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USL Race for the Playoffs – Sept. 15-17

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 09/15/17, 3:25PM EDT

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San Antonio's in, and could be joined by three others in weekend’s action

After San Antonio FC became the second club to clinch a place in the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs on Wednesday night with its victory against Orange County SC, the playoff picture is coming into even sharper focus. Three more teams could also book their place in the postseason this weekend, with Louisville City FC and Reno 1868 FC needing just a win and the Charlotte Independence needing a win and a little help to seal their spots.

Further down both sets of standings there are some massive matchups this weekend, with FC Cincinnati’s clash with the New York Red Bulls II having the potential to impact the Eastern Conference as strongly as Phoenix Rising FC’s victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC this past Saturday. Here’s what to watch for over the next three days.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Louisville City FC
Current Record:
 15-5-5, 50pts
Maximum Points Available: 71
Points Needed to Clinch: 2
Avg. Finishing Position: 1.1
Last Game: W 3-0 at Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Next Game: 9/15 vs. Bethlehem Steel FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
Louisville’s impressive road victory against the Riverhounds moved the side within range of a place in the playoffs for a third consecutive season, as it plays host to Steel FC on Friday night. In addition to being within range of a playoff berth, City could also put pressure on Real Monarchs SLC in the race for the USL Regular Season Championship, with a victory cutting Real’s lead to only three points ahead of the Monarchs’ visit to Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday.

2. Charlotte Independence
Current Record:
 13-5-8, 47pts
Maximum Points Available: 65
Points Needed to Clinch: 5
Avg. Finishing Position: 2.3
Last Game: W 3-0 vs. Richmond Kickers
Next Game: 9/16 vs. Ottawa Fury FC, 7 p.m. ET
The Independence aren’t in a win-and-you’re-in situation like Louisville, but Charlotte could clinch a second consecutive playoff berth should it take victory against Fury FC and see either FC Cincinnati or Orlando City B fail to take victory on Saturday night. The clash with Ottawa is one of the biggest of the weekend, too, with Fury FC fighting for its playoff life.

3. Rochester Rhinos
Current Record:
 11-5-9, 42pts
Maximum Points Available: 63
Points Needed to Clinch: 10
Avg. Finishing Position: 3.6
Last Game: D 1-1 vs. Ottawa Fury FC
Next Game: 9/16 at Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 7 p.m. ET
The Rhinos remain in position to claim third place after their draw with Fury FC last Saturday night, and for a second consecutive week, they will take on a side looking to keep its playoff hopes alive. The Riverhounds were defeated by Louisville last weekend to end a five-game undefeated streak, but they could provide a test for Rochester on home turf if the Rhinos aren’t careful.

4. Charleston Battery
Current Record:
 11-7-8, 41pts
Maximum Points Available: 59
Points Needed to Clinch: 11
Avg. Finishing Position: 4.3
Last Game: L 1-0 at Louisville City FC
Next Game: 9/16 vs. Richmond Kickers, 7 p.m. ET
The Battery have a lot going for themselves in terms of motivation going into Saturday’s game with the Kickers. First, the side will want to get back into the win column after claiming victory only once in its last 10 games. Second, it would love to begin a new undefeated streak with a victory against a Kickers side that defeated it 3-1 when the teams met last month. Third, a victory would put the side three points clear of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the race for a top-four position in the Eastern Conference. Back on home turf, the Battery should be in the mood to put on a show.

5. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Current Record:
 10-7-8, 41pts
Maximum Points Available: 59
Points Needed to Clinch: 11
Avg. Finishing Position: 4.6
Last Game: W 3-2 at Harrisburg City Islanders
Next Game: 9/23 vs. Charlotte Independence, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Rowdies have this weekend off, and would dearly love to see either the Rhinos or Battery – or preferably both – fail to pick up maximum points this weekend. A busy conclusion to the regular season then kicks off for Tampa Bay with the visit of the Charlotte Independence in nine days.

6. New York Red Bulls II
Current Record: 
11-11-5, 38pts
Maximum Points Available: 53
Points Needed to Clinch: 14
Avg. Finishing Position: 7.2
Last Game: W 2-1 at Toronto FC II
Next Game: at FC Cincinnati, 7 p.m. ET
Not many teams in the Eastern Conference have been hotter than the Red Bulls II of late with their victory against Toronto FC II keeping the side moving up the standings. Saturday night might bring the biggest game of the season for both New York and FC Cincinnati, with a potential record crowd set to be on hand at Nippert Stadium. If NYRB II takes victory, it would both be another massive step toward the postseason and a major nail in FCC’s hopes as well.

