs is still in relatively good shape. With a playoff six-pointer coming this Saturday night against Phoenix Rising FC, though, the pressure to take victory at home is on.

8. Phoenix Rising FC
Current Record: 9-7-6, 33pts
Maximum Points Available: 63
Points Needed to Clinch: 22
Avg. Finishing Position: 6.1
Last Game: W 2-0 vs. Seattle Sounders FC 2
Next Game: 9/6 vs. Orange County SC, 10:30 p.m. ET
Phoenix got the victory it needed to move into the top eight, but the more interesting number right now is the 6.1 in the club’s average finish column. Rising FC has the inside track to a strong finish right now, and in addition would do the teams closer to the top of the standings a big favor if it takes victory against both Orange County SC and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC this week.

9. OKC Energy FC
Current Record: 9-10-6, 33pts
Maximum Points Available: 54
Points Needed to Clinch: 22
Avg. Finishing Position: 8.2
Last Game: L 2-0 at Swope Park Rangers
Next Game: 9/10 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, 6 p.m. ET
Energy FC’s loss to the Swope Park Rangers turned Sunday’s game against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 into even more of a must-win. Before that arrives, though, OKC’s fans will get to do some scoreboard watching, as victories this week for Phoenix, Swope Park and Reno would give Energy FC a leg back up in the postseason race.

10. Seattle Sounders FC 2
Current Record: 9-15-2, 29pts
Maximum Points Available: 47
Points Needed to Clinch: 26
Avg. Finishing Position: 11.2
Last Game: L 2-0 at Phoenix Rising FC
Next Game: 9/9 vs. Reno 1868 FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
S2 chances at a playoff place continued to lengthen with its loss to Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday, and it could face a Reno 1868 FC side on Saturday that is within reach of a place in the postseason itself. That’s not an ideal situation, especially since Seattle really needs to take victory to keep its playoff hopes alive as well.

11. Orange County SC
Current Record: 7-8-8, 29pts
Maximum Points Available: 56
Points Needed to Clinch: 26
Avg. Finishing Position: 9.8
Last Game: L 3-1 vs. Reno 1868 FC
Next Game: 9/6 at Phoenix Rising FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
Orange County’s winless streak reached eight games on Saturday night, and now it faces a week where some teams from higher up the standings will be rooting for its slump to continue. A pair of defeats this week, starting on Wednesday night against Phoenix Rising FC, play a role in the path to clinching for San Antonio and Reno. With Rising FC and the Swope Park Rangers the opposition, it’s not too far from the realm of possibility as poorly as Orange County has played of late.

12. Rio Grande Valley FC
Current Record: 7-12-7, 28pts
Maximum Points Available: 46
Points Needed to Clinch: 27
Avg. Finishing Position: 12.2
Last Game: L 1-0 at LA Galaxy II
Next Game: 9/9 vs. Sacramento Republic FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
The end isn’t here yet for the Toros, but its loss to the LA Galaxy II on Sunday made it draw very near, especially with a Sacramento Republic FC side that is in dire need of a win visiting on Saturday night. Winless in five games Rio Grande Valley just hasn’t been able to get things rolling consistently as it did a season ago, and it’s going to miss the postseason as a result.

13. LA Galaxy II
Current Record: 7-13-4, 25pts
Maximum Points Available: 49
Points Needed to Clinch: 30
Avg. Finishing Position: 12.4
Last Game: W 1-0 vs. Rio Grande Valley FC
Next Game: 9/6 vs. Reno 1868 FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
By defeating RGVFC on Sunday, the Galaxy II ensured their elimination from playoff contention would take a little longer, but it’s still a longshot that Los Dos will earn a fourth consecutive postseason berth. Two home games this week against third-place Reno 1868 FC and second-place San Antonio FC are really big obstacles to the win against the Toros being replicated.

14. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
Current Record: 5-13-7, 22pts
Maximum Points Available: 43
Points Needed to Clinch: 36
Avg. Finishing Position: 13.3
Last Game: W 2-1 vs. LA Galaxy II
Next Game: 9/6 vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC, 10 p.m. ET
Vancouver will have the backing of a handful of teams higher up the standings as it hosts Tulsa Roughnecks FC, as while its playoff hopes are over, it could certainly influence who does get into the postseason over its last few games.

Eliminated: Portland Timbers 2