7. FC Cincinnati
Current Record: 
9-9-9, 36pts
Maximum Points Available: 51
Points Needed to Clinch: 16
Avg. Finishing Position: 8.4
Last Game: D 1-1 at Harrisburg City Islanders
Next Game: 9/16 vs. New York Red Bulls II, 7 p.m. ET
Cincinnati’s home finale is set to be one for the record books, but the crowd will go in wondering if it will see FCC in the postseason if the hosts are unable to take all three points against the in-form Red Bulls II. After Tuesday night’s last-gasp heroics of Jimmy McLaughlin against his former side, Cincinnati really needs a win, and there are those like Ottawa and Pittsburgh who would certainly welcome more dropped point before FCC heads on the road to end the regular season.

8. Orlando City B
Current Record:
 8-6-12, 36pts
Maximum Points Available: 51
Points Needed to Clinch: 17
Avg. Finishing Position: 8.0
Last Game: L 2-0 vs. Richmond Kickers
Next Game: 9/16 at Saint Louis FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
Outside of New York, no team on Saturday will be rooting for a Red Bulls II victory harder than OCB, which sits tied with FC Cincinnati on a maximum total of 51 points going into the weekend. Orlando also faces a big playoff six-pointer on Saturday, as it visits Saint Louis FC. A victory for the visitors could provide a fatal blow to STLFC’s chance at the playoffs while simultaneously raising Orlando into a strong position in the top eight.

9. Bethlehem Steel FC
Current Record:
 10-11-4, 34pts
Maximum Points Available: 55
Points Needed to Clinch: 20
Avg. Finishing Position: 7.6
Last Game: D 1-1 at Orlando City B
Next Game: 9/15 at Louisville City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
Bethlehem’s maximum points available puts it in an advantageous position over New York, Cincinnati and Orlando, but given the matchups those sides face this weekend, Steel FC will want to get something out of a very tough trip to Louisville on Friday night. After suffering a 3-1 defeat at Goodman Stadium earlier this season, learning the lessons from that performance will be critical to handing City a third home loss this season.

10. Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Current Record:
 8-9-10, 34pts
Maximum Points Available: 49
Points Needed to Clinch: 18
Avg. Finishing Position: 9.0
Last Game: L 3-0 vs. Louisville City FC
Next Game: 9/16 vs. Rochester Rhinos, 7 p.m. ET
The Riverhounds’ defeat against Louisville was a tough one, but results elsewhere helped ensure it wasn’t a fatal blow to Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes. Key now will be how the Riverhounds respond on Saturday as another tough test arrives at Highmark Stadium in the form of the Rochester Rhinos, the first of two meetings between the clubs in the final five games of the season that will go a long way to determining the Riverhounds’ fate.

11. Saint Louis FC
Current Record:
 8-12-7, 31pts
Maximum Points Available: 46
Points Needed to Clinch: 21
Avg. Finishing Position: 10.9
Last Game: L 2-1 vs. Harrisburg City Islanders
Next Game: 9/16 vs. Orlando City B, 8:30 p.m. ET
Saint Louis’ late defeat to the City Islanders raised its predicted average finish by a point, an indicator of how big a depressant it was to the club’s playoff hopes. Orlando City B’s visit to Toyota Stadium – Saint Louis now takes on the air of a must-win game for the side. A loss would probably be the final nail in the coffin.

12. Ottawa Fury FC
Current Record:
 7-9-10, 31pts
Maximum Points Available: 49
Points Needed to Clinch: 21
Avg. Finishing Position: 10.9
Last Game: D 1-1 at Rochester Rhinos
Next Game: 9/16 at Charlotte Independence, 7 p.m. ET
On its own, rallying to take a point on the road against the Rochester Rhinos would be a creditable result, but it wasn’t the one Ottawa was looking for. Now without playmaker Gerardo Bruna for its trip to face a Charlotte Independence side that has the incentive of possibly clinching a playoff place with a win, Fury FC is facing a very tough task to reach the postseason.

13. Harrisburg City Islanders
Current Record:
 7-14-7, 28pts
Maximum Points Available: 40
Points Needed to Clinch: 24
Avg. Finishing Position: 12.8
Last Game: D 1-1 vs. FC Cincinnati
Next Game: 9/16 vs. Toronto FC II, 7 p.m. ET
Time has probably run out for Harrisburg’s playoff hopes, but it sure has made things interesting for teams with postseason aspirations after taking victory against Saint Louis FC and coming moments away of repeating the feat against FC Cincinnati. Saturday’s home game with Toronto FC II offers another chance to pick up a victory and build momentum into the offseason.

14. Richmond Kickers
Current Record:
 6-13-8, 26pts
Maximum Points Available: 41
Points Needed to Clinch: 28
Avg. Finishing Position: 13.7
Last Game: W 2-0 at Orlando City B
Next Game: 9/16 at Charleston Battery, 7 p.m. ET
Richmond remains a long-shot to reach the postseason, but after wins in three of its last four outings, it can still have plenty to say about where everyone else lands in or out of the playoffs. Earning back-to-back victories against the Charleston Battery to wrap up the season series between the two longtime rivals would be very welcome for clubs like the Rochester Rhinos and Tampa Bay Rowdies, as they vie for a top-four position.

Eliminated: Toronto FC II

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. Real Monarchs SLC
Current Record:
 17-4-5, 56pts
Maximum Points Available: 74
Points Needed to Clinch: IN
Avg. Finishing Position: 1.2
Last Game: D 0-0 at Portland Timbers 2
Next Game: 9/16 at Phoenix Rising FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
The Monarchs might be starting to hear footsteps after San Antonio FC’s victory on Wednesday night against Orange County SC, and Saturday’s trip to face Phoenix Rising FC is looking like a tricky one given the form their hosts at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex are currently in. With contests against Orange County, Sacramento and Reno to follow, the Monarchs’ stretch run is going to be interesting to watch.

2. San Antonio FC
Current Record:
 14-2-10, 52pts
Maximum Points Available: 70
Points Needed to Clinch: IN
Avg. Finishing Position: 2.1
Last Game: W 1-0 at Orange County SC
Next Game: 9/17 at Swope Park Rangers, 5 p.m. ET
San Antonio earned its place in the postseason with victory against Orange County on Wednesday night, its first in club history. With a four-point gap to the Monarchs with six games to go, the USL Regular Season Championship is also in play, but Sunday’s cap to a long road trip against the Swope Park Rangers will be crucial to those hopes, particularly if Real’s result on Saturday against Phoenix has gone SAFC’s way.

3. Reno 1868 FC
Current Record:
 14-5-7, 49pts
Maximum Points Available: 67
Points Needed to Clinch: 3
Avg. Finishing Position: 2.9
Last Game: D 1-1 at Seattle Sounders FC 2
Next Game: 9/16 at Rio Grande Valey FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
Reno’s winning streak came to an end on Saturday night against Seattle, but after San Antonio’s victory against Orange County on Wednesday night, the side will get its first chance at sealing a playoff berth when it visits Rio Grande Valley FC. The seven-point gap to Real Monarchs SLC with six games to go is a wide margin to bridge, but with three consecutive home games coming after the visit to the Toros – including one against the Monarchs – the pursuit of the USL Regular Season Championship isn’t over yet either.

4. Swope Park Rangers
Current Record:
 13-6-6, 45pts
Maximum Points Available: 63
Points Needed to Clinch: 7
Avg. Finishing Position: 4.2
Last Game: L 2-1 at Orange County SC
Next Game: 9/17 vs. San Antonio FC, 5 p.m. ET
The Rangers’ magic number continued to decrease even with its loss to Orange County on Saturday, but if Swope Park is hoping to improve its seed for the postseason, a victory against San Antonio is really a must. The good news for the Rangers is SAFC will be capping an arduous road trip in Sunday’s game, which could open the chance for the side to earn its first win in the three-game series between the clubs this season.

5. Tulsa Roughnecks FC
Current Record:
 12-10-4, 40pts
Maximum Points Available: 58
Points Needed to Clinch: 12
Avg. Finishing Position: 5.9
Last Game: W 3-1 at Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
Next Game: 9/17 at OKC Energy FC, 6 p.m. ET
The Roughnecks saw both Sacramento Republic FC and Phoenix Rising FC gain on them this weekend with their respective victories, but with the final Black Gold Derby of the regular season coming up on Sunday, the focus for the club will be squarely on that contest. With a win, Tulsa would not only ensure it remains in fifth place for the time being but also deliver another crushing blow to its biggest rival’s playoff hopes.

6. Sacramento Republic FC
Current Record: 
11-8-6, 39pts
Maximum Points Available: 60
Points Needed to Clinch: 13
Avg. Finishing Position: 6.1
Last Game: W 2-1 at Rio Grande Valley FC
Next Game: 9/16 vs. LA Galaxy II, 10:30 p.m. ET
Carlos Rodriguez’s dramatic winner for Republic FC against Rio Grande Valley FC could have provided the pendulum swing the club needed to ensure a fourth consecutive playoff berth, as the side moved five points clear of the teams below the red line. A visit from Southern California rivals the LA Galaxy II will give Sacramento a chance to get on a positive run as the conclusion of the regular-season draws, while victories for Tulsa Roughnecks FC and Seattle Sounders FC 2 would bring the finish line for a postseason berth that much closer.

7. Phoenix Rising FC
Current Record:
 10-7-7, 37pts
Maximum Points Available: 61
Points Needed to Clinch: 15
Avg. Finishing Position: 5.9
Last Game: W 2-1 at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Next Game: 9/16 vs. Real Monarchs SLC, 10:30 p.m. ET
Rising FC’s victory against the Switchbacks on Saturday night looks set to be one of the key results in the race for the playoffs in the Western Conference, with the question now seeming not whether Phoenix will reach the playoffs – its playoff probability is now 98.6 percent according to SportsClubStats.com – but how high a seed they might garner. Saturday’s visit from a Real Monarchs SLC that has faltered a little over the past two weeks could offer another chance to boost that position.

8. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Current Record:
 9-11-10, 34pts
Maximum Points Available: 49
Points Needed to Clinch: 18
Avg. Finishing Position: 9.2
Last Game: L 2-1 vs. Phoenix Rising FC
Next Game: 9/16 at Seattle Sounders FC 2, 10 p.m. ET
The Switchbacks’ defeat to Rising FC was a serious blow to their chances at a playoff berth, and now the pressure is on to come out on top of what is shaping up as a three-horse race for the eighth and final playoff spot against OKC Energy FC and Orange County SC. Colorado Springs may not be looking forward to its next outing either, given that they’ve lost on all three prior visits to S2’s Starfire Stadium. There would be no better time to end that streak than on Saturday.

9. OKC Energy FC
Current Record:
 9-11-6, 34pts
Maximum Points Available: 52
Points Needed to Clinch: 18
Avg. Finishing Position: 8.6
Last Game: D 0-0 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
Next Game: 9/17 vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC, 6 p.m. ET
As frustrating as Sunday evening’s draw with WFC2 would have been to Energy FC, the losses by Colorado Springs and Orange County in their last outings have kept Head Coach Jimmy Nielsen’s side in the strongest position of the three to reach the postseason. Getting a positive result against Tulsa on Sunday evening would further boost those hopes and would provide the club’s fans with a welcome morale boost after the Roughnecks’ two victories to claim the season series previously.

10. Orange County SC
Current Record: 
8-9-9, 33pts
Maximum Points Available: 51
Points Needed to Clinch: 19
Avg. Finishing Position: 9.4
Last Game: L 1-0 vs. San Antonio FC
Next Game: 9/17 at Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, 7 p.m. ET
The high of Orange County’s first win at Champions Soccer Stadium last Saturday was brought back to earth by Wednesday night’s defeat to San Antonio FC, which put OCSC with the longest odds between itself, Colorado Springs and OKC to reach the playoffs. Orange County certainly isn’t out of it, though, as its new-look attack looked dangerous against SAFC. A win against Vancouver could flip the odds in its favor.

11. Seattle Sounders FC 2
Current Record:
 9-15-3, 30pts
Maximum Points Available: 45
Points Needed to Clinch: 22
Avg. Finishing Position: 10.9
Last Game: D 1-1 vs. Reno 1868 FC
Next Game: 9/16 vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, 10 p.m. ET
In the same vein as for Ottawa Fury FC in the Eastern Conference, S2’s draw against Reno was a creditable result on paper but not the type of result that’s going to lead to a postseason berth down the line. Saturday’s game with Colorado Springs is now a must-win, and Seattle will be hoping misfortune befalls both Energy FC and Orange County as well to give itself a chance to muscle into the conversation for the final playoff berth.

12. Rio Grande Valley FC
Current Record:
 7-13-7, 28pts
Maximum Points Available: 43
Points Needed to Clinch: 25
Avg. Finishing Position: 12.5
Last Game: L 2-1 vs. Sacramento Republic FC
Next Game: 9/16 vs. Reno 1868 FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Toros’ last-gasp defeat to Sacramento should have sounded the death-knell for RGVFC’s season, with five games to make up a six-point gap on a team that also holds a game in hand in Energy FC. Even if RGVFC is able to get a victory against a Reno 1868 FC side that has a playoff berth within its reach this weekend, it’s unlikely to make a serious difference to the club’s position at the end of the season.

13. LA Galaxy II
Current Record: 
7-14-5, 26pts
Maximum Points Available: 44
Points Needed to Clinch: 16
Avg. Finishing Position: 12.6
Last Game: D 1-1 vs. San Antonio FC
Next Game: 9/16 at Sacramento Republic FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
When Michael Reed’s free kick for San Antonio FC found the back of the net late against Los Dos on Saturday night, it also brought the curtain down on the Galaxy II’s playoff hopes this season. Now all that’s left to do is see how much disruption the side can produce, starting against Northern California rival Sacramento Republic FC this Saturday.

14. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
Current Record:
 5-14-8, 23pts
Maximum Points Available: 38
Points Needed to Clinch: 29
Avg. Finishing Position: 13.5
Last Game: D 0-0 at OKC Energy FC
Next Game: 9/17 vs. Orange County SC, 7 p.m. ET
Sean Melvin’s outstanding performance for WFC2 against Energy FC on Sunday provided a boost to the rest of the Western Conference’s contenders, and those same clubs will be hoping Vancouver can produce more of the same against Orange County this weekend to further boost those still battling for a postseason berth.

Eliminated: Portland Timbers 2

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